Farewell Talk

An old Jewish legend tells of two brothers, Abram and Zimri, who owned a field and worked it together. They agreed to divide both the labor and the harvest equally. One night as the harvest came to a close, Zimri could not sleep, for it didn't seem right that Abram, who had a wife and seven sons to feed, should receive only half of the harvest, while he, with only himself to support, had so much. So Zimri dressed and quietly went into the field, where he took a third of his harvest and put it in his brother's pile. He then returned to his bed, satisfied that he had done the right thing. Meanwhile, Abram could not sleep either. He thought of his poor brother, Zimri, who was all alone and had no sons to help him with the work. It did not seem right that Zimri, who worked so hard by himself, should get only half of the harvest. Surely this was not pleasing to God. And so Abram quietly went to the fields, where he took a third of his harvest and placed it in the pile of his beloved brother. The next morning, the brothers went to the field and were both astonished that the piles still looked to be the same size. That night both brothers slipped out of their houses to repeat their efforts of the previous night. But this time they discovered each other, and when they did, they wept and embraced. Neither could speak, for their hearts were overcome with love and gratitude.

This is the spirit of compassion: that we love others as ourselves, seek their happiness, and do unto them as we hope they would do unto us." True disciples of Jesus Christ desire to serve those around them. The Savior said "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

How do we obtain this discipleship? It is not merely believing in the gospel, it is not testimony, it is not marvelous manifestations, it is not knowing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, it is not actually knowing that the Savior is the Redeemer, and that Joseph Smith was His prophet, but it is the keeping of the commandments of God, the living the life of a Latter-Day Saint.

When we were baptized, we covenanted to take the name of Jesus Christ upon ourselves. The prophet Alma explained this covenant to a group of new converts who desired baptism. He saw their want to "come into the fold of God," which includes a willingness to give meaningful service-to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light, to mourn with those that mourn and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort."

In the last April conference President Uchtdorf told a story that relates to service. "A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God's presence in their lives. Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: "You are my hands." As we strive to serve others may we look to the Savior as our example to be "His Hands." Even though He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served all those around Him. He declared "I am among you as he that serveth."

President Uchtdorf later goes on to say "...He always talked with never down to people. He loved the humbled and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation." While on the earth during His ministry Christ "served with all His heart, might, mind, and strength," as He blessed and healed the sick and the afflicted, preached hope to those in need, and forgave those who were in pain with sin. However, His greatest act of service was while He suffered in Gethsemane as He took upon Himself the sins of the world. How many drops of blood were spilt for me and for you out of pure charity, love, and service? As Christ was seized by traitors and guards He yet again performed another act of service through a miracle, as he healed the wound of a man after Peter courageously took defense for His Redeemer.

After the Savior's lonesome suffering in the Garden He was beaten and scourged 39 times, one lash less that would kill any man. As he was carrying the cross while being yelled at, beaten, and spat upon, another act of service occurred. Christ could not physically carry the cross after what He went through so a man by the name of Simon offered to carry it for Him as they marched to Calvary. Oh how I would have loved to be Simon giving this service; to carry the cross for my Savior. I often ponder if Christ could not carry the cross or if He was teaching one last lesson, that no matter what, sometimes we can't do it all on our own.

The Atonement was performed out of love and service from our Lord but the Atonement is not just for a sinner but for those who are trying to become better. The power of the Atonement makes good men better. May we understand how we can apply that. Nephi did not pray to have the circumstances change, he prayed to have the strength to break the bands in which he was bound. Christ Atoned for us to give us strength to be changed. This invitation for us to change is to "come and see" and then we will "follow Him." Satan is bent on destroying us...he wants us to fail. But if we follow Christ we will have power over the devil as Christ does. As we follow Christ we become men of understanding.

May we be "His Hands" as we strive to follow Him and try to live our lives, to the best of our ability, as Christ lived His. Serving with all our heart, might, mind, and strength as we "come into the fold of God, to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light, to mourn with those that mourn, and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort."

Brothers and Sisters, I challenge us to share our love and to serve others, providing Christlike love, that we may spread the gospel throughout the world. King Benjamin teaches us that "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." "The field is white all ready to harvest." As Casey Benson said in the primary program...let us not give the missionaries all the fun. "Every member a missionary!" Let us make it count by serving each our friends, neighbors, and ancestors.  Joseph Smith declared, "The standard of truth has been erected. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, and clamany may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, until it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, until the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say, the work is done."