Good morning brothers and sisters for those who don’t know me I’m Brother Jensen, soon to be Elder Jensen today at 5:00. I have been called to serve a mission in the Cape Town South Africa mission. This will be my second talk ever so bear with me. My first talk was definitely a little pressured on me. They were going to take away Fortnite for a month or something like that so ya, you know. But, I’m extremely excited to serve there, but what I’m not excited about is having a 2 day flight to get there that’s going to be very brutal. But I want to thank my friends and my family for coming today and I can’t forget my bosses for coming as well, love you guys.
Ok today I want to share how grateful I am for the chance to share a few thoughts before I start to gear up for a new adventure. It's wild how fast time flies! It feels just like yesterday I was trying to figure out the best landing spot in Fortnite, and now I'm here saying goodbye.
But today, I want to talk about why I personally felt the need to serve a mission. It's a bit more serious than chasing Victory Royales with bigvagla, but it's something I'm deeply passionate about.
Growing up, a mission was definitely not my main priority. My main priority at the time was definitely trying to become a pro gamer. Unfortunately that hasn’t happened yet, so that’s pretty sad.
Ok no but seriously I definitely didn’t think I was going to serve a mission. Growing up I have always struggled with reading, especially with reading out loud and to be honest I thought that’s all you do on a mission is read your scriptures and what not. So I definitely wasn’t trying to do all that.
But having been blessed with such amazing friends who all wanted to serve a mission. It’s made me strive to be better. My best friends are definitely a good reason why I am here today. Well a lot of you may already know them but I have 2 best friends there names are Beckam and Jones. We have all been best friends since 2nd grade where we grew up in Vegas together. But let me tell you a little about them. Beckam he’s always wanted to serve a mission and has always been a great example to me. Jones on the other hand has also been a great example but he also was like me, just didn’t know if a mission was right for him at the time. But like last year when Beckam was getting ready to leave for his mission he kept on trying to tell me go on a mission. So I made a bet with him I said if Jones would go on a mission I would go and to be honest I did not think Jones was going on a mission. So I thought I was in the clear. But after making that bet we told Jones as well. And sooner or later Jones started working on his papers. not too much longer after that. The first thing he did when he submitted his papers was called me and told me he was serving a mission and that it was my turn to start working on my papers. So ya that was definitely a big surprise for me. But even though we made that bet I didn’t just want to serve because that’s what my friends were doing. I knew I had to want to serve a mission as well.
Then some time goes by and me and my family were doing come follow me. And there was a verse in Psalms 81:10. That says open your mouth and I will fill it. I knew that was Heavenly Father trying to tell me to not worry so much about my fear of reading and if I just have faith in him and do what he asks of me that everything will be ok.
After that experience I knew a mission was the right thing for me. So I started working on my papers and got it done as soon as possible. After all that I was just waiting for my call. And I knew there was a possibility of me serving in the states and that was something I definitely didn't want. But my dad and brother kept telling me I was going to be serving in the states and that definitely was very stressful. But me and my mom from the start always thought I would be serving my mission somewhere in Africa. If you know me if I think something I start to make my self believe it’s true. So I told everyone I was going to serve somewhere in Africa, before I even got my call. So that night before I got my mission call I went in my room and prayed. I knew if I was going to serve somewhere I wanted to serve some place where I wanted to go, as well as where the lord wanted me to. I knew that it would be much easier for me to get out and do what the lord ask me to do if I could just pick where I was going. Still I knew even if I didn’t get to go where I wanted to go it would all be ok and this is God's plan for me.
Then I finally got my call still was very nervous to see where I would be serving, but I still had faith I would be serving somewhere in Africa. So I opened my call and started reading it and When i got to the point where it said you are hereby called to serve in the South Africa mission I was so excited I knew right there in then that this is 100 percent the true church and I couldn’t wait to get out and start serving the Lord. I would also say I have a way stronger testimony because of this, so that’s great.
There is a quick talk that I want to talk about it’s from Henry B. Eyring's the talk is Proved and Strengthened in Christ. I summarized But It basically explains that trials and challenges are a crucial part of our spiritual growth. He teaches that these difficulties aren't meant to break us down, but to test and refine our faith. When we turn to Jesus Christ during these times, His Atonement allows us to be strengthened, find peace, and ultimately become more like Him. The whole point is that God helps us through our toughest moments, proving our faith and making us stronger.
Ok I want to talk a little about my scripture that’s going on my mission plaque. It goes with the quote I just read but I choose Joshua chapter 1:9 and it says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go"
I chose this verse because I definitely always struggle with always being courageous and I just need to know that Heavenly Father is there and loves each and everyone of us and if we just have faith in him everything will be ok.
Ok before I end my talk I want to talk about my parents and how they are my biggest role models so to my mom and dad you guys mean the world to me. I'm sorry if I ever let you guys down but I hope you know that I love you guys. Leaving home will be very hard for me. You guys have always been the best parents I could ask for. You guys have been there for ups and downs so thanks again for being the best thing I could ever ask for. One day I hope I can be as good as you guys are. And to my siblings I love you guys too, but I hope when I get back from the mission you guys will be way more mature like me.
Ok I would like to end my talk by braying my testimony. I know that God loves all of His children perfectly. I know that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of God, and that He came to the earth to show us the way to live. He atoned for our sins, and took upon Himself the pains and sicknesses of all mankind. He died and was resurrected, so that we can live again. I know that through Him, we can return to live with God and our families forever. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen
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