There wasn’t a dry eye in our chapel this morning.
A young man I’ve had the honor of teaching in mission preparation class for the past few months gave his mission farewell talk today.
He bore testimony of the Savior’s love. Then, as he began to speak about eternal families, his voice broke and tears filled his eyes.
I knew why.
A few months ago, his father, whom he dearly loves, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
This young man bravely fought through his tears as he spoke of sleepless nights spent on his knees, pleading with the Lord for understanding. He testified of the peace he felt as the Spirit comforted him.
In just a few days, he will leave for two years to teach, serve, and uplift strangers far from home, not knowing whether his dad will be there to greet him when he returns.
I could hardly see the words on the page as we sang the closing hymn, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” As I sang, I thought of this brave young man pouring out his soul to the Lord, asking Him to take away the bitter cup of his father’s illness.
These words took on new meaning:
“He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.”
I’ve read many times on X that missions for LDS youth are vacations, or rewards, or easy rites of passage.
They are not.
They are life-changing sacrifices.
And few will sacrifice more in serving their Savior than this valiant young man, who is choosing faith over fear.
The poetry is in the friction. The meaning is found meandering. The joy is getting a little lost and finding your way back again. The heart longs for serendipity.
Autopilot is the death of purpose. Drone life is not something to be revered or celebrated.
My dear American friends,
We British Christians would get excited when, once a year, Queen Elizabeth would make a mild but sincere reference to the love of Jesus Christ in her Christmas address.
In Charlie Kirks' Memorial service, watched by tens of millions, I just heard:
- Multiple clear presentations of the gospel from men like @robmccoyus and @DrFrankTurek with clear calls to repentance and faith
- Worship songs full of Scripture sung by tens of thousands live and millions at home
- Personal testimonies of lives transformed by the work of Christ and the witness of believers
- Demonstration and explanation of the value of marriage, child-rearing and family
- Calls to Romans 13 for the government to bear the sword for the protection of good and punishment of the wicked
- Declarations of spiritual warfare on the forces of evil and promises to endure no matter the cost
- Calls to be prophets and call the nation to repent
- More Scripture references and Bible readings than I can count
- And a widow publicly forgiving her husband's killer because Christ forgave his killers on the cross.
All of it done before, and by, the most powerful people in your nation and the world.
You guys should be on your knees thanking God for your country. It is a light to the world.
Never stop fighting for it.
@MuskUniversity Consciousness should be thought of as a tiny candle in a vast darkness that could easily go out. We should do anything possible to keep that flame alive.