Agency - Farewell Talk, Page Ward

The topic I've been assigned is Agency. Agency is the ability and privilege God gives us to choose and to act for ourselves. Agency is essential in the plan of salvation. Without agency, we would not be able to learn or progress or follow the Savior. With it, we are “free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil.”

The words to a hymn teach:

Know this, that ev’ry soul is free

To choose his life and what he’ll be;

For this eternal truth is giv’n:

That God will force no man to heav’n

In an October 2010 General Conference talk by Robert D. Hales, he shares what we know about agency.

Before we came to this earth, Heavenly Father presented His plan of salvation—a plan to come to earth and receive a body, choose to act between good and evil, and progress to become like Him and live with Him forever.

Our agency—our ability to choose and act for ourselves—was an essential element of this plan. Without agency we would be unable to make right choices and progress. Yet with agency we could make wrong choices, commit sin, and lose the opportunity to be with Heavenly Father again. For this reason a Savior would be provided to suffer for our sins and redeem us if we would repent. By His infinite Atonement, He brought about “the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice.”

After Heavenly Father presented His plan, Lucifer stepped forward, saying, “Send me, … and I will redeem all mankind, that [not even] one soul shall … be lost … ; wherefore give me thine honor.” This plan was rejected by our Father, for it would have denied us our agency. Indeed, it was a plan of rebellion.

Then Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father’s “Beloved and Chosen [Son] from the beginning,” exercised His agency to say, “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.” He would be our Savior—the Savior of the world.

Because of Lucifer’s rebellion, a great spiritual conflict ensued. Each of Heavenly Father’s children had the opportunity to exercise the agency Heavenly Father had given him or her. We chose to have faith in the Savior Jesus Christ—to come unto Him, follow Him, and accept the plan Heavenly Father presented for our 

But a third of Heavenly Father’s children did not have faith to follow the Savior and chose to follow Lucifer, or Satan, instead.

And God said, “Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, … I caused that he should be cast down.” Those who followed Satan lost the opportunity to receive a mortal body, live on earth, and progress. Because of the way they used their agency, they lost their agency.

The scriptures tell of Job. As a test of his faith, Job lost absolutely everything. Although he had literally nothing left, he still chose to follow God and remain faithful. For doing this, Job received many blessings including seeing God.

In his talk, Robert D. Hales shares example from the scriptures of not using agency correctly found in 1^st Samuel. Samuel tells King Saul:

“The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king …now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the Lord. 

“… Go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have.”

But Saul did not follow the Lord’s commandment. He practiced what I call “selective obedience.” Relying on his own wisdom, he spared the life of King Agag and brought back the best of the sheep, oxen, and other animals.

The Lord revealed this to the prophet Samuel and sent him to remove Saul from being king. When the prophet arrived, Saul said, “I have performed the commandment of the Lord.” But the prophet knew otherwise, saying, “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”

Saul excused himself by blaming others, saying the people had kept the animals in order to make sacrifices to the Lord. The prophet’s answer was clear: “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken [to the commandments of the Lord] than the fat of rams.”

Finally, Saul confessed, saying, “I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.” Because Saul did not hearken with exactness—because he chose to be selectively obedient—he lost the opportunity and the agency to be king.

Christ was the perfect example of how to use our agency. Robert D. Hales goes on to say:

Throughout His life our Savior showed us how to use our agency. As a boy in Jerusalem, He deliberately chose to “be about [His] Father’s business.” In His ministry, He obediently chose “to do the will of [His] Father.”  In Gethsemane, He chose to suffer all things, saying, “Not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” On the cross, He chose to love His enemies, praying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And then, so that He could finally demonstrate that He was choosing for Himself, He was left alone. “[Father,] why hast thou forsaken me?” He asked. At last, He exercised His agency to act, enduring to the end, until He could say, “It is finished.”

Though He “was in all points tempted like as we are,” with every choice and every action He exercised the agency to be our Savior—to break the chains of sin and death for us. And by His perfect life, He taught us that when we choose to do the will of our Heavenly Father, our agency is preserved, our opportunities increase, and we progress.

I have chosen to serve a mission, and I know that by doing so I will be blessed by blessing the lives of others.

I’d like to bear my testimony that I know that as we exercise our agency for good and keep the commandments that we will receive blessings for our obedience. I’m grateful for the Spirit that has been present in this meeting. I know that the words which have been spoken today are true and that the feeling that you’re feeling right now is the Spirit testifying that they are. I love all of you, and I’m so grateful for my family, friends, and my ward family in helping me to become the person that I am today. I’m excited to have the opportunity to serve the people in El Salvador and teach them the truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know for myself that it is true, and I know that as each of you ask Heavenly Father in sincere prayer if it is true that the Spirit will testify to you that it is. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet called of God to restore His church upon this Earth in these latter days; that as a fourteen year old boy he truly did see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and that he talked to them face to face. I know that through the hand of God Joseph Smith was able to translate and bring forth the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that the principles found in it can help us throughout our lives if we apply its teachings. I know that Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us with a perfect love, that we are His children, and that He wants us to make it back to live with Him again. I know that the Atonement is real; that Christ suffered for our sins and died so that we may be resurrected as He was. I know that He knows us perfectly, that in the Garden of Gethsemane He felt all of our pains, sicknesses, griefs, and sorrows. I know that He loves us, and that as we turn to Him, that He can help us and strengthen us through the trials and temptations that come our way. I know that He is always with us, that He will never desert us, and that His arm is always extended toward us. All we must do is grab a hold of it. I know these things are true, and I leave them with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 The Ugalinos'

 The Sirens'

 Brother & Sister Taylor

 Michael & Romy

 The Stringhams'

 Brother & Sister Scown

 Brother & Sister Bellas

 The Coopers'

Brother & Sister Van de Graaff

 Bishop Nabrotsky with "Elder" San Diego

 Harrison & Michan

 Grandpa & Grandma San Diego

 Loraine & Leigh

 President Burnham

Dad & Mom

How We Can Find Peace In Today’s World - Cornerstone Ward

Hi, I’m Michael San Diego from the Page Ward, and I've been assigned to speak today with Brother Bailey. The topic I've been given is how we can find peace in today’s world.

In True to the Faith, it states:

Many people think of peace as the absence of war. But we can feel peace even in times of war, and we can lack peace even when no war is raging. The mere absence of conflict is not enough to bring peace to our hearts. Peace comes through the gospel—through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the ministration of the Holy Ghost, and our own righteousness, sincere repentance, and diligent service.

Even when the world is in turmoil all around us, we can receive the blessing of inner peace. This blessing will continue with us as we stay true to our testimony of the gospel and as we remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and watch over us.

In addition to feeling peace ourselves, we can be an influence for peace in our families, our community, and the world. We work for peace when we keep the commandments, give service, care for family members and neighbors, and share the gospel. We work for peace whenever we help relieve the suffering of another.

The following words of the Savior teach us how we can experience the peace that the gospel brings:

“The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

”Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

”Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward."

“Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail."

“Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you."

“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

“Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.”

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

As we remember the Savior and follow Him, we truly can be of good cheer. We can experience real, enduring peace at all times. We can find hope in the Savior's first words to His disciples after His Resurrection: “Peace be unto you.”

I’d like to read the words to the hymn: “Where Can I Turn For Peace?”

Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace when other sources cease to make me whole? When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice, I draw myself apart, searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows, where, when I languish, where, in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand? He, only One.

He answers privately, reaches my reaching in my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend. Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching. Constant he is and kind, love without end.

Probably the most common way that we can find peace in our lives is through prayer. When we pray, we are literally communicating with our Father in Heaven. We thank Him for the many blessings that He has given us. We share with Him our problems, our concerns, and our weaknesses. We then ask Him for strength, guidance, and protection. We can also repent and receive forgiveness. As we pour our hearts out to Him in sincere prayer and faith, He will help us and bless us with the things we ask for.

One story of prayer comes from the Primary General President.

When one of our sons was 11 years old, he woke up with a bad headache. At first I thought he was just delaying going to school, but I quickly realized he had a high fever. I took him to the doctor, and soon we were rushing to the hospital. There he was diagnosed with spinal meningitis, a serious illness. As his condition became more severe, he began having seizures. The doctor asked me to step out of the room. As I walked into the hall, I was afraid and began to cry. A woman I did not know put her arms around me. I prayed out loud that Heavenly Father would help my son and that all would be well. I remember feeling that all would be well. My son had surgery and many weeks of recovery. Today he is healthy, married, and a father of two beautiful girls. This experience was such an example to me of the power of prayer. There is a Primary song titled “A Child’s Prayer.” It asks the question, “Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?” (Children’s Songbook, 12). And the answer is definite: yes, He does. If you ever wonder if Heavenly Father lives, then it is time to kneel down and ask, “Heavenly Father, art Thou really there? Did I really live with Thee before I came to earth? Can I return to live with Thee again?” He will answer your prayer. He will let you know He is there. You are never alone. We need Him every hour, and He is there for us.

Another way we can find peace is by studying the scriptures. As we study, we should liken the scriptures unto ourselves. Instead of just reading the words on the page, we should read and think about how the situation relates to us and how we can apply it to our own life. The scriptures can guide us in making decisions and help us to learn from the mistakes of the Nephites. In my own experience, almost every time I study the scriptures, there is always something in the section I am reading that I need to hear, or that can help me.

I’d like to read the words to another hymn.

Keep the commandments; keep the commandments! In this there is safety; in this there is peace. He will send blessings; He will send blessings. Words of a prophet: keep the commandments. In this there is safety and peace.

This hymn promises that by keeping the commandments, we can find safety and peace, and receive blessings for our obedience. True happiness in this life comes from keeping the commandments. As quoted from Alma 41:10, “behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.” However, if we do make a mistake and sin, that is where the amazing power of the Atonement comes into play. Through sincere repentance and our faithfulness, we can be cleansed from all sin.

Service can also bring us peace. Serving others always brings a great feeling knowing that you were able to help someone who otherwise would not be able to accomplish the task on their own. Even small, everyday acts of kindness like holding open a door, picking something up for someone, and just a simple smile can brighten up a person’s day. Missionary work will always bring peace by knowing that you have helped someone come unto Christ and be able to receive of the blessings that the Gospel brings.

One way that we can serve is by being a peacemaker. President Eyring this in the July 2009 Liahona.

When you look at your newspaper and your television, you don’t see much about peace. Every day the news is filled with violence across the world. The Savior said, “And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” When I read that as a boy, I wondered about the promise. It didn't sound like anything very glorious. But I see now that the promise is both glorious and sure. Those who will have eternal life are the children of God. I testify that God knows you. He cares about those around you, and He loves you. You are His disciple, and that makes you a light to people. When you act with faith to offer the gospel and peace to those around you, they will feel the light of the Savior. You will have pointed the way. I testify to you that God lives; Jesus is the Christ. I feel His love for you. I know the Savior spoke the truth when He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

I believe that the ultimate way we can attain peace is by attending the temple. The temple is the house of the Lord. Just knowing that we are walking where the Savior walks brings comfort and peace. Going to the temple brings us peace by giving us time to step back from the craziness of our everyday lives to pray and meditate. This past Wednesday, I had the opportunity and privilege to go through the temple to receive my endowments. That was the strongest I have ever felt the Spirit, and the feeling of peace as we concluded our session in the Celestial Room was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The Celestial Room is the perfect place to think of ways that we can continue to improve ourselves, and ways that we can help others who we are concerned about.

I’d like to bear my testimony that I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings us peace. I have felt of that peace in my life, and I know that all of us can be partakers of that same peace. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to teach the people of El Salvador and help them to come unto Christ and feel of the peace that comes from living the Gospel, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

  Grandpa and Grandma Ching visiting for Eric's homecoming

 Harrison & Michan

 Uncle John & Aunty Cece

 Brother & Sister Mills

Crissy, Jason & Eliana

   The Moratins'

 Farewell get-together at the Bellas'

 Robert, I'll see you at the Mexico City MTC soon!!

Got to hang-out with Colby one last time in Sandy, UT

A Morning At The Arizona Temple

The Temple really is the House of the Lord. As I walked through the front doors of the Mesa Arizona Temple for my very first time, I could instantly feel the atmosphere of peace, reverence, and holiness. I was a little bit nervous beforehand, but all of that went away as I entered the House of the Lord. My experience in the Temple was one I will never forget. I could feel the love that Heavenly Father has for me and for all of His children.