"Character of Christ"

Got this picture from Nellie today. She said he is doing great!

Here is the talk Tyler referred to in his letter this week. 

"THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST"

Brigham Young University-Idaho Religion Symposium

January 25, 2003

Elder David A. Bednar

Good morning, brothers and sisters. I am delighted to be here with you. I pray for and invite the Holy Ghost to be with me and with you as together we discuss an important aspect of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Last September I participated in an area training meeting in Twin Falls, Idaho. Elder Neal A. Maxwell presided at the training session, and on a Friday night and a Saturday morning he, the Idaho Area Presidency, and other general church officers instructed a group of approximately one hundred stake presidents. It was a meaningful and memorable time of spiritual enrichment, learning, and edification.
During the course of his teaching and testifying, Elder Maxwell made a statement that impressed me deeply and has been the recent focus for much of my studying, reflecting, and pondering. He said, "There would have been no Atonement except for the character of Christ." Since hearing this straightforward and penetrating statement, I have tried to learn more about and better understand the word "character." I have also pondered the relationship between Christ's character and the Atonement--and the implications of that relationship for each of us as disciples. This morning I hope to share with you just a few of the learnings that have come to my mind and heart as I have attempted to more fully appreciate this teaching by Elder Maxwell.
What is Character?
After returning home from the area training meeting in Twin Falls, the first question I attempted to answer was "What is character?" The Oxford English Dictionary indicates that many of the uses of the word character relate to graphic symbols, printing, engraving, and writing. The usages I found most relevant, however, relate to ". . . the sum of the moral and mental qualities which distinguish an individual or a race; mental or moral constitution; moral qualities strongly developed or strikingly displayed" (Oxford English Dictionary Online, University Press 2003, Second Edition, 1989). Interestingly, when we look up the word "character" in the topical guide of our scriptures, we discover that it is cross-referenced to the topics of honesty, honor, and integrity. 
Brigham Young emphasized the significance of the Savior's character as he taught and testified about the truthfulness of the Holy Bible:

. . . the Bible is true. It may not all have been translated aright, and many precious things may have been rejected in the compilation and translation of the Bible; but we understand, from the writings of one of the Apostles, that if all the sayings and doings of the Savior had been written, the world could not contain them. I will say that the world could not understand them. They do not understand what we have on record, nor the character of the Savior, as delineated in the Scriptures; and yet it is one of the simplest things in the world, and the Bible, when it is understood, is one of the simplest books in the world, for, as far as it is translated correctly, it is nothing but truth, and in truth there is no mystery save to the ignorant. The revelations of the Lord to his creatures are adapted to the lowest capacity, and they bring life and salvation to all who are willing to receive them. (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 124, emphasis added)

Brigham Young further taught that faith must be focused upon Jesus' character, in His Atonement, and in the Father's plan of salvation:

. . . I will take the liberty of saying to every man and woman who wishes to obtain salvation through him (the Savior) that looking to him, only, is not enough: they must have faith in his name, character and atonement; and they must have faith in his father and in the plan of salvation devised and wrought out by the Father and the Son. What will this faith lead to? It will lead to obedience to the requirements of the Gospel; and the few words that I may deliver to my brethren and sisters and friends this afternoon will be with the direct view of leading them to God. (Journal of Discourses, Vol.13, p. 56, Brigham Young, July 18, 1869, emphasis added)

The Character of the Lord Jesus Christ
In a message entitled "O How Great the Plan of Our God" delivered to CES religious educators in February of 1995 (p. 5), Elder Maxwell specifically linked Christ's character to the infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice:

Jesus' character necessarily underwrote His remarkable atonement. Without Jesus' sublime character there could have been no sublime atonement! His character is such that He "[suffered] temptations of every kind" (Alma 7:11), yet He gave temptations "no heed" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:22).
Someone has said only those who resist temptation really understand the power of temptation. Because Jesus resisted it perfectly, He understood temptation perfectly, hence He can help us. The fact that He was dismissive of temptation and gave it "no heed," reveals His marvelous character, which we are to emulate (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:22; 3 Nephi 12:48; 27:27).

Perhaps the greatest indicator of character is the capacity to recognize and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Thus, character is demonstrated by looking and reaching outward when the natural and instinctive response is to be self-absorbed and turn inward. If such a capacity is indeed the ultimate criterion of moral character, then the Savior of the world is the perfect example of such a consistent and charitable character.
Examples of Christ's Character in the New Testament 
The New Testament is replete with "strikingly displayed" examples of the Savior's character. We are all well aware that following His baptism by John the Baptist and as a preparation for His public ministry, the Savior fasted for forty days. He also was tempted by the adversary to inappropriately use His supernal power to satisfy physical desires by commanding that stones be made bread, to gain recognition by casting Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, and to obtain wealth and power and prestige in exchange for falling down and worshiping the tempter (see Matthew 4:1-9). It is interesting to note that the overarching and fundamental challenge to the Savior in each of these three temptations is contained in the taunting statement, "If thou be the Son of God." Satan's strategy, in essence, was to dare the Son of God to improperly demonstrate His God-given powers, to sacrifice meekness and modesty, and, thereby, betray who He was. Thus, Satan attempted repeatedly to attack Jesus' understanding of who He was and of His relationship with His Father. Jesus was victorious in meeting and overcoming the strategy of Satan.
I suspect the Savior may have been at least partially spent physically after forty days of fasting--and somewhat spiritually drained after His encounter with the adversary. With this background information in mind, please turn with me now to Matthew 4, and together we will read verse 11: "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
This verse in the King James version of the New Testament clearly indicates that angels came and ministered to the Savior after the devil had departed. And, undoubtedly, Jesus would have benefitted from and been blessed by such a heavenly ministration in a time of physical and spiritual need.
However, the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 4:11 provides a remarkable insight into the character of Christ. Please note the important differences in verse 11 between the King James version and the Joseph Smith Translation: "Then the devil leaveth him, and, now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent angels, and, behold, they came and ministered unto him (John)."
Interestingly, the additions found in the JST completely change our understanding of this event. Angels did not come and minister to the Savior; rather, the Savior, in His own state of spiritual, mental, and physical distress, sent angels to minister to John. Brothers and sisters, it is important for us to recognize that Jesus in the midst of His own challenge recognized and appropriately responded to John--who was experiencing a similar but lesser challenge than that of the Savior's. Thus, the character of Christ is manifested as He reached outward and ministered to one who was suffering--even as He himself was experiencing anguish and torment.
In the upper room on the night of the last supper, the very night during which He would experience the greatest suffering that ever took place in all of the worlds created by Him, Christ spoke about the Comforter and peace:

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:25-27)

Once again the fundamental character of Christ is revealed magnificently in this tender incident. Recognizing that He himself was about to intensely and personally experience the absence of both comfort and peace, and in a moment when His heart was perhaps troubled and afraid, the Master reached outward and offered to others the very blessings that could and would have strengthened Him.
In the great intercessory prayer, offered immediately before Jesus went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Master prayed for His disciples and for all:

. . . which shall believe on me through their word; 
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me . . .
. . . that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:20, 21, 23, 26)

I find myself repeatedly asking the following questions as I ponder this and other events that took place so close to the Savior's suffering in the garden and His betrayal: How could He pray for the well-being and unity of others immediately before His own anguish? What enabled Him to seek comfort and peace for those whose need was so much less than His? As the fallen nature of the world He created pressed in upon Him, how could He focus so totally and so exclusively upon the conditions and concerns of others? How was the Master able to reach outward when a lesser being would have turned inward? The statement I quoted earlier from Elder Maxwell provides the answer to each of these powerful questions:

Jesus' character necessarily underwrote His remarkable atonement. Without Jesus' sublime character there could have been no sublime atonement! His character is such that He "[suffered] temptations of every kind" (Alma 7:11), yet He gave temptations "no heed" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:22). ("O How Great the Plan of Our God," message delivered to CES religious educators in February of 1995, p. 5)

Jesus, who suffered the most, has the most compassion for all of us who suffer so much less. Indeed, the depth of suffering and compassion is intimately linked to the depth of love felt by the ministering one. Consider the scene as Jesus emerged from His awful suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. Having just sweat great drops of blood from every pore as part of the infinite and eternal Atonement, the Redeemer encountered a multitude:

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew unto Jesus to kiss him. 
But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. (Luke 22:47-50)

Given the magnitude and intensity of Jesus' agony, it perhaps would have been understandable if He had not noticed and attended to the guard's severed ear. But the Savior's character activated a compassion that was perfect. Note His response to the guard as described in verse 51: "And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him (Luke 22:51).
As individually impressive as is each of the preceding events, I believe it is the consistency of the Lord's character across multiple episodes that is ultimately the most instructive and inspiring. In addition to the incidents we have thus far reviewed, recall how the Savior, while suffering such agony on the cross, instructed the Apostle John about caring for Jesus' mother, Mary (John 19:26-27). Consider how, as the Lord was taken to Calvary and the awful agony of the crucifixion was commenced, He pleaded with the Father in behalf of the soldiers to ". . . forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Remember also that in the midst of excruciating spiritual and physical pain, the Savior offered hope and reassurance to one of the thieves on the cross, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Throughout His mortal ministry, and especially during the events leading up to and including the atoning sacrifice, the Savior of the world turned outward--when the natural man or woman in any of us would have been self-centered and focused inward.
Developing a Christlike Character
We can in mortality seek to be blessed with and develop essential elements of a Christlike character. Indeed, it is possible for us as mortals to strive in righteousness to receive the spiritual gifts associated with the capacity to reach outward and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us. We cannot obtain such a capacity through sheer willpower or personal determination. Rather, we are dependent upon and in need of "the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah" (2 Nephi 2:8). But "line upon line, precept upon precept" (2 Nephi 28:30) and "in [the] process of time" (Moses 7:21), we are enabled to reach outward when the natural tendency is for us to turn inward.
It is interesting to me that one of the central elements of the word characteris created by the letters A, C, and T. As we already have seen in the examples of Christ's character from the New Testament, the nature and consistency of how one acts reveals in a powerful way his or her true character. In the case of Christ, he is described as one ". . . who went about doing good" (Acts 10:38). Let me now briefly share with you two memorable experiences from my service as a stake president that highlight the relationship between our actions and a Christlike character.
Early one summer morning I was showering. My wife called to me in the middle of my shower and indicated that I was needed immediately on the telephone. (This was before the day of cell and cordless phones). I quickly put on my robe and hurried to the phone. I next heard the voice of a dear sister and friend informing me of a tragic automobile accident that had just occurred in a remote area involving three teenage young women from our stake. Our friend indicated one of the young women had already been pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and that the two other young women were badly injured and presently were being transported to the regional medical center in Fayetteville. She further reported that the identity of the deceased young woman was not yet known. There was urgency in her voice, but there was no panic or excessive alarm. She then asked if I could go to the hospital, meet the ambulance when it arrived, and assist in identifying the young women. I answered that I would leave immediately.
During the course of our telephone conversation and as I listened to both the information being conveyed and the voice of our friend, I gradually became aware of two important things. First, this friend's daughter was one of the young women involved in the accident. Our friend lived approximately 35 miles from the hospital and therefore needed the assistance of someone who lived closer to the city. Second, I detected that the mother simultaneously was using two telephone handsets--with one in each hand pressed to each of her ears. I became aware that as she was talking with me, she was also talking with a nurse at a small rural hospital who had initially attended to the three accident victims. Our friend was receiving updated information about the condition of the young women in the very moment she was informing me about the accident and requesting my help. I then heard one of the most remarkable things I have ever heard in my life.
I faintly heard the nurse telling this faithful mother and friend that the young woman pronounced dead at the scene of the accident had been positively identified as her daughter. I could not believe what I was hearing. I was listening to this good woman in the very moment that she learned of the death of her precious daughter. Without hesitation, and with a calm and most deliberate voice, our friend next said, "President Bednar, we must get in contact with the two other mothers. We must let them know as much as we can about the condition of their daughters and that they will soon be in the hospital in Fayetteville." There was no self-pity; there was no self-absorption; there was no turning inward. The Christlike character of this devoted woman was manifested in her immediate and almost instinctive turning outward to attend to the needs of other suffering mothers. It was a moment and a lesson that I have never forgotten. In a moment of ultimate grief, this dear friend reached outward when I likely would have turned inward.
I then drove to the hospital with a concern in my heart for the well-being of the two other beautiful young women who had been involved in the accident. Little did I realize that the lessons I would learn about Christlike character--lessons taught by seemingly ordinary disciples--were just beginning.
I arrived at the hospital and proceeded to the emergency room. After properly establishing who I was and my relationship to the victims, I was invited into two different treatment areas to identify the injured young women. It was obvious that their respective wounds were serious and life threatening. And the lovely countenances and physical features of these young women had been badly marred. Within a relatively short period of time, the two remaining young women died. All three of these virtuous, lovely, and engaging young women--who seemed to have so much of life in front of them--suddenly had gone home to their Eternal Father. My attention and the attention of the respective families now shifted to funeral arrangements and logistics.
A day or so later, in the midst of program planning and detail arranging for the three funerals, I received a phone call from the Relief Society president of my home ward. Her daughter had been one of the victims in the accident, and she and I had talked several times about her desires for the funeral program. This faithful woman was a single mother rearing her only child--her teenage daughter. I was especially close to this woman and her daughter having served as both their bishop and stake president. After reviewing and finalizing several details for the funeral of her daughter, this good sister said to me, "President, I am sure it was difficult for you to see my daughter in the emergency room the other day. She was severely injured and disfigured. As you know, we will have a closed casket at the funeral. I have just returned from the funeral home, and they have helped my daughter to look so lovely again. I was just wondering . . . why don't we arrange a time when we can meet at the mortuary and you can have one last look at her before she is buried. Then your final memories of my daughter will not be the images you saw in the emergency room the other day." I listened and marveled at the compassion and thoughtfulness this sister had for me. Her only daughter had just been tragically killed, but she was concerned about the potentially troublesome memories I might have given my experience in the emergency room. In this good woman I detected no self-pity and no turning inward. Sorrow, certainly. Sadness, absolutely. Nevertheless, she reached outward when many or perhaps most of us would have turned inward with sorrow and grief.
Let me describe one final episode related to these three tragic deaths. On the day of her daughter's funeral, this Relief Society president from my home ward received a phone call from an irritated sister in our ward. The complaining sister had a cold and did not feel well, and she basically chewed out the Relief Society president for not being thoughtful or compassionate enough to arrange for meals to be delivered to her home. Just hours before the funeral of her only child, this remarkable Relief Society president prepared and delivered a meal to the murmuring sister.
We appropriately and rightly speak with reverence and awe of young men who sacrificed their lives to rescue stranded handcart pioneers and of other mighty men and women who repeatedly gave their all to establish the Church in the early days of the Restoration. I speak with equal reverence and awe of these two women--women of faith and character and conversion--who taught me so much and instinctively reached outward when most of us would have turned inward. Oh how I appreciate their quiet and powerful examples.
I noted earlier in my remarks that the letters A, C, and T form a central component in the word character. Also noteworthy is the similarity between the words character and charity--as both words contain the letters C, H, A, and R. Etymologically there is no relationship between these two words. Nevertheless, I believe there are several conceptual connections that are important for us to consider and ponder.
Let me suggest that you and I must be praying and yearning and striving and working to cultivate a Christlike character if we hope to receive the spiritual gift of charity--the pure love of Christ. Charity is not a trait or characteristic we acquire exclusively through our own purposive persistence and determination. Indeed we must honor our covenants and live worthily and do all that we can do to qualify for the gift; but ultimately the gift of charity possesses us--we do not posses it (see Moroni 7:47). The Lord determines if and when we receive all spiritual gifts, but we must do all in our power to desire and yearn and invite and qualify for such gifts. As we increasingly actin a manner congruent with the character of Christ, then perhaps we are indicating to heaven in a most powerful manner our desire for the supernal spiritual gift of charity. And clearly we are being blessed with this marvelous gift as we increasingly reach outward when the natural man or woman in us would typically turn inward.
I conclude now by returning to where I began--the statement by Elder Maxwell in that special training session last September: "There would have been no Atonement except for the character of Christ." It was the Prophet Joseph Smith who stated that "it is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345). The New Testament is a rich resource for learning about and increasing our appreciation for the character and life and example of the Savior. My prayer for each of us is that through our study of this sacred volume of scripture we will more fully come unto Him; more completely become like Him; and more fervently worship, reverence, and adore Him.
As a witness, I declare my witness. I know and testify and witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father. I know that He lives. And I testify that His character made possible for us the opportunities for both immortality and eternal life. May we reach outward when the natural tendency for us is to turn inward, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Pictures

Last night I got a text from a random number and attached was this photo of Tyler and his companion.

What a tender mercy and such a treat for me. She said "Your happy elders!! I volunteer for the MTC and I am from Oklahoma!! They are going to love it!!" That was so sweet of her! 

I was then able to text his companions mom and she sent me this picture of his district. 

So fun to connect with her. She said Elder Dayley says "Tyler is a great man and ultra obedient. They get along very well."  I had to laugh because that is so true! He is ultra obedient and I wouldn't want it any other way. She also said there will be 34 missionaries going to OKC next week. That's a lot! Poor mission president he is going to be very busy.  I'm loving these sweet surprises from thoughtful people. A picture can say a thousand words and I can see that Tyler is loving every minute of what he is doing I am so proud of him. 

First 5 days at the MTC and Temple

Dear Family and Friends,

The MTC is awesome!! I'm doing great and I'm having a great time. Saying good bye to you guys was really hard and after I said goodbye to my family I thought I was going to keep on crying for the rest of the day. But once I started walking towards the MTC I stopped crying and I've been fine ever since. I really miss you all but I know I'm where the Lord wants me to be so I'm happy :)

Where to start. The first couple days were really hard. Our schedule was all the way full and I wasn't able to get as much sleep as I needed because my sleeping schedule before the MTC wasn't too great.  The lessons we learn in various classes throughout the day seem redundant sometimes but I'm still learning SO much.  Friday and Saturday were a lot better. We got to start doing a lot more teaching and I was able to get a little bit more sleep.  Other than the bloody noses and sore throats, I've been feeling great :)  We do a lot of role playing in class and my companion and I have taught two investigator lessons (both to our teachers) and one member lesson.

My companion is Elder Dayley from Pocatella, Idaho. He is awesome! I couldn't ask for a better companion. We're obeying all the rules, working super hard, and we get along great. I feel so blessed to have such a great companion.  My district is also super awesome.  We have 5 companionships. 2 Sets of Elders are going to the Chicago West mission, my companion and I and another set of Elders are going to Oklahoma, and the set of sisters are also going to Oklahoma.  We're having a great time together.  Everyone works hard and obeys almost all the rules.  Elder Hibbard from Rexberg Idaho is one of the funniest people I have ever met.  He keeps us all laughing and having a great time when we aren't working hard in class :) I wish the missionaries going to the Chicago West mission were going to Oklahoma instead with me because they are awesome people.

Last night's devotional was awesome.  We got to hear from President Allen (The Managing Director of the Church Missionary Department) and we also watched David A. Bednar's devotion called "The Character of Christ". President Allen talked about making sure we all stay on our missions no matter how hard they get or how bad we want to go home.  Satan is the one who wants us to quit and if we do then he wins. If you haven't watched Bednar's devotional on the Character of Christ, you NEED to.  It was life changing and I plan on incorporating it throughout the rest of mission and throughout the rest of my life.  So if you haven't seen it, then go watch it! 

I went to the MTC choir practice yesterday which was awesome! We're singing "A Child's Prayer" at the devotional on Tuesday which is one of my favorite Primary Songs. The Spirit was so strong! The choir director is really funny and he also told us some really cool stories. One story was about the director or something of "The Other Side of Heaven". About 10 years after his mission, he got struck by lightning and could feel himself dying. As he was about to say a prayer, a voice in his mind said, "You served a full time mission for me." After hearing that he felt like he had the choice to live so he prayed and survived the experience. That story shows just how much it pleases Heavenly Father when we serve a mission for him and bring his Children closer to Christ.

The MTC has such a special spirit and it's so easy to feel the spirit here.  It's such a blessing to be more in tune with the Spirit.  As I've practiced teaching and taught some actual lessons I've been able to notice my tongue being loosed. Even when I don't know exactly what I'm going to say, I'm still able to say something that hopefully makes sense and helps the investigator increase their faith in Christ. It's cool to teach members who are pretending to be investigators but I can't wait to get out in the field and teach real people.  Everyone here loves the MTC but we also can't wait to leave and go out into the world.

The food here is really good and I don't have any complaints.  My meal times are pretty normal so I don't have to worry about going to bed hungry.  Although most people eat before we do so sometimes they run out of stuff but it's no big deal.

I've seen all sorts of friends from school at the MTC which is always fun because then you feel cool for actually knowing someone ;)

This morning we went to the Temple and I'm sure you'll here more about that from Uncle Kurt if you haven't already ;) We've all been looking forward to P-day so we can wear regular clothes and Email friends and family :)

I love you all and I'm so excited to hear what's happening in your lives!

Love,

Elder Larsen

 Kurt was working when Tyler came to the temple this morning and so Tyler and his companion got to have the royal tour of the temple.  I feel so blessed to have such a awesome and thoughtful brother. Thanks Kurt!  Here is the letter Kurt sent to Elder Dayley's family and to us.

Dear parents,

I saw your sons, Elder Dayley and Elder Larsen, today at the temple and took occasion to talk with them for a awhile.  They look healthy and happy.  They said the food is great and that they are having fun.  They have that nice missionary glow about them. You obviously did a good job preparing them.

After we talked for a while I took them on a little tour of some seldom seen areas of the temple including the roof.  

PLEASE DO NOT POST THESE PHOTOS TO ANY SOCIAL MEDIA.  Just maybe print a copy for the fridge.  Please don’t forward the pictures to the MTC either.  I don’t need 2000 missionaries over here at the temple wanting “their turn” to go on the roof.  J 

Congratulations on raising fine sons.

Best wishes,

Kurt J. Jensen

Provo Utah Temple Recorder

PS I got permission from Kurt to post these pictures on this private blog. :)

 I think this is a memory Tyler will never forget.

Thanks Uncle Kurt!

First Letter....wahoo!

Dear Family,

The MTC is awesome!  After I left you guys I thought I would keep bawling my eyes out but I couldn’t because of all the smiling faces.  They kept me moving around for a while so by the time I sat down, I wasn’t in the crying mood anymore.  I got my name tags (A clip one and a magnetic one), my room assignment, ID card and other books and stuff.  My companion is Elder Dayley from Idaho.  We’ve gotten along fine and he seems like a really great guy.  The MTC Presidency talked to us about serving God and not mammon (Matthew 6:24) and gave us examples of missionaries who did and didn’t follow that counsel.  It was really spiritual.  Dinner was good. Did some discussions with investigators as a big group which was interesting.  The other 2 Elders in our room are also going to OKC and we had a good time as roommates sharing scriptures and praying together tonight.  My p-day is Monday and I go to the temple at 9:10am.    I need to get to bed so goodnight.  I love you all so much.  

Elder Larsen

P.S. Can you send me my consecrated oil and miniature Preach my Gospel?

P.P.S. In the drawer in the dining room are 2 jars.  I have a thought for you guys for every 2 weeks I’ll be gone.  Start with the one that is by itself.

So excited to get to read these messages from Tyler every 2 weeks.  What a thoughtful son! Love him!!  

MTC drop off

Wow what a bittersweet day today. Many tears were shed. We just love Tyler too much to not let those emotions out. I couldn't be more proud of Tyler and wouldn't want him anywhere else. A part of my heart entered the MTC today. I will miss him so much. But I look forward to all the wonderful things he will accomplished and all the lives he will change for good in Oklahoma. Exciting times!

What incredible grandparents Tyler has. Saying goodbye for two years was not easy! He couldn't ask for better examples of how to live his life than from these amazing grandparents.

Oh how I will miss him! He brings such a special spirit into our home that we will for sure miss. Love this kid!

After we took these pictures a butterfly flew by us.  Our Wyatt moment. Love all 4 of my kids. 

Off he went never looking back just moving forward.

Tyler's Farwell Talk

Tyler's farwell was wonderful.  He gave an incredible talk.  So very proud of him!  We had lots of family and friends there to support him.  We felt very loved and blessed.  I wish I would have taken pictures that day.  I enjoyed being with those we love too much that I forgot.  I did take this one of the 3 kids before church.  Here is the copy of his talk.

Good morning Brothers and Sisters, it is truly a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak to you today.  My name is Tyler Larsen and I have been assigned to labor in the Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Mission English Speaking and I will enter the Provo MTC on July 22^nd.  A couple of weeks ago my family and I had the opportunity of driving through Oklahoma City on the way back from our church history tour so I can already tell you that it is a beautiful place full of trees and fields.  The missionaries there are excited about the work and I am so excited to be able to join them. 

The topic I will be speaking on today is Ch. 4 from Preach my Gospel, “How do I recognize and understand the Spirit?” I have sought the guidance of the spirit as I have prepared my message today and I pray that the spirit will be able to touch your hearts.  First off, the spirit or Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.  He “has not a body of flesh and bones but is a personage of spirit, were it not so the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.” (D&C 130:22) It is important to remember the difference between the power of the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  The power of the Holy Ghost is the means through which those who have not been baptized are able to feel and recognize the spirit as they learn correct principles and pray about the Book of Mormon.  The gift of the Holy Ghost, however, entitles those who have received the required ordinances and who are living worthily to always have the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  In the Bible Dictionary under Holy Ghost we read, “The gift [of the Holy Ghost] can come only after proper and authorized baptism, and is conferred by the laying on of hands…. The gift of the Holy Ghost is the right to have, whenever one is worthy, the companionship of the Holy Ghost.” The ability of always having his spirit to be with us is one of God’s greatest gifts to his children and we should always strive to live worthy of this gift. 

Once we have the gift of the Holy Ghost, we need to learn how to recognize and understand it.  In Preach my Gospel it says, “The spirit is always available to guide and direct you.  However, the Spirit speaks quietly, through your feelings as well as your mind.  One great challenge for you and those you work with is to recognize the quiet, subtle promptings of the Holy Ghost.” President Boyd K. Packer has taught, “The voice of the Spirit is described in the scripture as being neither ‘loud’ nor ‘harsh’.  It is ‘not a voice of thunder, neither … voice of a great tumultuous noise.’ But rather, ‘a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper,’ and it can ‘pierce even to the very soul’ and ‘cause [the heart] to burn.’ ….  The spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand.  Rather it whispers.  It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all.  Occasionally it will press just firmly enough for us to pay heed.  But most of the time, if we do not heed the gentle feeling, the Spirit will withdraw and wait until we come seeking and listening and say in our manner and expression, like Samuel of ancient times, ‘Speak [Lord], for thy servant heareth.’”  The scriptures teach us the roles of the Holy Ghost as well as how he speaks to us. 

One of the chief roles of the Holy Ghost is to testify of truth and bring all things to our remembrance, including those truths which we understood before we came to this Earth.  In John 14:26 it reads, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Also in Moroni 10:5 we read, “And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” I testify that this is true.  When I read the entire Book of Mormon for the first time, I took Moroni’s promise and prayed to know for myself if the things I had read were true.  I can still remember the warm feeling that came to me as I finished that prayer.  Since that day I have always known that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and the spirit has reaffirmed that witness to me countless times as I have continually read and pondered it. 

Another experience that stands out in my mind occurred towards the end of summer last year.  The seminary council challenged everyone to read Doctrine and Covenants over the summer in preparation for seminary that year.  I’m so glad I took the challenge.  I had a testimony of Joseph Smith but as I read all the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants, I started to have some doubts and found myself questioning my testimony.  As I read section 135, which announces the death of Joseph and Hyrum, I felt the spirit so strong. I felt the warmth and peace that only comes from the spirit.  I will never forget that experience and I testify of the truthfulness and integrity of the Prophet Joseph Smith. 

Before I discuss other ways of recognizing and understanding the spirit, I would like to read some scriptures that come to mind.  In John 7:17 we read, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”  In Moroni 10:4 we read, “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. ” I can testify that as I have done the will of God by studying the scriptures, studying the words of the living prophets, praying daily, and seeking for the influence of the spirit that I have been able to know of the doctrine by the power of the Holy Ghost.  The spirit has testified to me that this gospel is true because I have diligently sought to know whether or not it is true.  For example, if I had given up on the D&C reading challenge I never would have read section 135 and been able to strengthen my testimony of the restoration of the gospel.  We don’t know for sure when the witness of the Holy Ghost will come but as we patiently do the will of the Lord he will pour out his spirit upon us and we will know for ourselves that the gospel is true. 

Another way the Holy Ghost speaks to us is through our mind and our heart.  In D&C 8:2-3 we read, “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.  Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation.” In D&C 9:8-9 we read, “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.  But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong.”  From these scriptures we learn how to receive personal revelation.  As we study problems and questions out in our mind, the Holy Ghost will enlighten our mind and then testify in our heart that our thoughts are correct.  When I have a question I first study and think about possible answers.  When I feel I reached the correct answer, I pray to know if I have found the truth.  If the spirit “causes that my bosom shall burn within me” and I “feel that it is right” then I know that I have found the answer to my question.  If I don’t feel anything and have a “stupor of thought” then I know that I need to keep searching for the correct answer.  Sometimes, the answer will not always come when we want but if we patiently study and pray about it we will eventually receive the personal revelation we need.    

In addition to answering our questions and giving us personal revelation, the spirit also guides and directs us.  One of my favorite examples of this is President Thomas S. Monson.  He has said, “Not a day has gone by that I have not communicated with my Father in Heaven through prayer. It is a relationship I cherish—one I would literally be lost without. If you do not now have such a relationship with your Father in Heaven, I urge you to work toward that goal. As you do so, you will be entitled to His inspiration and guidance in your life—necessities for each of us if we are to survive spiritually during our sojourn here on earth. Such inspiration and guidance are gifts He freely gives if we but seek them. What treasures they are! I am always humbled and grateful when my Heavenly Father communicates with me through His inspiration. I have learned to recognize it, to trust it, and to follow it.” In the October 2011 General Conference President Monson related the following story, “One rather dramatic experience took place in August of 1987 during the dedication of the Frankfurt Germany Temple. President Ezra Taft Benson had been with us for the first day or two of the dedication but had returned home, and so it became my opportunity to conduct the remaining sessions.  On Saturday we had a session for our Dutch members who were in the Frankfurt Temple district. I was well acquainted with one of our outstanding leaders from the Netherlands, Brother Peter Mourik. Just prior to the session, I had the distinct impression that Brother Mourik should be called upon to speak to his fellow Dutch members during the session and that, in fact, he should be the first speaker. Not having seen him in the temple that morning, I passed a note to Elder Carlos E. Asay, our Area President, asking whether Peter Mourik was in attendance at the session. Just prior to standing up to begin the session, I received a note back from Elder Asay indicating that Brother Mourik was actually not in attendance, that he was involved elsewhere, and that he was planning to attend the dedicatory session in the temple the following day with the servicemen stakes.  As I stood at the pulpit to welcome the people and to outline the program, I received unmistakable inspiration once again that I was to announce Peter Mourik as the first speaker. This was counter to all my instincts, for I had just heard from Elder Asay that Brother Mourik was definitely not in the temple. Trusting in the inspiration, however, I announced the choir presentation and the prayer and then indicated that our first speaker would be Brother Peter Mourik.  As I returned to my seat, I glanced toward Elder Asay; I saw on his face a look of alarm. He later told me that when I had announced Brother Mourik as the first speaker, he couldn’t believe his ears. He said he knew that I had received his note and that I indeed had read it, and he couldn’t fathom why I would then announce Brother Mourik as a speaker, knowing he wasn’t anywhere in the temple.  During the time all of this was taking place, Peter Mourik was in a meeting at the area offices in Porthstrasse. As his meeting was going forward, he suddenly turned to Elder Thomas A. Hawkes Jr., who was then the regional representative, and asked, “How fast can you get me to the temple?”  Elder Hawkes, who was known to drive rather rapidly in his small sports car, answered, “I can have you there in 10 minutes! But why do you need to go to the temple?”  Brother Mourik admitted he did not know why he needed to go to the temple but that he knew he had to get there. The two of them set out for the temple immediately.  During the magnificent choir number, I glanced around, thinking that at any moment I would see Peter Mourik. I did not. Remarkably, however, I felt no alarm. I had a sweet, undeniable assurance that all would be well.  Brother Mourik entered the front door of the temple just as the opening prayer was concluding, still not knowing why he was there. As he hurried down the hall, he saw my image on the monitor and heard me announce, “We will now hear from Brother Peter Mourik.” To the astonishment of Elder Asay, Peter Mourik immediately walked into the room and took his place at the podium.”  I love this story because it not only shows what an inspired Prophet and leader president Monson is but it also shows the importance of following and trusting in the spirit.  As we learn to recognize spiritual promptings and act on them with faith, our lives and the lives of those around us will be greatly blessed.  For me, sometimes it can be quite difficult to tell the difference between inspired thoughts and just random thoughts.  The difference is the feeling in our hearts that comes with inspired thoughts.  Yea behold I will tell you in your mind AND in your heart.  We need to always strive to be sensitive to spiritual promptings and then have the courage to act on them when they come. 

In D&C 11:12-13 it reads, “And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;” My favorite part of that scripture is the last line, “which shall fill your soul with joy.” I have been able to recognize the spirit many times because it truly does fill my soul with joy.  Countless times after praying and studying the scriptures I have felt joyous and happy.  The spirit truly can fill our souls with joy and I am so grateful for the true happiness that comes from the spirit.

As I have received my mission call and started getting ready to go I have noticed increased opposition against me.  Satan has been working hard trying to discourage me and fill my mind with doubt.  But as I have made going to the temple a priority in my life I have been able to stay strong.  The spirit is so strong in the house of the lord and I don’t know what I would do without the temple.  I feel so blessed to live so close to one.  At the beginning of this year I made the goal of going to temple to do baptisms about once a week.  Although there were some weeks when I didn’t go, going on a regular basis helped strengthen my testimony and made a huge difference in my life.  The temple is a place of peace, a place of refuge from the storms of life.  A place where we can go to feel the sweet peace and joy that comes from the influence of the Holy Ghost.  I challenge all of you to make temple attendance a priority in your life.  In D&C 128:15 we read, “And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.”  This scripture emphasizes the importance of doing temple work for our dead.  For without them, we cannot be made perfect.

I would like to close with a quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley. In answer to the question, “How do we recognize the promptings of the spirit?” he said, “That’s the test, when all is said and done.  Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is the Spirit of God…. If it invites to do good, it is of God.  If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil… And if you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you.   You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit – that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is the Spirit of God.”