Preparing For Our Departure

 July 19, 2021 7:32 PM

Last Friday was one of the happiest days of our life. We got the report from the doctor that Judd does have a tiny spot of non- aggressive cancer.  No treatment is necessary.  In six months he needs to have another test. Enough medical news!

After things being up in the air for so many weeks, we are so thrilled and thankful that we are able to go in August as planned.  Judd and I owe this joyful outcome to the wonderful priesthood blessing that our sons gave us and the many friends and family and ward members who have been praying for Judd.  We could feel their prayers and pleadings with the Lord.  How we need each others’ strength, support and faith.  

We enter into the Missionary Training Center (MTC) three weeks from today on August 9th 2021.  We are working as a team to “prepare every needful thing”!  Today we have been writing our sacrament meeting talks that are to be given next Sunday on July 26.  Mine will be on: “Looking on others through the eyes of the Savior.”  Judd is speaking on the sacrament. 

We want to study the pre-mission workbook and “Preach my Gospel” more.  We are reading the Book of Mormon in German together almost everyday.  We have many things to prepare to leave our home for two years.  I still have more things to buy for my clothing.  We have documents we need to scan and send to our mission president Naatjes.  

I know we will have the organizational ability and inspiration to be able to accomplish all that is required of us on time!

The following is the rough draft of my farewell talk for sacrament meeting:

Title:

“We must look at others through the eyes of our Savior” Elder W. Craig Zwick

What a lofty goal!  What a righteous desire of the heart! What a worthy ideal!

Is viewing others through the Savior’s eyes something you would like to achieve?

Is it even possible in mortality?

Is this desire easily achieved?

Is this a spiritual gift you would like to be blessed with?  I sure would!

The people in the city of Enoch must have been close!  During the 200 years after the Savior appeared and ministered on this continent the saints of God must have been exemplary in this regard!

In our day...imagine a world where you are looked upon in this way!  It would truly feel like heaven on earth.  

We have a friend (whom I will call Sue), who served a mission in her youth and fell away from the church sometime after her return. After being out of the church for over 40 years, an old friend invited her to come hear a talk she was giving in the ward they had grown up in. 

During the meeting she was deeply moved by the spirit.  Sue was warmly embraced and welcomed by the ward members.  She was shown such overwhelming acceptance, inclusion and non-judgement.  She remarked that what she experienced was in contrast to what she had felt over 40 years before.  Sue is now back in full fellowship and is rejoicing in the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ in her life.  

I believe we are making progress in the church brothers and sisters.  However, there is surely still much room for improvement.  We all know those who strive to view others as our Savior does and have been blessed with this gift.  They truly are blessed!

How does it feel to be the recipient of this charity?  Our Savior rejoices when we strive for this ideal.

Why is this important? 

When we contemplate the two great commandments of loving the Lord with all our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves (  ) our Savior will make up the difference as we strive to emulate his perfect example in our interactions with all men. 

Moroni 7:45

“And charity suffereth long and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

How might we attain this choice spiritual gift, brothers and sisters?

Ask the Father in humble prayer.  Dedicate a fast for this purpose. Serve!  We love those we serve.  Our ministering assignments provide us choice opportunities.  Search the scriptures.  It has been said that we are a composite of the six people we spend the most time with.  By really immersing ourselves in His word we can  emulate His perfect example. 

What blessings will be possible as we strive to live in this way?

Think of someone you know that looks on others in this way.  That person is such a powerful influence for good in the world. Living like this enables an individual to see through spiritual eyes.  Jesus taught: “Follow me and do the things which ye have seen me do.”  We will truly be blessed with Joy!

Is living like this easy?  Is it possible to obtain this spiritual gift?  I believe it is, if we sincerely desire it and “ask in faith, believing that we will receive.” (   )

Moroni 7:48 “Wherefore my beloved brethren, (and sisters!) pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love that he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ: that ye may become the sons of God, that when he shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is, that we may have this hope, that we may be purified even as he is pure.  Amen.”

In conclusion:

I know that Jesus Chist is our Redeemer, God lives and loves each of us and wants us to emulate his perfect son. His church has been restored on the earth in the latter days.  We are the recipients of great blessings as we keep the commandments and cleave to our covenants.

I am so grateful that Judd and I have the opportunity to serve Him full time in the Alpine German speaking mission.  It is my heartfelt desire to obtain this gift to bless lives during our mission and beyond!

“We must look at others through the eyes of our Savior.” 

I say these things in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ Amen.