Talk on Examples, July 15, 2012

Examples

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Tony I just moved into the ward about...

six years ago.

I was finally asked to speak last week. So, for those of you just moving in, Beat that!

The topic I was given to speak on is examples and right away I had to ask if he knew who he was talking to. Apparently they don't want me to talk about myself.

I can sum up my talk in one sentence;

The perfect example can only be Christ.

No Woman or Man however saintly a person they are. No bishop, stake president, seventy, apostle or even a prophet of God. The one true perfect example can only be Christ. Each of us should try to emulate his example the only truly perfect example is Jesus Christ.  

He didn't judge anyone, he only loved everyone and invited all to partake of this same love that he shared.

Even on the cross after being stabbed with a spear and many other horrible acts. He asked our Father in heaven to forgive them.

Scripture:

And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.

Mosiah 18:21

Kyle's Story

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks..." There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to a private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! Sometimes I even caught myself being jealous of him. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little Smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

by unknown

Question:

Why does God let bad things happen?

Answer:

Because we are supposed to pick up the slack. If we are here being tested and the ultimate reward in the Celestial kingdom is to become a God or Goddess, to become as God is. Then part of the test is and should be to help one another while we are here, as if we were Gods hands.

Scripture:

But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.

Mosiah 4:15

Quote:

While I was on my mission one of my favorite pass times was collecting quotes.

Here is one of my favorites; it’s one I took to heart the moment I read it:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others“.

-Maryann Williamson -Nelson Mandela

A truly inspiring quote.

Scripture:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John: 13:34

Notice redundancy

Let me paint a picture in your minds:

Imagine yourself in the afterlife. You are surrounded by other spirits. Many of whom you had no relationship with in life. But a small cherished few you did know. And yet an even smaller group you knew well, And still, an even smaller group you considered family and friends and loved dearly.

These relationships and our memories are the things we can and do take with us to the other side. These relationships we have now, whether the relationship is good or bad, developed or merely cordial, the love we grow with one another here, has to have boundless value in the afterlife.

Think of not only your family relationships but your friends, co-workers, bosses or subordinates, casual acquaintances. And not only those relationships, but the ones in our everyday business dealings. Think of how much a person might cherish that insignificant relationship in the afterlife if the business deal was honest and fair. Now think of that relationship if the deal was unfair, or dishonest. These are the only things we get to take with us. So decide now whether you would like to take poor, sour relationships with you or cherished, sincere, loving ones.

We should treat each other in this respect, an eternal respect. When God commanded us to “love one another”. That is the simplest way I can imagine he would be able to reflect this thought.

Store up for yourself things of eternal value. Gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, rubies, a huge house, mountains of money. None of it matters more than the relationships we take with us. Invest your time and efforts wisely. Invest in what matters most.

Testify:




A quick sample of how I like to model my talks:

Intro:
Joke:
Story
Scripture
Story
Quote
Scripture
Follow up Joke
Testify