The Talk.

So Here is the Speech that Changed so many hearts. I don't think it was just the words- But rather, the miraculous spirit that filled the room. It seems as if- By pointing out it was the audience’s (and in this case the reader’s) choice to gain something from my words- Most people chose to do so. To gain rather than be waiting time= pretty logical in my mind.

Only a few times in my life can I claim to have been absolutely inspired- This was one of those precious experiences. Friday Night I spent two hours listening to the one and only Jessie Clark Funk and just writing what I felt I should. Writing what had been on my mind and what truly changed my perspective. I guess I hoped by doing so- I might change some others? Regardless- I woke up that Sunday morning freaking out. Today Was the day. I had to give a talk, prepare two piano songs, and open my mission call and basically become a beastly Woman in about four hours.

Church came- Prayer- I played the songs- jittery jittery- Prayers- Talking- More freaking out- Introducing myself- Inviting people to my mission call opening- dying inside- more praying to God-and suddenly the time was up. I was the first speaker and the hymn had just been sung. I think the whole day I was praying.

This is the moment where normally I ask the audience for forgiveness for being nervous. Nope. Not this time. The words began to flow. And my heart was calm.

I told my back story- I cracked a joke- and the eyes were on me- I had their attention.

Sincerity I thought. You mean these things- make them mean to other people. Absolute genuinitivity. No more and no less than what really is- what you really feel.

The time ticked by and more and more eyes turned to me. You can tell when the audience is engaged in your words- when they are holding on to every last syllable.

Move with them. Respond to them. You are waves.

Make them laugh- make them feel- make them want to do something.

 I had wrote the talk knowing I would not want to look at the paper too much- not only did I phrase things the way I would normally speak them- but I left room for adding and subtracting as I went on- I took advantage of this based on the audience and on the spirit.

Eye contact. Feeling in your voice. Mean what you say and say what you mean.

I see some glistening tears- some grateful smiles- some people admitting things to themselves.

And I concluded. Sealed the words had one last look and a seat. A sigh of relief.

Since then, wardies have been referring to me as “The girl who gave THAT talk.” Or “OH! The one who spoke!”

Turns out that was my best work happens when it isn’t all mine ;)

  I cant help but turn to God and thank him. I was in this moment, an instrument for inspiration.

“5 to 8 minutes. That is all the time I have to inspire hearts- to touch spirits and to prompt action.  I wish I could just open my mouth and tell stories like president monsoon or give direction like president Holland. But I admit to you-  I am a mere mortal. All I can do is prepare -open my mouth- and hope you are all not spending this time plotting out your next assassin kill. But I know if you listen, if you prepare your mind for the witness of the spirit-He will come and touch your heart. He will teach you. Listen for those small whisperings- they are infinitely wise and will lead you closer to God than anything I could possibly do.

And so- I would like to begin with an experience form my youth that changed me.

It was just your typical day. Most of the other middle school kids had long since left for the busses- but My friend Corey and I lingered- walking slowly down the hallway- chatting about what we would do with our lives now since the last harry potter book had come out. The conversation begin to dwindle as we went on- mostly because we both noticed becca.

Becca. She was one of those girls that just attracted negative comments. It seemed everyone in my grade would just release an onslaught of criticism. It had been this way since elementary school- we made up excuses in our minds. She could take care of herself. Sometimes offering a feeble comeback- But it never really did anything. This is how it had always been. 

She stood at the end of this hallway- hastily shoving books from her locker into her blue rolley backpack. Corey and I were getting closer. And we noticed Becca was crying. She didn’t bother trying to hide it. But she was hurting. And both of us could see it.

And now is the moment when I wish I could tell you that I chose to do the right thing. I chose to turn- ask her how she was doing- and offer her the biggest hug in the world. But I am embarrassed to tell you- I did nothing. I kept walking. I turned forward and was about to strike up a new conversation when Corey suddenly turned to Becca.

“Are you okay? She offered

Becca didn’t even raise her eyes. Im fine. She practically yelled.

“You sure- anything I can help with?”

“no really Im fine”- her voice began to even out

Okay then- Hope you feel better.”

And then corey turned back to me and resumed our conversation.

I looked at Corey in a whole new light, she gained my absolute respect in just about 10 seconds. She had just… That is what I was supposed to do. She had done my job. She wasn’t even mormon- and she had the guts to do something that I was prepared to forget about. The words come to my mind “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

I finally saw. This is what we are all supposed to do here on earth. We are here to lift eachother. To offer hands and a welcoming heart.

I have found that it is so easy to get caught up in the hubbub of life. Looking at people Judging them. Deciding in our minds- If they are less than us- well then. BY GEORGE,  WE MUST BE BETTER! Oh YES *fist pump* I am closer to God then they. I am better than they. And thus the cycle continues- an endless stream of comparison. Being greater and less than our brothers and sisters.

But. What would happen if we could see each other the way God sees us. It is as C.S. Lewis stated- it is a serious thing “to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to, may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship.” We are literally walking amongst future God’s and Goddesses.

It is a hard thing to admit fault. But the only way to fix fault is to first admit it.

 I plead with you brothers and sisters- If you still see people thinking they are the only ones in the wrong- thinking that you are better than they because of your gifts or blessings- may I offer some advice given in general conference“Stop it.” We CAN NOT go into the mission field  and plan to be inspired and be instruments of God if we are to busy judging, comparing, or hastily concluding that people are a certain way- just because.

The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children are different-in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole.

He does not esteem one flesh above the other.

Look around you. You are in the midst of The Children of The God of the Universe. The greatest being. How do you treat these miraculous creations? Do you joke about immoral things? Do you gossip rather than turning to God? Do you envy the wardrobe of every other student at byu? Or on the other hand? Do you wonder why you are not good enough? DO you feel like you “look act , think, or speak, differently… and therefore conclude that you are not needed?

Brothers and Sisters.  How in the world do we push aside those preconceived notions and see ourselves and thers the way God sees us? How do we see each other as equals when it is so easy to feel life is a contest and our brothers are our opponents rather than our teammates?

I have fluxuated from the extremes. I have hated myself  and my faults- but on the other hand I have been lifted up in pride and comparison. and Loving myself too much. I have judged others. And yet.

What is it that changes a persons heart?

I think you all know the answer to this question.

What is it that will change your heart?

Who is it?

May I offer you my humble opinion.

Don’t do nothing.

Remember “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Don’t we wish to be like him? SO full of charity that we are consumed with the work? Don’t we promise every Sunday to remember The savior and be like him?

And now. I could end with a list of things to do. A list that probably a few of you would wright down. And hastily decide that you will give it a go. But then I bet it would sink down to the bottom of your scripture case and soon be forgotten.

Rather than giving you an outline. I am going to ask you to make a commitment to yourself.

Find out the answer for yourself.

Find out how to become more like Christ. Find out how to gain Gods perspective, how to see your bretheren and yourself as equals.

I bear you my testimony that if you do this. Your lives will be inspired. You will have the spirit more abundantly with you, you will find a richness that you never knew existed before.

Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you. . May I close with words from one of my favorite songs.

Jesus sought me when a stranger. Wandering from the Fold of God. He to rescued me from danger interposed his precious blood. Oh to grace how Great a debtor daily aim constrained to be.  Prone to wander lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Heres my heart oh take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above.

I love you Brothers and sisters. We are all blessed to be in eachothers presence.

And I seal these words. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. “