REESE MISSION FAREWELL TALK
Woah this is kind of a surreal moment for me. I’ve been thinking about standing up here and giving this talk ever since I was in primary haha, so here we go…
Every day that we wake up, we live our lives with some elements of risk. We ride bikes, we get into cars, we stand on frozen lakes with hope that we don't fall through the ice, we talk to strangers, and we even try out that dicey restaurant with the sketchy tacos. With every choice we make, there are risks involved that might lead to us getting hurt or feeling pain.
Luckily for us, there are safety features we can put on to protect us from the bigger and more obvious risks. Such as helmets or safety belts. Maybe we can even pop a few antacids before hitting that taco stand.
Sometimes, we might be totally fine. People ride in cars every day without actually needing their seatbelt. But most of the time, we put it on out of habit and because we don’t have any guarantee that this is the day we will actually need the protection that it provides.
The Book of Mormon prophet, Lehi, was shown a vision of how to lead his family to Christ. In this vision, he sees them clinging to an Iron Rod that guides them to safety while mists of darkness rise up around them. He says “and it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.” I love the word “clinging” used here in Lehi’s vision. To “cling” is to hold on with resistance against an outside force that draws us away. It conveys a sense of purposeful and steadfast devotion, suggesting that we are not only holding on, but embracing the iron rod as an essential guide in our journey towards a closer relationship with Christ. When I connect to the teachings of Christ with intention and determination, my act of clinging implies a conscious effort and a choice to remain close to the source of divine guidance.
Sister Ann Dibb, former member of the General young women's presidency, described the Iron Rod as God’s Safety Equipment. She says, “Holding to the iron rod is not always easy. We may let go because of peer pressure or pride, thinking we can find our own way back—later. When we do so, we are leaving our safety equipment behind.” Then she goes on to say… “Let me reassure you that it is always possible for us to find our way back. Through repentance, made possible by the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can regain and recommit to a strong grip on the iron rod and feel the loving guidance of our Heavenly Father once again. The Savior has extended an open invitation to us: repent, hold on, and don’t let go.” With Sister Ann Dibb's insightful perspective, we understand that holding to the iron rod requires resilience. Even if we slip up and momentarily let go, there is always hope and a way back through sincere repentance with the redeeming power of Jesus Christ's Atonement. We can regain a firm grip on the iron rod. Intentional clinging to gospel truth increases our capacity to feel the loving guidance of our Heavenly Father once again.
This last semester away at BYU was one of the hardest seasons in my life. Just days after I received my mission call, I began to doubt my values and self worth. I could feel the adversary working so hard to bring me down and tell me that I wasn’t ready to serve a mission. The more I listened to the voices of the world, the heavier the mists of darkness grew until I was engulfed in sadness and self doubt. I was depressed. I locked myself up in my room for days and rarely even left my apartment for weeks on end. Like Sister Dibb described, I started to think I would make my way back all by myself. I was embarrassed to ask for help and thought this was just a trial that would eventually pass with time and no effort to fight back on my end. During this isolation period I also started limiting my communication with my parents. This was a big red flag that I was not doing ok and they suggested I get a job and pick up some wholesome hobbies to fill my time.
One thing that served as a great blessing was that all of my classes last semester were religion classes. Even in my loneliness, I continued to prepare for my mission by attending classes and participating in gospel instruction. I also got a job on campus at the BYU bookstore. Putting myself in an uplifting environment and hearing gospel doctrine were two actions that kept me tethered to what is true. I worked tirelessly to fight back and remind myself that I was capable of doing hard things and feeling hard things.
There are risks involved in everything we do. Last winter, I went skiing for the first time and I was heavily armored with a helmet and warm gear. The safety threats of being a first time skier were very obvious to me. Wearing the warm gear while skiing truly made the experience so much better and more enjoyable than it would have been without it.
A few months later in the summertime, I went to a water park with some friends. It was 100 degrees outside so I layered on a bunch of sunscreen before we got there. However, I totally overlooked the need for any additional coats of sunscreen and after 6 hours of being there with no reapplying, I was completely fried and in a lot of pain those next couple weeks. Haha I definitely learned a valuable lesson that day.
If sunscreen was my safety equipment, then my one time use, followed by abandonment for 6 hours was pretty reckless. Lehi’s vision instructs us to hold fast to the iron rod. Our mortal journeys through mists of darkness require constant contact with spiritual input.
Reading scriptures once a week in Sunday school or in a religion class, and then ignoring the doctrine the rest of the week, is not enough contact to sustain a testimony without losing sight or giving way to darkness sometimes.
Throughout my high school and college years, there were some things I did that helped me stay on or return to the covenant path during my trials. If you are looking to tighten your own grip on the iron rod and draw closer to Jesus Christ, here are some suggestions that worked for me.
-establishing a good relationship with my bishop
-honesty with my parents
-removing discouraging voices or influences from my social media feed
-repentance!!
-receiving my patriarchal blessing, reading it regularly, and paying attention to the counsel it gives
-preparing to attend the temple
-writing in my journal when I had a powerful spiritual experience
-attending seminary in high school
-seeking good role models with Christlike attributes
-talking to missionaries—both those serving here and emails from friends who are serving. Getting weekly emails from missionaries is a great source of spiritual motivation and encouragement.
-and lastly, listening closely to testimonies and strengthening my own
I know that our lives are not meant to be without trials. It's ok to feel heartache and pain and sadness. The scriptures are full of examples of people who endure excruciating experiences, including the Savior, who overcame all pain and suffering. The purpose of the iron rod is not to prevent us from feeling discomfort, but to give us steady truths to hold onto while we have mortal experiences. This keeps us from losing sight of the covenant path toward Jesus Christ even when the adversary clouds our way with painful and intrusive thoughts about our worth.
Sometimes it feels like you’re on the path alone. And sometimes you’ve got an army around you. It’s important to remember that the rod is what tethers you to Christ and you’re never alone because HE is holding onto the other end. Just like Lehi and his family pressed forward and partook of the fruit, I too am so excited to begin this new phase of life. I bear testimony that Jesus Christ is the source of all light. I know that my Heavenly Father knows me and each of His children by name and has unconditional love for us. I know that families can be together forever and I am so eternally grateful for mine. I’m also so grateful for all the people He has placed in my life to encourage and love and uplift me through my trials. I know that the prophet Joseph Smith restored the true church of God here on earth and that the Book of Mormon is true. And I know that our loving prophet, President Nelson, is called by God to lead and guide us. I know that my Savior died for me and that He lives again today! I know that this is exactly where I am supposed to be and I couldn’t be more grateful to serve in the Los Angeles, California mission. I say these things in the holy name of our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen
Reese gave her farewell talk on Sunday and was set apart as a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Sunday evening, January 22, 2024. I’m the above photo she’s holding a leather journal that Brother Morelock made for her. It’s one of the most beautiful handcrafted items I’ve ever seen. There is a California poppy on it. ❤️❤️
Reese spoke with Finley, who has been called to serve in the Phoenix, Arizona (Spanish speaking) Mission. At Reese’s request, Benny and Quincy played a guitar and cello duet that they put together of Abide With Me. It was really lovely and invited the Spirit. Sully played If You Could Hie to Kolob and Fin gave an incredible talk about 1 Nephi 3:7.
Sunday evening, Reese was set apart as a missionary by President Waddoups. Our family, my parents, the Hayes, and the Meadows were there.
Reese was blessed with the gift of remembering that she is a daughter of God, to listen to the Spirit to help her extend an invitation in every home she enters, to have health, safety, and a real love for the people of LA.
Sister Willardson began Home MTC today and we saw her maybe 10 minutes between 7:30 and 8:45pm when she brought down her dishes from lunch and dinner. She had zoom calls and companion study and classes all day. Tomorrow is her P-Day so she just has meetings from 12-3ish. It was a snow day for the school kids today and I was worried about her being able to get any work done with the littles running around. Our home isn’t exactly a quiet place when all of the children are cooped up from weather. Miraculously, everyone was uncharacteristically chill, today. Like…REALLY calm. Mellow. It was amazing. I know it was a blessing of having a missionary in our home. Day one, check! Go forth, Sister Willardson. The world is ready for you!
