Farewell Talk

Hello everyone, I am so grateful to be up on the stand today. I know that sounds cliche, but I am truly excited to hopefully help you get a taste of the spirit while I speak. My name is Jaren English and I have been lucky enough to be called to serve a full time mission in the Thailand Bangkok area, I will be departing for the Missionary Training Center on July 5. The world is coming at me-Fast. Missionary work is something that I have always had a deep desire to do, but serving an actual mission, up until the past year and a half, was mostly on the back burner of my mind. Then when the time came and the bishop asked me what my plans where for after high school, I didn't even have to think about my answer. I was going to go on a mission right out of high school. Then its slowly started to hit me. This was definitely something I really wanted to do, but I don't think I fully understood the sheer amount of things that had to be done; the clothes to buy, the appointments to make. It is a lot of work. 

But more importantly there was the spiritual preparations. I am going to be honest with you, I had a strong testimony, but it was very basic. The preparations that I have made, the talks that have had with my bishop and family, have spiritually and physically changed me into a different creature, one who loves Jesus Christ and his gospel. 

Before this change of heart, I was unsure about a lot of things. I knew there was something more in this world than just man, I knew there was a god and that I felt his presence when I prayed to him. I also had a strong belief in Jesus Christ and what he did for me. But I wanted to know more, I wanted to know if this church was for me and if I should change my life because of it. I prayerfully searched the scriptures everyday. I prayed harder then I ever have. you could say I was like the ones described in Doctrine and Covenants 123 verse 12-13. 12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it-13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—It was right in front of me, the truth was inside me all along. The way this church is structured, the way it affected me and everyone around me, was absolutely divinely inspired. I have lived in two parts of Utah and have gone to churches and temples out of state, but there is almost no difference in the welcoming and family like spirit that envelops you in these places. This church gets people involved. It makes you feel like a part of a family with one goal, and that is to build others up and to make them the best kind of people they can be. I now understand and really believe that this church is what Ezra Taft Benson describes it as-

"We are commanded of god to take this gospel to the world. That is the cause that must unite us today. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self destruction. Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family." 

I believe that if the nations and people of the world where all part of what we have here, where everyone has a part in a society like the one that our church demonstrates, it is the best thing that our world can hope for. Not to mention we have a prophet guided by the living god. This thought, however unrealistic, makes my conviction and drive to serve a mission burn that much hotter. 

In addition to this realization I came to know over a long period of studying and prayer that this church was given legitimacy and the correct priesthood authority from god to Joseph Smith. That he used that power to correctly translate the golden plates into the best book in the world-- The Book of Mormon. It just makes sense to me, that god talks to all of his children so he should have talked to the ancient people in the americas. 

Even though I knew this I personally came to know of the truthfulness of this book one night, after reading. I kind of already knew the answer, but I had never asked for myself if it was true. I knelt down and waited in silence until I felt the gradual tug of the spirit and then I began my prayer out loud. I thanked god for my circumstances and the usual things, then I waited a second longer and before I even had a chance to open my mouth and ask for confirmation of the book of mormon, I felt the spirit stronger than I ever have, the hair on my arms and neck stood up as I got goosebumps and I knew I had received my answer. I will never forget that night. 

In verse fourteen of the before mentioned scripture it says 

14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness. I know that after we receive these amazing confirmations, they can go away, which is why when I am looking for someone to teach, I want to be looking beyond baptism to not just focus on the milestones but on the journey. We need to learn to love the little things that keep on pushing us along our individual spiritual journeys. in verse 15 it says. 15 Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things. This scripture prophesies the we will need to rely on these things now and in the future, so never stop doing them and having these daily increments of spirituality, for that is how many people drilt away from the church. I believe that all of us will benefit greatly if we can understand this principle. 

It seems to be a common theme in the gospel where the small things, the meek and lowly of heart, are the ways the the lord works through the best. This is good news for me and most missionaries. I am just an ignorant 18 year old kid. I am not some huge spiritual giant who knows the scriptures by heart. But through all of my preparing one thing that I have come to know, is that if I am humble and meek enough to do what the lord wants me to do without question, I know that I will have success on my mission and in life. D&C 35:13-14 says 13 Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are =learned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit; 

14 And. their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them. I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and Every time I read this scripture it gets me excited. It states that we will be literal mediums for the lord to work through and that he has our back. Finally, the scripture in D&C 123 goes on to verse 17 17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. 

One of the main reasons that I am voluntarily giving two years of my life to this gospel, is because of ethics. Ethics is defined as-The Discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. I have felt the blessings and pure elation of living the life of a Latter Day Saint, and I believe that it is my moral duty and obligation to want to bring more of my fellow human beings to this light and truth that I have found. I promise you that I will truly, cheerfully do all things that lie in my power to share this. I thank my family so much for just simply being there for me at all times, whenever I need them. I love them very much. The family is the most important part of society and it will always be that way. Jayce, Jameson, and Avery you guys are the best, Im going to miss playing board games and hanging out with you guys. My parents are my best friends. I talk to them like I talk to myself sometimes. They are always there to guide me in the most loving way possible and to make sure I don't make a fool of myself. I have the upmost respect for my father and that respect has grown by working along his side, renovating properties that he owns in murray. I have learned to do many things, tiling, grouting, installing appliances and carpet, demo, and just hauling heavy objects out to the dumpster. Its hard work. As I know a mission will be. My Father is the hardest worker I know. I cant tell you how many hours of hard, back breaking labor my dad has done over his lifetime. Im pretty sure he likes it. But after working for him, I think that he more specifically likes the rewarding feeling of having done something hard. I understand that now, and it will be a great tool in the mission field and life. I also admire his quiet and unwavering testimony. I can never thank him enough for all he does. 

My sweet mother is one of the most tender and loving people I know. She becomes really sad even when you say you shot a small bird with an air-soft gun, or was unfriendly to someone in any way. She has taught me patience with myself and others and how to be sensitive to the spirit. I know she loves me dearly. 

I would also like to thank my friends for being so true to the gospel, they are all going on missions themselves. I know that you guys are one of the reasons we moved here, you have been a fantastic influence on me. 

I'm telling all of you here today, that if you take just one thing from what I say, I want you to know that I wouldn't be doing this huge thing, I wouldn't have changed my life if I didn't absolutely know that there is truth to this church. I cant deny it.