I thought about putting my talk in this blog spot because there are some people could not understand what I was saying. I was either mumbling, reading too fast or not pronouncing right.
My talk went okay. I was so nervous there. I felt like shouting at the microphone. I kept on moving or shaking my right leg behind the podium. I use a lot of hand gestures. It was to help me remember or state something non verbally.
News of the day: Katie Lutz got engaged today.
Garrett and Mark did a great job. Mark gave really lighthearted and funny talk. Garrett's talk is very profound and wonderful. It was a joy to hear their talk.
Sacrament Theme: Greater Kindness
Not too long ago, my friend and I were talking about our religion. She told me how she admires my "Mormon" friends, but what bothers her is that we have too many rules. I didn't know what to say at first. We were in the car driving at that moment. I looked around and told her that California enforce a law against drunk drivers so people could have a peace of mind. I also realized that it is not only about you but you protecting others.
In the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 2:17 said, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Service is kindness in action. Do you have your favorite super-hero? I usually like Batman. I like how he brings justice in disguise. You see him once then he disappears. You guys are way better than that. You are real. People don't really see you as individual when they found out that you don't drink alcohol, coffee, or tea, or ever swear. You've got to believe that first thing they would ever assume that you are member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Henry B. Eyring said, "I promise you that if you'll use your gifts to serve someone else, you'll feel the Lord's love for that person. You will also feel his love for you. And you will be preparing for times you will be called to serve people and to love them."
Any greater kindness can be known and unknown, but they both count. Let me tell you again that you are a super-hero. Because of your great courage to follow the Words of Wisdom, you lowered many car accidents, less traffic, unwanted pregnancy, broken homes, and even lowering medical and government bills. And most of all, you let many mothers to have peace of mind and see their children grow. This modern day revelation made by Prophet Joseph Smith is the greatest blessing to all of us even to non members of the church. I have so much love and respect for Prophet Joseph Smith even though we don't worship him. We should remember him and his kindness. He became the defender of truth and eternal life, and died for it. What a great blessing to be member of the Church because of Brother Joseph's love for our Savior.
During last month General Conference, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin pointed out, "In 1840 the Prophet Joseph Smith sent an epistle to the Twelve where in he taught that love is one of chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with love of God, is not content with blessings his family alone, but ranges through whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race." I thought about President Spencer W. Kimball saying that "Missionary work is lifeblood of the kingdom. When the blood stops flowing, the kingdom stops growing." Missionary work brings greater kindness, which brought everyone closer to their Heavenly Father to find joy and peace in the gospel of Jesus Christ. David O. Mckay said, "Every member is a missionary." I love what President Eyring pointed out that "you are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as his voice, your hands to lift is the same as his hands." You may think your kindness is either small or nothing. No! You changed someone's life. I remembered that I was inactive for 6 months and Odessa Stevens showed up at my doorstep and gave me a ride to the church every Sunday. She still calls me to make sure I have a ride. She actually thought it was just nothing but it changed my life tremendously.
Kindness is the way of bringing strangers together together to become friends. The difference between love and kindness is that love is reaction and kindness is more of an action. I remembered my experience in Mongolia that when I first met the orphans, they were all over me hanging on me, clinging and holding me not wanting to let me go. I had to drag them back to the building against ten degrees below zero weather. They gave me warmth and kindness which gave me so much strength and joy to serve them. On the following year I went to India walking in the poorest neighborhood. I was so overwhelmed with its poverty and it just saddened me so greatly but until I met this little stranger who turned around me and gave me the biggest smile I've ever seen. I was so comforted by it. It strengthen and helped me to survive in this difficult experience. It gave me so much hope. India is a beautiful place. I wanted to go back there. They gave more than I gave them. Oh remember to smile even though you are facing in very difficult time. It helps many others to deal with their own. It is like carrying each other burdens without knowing how you have been through. Some people don't really want to talk about how they have been through. Smile is one of the most comforting thing to do. Kathleen H. Hughes said, "God knows the needs of his children and he often works through us, prompting us to help one another." You are an instrument of Heavenly Father to serve others to bring peace to the world.
Last Sunday I learned from Brother Jay Bradford talking about what is one of the sins anybody could have committed would be ingratitude. Then I learned so many things from Jen Gaskell's Relief Society lesson on Slow to Anger and Sister Mitchell's Gospel topic class about pride. I just thought what President Hinckley had said, "Why there is so much hatred in the world? I know that all of this is the work of adversary. He works on us as individuals. He destroys strong men. The kind of miracle can happen when there is kindness, respect, and love."
I am the only member of the church in my family. Being alone in something is no stranger to me. I have moved a lot. I have been the only deaf in high school and my own family. Kindness from others helped me to survive. I am deaf but I have never learned sign language. I rather speak and listen. It is a tough thing to do but I know I can do it. I remember the words of Mark Twain, "Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." My mother is a great example for greater kindness and sacrifice because without her, I will never have the confidence to speak in front of you.
Jackie Robinson is one of my favorite baseball player and he is one of my heroes. He had overcame all odds to become the first African American baseball player to play in Major League. He went through all obstacles and prevailed without any act of violence. It was during the Year of Fire but it was also in the Year of Grace that Jackie Robinson tested America, and America was never the same again. He cannot be a hero without a greater kindness from his teammates and his manager, Branch Rickey. Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see the world."
Jesus Christ is the great example of greater kindness to overcome the adversary in the world. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "Jesus, our Savior, was the epitome of kindness and compassion. He healed the sick. He spent much of His time ministering to the one or many. He spoke compassionately to the Samaritan woman who was looked down upon by many. He instructed His disciples to allow the little children to come unto Him. He was kind to all who had sinned, condemning only the sin, not the sinner. He kindly allowed thousands of Nephites to come forward and feel the nail prints in His hands and feet. Yet His greatest act of kindness was found in His atoning sacrifice, thus freeing all from the effects of death, and all from the effects of sin, on conditions of repentance." I remember few years ago being girl's basketball team manager in high school. It was one of the biggest responsibilities I ever had. I love the team so much but I am not good at showing it. I was trying really hard to make sure the team is hydrated and ready to play. I took care of medical kit and record the game. I learned so much from my team. They worked so hard and it was never individuals and they worked in groups. I remembered when we were in Japan, they struggled so much and they were covered with bruise and were so stressed out. I wish i could play for them. I love basketball. All I can do is help them off the court. I wish i could something more. But the girls were so wonderful. They carried each other's burdens, looked out for each other's backs, and always helped each other. They are even kind to their opponents. I was proud of them to be my team. Most importantly, they won the best sportsmanship award. Being a manager is like being Christ's role. We helped them off court and let them do themselves by practicing our free agency.
I say in the name of the Jesus Christ, Amen.
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