Hello Everyone,
I know this is kind of late but I am finally blogging about my farewell , I mean the sacrament talk I give right before I leave for 18 months.
First, I would just like to thank all of those who came, and all those who were with me in spirit because of the bad weather. As I sat on the stand waiting for the meeting to start, I watched as first the chapel was filled, then the first overflow and was humbled by all those who took the time out of their lives to come and support me on my decision to serve as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. Then as the meeting started and they had to open the second overflowed, I was brought to tears by the over whelming support I felt. I looked out among the congregation and saw some old niners (9th ward members). I saw some friends that I have had since I was 5 years old, friends from high school, and friends from Moab. I saw the Allen family that have taken me in, and have supported my decision to go on this mission. You guys have taught me so much, through our short time together. I will forever be grateful for the unconditional support and the love that you have shown me. It has not been an easy decision to leave so that I could serve, but you have made it as easy as possible, THANK YOU! I looked down and saw my family, my aunts, my uncle, grandparents, cousins, brother, sisters, and parents, all of who have helped me throughout my life to reach this point, THANK YOU! I also saw old church leaders/friends that helped me get through those awkward teenage years safely enough that I could go on this mission. I then looked to my side and saw Shelly Halverson, I really could not think of a better person to speak with. Shelly I hope I am half the missionary that you ARE. You did a great job…despite all of those people ;)
Below I am going to post my talk. But before I do that I would just like to thank my best friend Chris. You above anyone else have watched the ups and the downs since I have known I was supposed to go on this mission. I will never forget the night in Provo when you told me to hold my head high as I walked into the Stake Presidents office when I know something was going on at headquarters. You supported me through these next few months of trying to get this call, and you have continued to support me as I am getting ready to serve. Chris if I could say one last thing to you it would be to follow your dreams, live life, do stuff because there is no reason not to, leave work early every now and then, and above all don't EVER stop being you, because who you are is good enough!
Pictures will also be posted shortly.
God by with you everyone!
- Schwester Kimberly Grace Bohne
Steps to the Crowning Covenant
Sister Kimberly Bohne
Farewell talk January 22. 2012
Guten Morgen every one My name is Schwester Kimberly Bohne, I have been called to be a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to labor among my fellow brothers in sister in eastern Germany, more specifically Berlin. I pray for the spirit to reside with us this morning, to testify to the truths which are spoken. I ask that right now, if you have not already done so, open your heart and let him in, let him teach you. It will not be the words of my mouth today that will teach, but the sprit that you feel.
I feel so blessed by the turnout the morning. As I look around this room I see so many familiar faces. I see people who have known me from the days of trying to get kicked out of primary so that I could get sent to the bishop's office to eat candy and play games on the bishop's computer. I see others who watched me try and maneuver me way through those awkward teenage years. And even a few who have known me as the backwoods living, tree hugging young adult. Hopefully through all these stages there were times that my testimony shown through, that you saw in those moments just how much this gospel is a part of me and I can take no credit for the knowledge that I have. I have been placed in a wonderful family, to parents who have dedicated their lives to teaching me this gospel. They are the ones who deserve the credit for the person I now am, not me.
I am privileged today to stand at this pulpit and bear testimony of something I KNOW to be true. A principle that had shaped my life. I will be bearing testimony of the importance of eternal Families.
I am going to start with a question that I want you to think about. Why is it that we are taught in this church to open our prays with dear Heavenly Father? Why don't we start out prayers as King of heaven and Earth, or how about all mighty powerful being? Both of which would be accurate, why Father?
I am going to venture to say because that is the title he reveres the most. Brothers and Sisters that is why we are down here to learn how to first be good children: submissive, meek, humble, patient, fully of love, willing to submit to all things. (Mosiah 3:19) After learning how to be good child we are then to learn to be a supportive loving spouse, for that is the only relationship that should be above that of a parent. That is the relationship that must be developed if you are to reach your highest potential as a parent. And then to be parent, that holiest of all callings to be given a spirit of our heavenly parents, to rear the same way father reared that child before you. To help them remember all that father has already taught. This is why we are down here; to learn to be like our heavenly parents.
So let us start out on step number 1- learning to be an obedient kid. There is a story of two young ducks named Quick and Quack: Duck Race by Pedro Pablo Sacristán -Quick and Quack were two brave, sporty little ducks who lived with their mother. Both were really fast, and were always competing against each other. They raced each other in all sorts or places. On land, sea and air; running, swimming, or flying.
One day, after visiting their Uncle Ducklass upriver, Quick shouted "last one home is a goose!" and both ducks swam quickly downriver. They both knew the way well, but Quack had been preparing a trick for some time. He had realized that the current in the middle of the river was stronger, and would help him. So, even though Mother Duck had told them never to swim in the middle of the river, Quack paddled over to it. "I'm old enough now to swim here," he thought to himself.
It wasn't long before he realized his mother had been right. He was going much faster than Quick, and was developing a big lead. Quick was not amused. He never disobeyed his mother, and now his obedience meant he was going to lose the race! As they went on, the current got stronger.
Quack triumphantly crossed the finishing line, without realizing he was headed straight for a big whirlpool in the middle of the river. Before he could react, there he was spinning around in it, unable to escape.
Getting him out of there was no easy matter. No duck was strong enough to swim in those waters, and poor Quack kept swallowing water. The fact that his head was spinning like a top didn't help matters much either.
Fortunately, a cow from a nearby farm came by and, seeing Quack, waded in and rescued him, to prevent him from drinking all the water in the river. When he was on dry ground, he remained dizzy for quite some time.
That day, Quick understood that he had done well to listen to his mother, even though at first it might have seemed the difficult option. As for Quack... well... Quack could not forget that experience, even though he wanted to. From then on, whenever he touched a drop of water, he fell to the floor and spun round three times before being able to get up again. Rainy days proved quite entertaining!
There are many lessons that we can take from this story. We can say that the cow that saved Quack is the Savior rescuing those of us who get caught in the whirlpools of life through disobedience. But the lesson that I wanted to emphasize is the actions of quick, the little duck that lost the race. Quick I am sure was a little competitive and wanted to win that race, but he would not disobey his mother to do so. What integrity that little duck had. We must become that little duck, willing to give up the fame and fortunes of this world if need to be able to follow all of our parents rules.
Throughout preparing for this mission I have gained strength in the actions of Simon Peter and Andrew when they received their call to preach as they were fishing in Matthew 4 which reads.
These men gave up everything to 'straight way' follow the call to preach. They were men of substantial economic statues as shown by having their own boat, and they 'straightway' left it all to preach with no purse and no script. They were held in high social circles and 'straightway' left that to roam with a man hated by Jews and Gentiles alike. Not only do we have the scriptures to learn obedience from, but we were also privileged in the pre-earth life to personally witness the Son being completely obedient to all that Father asked. We had a perfect example. I pray for the strength of our Savior, of Simon Peter and Andrew I never realized before preparing for this mission how much our Father will sometimes ask to test wither He really is the number one in our lives and if we have the faith to follow him. Just like Peter and Andrew were blessed tenfold for following the Savior I to know that we too will be blessed if we follow their example and straightway follow all that God asks of us. This is how we are to learn to be good children; we are to have complete faith in our Father. I know that if you but take that leap of faith He will catch you, I can testify of that.
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One of the many things our father in Heaven has commanded of us is to gain the Crowning blessings of the temple, the highest one being the sealing ordinances.
One of the Best illustrations of Temple Marriage I have found is given to us by Elder Marion D. Hanks in his talk Eternal Marriage.
"Temple marriage is the basis for a happy, eternal union, fashioned on the solid foundation of gospel covenants by two honest adults who are learning and growing together."
A favorite quote of mine is this. "You cannot be someone else's half until you yourself are a whole." It takes as elder hanks explains two honest adults learning and growing together to make it work.
Talking about the relationship that should exists after Temple Marriage Elder Hanks continues.
"Together they enter a partnership, sharing and learning and growing. They join their lives as companions in the special sense that married people do. Whether in the same room or a world apart, they are married twenty-four hours a day. They care about the whole person, the whole future of each other. With good humor and good disposition and genuine consideration of the needs of the other, they set out to make it a happy life. They laugh a lot and cry a little. They are warm, considerate and thoughtful: the note, the telephone call, the kind word, the sensitive response, the excitement of heading home to her, of having him come home.
Married people are sweethearts, in a special creative union, blessed with that powerful chemistry that draws two together, sometimes from next door, sometimes from a world away. This divinely designed power must be sustained by other qualities—by respect and loyalty and integrity—to be what it is meant to be. To be able to give oneself fully with confidence and trust, and to fully receive the other joyfully and gratefully—this is a blessing that grows in meaning year by year and forever"(Elder Marion D. Hanks of the first Quorum of the Seventy: Eternal Marriage, Ensign November 1984)
I would briefly like to expound 3 of Elder Hanks qualities in a good marriage.
1-Entering a partnership- When we are married as latter-day saints in the Temple of the Lord not only are we entering into a partnership with our future spouse, but with the Lord as well. The union should create a perfect equilateral triangle. With all three parties giving not 33.3 % hoping for the others to give their 33.3% in hopes for a perfect 100% relationship. But we are to give 110% of everything we have to that relationship. Thus creating a relationship worth exaltation.
2-They set out to make a happy life and I am going to add based on gospel principles):1Corinthians 13:4-7
If we but practice these principles of love with those members of our families I believe that would make it so that we have a happy life.
3-Respect – In the story, Johnny Lingo, Lingo is a Polynesian trader, and has come to one island to bargain for a wife. Mahana, the young woman he desires, is considered by her neighbors and even her father to be of little value, sullen, ugly and undesirable. As the bargaining is about to begin, women of the island brag to each other of how many cows their husbands had given for each of them, and comment that Mahana's father will be lucky to see one cow as Lingo's offer. The counselor advises Mahana's father to ask for three cows so that finally, Moki, Mahana's father, will at least get one cow.
The bargaining begins and as the counselor suggested Moke asked Johnny Lingo three cows. Islanders laugh derisively, then wait for Lingo to make his counter-offer, certain that he will make a devastating bargain.
Lingo, considering, says that three cows are many . . ."But not enough for my Mahana!" He then offers the unheard-of price of eight cows for her hand in marriage. The next day, the villagers gather at the house of Mahana's father to see the completion of the deal. Some of the islanders say that Lingo reconsidered his deal and would not show up. But Lingo brings the cows. He and Mahana then leave the island on a trading trip.
When they come back, the island storekeeper, Harris, discovers, to his astonishment, that Mahana is a beautiful, happy woman. Even Mahana's father began accusing Johnny Lingo of cheating him by giving only eight cows for a girl truly worth ten cows. Johnny, her proud husband, had proved to her that her true worth had nothing to do with what others saw, but only what she truly was.
I tell this story, because to me it is a wonderful example of what can happen when one person cares enough about another to respect them and thus show that person how much they truly do matter. I am not yet married but I can imagine how deeply cut you could be by negative comments, joking or not, from the person you have given everything to. But on the other hand how uplifted you would be by positive reinforcement. Let us set a goal today that we will strive to show those we care about more respect. And show those around us that they are worth "10 cows if they are worth a hoof .
Elder Elray L. Christiansen, Assistant to the council of the twelve tells us "One of the most rewarding of all human undertakings is that of making a success of marriage and of rearing children in a manner acceptable to the Lord. It calls for the best in all of us." (Elder Elray L. Christiansen, Assistant to the council of the twelve: A not worthy Accomplishment, Ensign of July 1972)
Parenting we were just told is the most rewarding of all human undertakings. More rewarding then being the number one sales man, more rewarding than having the perfectly decorated home, and yep even more rewarding than summiting all the highest peaks in the world, and backpacking across Europe. It is the MOST rewarding undertaking.
President Joseph F. Smith made this significant statement: "The man, and the woman who are the agents, in the providence of God. to bring living souls into the world, are made before God and the Heavens, as responsible for these acts as is God himself responsible for the works of His own Hands…." (President Joseph F. Smith Gospel Doctrine, p, 342)
Fathers let's talk about your responsibility: The Proclamation to the family states by divine design, you are to preside over your families in love and righteousness. With the word 'preside' meaning to lead, and guide, and to take responsibility for the family's welfare.
President Gordon B. Hinckley explains the role of fathers in more detail when he says.
"Yours is the basic and inescapable responsibility to stand as the head of the family. That does not carry with it any implication of dictatorship or unrighteous dominion. It carries with it a mandate that fathers provide for the needs of their families. Those needs are more than food, clothing, and shelter. Those needs include righteous direction and the teaching, by example as well as precept, of basic principles of honesty, integrity, service, respect for the rights of others, and an understanding that we are accountable for that which we do in this life, not only to one another but also to the God of heaven, who is our Eternal Father" (President Gordon B. Hinckley: Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 78–79; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 60)
Men those are some big shoes to fill aren't they? And that is ok. Because every man in here was prepared by our Father to be all that plus more. When you feel that you are lacking turn to the Father that knows all and have faith in what He teaches you.
Now Mothers it's your turn. As stated in the Proclamation to the Family: Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurturing of their children.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland tells us: "Yours is the grand tradition of Eve, the mother of all the human family, the one who understood that she and Adam had to fall in order that 'men [and women] might be' [2 Nephi 2:25] and that there would be joy. Yours is the grand tradition of Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel, without whom there could not have been those magnificent patriarchal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob which bless us all. Yours is the grand tradition of Lois and Eunice [see 2 Timothy 1:5] and the mothers of the 2,000 stripling warriors. Yours is the grand tradition of Mary, chosen and foreordained from before this world was, to conceive, carry, and bear the Son of God Himself. We thank all of you, including our own mothers, and tell you there is nothing more important in this world than participating so directly in the work and glory of God, in bringing to pass the mortality and earthly life of His daughters and sons, so that immortality and eternal life can come in those celestial realms on high" ( Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 48
Elder Richard G. Scott tells us
"As a mother guided by the Lord, you weave a fabric of character in your children from threads of truth through careful instruction and worthy example. You imbue the traits of honesty, faith in God, duty, respect for others, kindness, self-confidence, and the desire to contribute, to learn, and to give. You instill these in such a way that daycare cannot provide." (Elder Richard G. Scott, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Conference Report, Oct. 1996)
Women just like the men; we as well sat at the feet of our heavenly parent, watching and learning how to be a good mother. From what I have observed from the wonderful women around me we had a wonderful teacher. Trust those motherly instincts that you have, for those were placed in you to lead and guide the souls of your children just as they were lead and guided before you.
I know that these things that I have testified of today are true, for I have felt the spirit witness to them as I have spoken. I hope that you as well have felt the spirit here today.
Brothers and Sisters I would just like to bear testimony of our Savior Jesus Chris, and his infinite Atonement. I know it to be real, with every fiber in my being I KNOW it. It is not just an eraser for our past mistakes, even though that is a big part of the Atonement. It is also what we can turn to for comfort, strength, and even just understanding. It is the center of the plan of salvation, which everything that I have testified today rotates around.
I would like to bare testimony of personal revelation for that principle is which drives this church. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith nothing wavering…" (James 1:5-6) I can testify to the reality of divine revelation, I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who just wants to help, if we but turn to him in faith.
To end this testimony I would just like to thank my Heavenly Father for the support system He has placed around me while preparing for my mission. He placed key people into my life to not only help me decided to go on this mission, but to get through the application process, and now to be able to be worthy and ready to serve Him. I am so thankful for these people, you mean the world to me. I pray that our Father will be with you, supporting you, and uplifting you.
I thank the Holy Spirit for being her today, and testify to all that I have said in our Saviors name, Even Jesus Christ our Redeemer, Amen.
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