Farewell Talk

Overcoming doubts

Elder Hugo Montoya shared a talk called Overcoming the Danger of Doubt. He goes on to talk about large Indian Laurel trees and how they get attack by this disease called Texas root rot. The fungus attacks but the effects are not seen for several years, the fungus gradually rots the roots and these beautiful trees begin to die. He then related us and our doubts to these trees and the fungus saying:

Like fungus that enters trees, doubts can invade our thoughts. If we let them grow, over time they can affect our roots and rot our foundation of faith until we too may be cut down.

So-called friends can introduce doubt by asking hurtful questions. Internet sites can generate doubt by presenting information out of context. But doubts especially intensify when we ourselves, feeling abandoned or overwhelmed, question the burdens we bear. The natural man’s complaints, such as “Why me, Lord?” or “If I am Thy servant, why dost Thou allow … ,” can be whispered in our ears by the father of lies. He has a sinister purpose: to weaken our certainty that we are God’s children.

To counter such doubt, we must remember the perfection of our Father’s plan. Rather than dwelling on negative questions, we should ask for strength.

I have had the opportunity to grow up in the church, and be raised by a great family. I have learned a lot the past few years, things that have made me a stronger person. Things have not always been easy, and will never be easy. But the hard work in the end is rewarding. Sometimes you just must overcome the doubt. When I was a junior in high school I was going through a lot of doubt in my life. Doubt about sports and what to do. Things just seemed to be going wrong all around me.

When I was a Junior in highs school I really struggled with confidence in sports. It all started with a terrible soccer coach I had during the school season. He wasn't nice, and hardly played half his team. It was frustrating because I had put so much time and effort into this sport and I wasn't seeing the results I wanted. I had dedication and heart but slowly my confidence feel. I told my mom I was done with everything but she begged me to continue on and play other sports as well. 

I remembered the scripture in Alma about the stripling warriors (Alma 56:47-48)

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

The sons of Helaman demonstrated two principles in this passage which can help us find peace in troubled times.

We can draw courage from keeping our focus on the things that matter most.

If we choose not to doubt, God will deliver us.

These young men had plenty of reasons to be afraid. But instead of directing their attention to the dangers they faced, they focused instead on what they were fighting for: the liberty of their fathers. And they intentionally chose not to doubt the promises of God, because they trusted the faith of their mothers. They knew that miracles would follow if they exercised faith in Him.

During this trouble time in my life I did not doubt my mother (well maybe a little bit) but she told me that playing basketball would allow me to recover from my terrible soccer experience, and she knew I would feel valued by my coaches. I look back on this experience and if I didn’t play basketball I would’ve have missed all the great long-lasting friendships that came out of it.

High school is a critical time in a youths’ life. They begin to learn who they are and what they want in the future. I’ve noticed that during this time youth will either grow their testimony in God or will fall away completely. Friends are important, and the crowds you hang out with will shape you in the end. They have a big influence on you, so it is so important that you are surrounded by people who respect you and your standards. We know what is right so make the right decisions and don’t let temptation or doubt over take you. And do not let Satan influence you to do something you know is wrong.

            Elder Robert Harbertson told a story that I will never forget. An old Indian legend. Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley. There he fasted, and on the third day he decided to test himself against the mountain. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders, and set off to climb the peak.

When he reached the top, he could see forever, and his heart swelled with joy. Then he heard a rustle at his feet. Looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke: “I am about to die. It is too cold for me up here, and I am freezing. There is no food, and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley.”

“Oh, no,” said the youth. “I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite me, and I will die.”

“Not so,” said the snake. “I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you.”

The youth withstood for a while, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass. Suddenly, the snake coiled, rattled, and struck, biting him on the leg.

“But you promised—” cried the youth.

“You knew what I was when you picked me up,” said the snake as it slithered away.

The boy had doubt about this snake at first then he gave in, which made him weak. Don’t give into the doubts of the world

He concluded his talk by telling us

The Lord cannot make your decisions for you, but he will always allow you to be aware of what is right when a decision or action is about to be made. Don’t allow yourself to ever believe that you are “different” in that you can participate in unrighteous activities—even just once—and not be hurt. Remember, “you knew what I was when you picked me up.”

Next time you’re out with some friends think to yourself “Would I be comfortable making these decisions if the savior was standing beside me?” If not then get out of there or suggest you do something else. If you’re friends are make fun of you for standing up for what you believe in then are they truly your friends? In the world, today we get pressured into doing things so we can “fit in”. We wear things that are not modest, we say things at school we wouldn’t normally say at church or home, it’s like we are almost living a double life. Our church self is different from our social self. Once again think “Would I be comfortable making these decisions if the savior was standing beside me?”and again remember “you knew what I was when you picked me up.”

As president Dieter F Uchtdorf “Doubt you’re doubts before you doubt your faith”

Praying for Guidance

A few years ago, I was sitting in my seminary class when my teacher was talking to us about the power of prayer, saying how we should pray to heavenly father to help us make the right decisions in life. As seniors in high school this was an important lesson as we were all about to apply for colleges and decide what we wanted to do after high school. She handed us all a sticky note and told us to write a question down that we wanted an answer to, then pray about it. I knew I was going to go to a church school, but the question that I wanted an answer to and wrote down was “Should I go on a mission after high school?” I then took this sticky note and stuck it to the front cover of my scriptures. For a year I prayed about this question on and off. And for a year I felt like I wasn’t getting a for sure answer. I’m not gonna lie it was kinda frustrating. But I realized after sitting in devotional at BYUI that I was going about this the wrong way.

I learned that Heavenly Father wants us to take a leap of faith sometimes and decide for ourselves, with that said he will not let us get too far off the path back to him. In other words, He will always be there to guide us, and He is always there for us whether we know it or not, He loves each of us and wants us to progress on our eternal path back to Him again. I knew a mission was something that I wanted to do, so I decided for myself that I was going to go. I started to change the way I prayed about it and instead of asking “Should I go on a mission?” I said “I have decided to go on a mission, and to help me know I am making the right decision”. A few weeks after I changed my mindset I was sitting in my religion class talking about missions, when I got this overwhelming exciting feeling that I would go. I can’t describe how I felt but it was just awesome. I finally had received an answer to my prayer. Here I am today 7 months later.

What I learned from this whole experience is that Heavenly has his own timing of things. He knows what we need and when we need it. If I would’ve received the answer to my question a year earlier I may not have thought anything of this experience, or I may have blown it off and not really focused on preparing myself for a mission. But since I prayed about it for so long my testimony was strengthened and I could know with confidence that this is what I wanted to do, and I was able to prepare myself to put my mission papers in as soon as I could. To this day the question I wrote as a senior in high school still sits in the front cover of my scriptures, and every day as I read my scripture I look at it and know what I am doing is right. Like my mom says some things in life are good, but other things are greater. And the way I see it is I am leaving my family for 18 months so that others can be with their family for eternity, and know the truth of this gospel.

As Proverbs chapter 3 verse 5-6 states

“5) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

I know that by putting my trust in the Lord he will bless me and help me as I serve him.

Called to Serve

As I put my mission papers in and waited that seemingly wait of a life time I read the talked given last conference by Elder Bednar called Called to the Work almost every day. The part that really stood out to me stated “A missionary is not called to a place; rather, he or she is called to serve” I loved this because everyone would ask “Where do you want to go?” and I knew that it wasn’t my decision but the lords, but as I read this I understood that it doesn’t matter where we go or what language we speak but that we are called to serve. Whether it be overseas or right here, Gods children are all over the world and He loves each and every one of us that he will send people in our direction and people to cross our path that will strengthen us and help us grow. I know that the Spanish speaking people of Chicago will help me grow and learn as an individual and I too with them. My Mission Prep teacher at BYUI always had us read Alma 26:3

“And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work”

He told us as we remain clean and sharp we will all be made an instrument in the hands of God. I know that the Lord will help me along my 18-month journey as well as the rest of my life to continue to make the right decisions and overcome doubt. He will be here for me always and help me know what to say and when to say it. He tells us in Doctrine and Covenants 84: 88-89

“And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in our hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. Whoso receiveth you receiveth me…”

A few weeks ago I got a letter from my mission president and I quote: “We are so excited that you are coming to serve in the Illinois Chicago Mission with all of us.  It is a great mission and we love it here.  Do not be afraid of all the stories you hear.  We feel safe and go about our business every day.” So, I do not doubt that I will be safe and serve the lord in this area. I know that as I serve the people that I will grow to love them and will create long lasting friendships there.

We must not succumb to desperation, for trials and temptations are temporary. We can all find hope in the saviors declaration “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” (D&C 6:36)

Conclusion

I thank all of you who have taught me and helped me grow, I feel it a blessing to know all of you. I am grateful for my family and friends who have sacrificed their time to come and be here with me. It will be His work I will be doing. It will be His name I will be representing. And it will be Him I will strive to be like.