Mission Farewell June 11, 2017

(Below is the notes from Elder O'Connor's Mission Farewell address)

Mission Farewell Talk

· Welcome

· Thank everyone (Shout outs)

· My Topic: How have the scriptures prepared me to be a missionary ad to get to this point.

In the scriptures there are 2 topics that I like and that are important to me.

1. REPENTANCE:

My favorite scripture hero is Alma the Younger. (Amazing missionary)

Details of Alma the Younger

His father Alma was Prophet

Mosiah 27: 8-9

8 Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered amoung them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.

9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension amount the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.

Alma the Younger changed-

· -Angel came to him

· Showed him the power of God

Mosiah 27: 11-32

The good Alma the Younger did:

Became a Missionary: Mosiah 27:36 And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer

High Priest over church: Mosiah 29:42 And it came to pass that Alma was appointed to be the first chief judge, he being also the high priest, his father having conferred the office upon him, and having given him the charge concerning all the affairs of the church.

The importance of this:

Why Alma is important to me is that it doesn’t matter how far we have gone, we can repent and use the atonement to come back to Christ.

2. FAITH:

One of my favorite scripture stories is when Jesus walked on water and called for Peter

Matthew 14: 24-33

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Talk about Faith:

If we take just a leap of faith, Jesus and Heavenly Father will take care of the rest.

Another story of faith is the women who suffered from a blood disease for 12 years. Luke 8: 43-48

These are the lyrics from the song written of this story:

Close Enough to Touch

I've suffered much and given all
For many healers care
But nothing better - only worse
An overwhelming load to bear
Until I'm ready to lay down and die
But from the window I hear this hope filled cry
A Man named Jesus - He's come to heal us
And suddenly my faith comes alive

I press my way into the crowd
And touch the Master's clothes
A perfect cure felt deep inside
He turns to ask - I turn to hide
I'm afraid to reveal what was done
How I called on His power to right this wrong
But this is Jesus - He's hear to heal us
I fall at His feet and tell Him

(Chorus)
If I get close enough to touch
Close enough to heal
Somehow I know I'll be whole
If I'm close enough
Close enough to feel
His healing power so real
Now I believe there's a miracle for me
If I'm close enough to touch

And down on my knees
As He turns to leave
His eyes seem to say - Just believe
Always believe
that he's close enough to touch

43 ¶ And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

· Talk about this story of dad and his conversion to the church.

· ACL/MCL injury, surgery and recovery

· Talk about how these two experiences has changed my life.

Challenge everyone to have Faith in the Lord….

To close,

My favorite quote from Coach Carter

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

Tie this in:

Satan wants us to feel inadequate but the gospel teaches us differently……

· Testimony-

· Close testimony with The Bucket List