Homecoming Talk

July 17, 2016

Homecoming Talk

July 17, 2016
Westland 9th Ward, Westland Stake

This must be what heaven is like—being surrounded by family, friends, and the people you love the most in all the world.

Buon Giorno Fratelli e Sorelle.  In Italian that means “good day brothers and sisters”.  It’s one of the first phrases I learned in Italian.  Whenever I say it, it reminds me of the little mice singing in the movie Cinderella.  I knew I was going to be in trouble because it’s very difficult to keep a straight face when I say it.  I actually did pretty good—except for a few times when I laughed.

                       

I had a difficult time learning Italian.  It just never clicked with me.  I know lots of words and phrases, but I never did really learn to speak Italian.  When Elder Rasband set me apart, he said I would learn to communicate with the Italian people.  I thought “Yeah, I’m going to be able to learn Italian”.  After three years, I never did learn the language.  What I did learn was to communicate with the Italian people—just like Elder Rasband said I would.  I couldn’t communicate with words, but I learned to communicate with the spirit.  I learned to communicate as God would have me communicate.  It’s the Holy Ghost that is the teacher, not us.  If I ever did get anything right in Italian, the missionaries cheered for me.  They’re great!

           

In Italy we always said “Gelato is our Motto!”  The missionaries eat a lot of gelato. 

The theme of our mission was “Bee the best you can bee!”  Our desire for each missionary was to be the best they could be.  There are many kinds of “be’s”.

                                    Bee faithful

                                    Bee prayerful

                                    Bee obedient

                                    Bee loyal

                                    Bee-lieve in their mission

                                    Bee a little bit better tomorrow than they are today                                              

                                    Bee like Jesus

                                                Do good

                                                Preach the gospel

                                    Bee a good example to the people of Italy

                                    Bee like honeybees - dedicate this season of  their lives to building up the hive                                                                

Bees are industrious and produce honey, the purest food on earth.

           

How many of our returned missionaries are in the audience today?  Will you please stand and recite “Nostro Scopo” in Italian.

                       

Nostro Scopo e’ invitare le persone a venire a Cristo alutandole ad accettare il vangelo restaurato mediate la fede in Gesu’ Cristo e la Sua espiazione, il pentimento, il battesimo, il conferimento del dono della Spirito Santo e perseverando sino alla fine.

In English it means:

Our Purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.

Recently Elder Nelson has simplified our purpose even more.  The missionary purpose can be stated in four words.

Teach repentance, baptize converts

Our goal is to help people repent and become truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The number of baptisms isn’t important.  What is important is that those who are baptized are truly converted.

How do 18 and 19 year old young men and women accomplish that?  It’s really quite a remarkable process.  These young missionaries are much like the 2000 Stripling Warriors.  They have been taught correct principles by their mothers and fathers.  We have many missionaries who have only been members of the church for a year when they come on a mission.  They learn the principles of the gospel right along with those they teach.  Their testimonies are strengthened and their knowledge increases.

                       

Sometimes these young missionaries are very childlike.  They laugh and giggle and we really wonder about them.  The next minute they are bearing powerful testimonies and giving priesthood blessings and being the voice of God.  They have been taught well.  The Young Men and Young Women programs do a great job of preparing them to be missionaries.

We went on our mission the same time the wave of 18 year olds stared going out.  When he called us into his office and extended the call as Mission President, Pres. Eyring – said “We have no idea what is going to happen.”

This is the Lord’s work. It will progress as He would have it progress.  It is called missionary work because it is work.  Missionaries work hard and they play hard.

The Lord’s work is never done.

After Christ was crucified, he reappeared to his disciples who were fishing and having no luck at all.  He instructed them to cast their net on the other side of the boat.  When they did as he instructed, the net was full of fish.  Jesus then sat down and had a meal of fish with the disciples.  When they were through eating, Jesus had a very poignant conversation with Peter.

John 21:15-17

15  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, 

lovest thou me more than these? 

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

 He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;

thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? 

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? 

And he said unto him,

 Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. 

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Peter listened to the words of the Savior and went on to become one of the greatest missionaries the world has ever known.

           

We went to Italy to help “feed the sheep”.

Most of the nurturing of the sheep came in the form of miracles. 

One night we received three phone calls in the middle of the night.  Nobody was on the other end of the line.  At the end of three phone calls, I was wide awake.  I wondered why those calls had come.  I decided to read my e-mails since I was awake anyway.  One of the e-mails was from a mother who was concerned about her son’s companion.  I read it and went back to bed but couldn’t go to sleep because I kept wondering why we’d had those phone calls.  I finally told Michael I didn’t think those phone calls were a mistake and that we needed to find out why that mother was concerned about her son’s companion.  We got dressed and drove over an hour to the apartment where they lived.  When the missionary’s alarm clock went off at 6:30 in the morning, President rang their doorbell.  When they answered the door, he said “Why am I here?”  After talking to the missionaries, he determined it wasn’t the companion who needed him there, but the son who needed a blessing.

President kept saying we needed to go to Leece to church.  I fought it because Leece was and 8 hour drive each way and we didn’t have an extra 5 minutes, let alone 8 hours.  He just kept saying we needed to go, so after the last zone conference of the transfer cycle in December of 2014, we were in Bari and it was only about 2 ½ hours from there to Leece.  We decided to drive on to Leece and see why we needed to go there.  On Saturday night, President did an exchange with the missionaries who were serving there.  They told him about a young man they had started teaching.  He had had the first lesson and really liked what he had learned.  His name was Daniel.  Daniel planned to go to church the next day.  During the night, Daniel had a dream and in his dream he saw a white tablecloth and a man.  When he walked into the Mormon church the next morning, he saw a sacrament table with a white tablecloth.  When we walked into the church a few minutes later, he looked at President Waddoups and said “That’s the man in my dream.”  That’s why we needed to go to Leece.  Daniel was baptized soon after that and now holds the priesthood.         

                                   

Our mission was one of the first missions in the Europe Area to receive Ipads.  Niether President Waddoups nor I are really tech savvy.  We wondered how we were ever going to manage training 200 missionaries how to set up and use Ipads.  We kept praying for guidance.  About a week before we got the Ipads, a new senior couple arrived in the mission.  That night we invited them to the villa for dinner.  During the conversation, we asked what he had done in his former life.  His response shocked us.  He had been a computer salesman.  We looked at each other and said “The Lord doth provide.”  Our prayers had been answered.

Through the course of attempting to help “feed the sheep, we were able to assist in blessing the lives of many missionaries.  Some of the missionaries came on missions with real challenges.  Some of them had health, emotional, and unresolved moral issues to deal with.

Some of the missionaries had health problems we were able to help resolve that they never would have gotten the help for if they hadn’t come on missions.  Some of them had some severe emotional challenges and we were able to have them talk to the mental health specialists who were serving in Germany.  Some of them had unresolved moral issues that we were able to help them repent of.

I have always had a testimony of the Atonement and have been grateful for the sacrifices made in my behalf and for an older brother who hung and suffered on the cross for me.  During our mission, I gained a much greater testimony that the Atonement is real.  I have seen the lives of individuals change dramatically as they have allowed the Atonement to work in their lives.  We don’t have to be perfect.  We only have to be the best we can be.  The Atonement takes over when we have done our best.

After three years, my testimony is the same as that in the Doctrine and Covenants.

D&C 76:22

22  And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, 

this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: 

That he lives!

For this is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent.

We went to Italy to help feed the sheep, but in reality it was us who were spiritually fed.  We received much more than we gave.

Io dico queste cose,

Nel nome di Gesu’ Cristo,

Amen.

Feed My Sheep

(Occasionally I am asked to give a talk in Stake Conference.  With my limited Italian, it's quite a task, but the Assistants are always very kind and help me translate it and the Italian people are very kind and listen to me read it.)

*  *  *  *  *

Feed My Sheep

I would like to talk to you today about sheep.  Let me begin by talking about shepherds.  A shepherd takes care of his sheep.  The sheep know his voice and follow where he leads them. 

A good shepherd does not herd the sheep from behind but walks in front of them to show them where they should go.  A good shepherd leads his sheep to green pastures where they find good grass to eat and water to drink.  At night he leads them back to the sheepfold where the sheep are safe from wild animals and thieves.  A good shepherd stands guard at the entrance to the sheepfold and protects his sheep.  He counts his sheep to make sure that not one is lost.  In the morning he calls to his sheep.  They recognize his voice and follow him.

John 10:14-15

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep,

and am known of mine. …

I lay down my life for my sheep.

How do we become the Savior’s sheep?  The Lord said:

Mosiah 26:21

“He that will hear my voice shall be my sheep.”

A few months ago we were driving down the road in Sardegna.  I saw a flock of sheep in a pasture along the side of the road.  They were spread all over the field with a shepherd nearby.  I asked President Waddoups to stop the car so I could take a picture.  He pulled to the side of the road and I jumped out of the car ready to snap a picture.  As soon as I jumped out of the car, the shepherd must have thought I presented some sort of danger because he suddenly issued a one word command and every lamb in that field immediately stopped grazing and lined up in a single file line next to the shepherd.  It was amazing.  I have never seen anything like it. 

Realizing I was responsible for the commotion, I called to the shepherd and asked if I could take a photo.  He must have sensed I was no threat at that point and told me I could take a picture.  Every lamb in that field had recognized the call of the shepherd, and every lamb followed the command to get in line so they could be protected by their shepherd.  The shepherd wasted no time calling them to safety.  He was protecting his sheep.

After Christ was crucified, he reappeared to his disciples who were fishing and having no luck at all.  He instructed them to cast their net on the other side of the boat.  When they did as he instructed, the net was full of fish.  Jesus then sat down and had a meal of fish with the disciples.  When they were through eating, Jesus had a very poignant conversation with Peter.

John 21:15-17

15  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,

Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

 He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas,

 lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;

thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon,

son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time,

 Lovest thou me? And he said unto him,

 Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

 Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

A month ago during General Conference, we listened to Christ’s living apostles who told us many things that will help keep us safe.  At this Stake Conference, you will hear even more messages.  I encourage you to follow their counsel.  Like the Good Shepherd, they are protecting you and leading you to green pastures.  Like Peter, they have been asked to "Feed my sheep".  If we follow their counsel, we will be protected.

I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Malta Branch Conference - Talk

Sorella Waddoups

Wife of Italy Rome Mission President

Feed My Sheep

Malta Branch Conference

January 24, 2016

I would like to talk to you today about sheep.  Let me begin by talking about shepherds.  A shepherd takes care of his sheep.  The sheep know his voice and follow where he leads them.  A good shepherd does not herd the sheep from behind but walks in front of them to show them where they should go.  A good shepherd leads his sheep to green pastures where they find good grass to eat and water to drink.  At night he leads them back to the sheepfold where the sheep are safe from wild animals and thieves.  A good shepherd stands guard at the entrance to the sheepfold and protects his sheep.  He counts his sheep to make sure that not one is lost.  In the morning he calls to his sheep.  They recognize his voice and follow him.

John 10:14-15

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. …

I lay down my life for my sheep.

How do we become the Savior’s sheep?  The Lord said,

Mosiah 26:21

“He that will hear my voice shall be my sheep.”

A few months ago we were driving down the road in Sardegna.  I saw a flock of sheep in a pasture along the side of the road.  They were spread all over the field with a shepherd nearby.  I asked President Waddoups to stop the car so I could take a picture.  He pulled to the side of the road and I jumped out of the car ready to snap a picture.  As soon as I jumped out of the car, the shepherd must have thought I presented some sort of danger because he suddenly issued a one word command and every lamb in that field immediately stopped grazing and lined up in a single file line next to the shepherd.  It was amazing.  I have never seen anything like it.  Realizing I was responsible for the commotion, I called to the shepherd and asked if I could take a photo.  He must have sensed I was no threat at that point and told me I could take a picture.  Every lamb in that field had recognized the call of the shepherd, and every lamb followed the command to get in line so they could be protected by their shepherd.  The shepherd wasted no time calling them to safety.  He was protecting his sheep.

After Christ was crucified, he reappeared to his disciples who were fishing and having no luck at all.  He instructed them to cast their net on the other side of the boat.  When they did as he instructed, the net was full of fish.  Jesus then sat down and had a meal of fish with the disciples.  When they were through eating, Jesus had a very poignant conversation with Peter.

John 21:15-17

15  ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Christ told Peter to feed his sheep, specifically those who would hear his voice.  The missionaries are always talking about finding the” golden contact” or  “the person who is so prepared to receive the gospel”.   I believe there are many of those individuals who are waiting to be found.  We just aren’t looking hard enough for them.  Many of them are our friends and neighbors, our co-workers, or even family members who are not members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or those who joined the church but are no longer active.

We need to follow the example of the Good Shepherd.  We need to go in search of the lost lambs. 

In a speech given during the October 1999 General Conference, Elder Ben B. Banks Of the Presidency of the Seventy said the following:

I believe that every active member of the Church knows a lost sheep that needs the attention and love of a caring shepherd.  Several years ago my wife, Susan, and I had the opportunity to tour the New Zealand Christchurch Mission with President and Sister Melvin Tagg. President Tagg suggested as part of the mission tour we include a preparation day and take a bus trip to see the beautiful Milford Sound. Part of the trip involved stopping at several beautiful scenic sites along the way. At one of those stops, as we walked back to the bus, I became curious about a group of passengers standing in a circle on the road taking photographs. As I peered over the people, I saw in the circle a frightened little baby lamb on wobbly legs. It appeared to be no more than a few hours old. I have seen a lot of sheep in my life since my father-in-law was in the sheep business. Consequently, I had no interest in taking a photograph of a solitary lamb, so I boarded the bus and waited. 

After all the passengers finally boarded the bus, the driver picked up the frightened little lamb in his arms, held it tenderly against his chest, and brought it on the bus. He sat down, closed the door, picked up his microphone, and said to us: "Undoubtedly a band of sheep has gone through here this morning, and this little lamb has strayed. Perhaps if we take it with us, we might find the band of sheep farther up the road and return this baby lamb to its mother." 

We drove through several kilometers of beautiful forests and finally came to a beautiful meadow of tall, flowing grass. Sure enough, there in the meadow was a band of sheep feeding. The bus driver stopped the bus and excused himself. We all thought he would put the lamb down on the side of the road and come back, but he didn't. With the lamb in his arms, he carefully and quietly walked out through the grass toward the band of sheep. When he got as close as he could without disturbing them, he gently put the lamb down and then remained in the field to make sure the baby lamb returned to the fold.  As he returned to the bus, he once again picked up his microphone and said, "Oh, can't you hear that mother sheep saying, 'Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing my lost lamb back home to me!'" 

As I think of this wonderful teaching moment provided by the bus driver, my thoughts turn to the parable the Lord gave us of the lost sheep: 

Luke 15:1-7

1  Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3  ¶ And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Elder Banks continued, “Our prophet today, President Gordon B. Hinckley, likewise shares with us his concern about lost sheep:

 "There are so many young people who wander aimlessly and walk the tragic trail of drugs, gangs, immorality, and the whole brood of ills that accompany these things. There are widows who long for friendly voices and that spirit of anxious concern which speaks of love. There are those who were once warm in the faith, but whose faith has grown cold. Many of them wish to come back but do not know quite how to do it. They need friendly hands reaching out to them. With a little effort, many of them can be brought back to feast again at the table of the Lord.  "My brethren and sisters, I would hope, I would pray, that each of us . . . would resolve to seek those who need help, who are in desperate and difficult circumstances, and lift them in the spirit of love into the embrace of the Church, where strong hands and loving hearts will warm them, comfort them, sustain them, and put them on the way of happy and productive lives" ("Reach with a Rescuing Hand," ENSIGN, Nov. 1996, 86). 1999 October General Conference, "Feed My Sheep"

Who is there that would not leave his flock to search after the one?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught:

 “Anyone serving in any capacity in the Church in which he {or she} is responsible for the spiritual or temporal well-being of any of the Lord’s children is a shepherd to those sheep.  The Lord holds his shepherds accountable for the safety {salvation} of his sheep”  (Mormon Doctrine, 2^nd ed., [1966], 710).

When the lamb was found, Christ carried it on His shoulders back to the flock.  He rejoiced because it was found.  That is still true today.  Christ rejoices when his sheep are found whether they are those who are not of the fold or those who have been part of the flock and have gone astray.

Ezekiel 34:12

As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

Once Christ’s sheep are safe and recognize His voice, there is still more to do.  We are told in the scriptures that “blessed is he that endureth to the end”.   Part of that enduring to the end is going to the temple and being sealed not just for time but also for all eternity.

In Malta it is difficult to go to the temple because you have to travel long distances, but it is important to have a current recommend at all times whether you are able to use it or not.

My prayer is that you will follow the Good Shepherd, that you will help Feed His Sheep, that you will seek out the lost lambs, and that you will always be found safe in the sheepfold where you will recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd and He will lead you to safe pastures.

King Benjamin and Bees

June 3, 2015


(Here are some of the thoughts I shared at the Senior Missionary Conference.)

“Bee the best you can bee!”

Because our mission theme is “Bee the best you can bee!”, I want to share some thoughts about some “B” things. 

First, King Benjamin was a prophet whose name begins with “B”.  I hope my service is like that of King Benjamin.

Mosiah 2:9-17

9  And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.

10  I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man.

11  But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me.

12  I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you;

13  Neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, nor that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which he hath commanded you—

14  And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day.

15  Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day.

16  Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

17  And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

The life and service of a missionary is much like that of a bee.

Bees

*Spend all day collecting pollen.

         Pollen is sticky and stains clothes and hands.

         Produces the most perfect food on earth.

*Work hard to build the hive.

*Leave the hive every day.

*Work hard looking for perfect flower with pollen.

*Go from flower to flower pollenating trees and flowers that later produce fruit and beautiful things.

*Some people acknowledge the good things they do and other’s hate them and try to kill them.

*Know the Queen Bee is awaiting their return.

*Only live for a season.

*Others will benefit from their efforts.

Just like bees, because of the busy time we spend in the mission field, we and our families will receive eternal blessings

Abinadi Planted a Seed

This is the talk I gave at the mission conference.

Abinadi Planted a Seed

My father owned a grocery store in Afton, Wyoming.  It was only a couple of miles from our home and my father would come home for lunch most days.  I was just a young girl at the time, but I still remember the day he brought home a traveling salesman for lunch.  He joined with us as we said the blessing on the food, something I don’t think he was used to.  During lunch, my father proceeded to tell him about our family and the church we belonged to, and before the salesman left, he had a copy of the Book of Mormon in his hand. 

I had forgotten all about that experience until sometime after my father’s death.  I was visiting my mother, who still lived in Afton, and attended church with her on Sunday.  One of my childhood neighbors who was a few years older than me was visiting that day, too.  During the testimony meeting, she stood and bore her testimony and told about a man she had met in the ward where she now lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  She said he had first been introduced to the gospel when he was a young traveling salesman and had met a man in Afton, Wyoming who had invited him to lunch and told him about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had given him a Book of Mormon.  That man’s name was Willard Nield.  That’s my dad.  My former neighbor recognized the name immediately and knew exactly whom he was talking about. 

By this time my father had passed away.   My dad never knew what happened to the traveling salesman and had no idea that brief encounter had changed his life forever.  He had planted a seed and somewhere along the way, someone else had helped it grow.

The same thing happened to the prophet Abinadi in the Book of Mormon.  Abinadi spent his entire life preaching the gospel and was eventually burned at the stake.  He never knew that at least one person had listened to his message.

In Mosiah chapter 17 verses 1-4 we read:

1      And now it came to pass that when Abinadi had finished these sayings, that the king commanded that the priests should take him and cause that he should be put to death.

2      But there was one among them whose name was Alma, he also being a descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he believed the words which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew concerning the iniquity which Abinadi had testified against them; therefore he began to plead with the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he might depart in peace.

3      But the king was more wroth, and caused that Alma should be cast out from among them, and sent his servants after him that they might slay him.

4      But he fled from before them and hid himself that they found him not. And he being concealed for many days did write all the words which Abinadi had spoken.

Abinadi had planted a seed in Alma’s heart.  Alma then sought the Lord.  Even though he was hunted by King Noah, who wanted to kill him,  Alma continued to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Many others who had been prepared to receive the gospel gathered around him and learned from him.  He eventually baptized many and became a great high priest because of his deep convictions.

Alma was just one of many who heard Abinadi preach, but he felt the spirit and began preaching the gospel and baptizing others at the peril of his own life.  If it had not been for Alma, none of us would have the blessings of the gospel in our lives and we would not be here today. 

In Mosiah 26:15, King Mosiah tells Alma:

15.  Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in  the waters of  Mormon.  Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding  faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi.

You never know what impact your words and actions might have on another person.  You may never know the result of the seeds you have planted in the Italy Rome Mission.  You may be like my father or like Abinadi.  You may not know, but the Lord knows and you will be blessed for your efforts.

Like Abinadi of old, you have been called by the Lord to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  You have been called to teach the people of the Italy Rome Mission.  Your calling is to share the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  You have been called to deliver a message that will Bring Others Unto Christ. 

There are days when it seems like no one is listening to you and no one cares what you say.  It’s disappointing—especially when you have put your entire heart and soul into it.  Like Abinadi, you are panting seeds. 

In PMG, page 170 it says:

            No Effort Is Wasted.  When people choose not to investigate the restored gospel, your work is not wasted.    Your consistent efforts in serving and teaching as many people as you can is one way God prepares His children to eventually receive His servants. He often reaches out to His children through you. Even when people do not accept the opportunity to learn the gospel,  your service and words are evidence of God's love for them and may plant seeds that future missionaries and members of the    Church will harvest.    When people do not accept the gospel, do not be discouraged. You have raised a warning voice. You have given them a clear choice. Disciples of Christ feel sorrow when people choose not to repent, but they maintain a vision of whom they are and what they are doing. They continue to diligently move forward.

It might be the next set of missionaries to serve in your area, or it might be missionaries years from now who look in the area book and contact this person again.  They will add water and sunlight to the seed you planted and it will sprout and grow.

You just need to know that the Lord is pleased with your efforts.  You are doing exactly what you were called to do.  You each have different talents.  Some of you will plant and some of you will sow.  All that really matters is that you are trying to “BEE THE BEST YOU CAN BEE”.

President Hinckley said:

            “Please don’t nag yourself with thoughts of failure.  Don’t set goals far above your capacity to achieve.  Simply do what you can do in the best way you know how and the Lord will accept your effort.”

Abinadi’s life was hard.  He probably didn’t want to return time after time to preach to a group of people, who hated him and wanted to kill him, but the Lord asked him to do it, and he answered the call.  It was a great sacrifice.  Unlike Abinadi, you aren’t asked to be burned at the stake.  You are asked to dedicate 18 or 24 months of your life as representatives of Jesus Christ.  During that time you will be tested and tried and molded and shaped into exactly what God wants you to be.  Like Abinadi, you will touch the heart of someone who will be brought to the waters of baptism.  Whether it’s now or later doesn’t matter.  What really matters is that you dedicate every day of your mission to setting a good example and bearing your testimony often so that you can influence as many individuals as possible to Come Unto Christ.  God will acknowledge your efforts and you will be rewarded not only in this life, but also in the life to come.

You are part of the “Hastening”.  You were chosen to come to earth at this time, and to the Italy Rome Mission for a specific purpose.  God has a great work for you to accomplish.  Italy needs you to stand up like Abinadi and declare the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I leave my testimony with you that the stories of Abinadi and other great prophets in the Book of Mormon are true.  President Monson is a living prophet.  God leads and directs this church.  You have been called to represent Jesus Christ and you are surrounded by heavenly angels as you go forth each day to share His gospel.

I love each of you.

(Ti voglio bene.)

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

(Io dico queste cose nel nome de Gesu’ Cristo.  Amen.)