Farewell

Good Morning Brothers and Sisters for those of you who don’t know me I’m Talia Brown, Today I've been asked to give my farewell talk and to share with you how we can heed the Prophet's word. Now I have to tell you all I haven't given a talk in three years and Brother Buttler told me that I have to give a big girl talk now which is 15 min so I'm going to apologize in advance.

In 51 days I will be reporting to the Preston MTC to serve a full time mission in England Birmingham. My purpose as a missionary will be to invite others 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 then enduring to the end.

You have no idea how lucky I feel that I was able to be born into my family that I have been raised in, where I know that I am loved, where the gospel of Jesus Christ has been taught, and where we can pray together. I am going to miss them, very much, over the next 18 months.

I am also so lucky for my ward family and for the love and support I have been given by past and present Bishops, Achievement day leaders Young women's leaders and just friends that I have made who have helped shape me into the person I am becoming thank you for your love and support.

Today, I can tell you without a doubt that serving a mission is something I feel strongly about, and feel like it is something that I am definitely supposed to do.  But I struggled for a bit with the decision of going on a mission.  I’ve always known that I had a desire to go, but I was worried that I didn't want to go for the right reasons, or if I was even worthy to go. One night a few months ago I was struggling with making a decision on what I needed to do I asked my dad for a father’s blessing, It was full of words of love and comfort from my father in heaven, at one point in the blessing I was told that I didn’t need to fear anymore and that I just needed to take a leap and trust that heavenly father knows what is best for me and to know that in 18 months I wasn’t going to be missing as much if I didn’t choose to serve a mission at all.

I would like to share an entry from the diary of Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith. She writes, “I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am lifted up in prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed, will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presences of the adversary, negotiate at the table with the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up and paid up for the case of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me and when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.” end quote

The strength in her voice, and the vigor in the words has such a powerful effect. She has a firm testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and it’s evident. She will not give up or deny the power of Christ which she knows to be real. I pray to speak with such fervor and grace so that the people of the Birmingham area will know of my testimony and have the truthfulness of the gospel confirmed in their own hearts.

For those of you who don’t know much about the England Birmingham mission join the club. I had to spend some long nights consulting google about that part of the world. Having grown up up with a mother that made me watch Pride and Prejudice with her almost twice a month I feel like I am a bit Ill prepared with what the English culture actually is. Im sure they have finally gotten to the 21st century by now.

My mission covers The Midlands and Wales. A couple of the cities are Birmingham which is the second most populous metropolitan area in the UK with a population of 3.8 million. This also makes Birmingham the 9th most populous metropolitan area in Europe. Another city in my Mission is Nottingham and yes I’m talking thee Nottingham with Robin Hood and his merry men. Who stole from the rich to give to the poor. I’m a bit excited about that one.

Out of all the Historic sites in my mission there is one in particular called the Gadfield Elm Chapel, in Worcestershire, it was of great significance in the early history of The Church in the British Isles, acting as the focal point of Church activity for thousands of Latter-day Saints until the majority emigrated to the U.S. In 1840 President Brigham Young preached at Gadfield Elm which, at the time, was the only Latter-day Saint chapel in the world.

The chapel was built in 1836 by a fundamentalist Christian group, the United Brethren, and was deeded to Wilford Woodruff, on behalf of The Church in 1840. Almost the entire congregation of the United Brethren joined the church by baptism.  As the new converts heeded the call to gather to Zion the building became redundant and was sold, with the proceeds being used to assist with the emigration of the Saints.

It stands as a reminder of one of the greatest Latter-day Saint missionary experiences in the British Isles.The events associated with the building in the history of Church missionary work are powerful and inspiring. In its beautiful setting it provides us with a charming yet a thoughtful reminder of the humble and simple beginnings of this world-wide Church we have today.

The historic Gadfield Elm Chapel was received by President Gordon B. Hinckley on behalf of the Church in May 2004. This marked a new chapter in the story of this historic chapel building. Today it is the oldest Mormon chapel in the world still standing as the last surviving memorial to the United Brethren.

This rich history of the church in England, was made possible because of Wilford woodruff and the other missionaries, who listened to the voice of a prophet.

Our Father in Heaven loves all of His children and desires that they know and understand His plan of happiness. Therefore, he calls prophets, those who have been ordained with power and

authority to act in God's name for the salvation of His children. To be in harmony with heaven's divine purposes, we sustain the prophet and choose to live according to his words.

Here are 14 fundamentals in following the Prophet as given by President Ezra Taft Benson

First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

In section 21, verses 4–6, the Lord states: Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.

Second:The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.

President Wilford Woodruff tells of an interesting incident that occurred in the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith: At an early conference of the church certain remarks were made about living oracles and that more emphasis should be placed on the written word of God.

At the conclusion of those remarks, Brother Joseph turned to Brother Brigham Young and said, “Brother Brigham, I want you to take the stand and tell us your views with regard to the living oracles and the written word of God.” Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: “There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. And now,” he said, “when compared with the living oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.” That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation: “Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.” [In Conference Report, October 1897, pp. 18–19]

Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

The living prophet has the power of TNT. By that I mean “Today’s News Today.” God’s revelations to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Noah needed his own revelation. Therefore, the most important prophet, so far as you and I are concerned, is the one living in our day and age to whom the Lord is currently revealing His will for us. Beware of those who would pit the dead prophets against the living prophets, for the living prophets always take precedence.

Fourth: The prophet will never lead the Church astray.

President Wilford Woodruff stated: “I say to Israel, The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of the Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God.”

President Marion G. Romney tells of this incident which happened to him: I remember years ago when I was a Bishop I had President [Heber J.] Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting I drove him home. . . .Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: “My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.” Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, “But you don’t need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray.”

Fifth: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

Sometimes there are those who feel their earthly knowledge on a certain subject is superior to the heavenly knowledge which God gives to His prophet on the same subject. They feel the prophet must have the same earthly credentials or training which they have had before they will accept anything the prophet has to say that might contradict their earthly schooling. How much earthly schooling did Joseph Smith have? Yet he gave revelations on all kinds of subjects. We encourage earthly knowledge in many areas, but remember, if there is ever a conflict between earthly knowledge and the words of the prophet, you stand with the prophet, and you’ll be blessed and time will vindicate you.

Sixth: The prophet does not have to say “Thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture.

Sometimes there are those who haggle over words. They might say the prophet gave us counsel but that we are not obligated to follow it unless he says it is a commandment. But the Lord says of the Prophet Joseph, “Thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you” (D&C 21:4; italics added).

Brigham Young said “I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call it scripture”

Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

President Harold B. Lee taught: “Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear,” complained Nephi’s brethren. But Nephi answered by saying, “the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center”  You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may contradict your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. . . . Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow. . . . Let’s keep our eye on the President of the Church. [In Conference Report, October 1970, p. 152-153]

Eighth: The prophet is not limited by man's reasoning.

There are going to be times when we have to choose between the revelations of God and the reasoning of men

Would it seem reasonable to an eye doctor to be told to heal a blind man by spitting in the dirt, making clay, and applying it to the man’s eyes and then telling him to wash in a dirty pool? Yet this is precisely the course that Jesus took with one man, and he was healed. (See John 9:6-7.) Does it seem reasonable to cure leprosy by telling a man to wash seven times in a particular river? Yet this is precisely what the prophet Elisha told a leper to do, and he was healed. (See 2 Kings 5.)

Just because we can’t understand it does not mean it’s not from God.

Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter—temporal or spiritual.

Brigham Young said:

Some of the leading men in Kirtland were much opposed to Joseph the Prophet, meddling with temporal affairs. . . . In a public meeting of the Saints, I said, “Ye Elders of Israel, . . . will some of you draw the line of demarcation, between the spiritual and temporal in the Kingdom of God, so that I may understand it?” Not one of them could do it. . . . I defy any man on earth to point out the path a Prophet of God should walk in, or point out his duty, and just how far he must go, in dictating temporal or spiritual things. Temporal and spiritual things are inseparably connected, and ever will be.

Tenth: The prophet may be involved in civic matters.

When a people are righteous they want the best to lead them in government. Alma was the head of the Church and of the government in the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith was mayor of Nauvoo, and Brigham Young was governor of Utah. Isaiah was deeply involved in giving counsel on political matters and of his words the Lord Himself said, “Great are the words of Isaiah” (3 Nephi 23:1). Those who would remove prophets from politics would take God out of government.

Eleven: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

The learned may feel the prophet is only inspired when he agrees with them; otherwise, the prophet is just giving his opinion—speaking as a man. The rich may feel they have no need to take counsel of a lowly prophet.

In the Book of Mormon we read: O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

As a prophet reveals the truth it divides the people. The honest in heart heed his words, but the unrighteous either ignore the prophet or fight him. When the prophet points out the sins of the world, the worldly either want to close the mouth of the prophet, or else act as if the prophet didn’t exist, rather than repent of their sins. Popularity is never a test of truth. Many a prophet has been killed or cast out. As we come closer to the Lord’s second coming, you can expect that as the people of the world become more wicked, the prophet will be less popular with them.

Thirteen: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord refers to the First Presidency as “the highest council of the Church” (107:80) and says, “whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent” (112:20).

Fourteen: Follow the  prophet and the presidency—follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.

President Harold B. Lee tells a story of an event that took place in Kirtland: some of the leading brethren in the presiding councils of the Church met secretly and tried to scheme as to how they could get rid of the Prophet Joseph’s leadership. They made the mistake of inviting Brigham Young to one of these secret meetings. He rebuked them, after he had heard the purpose of their meeting. This is part of what he said: “You cannot destroy the appointment of a prophet of God, but you can cut the thread that binds you to the prophet of God and sink yourselves to hell.” [In Conference Report, April 1963, p. 81]

It is far easier for us too listen to the council of the Prophet then for us to try and figure it out for ourselves.

I believe in a living Prophet, I know that our Heavenly father has given us Prophets to give us guidance and counsel in this day and age. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God because I have read it. I know that my Saviour Atoned for mine and your sins so that we can get back to our Heavenly Father's presence. I love the temple and i am so grateful for the work that we can do at the temple to seal families together for time and eternity and to go there and learn more about our Heavenly Father and the plan of happiness. I am so grateful for the many experiences and people in my life that have helped prepare me for missionary work. I am so grateful for my Mom and Dad and my grandparents who have helped raise me. I am so grateful for my two amazing Brothers who I know are both going to be incredible missionaries. I am grateful to my friends and family who have supported me and loved me through everything I am so grateful for these blessings in my life and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.