“The Last One”

Hello! I am Dylan Hansen. For those of you who don’t know me, I just returned from my mission in Greece and Cyprus.

*Describe the layout of the mission* (No Santorini is not an area in my mission)

Needless to say, I learned a lot. Especially having hindsight now, I can see the value in many parts of my mission. Something I thought of a lot near the end of the mission was when I did that the first time. When I was about six months into my time in Greece and Cyprus, I was sent home for a hernia.

Naturally it was quite jarring. Thrown back into the real world, but being in limbo because I still wasn’t sure if I would even be allowed to return. But I prayed to know if putting my papers in again would be the right thing to do. The feeling I got was not as clear as I wanted, but I know I received an answer.

I was hoping for a “Yes!” or a “No!” To make my life easier. But as we all know, it rarely comes that way. “Going back is a good thing,” was the answer I got.

Well great. Not exactly a pillar of light. Not a commission to “Go and Do.” But rather, a confirmation it was a good thing, not necessarily what I should do. But if felt more right than staying home. So that was the chart I set— going back on my mission.

But as I began to be comfortable, I really remember thinking while I was home, "How much more interesting could my mission get? Why should I go back out?" I had experienced so much. After all, according to the church, my service was completed. Τέλος.

As difficult as it was, and my family can confirm the mental battle I was having, I remained obedient to the initial feeling I had to return. And I did.

I have the benefit of hindsight now, but I can begin to understand the answer God gave me.

As priesthood holders, we obtain the responsibility to serve a full time mission as we are able. I had fulfilled this responsibility. I was keeping the commandment God had given me and fulfilled the commission to serve as a mission. This is what initially motivated me to serve. So, what was left to push me out?

“Going back is a good thing,” the spirit said to me. That is all. As I was writing this talk, I couldn’t help but think of the parable of the Young Rich Ruler.

Mark 10:17-21

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Now, I was faced with a new decision. One not so easy to decide. Why am I going back? I remember requesting a meeting with my Stake President, whom I was actually good friends with his daughter so it was very cool. I needed to talk to him because I was quite frustrated with the slow process of submitting my papers for service again. It was making me reconsider my decision to serve.

“The church system is not perfect,” he said. “It’s operated by imperfect people. We can’t get around that.”

“It doesn’t change that God still works through the members of the church.” He proceeded to explain the story of the time when his daughter returned early from her mission. She had grown a lot since then, and gained things she would not have had any other way.

“God isn’t always efficient, but he is εffective. Was it efficient to have my daughter fly all the way to Hawaii for such a short time, only to return a month later? No. But it was effective.” As he spoke to me, explained how difficult it was in the moment to see why things needed to happen the way they did. However, in sufficient time, it began to be clear.

I couldn’t understand why God let me be sent home. I wasn’t sure why I needed to back out again. I had a feeling it was the right thing to do, but nevertheless, I wasn’t sure.

But I kept walking forward. I wasn’t sure. But when will you ever be so sure as to know each step you’ll take. One should have been enough for me;

“Because it felt right!” I didn’t know if it was right, but it felt so. That should be enough to keep you going forward. That is often what revelation is.

(Show pictures of friends or family made on the mission.)

Amongst many reasons, God wanted me to decide to go on a mission. Was it efficient to send me home? No. But it was certainly effective.

Let me emphasize though; a sense of duty is a fine way to start your mission, but not easy as motivation for two years. I think about what I have gained since returning and how pivotal it has been in my life, but also so in others. What would have happened if I gave into my fears or demotivation to not get moving?

How often do we ignore a prompting from the spirit? How much could I have lost if I had ignored that feeling?

SERENDIPITY

This has taken a theme this last transfer, particularly with Elder Fronk. Honestly though, as we have discussed it I have seen it throughout my mission. My definition for it as we went around the table at the Fronk's after church was, "When something goes not as planned, but as it should."

In reality, and in a gospel sense, we've attributed it to the idea of trusting in God. Trust in Him. Something we talked a lot about in my seminary class while I was in highschool was, "God can't steer a parked car." This idea is related also to the idea that "Faith without works is dead."

Serendipity. It's all about this. What are you going to do with what you are given? Are you going to keep moving? What are you going to do?

"I don't know!"

Walk forward with one foot in front of another. You keep walking. You'll perform as well as you prepare.

"What do I even prepare for if I don't know what I'm doing?!"

It doesn't matter. With the spirit guiding your actions, you "cannot go amiss." Do everything you can to be prepared. Plan the best way you can. The Lord will take care of it. You will perform as well as you prepare. Preparation is always blessed.

*Talk about lessons done where you prepare for it to go one way, but it shoots the other direction, and it turns out to be something you studied on a couple days ago. That preparation that you did may be used another day.*

I used to think faith was simply believing that my own efforts would be sufficient to complete a task. But I've come to realize over the time of my mission, no matter what, I cannot do everything. When I struggled so much with Greek the first year of my mission, I questioned my own faith. What was I doing wrong? When the day would just not physically be possible, what do we do?

So my faith had to grow in a way I didn't realize was so important. I couldn't let it stay so simple. I realized faith needed to be sufficient to believe that my efforts would be used for the work of God. The more effort I would put in, the more I could be put to work by the Lord. At whatever point I got.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

One night while I was in Nicosia, Cyprus as a Branch President, we had about five lessons scheduled in a four hour block all the way till 9pm.

Now, right before this endeavor began, I got a call that a member needed our help with something. So I counseled with my companions about when we would come by and meet so we could serve her. Out of concern for the lessons, I suggested that we could come tomorrow. With a plan to stop by after she finished her shift, it was settled. I thought of canceling the lessons we had planned for the evening to help her, but that didn't feel right.

So we went to each lesson and the spirit was very strong. Especially as we taught our friend Christian. The spirit confirmed to me that we did the right thing to attend the lessons.

We went next door, to our next lesson, and discovered our friend was not home. So we finished 30 minutes earlier than planned.

"Let's go get McDonalds tonight," I suggested to Elder Crossley and Wahl. It was a long day after all, and I was sure none of us felt like cooking that night anyways. The location wasn't far either. I remember turning to the self check machine and suddenly, clarity hit me like a brick wall. I couldn't hear the noisy room. The feeling was so strong it might as well have been words.

"What are you doing?"

An image of the member came into my mind. How could I be here, taking a risk of being late home to get dinner instead of helping a daughter of God? Indeed, what was I doing? Despite us not going that didn't make a lot of sense, the spirit made itself very clear.

I had a place to be.

I finished ordering my food, and walked to the nearest chair and began to pray for guidance. With that given guidance, we finished ordering our food and drove to the members house, unannounced, unsure if we could even help.

My companions were asking me about logistics and I couldn't give them straight answers.

"I don't know, I'm guided by the spirit right now," I said as we began the navigation. I didn't know how it was going to work, but I knew God wouldn't have made it so clear if it wouldn't be possible. I knew there would be a way.

And indeed, there was. In fact, what could have been one of the craziest nights ever, went more smoothly than I could have imagined.

They were moments I sat there and thought, "There is no way, the chances of this working so perfectly was so slim."

My short, but sincere message is this. Listen to the spirit. Don't wait for the fog to clear in front of you. That day may never come. But with one step in front of the other, get walking. The entire path doesn't need to be clear at the start.

It could be because I've left a lot of context out, but this simple, yet profound moment has strengthened my testimony that God is so vigilant.

He cares for you. He loves you. You might feel invisible in your trials. Even maybe alienated by those around you.

You're not alone.

REVELATION

This church’s restoration is built on revelation. Since the foundation of the world, it has been that way. Since the very beginning.

A quote from President Holland goes, “But after a sacred vision in a now sacred grove answered in the affirmative the question ‘Does God exist?’ what Joseph Smith and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints force us to face is the next interrogative, which necessarily follows: ‘Does He speak?’ We bring the good news that He does and that He has. With a love and affection born of our Christianity, we invite all to inquire into the wonder of what God has said since biblical times and is saying even now.

“In a sense Joseph Smith and his prophetic successors in this Church answer the challenge Ralph Waldo Emerson put to the students of the Harvard Divinity School 170 years ago this coming summer. To that group of the Protestant best and brightest, the great sage of Concord pled that they teach ‘that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake.’”

The restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ came through revelation. It continues to be guided by that same ongoing revelation.

What a blessing!

«Είδα ακριβώς επάνω από το κεφάλι μου μια στήλη φωτός λαμπρότερη από τη λάμψη του ήλιου, η οποία κατέβαινε σιγά-σιγά μέχρι που έπεσε επάνω μου. Όταν το φως έπεσε επάνω μου είδα δύο Άτομα, των οποίων η λαμπρότητα και η δόξα ξεπερνούν κάθε περιγραφή, να στέκονται από πάνω μου στον αέρα. Ο ένας τους μου μίλησε, καλώντας με μέ το όνομά μου και είπε, δείχνοντας τον άλλον–Αυτός είναι ο Υιός μου ο Αγαπητός. Αυτόν να ακούς!» (Τζόζεφ Σμιθ–Ιστορία 1:16-17).

Στο όνομα του Ιησού Χριστού, αμήν.

...[Redacted]... Though before this life we were mere spirits, we meant so much to Him. He wanted so much for us to succeed and achieve the fullness of joy in order for us to become more like him. So through Jesus Christ, he created the world for us to be able to do just that.

...[Διασκευάστηκε]... Όμως πριν από αυτή τη ζωή ήμασταν απλά πνεύματα, σημαίνουμε τόσο πολύ για Αυτόν. Ήθελε να πετύχουμε την πληρότητα της χαράς για να γίνουμε περισσότερο όπως αυτόν. Οπότε, μέσω του Ιησού Χριστού, δημιούργησε τον κόσμο για να μπορούμε να κάνουμε ακριβώς αυτό.

I don’t think I could ever fully grasp how much we matter to God. As we are told from scripture, this place we live was created for us.

Δεν νομίζω ότι μπορώ να φανταστώ όσο μας νοιάζει στον Θεό. Ως λέει στις γραφές, η Γη δημιούργησε για εμάς.

During his talk, “You matter to Him”, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf explained it beautifully. He said, “...while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind. In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters. This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it.”

Κατά τη διάρκεια της ομιλίας του, «Έχεις σημασία για Αυτόν», ο Πρεσβύτερος Dieter F Uktorf το εξήγησε όμορφα. Είπε, «...ενώ μπορούμε να κοιτάμε την απέραντη έκταση του σύμπαντος και να πούμε, «Τι είναι ο άνθρωπος σε σύγκριση με τη δόξα της δημιουργίας;» Ο ίδιος ο Θεός είπε ότι είμαστε ο λόγος που δημιούργησε το σύμπαν! Το έργο και η δόξα του – ο σκοπός αυτού του υπέροχου σύμπαντος – είναι να σώσει και να εξυψώσει την ανθρωπότητα. Με άλλα λόγια, η απέραντη έκταση της αιωνιότητας, οι δόξες και τα μυστήρια του άπειρου χώρου και χρόνου είναι όλα χτισμένα προς όφελος των κοινών θνητών όπως εσείς και εγώ. Ο Επουράνιος Πατέρας μας δημιούργησε το σύμπαν για να μπορέσουμε να αξιοποιήσουμε τις δυνατότητές μας ως γιοι και κόρες Του. Αυτό είναι ένα παράδοξο του ανθρώπου: σε σύγκριση με τον Θεό, ο άνθρωπος δεν είναι τίποτα. όμως είμαστε τα πάντα για τον Θεό. Ενώ στο πλαίσιο της άπειρης δημιουργίας μπορεί να φαινόμαστε ότι δεν είμαστε τίποτα, έχουμε μια σπίθα αιώνιας φωτιάς να καίει μέσα στο στήθος μας. Έχουμε την ακατανόητη υπόσχεση της εξύψωσης – κόσμους χωρίς τέλος – στα χέρια μας. Και είναι μεγάλη επιθυμία του Θεού να μας βοηθήσει να το φτάσουμε».

The value of each of God’s children, which are all the people of the Earth, is so grand. This is our inherited worth which we received even before this life. I testify to you that God does care about you, and he does hear your prayers, and he has a plan for you. Trusting in it is one of the best things we can do.

Η αξία καθενός από τα παιδιά του Θεού, που είναι όλοι οι άνθρωποι της Γης, είναι τόσο μεγάλη. Αυτή είναι η κληρονομική μας αξία που λάβαμε πριν από αυτή τη ζωή. Σας καταθέτω μαρτυρία ότι ο Θεός ενδιαφέρεται για σας, και ακούει τις προσευχές σας, και έχει ένα σχέδιο για σας. Η εμπιστοσύνη σας σε αυτό είναι ένα από τα καλύτερα πράγματα που μπορούμε να κάνουμε.

As grand of a gift mortality is on this Earth, it is a “nanosecond” in the scale of eternity. As Elder Uchtdorf states, “...you could pile up the accumulated currency of the entire world and it could not buy a loaf of bread in the economy of heaven.” Our material wealth will not stay with us, yet our potential extends beyond the bounds of mortality. Even so, this nanosecond is crucial. If this moment is so important, but it has nothing to do with our own material success in this life, what is it?

Καθώς η θνησιμότητα είναι ένα μεγάλο δώρο σε αυτή τη Γη, είναι ένα «νανοδευτερόλεπτο» της αιωνιότητας. Όπως είπε ο Πρεσβύτερος Uchtdorf, «...θα μπορούσατε να συσσωρεύσετε το συσσωρευμένο νόμισμα όλου του κόσμου και δεν θα μπορούσε να αγοράσει ένα καρβέλι ψωμί στην οικονομία του ουρανού». Ο υλικός μας πλούτος δεν θα μείνει μαζί μας, ωστόσο οι δυνατότητές μας εκτείνονται πέρα από τα όρια της θνητότητας. Ακόμα κι έτσι, αυτό το νανοδευτερόλεπτο είναι κρίσιμο. Αν αυτή η στιγμή είναι τόσο σημαντική, αλλά δεν έχει καμία σχέση με τη δική μας υλική επιτυχία σε αυτή τη ζωή, τι είναι;

WHAT IS TRUE WORTH IN THIS LIFE?

In the cold months of Utah, you can hardly take a step outside before wanting to turn right back into the comforts of inside. But with the proper clothes and a bit of time you become acclimated to the temperature, you can begin to embrace the beauty of the snow-covered mountains. As a deacon, I was walking back from a quorum meeting as it began to snow again upon the already snow covered earth. The silence is something I can still remember. I remember gaining a great sense of the love God had for me, in that moment. The longer I’ve lived my life, the more I’ve come to really understand a big part of what this life is about.

Τους κρύους μήνες της Utah, δύσκολα μπορείς να κάνεις ένα βήμα έξω πριν θα ήθελες να γυρίσεις γρήγορα πίσω μέσα. Αλλά με καλα ρούχα και σε λίγο χρόνο έξω, μπορείτε να δείτε την ομορφιά των χιονισμένων βουνών. Ως διάκονος, επέστρεφα από μια συνάντηση καθώς άρχισε να χιονίζει. Η σιωπή είναι κάτι που ακόμα θυμάμαι. Θυμάμαι ότι έλαβα μια μεγάλη συναίσθημα της αγάπης που είχε ο Θεός για μένα, εκείνη τη στιγμή. Όσο περισσότερο έχω ζήσει τη ζωή μου, τόσο περισσότερο καταλαβαίνω πραγματικά ένα μεγάλο μέρος γιατί έχουμε αυτήν την ζωή.

As we strive to hit our goal that is the reason we are here in this life, which is to prepare to meet God, there are types of motivation that propel us forward. They are not only applicable in a gospel sense.

Καθώς προσπαθούμε να φτάσουμε τον στόχο μας, αυτός είναι ο λόγος που βρισκόμαστε εδώ σε αυτή τη ζωή, που είναι να προετοιμαστούμε να συναντήσουμε με τον Θεό, υπάρχουν τύπους κινήτρων που μας πιέζει μπροστά. Δεν ισχύουν μόνο με την ευαγγελική έννοια.

Fear. This is the simplest. Fear is basic, but it's never long lasting. If you ask me to go up the stairs when I'm tired, I'll be a lot more motivated if you scare me at the bottom wearing a gorilla costume. But chances are, I'll get used to that costume and it will not last.

Ο Φόβος. Αυτό είναι το πιο απλό. Ο φόβος είναι βασικός, αλλά ποτέ δεν είναι μακροχρόνιος. Αν μου ζητήσετε να ανέβω τις σκάλες όταν είμαι κουρασμένος, θα έχω πολύ μεγαλύτερο κίνητρο αν με τρομάξετε στο κάτω φορώντας μια στολή γορίλα. Αλλά το πιθανότερο είναι ότι θα συνηθίσω αυτό το κοστούμι και δεν θα κρατήσει.

Next is Reward. Reward only works if it's increased over time or the reward comes in certain time intervals. Again, you can't eat 3 cookies every hour to keep you doing your homework.

Ακολουθεί η ανταμοιβή. Η ανταμοιβή λειτουργεί μόνο εάν αυξάνεται με την πάροδο του χρόνου ή η ανταμοιβή έρχεται σε συγκεκριμένα χρονικά διαστήματα. Και πάλι, δεν μπορείτε να τρώτε 3 μπισκότα κάθε ώρα για να συνεχίσετε να κάνετε τα μαθήματά σας.

The next is Social. This is the one that might keep people going to social interactions. I like to think of when we were all wearing masks during Covid. It isn't socially acceptable to be making weird faces all the time but as soon as those masks were on our faces, it was totally fine. Because it was hidden.

Το επόμενο είναι ο κοινωνικός. Αυτό είναι που μπορεί να κρατήσει τους ανθρώπους να πηγαίνουν στις κοινωνικές αλληλεπιδράσεις. Μου αρέσει να σκέφτομαι πότε φορούσαμε όλοι μάσκες κατά τη διάρκεια του Covid. Δεν είναι κοινωνικά αποδεκτό να κάνουμε παράξενες γκριμάτσες όλη την ώρα, αλλά μόλις αυτές οι μάσκες ήταν στα πρόσωπά μας, ήταν εντάξει. Γιατί ήταν κρυμμένο.

Christ has asked us to go to the higher level. Love. The two great commandments are…

Ο Χριστός μας ζήτησε να πάμε παρά πάνω. Αγάπη. Οι δύο μεγάλες εντολές είναι…

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Δάσκαλε, ποια εντολή είναι μεγάλη μέσα στον νόμο;

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Kαι ο Iησούς τού είπε: «Θα αγαπάς τον Kύριο τον Θεό σου από όλη την καρδιά σου, και από όλη την ψυχή σου, και από όλη τη διάνοιά σου».

“This is the first and great commandment.

Aυτή είναι πρώτη και μεγάλη εντολή.

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Δεύτερη, όμως, όμοια μ’ αυτή είναι: «Θα αγαπάς τον πλησίον σου σαν τον εαυτό σου».

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Σ’ αυτές τις δύο εντολές κρέμονται ολόκληρος ο νόμος και οι προφήτες.

Love envelops everything. It is at the core foundation of the world. You eat ice cream because you love it. Not because someone scared you into it. Not because you'll get to eat vegetables after as a treat. Not because your friends will think that you're weird if you don't. You do it because you love it.

Η αγάπη τα γεμίζει όλα. Είναι στο βασικό θεμέλιο του κόσμου. Τρως παγωτό γιατί το αγαπάς. Όχι επειδή κάποιος σε τρόμαξε. Όχι επειδή θα φάτε λαχανικά μετά. Ούτε επειδή οι φίλοι σου θα νομίζουν ότι είσαι περίεργος αν δεν το κάνετε. Το κάνετε γιατί το αγαπάτε.

God wants you to ascend to a higher level. Because you love it. Because you love Him. Do you see why it matters so much if you love him?

Ο Θεός θέλει να ανέβετε παρα πάνω. Γιατί τον αγαπάτε. Γιατί λατρεύετε για να το κανετε. Βλέπετε γιατί έχει τόση σημασία αν τον αγαπάς;

The first principle we teach as missionaries is, "God is our Loving Heavenly Father." God loves you. Your Father in heaven knows you personally and wants everything for you to succeed. Because he loves you.

Η πρώτη αρχή που διδάσκουμε ως ιεραπόστολοι είναι: «Ο Θεός είναι ο Στοργικός Επουράνιος Πατέρας μας». Ο Θεός σε αγαπά. Ο Πατέρας μας στους ουρανούς σας γνωρίζει προσωπικά και θέλει τα πάντα για να πετύχετε. Γιατί σας αγαπάει.

He created this world for you to learn and to grow, because he loved you so much he wanted you to become like him and have the fullness of joy.

Δημιούργησε αυτόν τον κόσμο για να μάθετε και να μεγαλώσετε, επειδή σας αγαπούσε τόσο πολύ που ήθελε να γίνετε σαν αυτόν και να έχετε την πληρότητα της χαράς.

He loves you so much, he didn't leave you alone. He sent down His prophets so you could learn of Him and how to tap into his peace; a peace only a loving father could give; peace and guidance.

Σε αγαπάει τόσο πολύ, δεν σε άφησε ήσυχο. Έστειλε τους προφήτες Του για να μάθουμε γι' Αυτόν και πώς να αγγίζουμε την ειρήνη Του. Η ειρήνη που μόνο ένας στοργικός πατέρας θα μπορούσε να δώσει. Η ειρήνη και καθοδήγηση.

He loves you so much, he sent his Only Begotten Son to atone and die for you.

Σε αγαπάει τόσο πολύ, έστειλε τον Μονογενή του να εξιλεωθεί και να πεθάνει για εσας.

He loves you so much that even as people began to change the gospel of His son, he called a prophet with knowledge to give you the chance to tap into that peace again that Christ will always offer.

Σας αγαπά τόσο πολύ που ακόμη και όταν οι άνθρωποι άρχισαν να αλλάζουν το ευαγγέλιο του γιου Του, κάλεσε έναν προφήτη με γνώση για να σας δώσει την ευκαιρία να ξανά αγγίζουμε την εκείνη που θα προσφέρει πάντα ο Χριστός.

He loves you so much, he will answer every single prayer you offer to him. Why?

Σε αγαπάει τόσο πολύ, θα απαντήσει σε κάθε προσευχή που του κάνεις. Γιατί;

Love. Love is a celestial trait we inherited from our Heavenly Parents. I truly believe that. Learning to follow him because you love Him is the most powerful strength in your life. As we love other people, we are being examples of his love on this Earth.

Αγάπη. Η αγάπη είναι ένα ουράνιη αρετή που λαμβάνουμε από τους Ουράνιους Γονείς μας. Το πιστεύω πραγματικά αυτό. Το να μάθετε να τον ακολουθείτε επειδή Τον αγαπάτε είναι η πιο ισχυρή δύναμη στη ζωή σας. Καθώς αγαπάμε άλλους ανθρώπους, γινόμαστε παραδείγματα της αγάπης του σε αυτή τη Γη.

King Benjamin taught, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

<<όταν είστε στην υπηρεσία των συνανθρώπων σας είστε απλώς στην υπηρεσία του Θεού σας.>>

As we show love, brotherly kindness, perform service, and beyond, we are tapping into that celestial trait God has given us. God has asked us to follow His commandments, and we show our love to him as we do so.

Καθώς δείχνουμε αγάπη, αδελφική καλοσύνη, κάνουμε υπηρεσία και παρά πάνω, το αγγίζουμε το ουράνιη αρετή που μας έχει δώσει ο Θεός. Ο Θεός μάς ζήτησε να ακολουθήσουμε τις εντολές Του, και του δείχνουμε την αγάπη μας καθώς το κάνουμε.

“You are nothing without God. To him you are everything.”

The Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I would like to tell a story I heard while I was listening to older General Conference talks. It’s from President Hinckley.

Θα ήθελα να πω μια ιστορία που άκουσα ενώ άκουγα παλαιότερες ομιλίες της Γενική Συνέλευση. Είναι από τον Πρόεδρο Hinckley.

Gordon B Hinkley’s Story of the Atonement

Years ago there was a little one-room schoolhouse in the mountains of Virginia where the boys were so rough that no teacher had been able to handle them.

A young, inexperienced teacher applied, and the old director scanned him and asked: ‘Young fellow, do you know that you are asking for an awful beating? Every teacher that we have had here for years has had to take one.’

‘I will risk it,’ he replied.

The first day of school came, and the teacher appeared for duty. One big fellow named Tom whispered: ‘I won’t need any help with this one. I can lick him myself.’

The teacher said, ‘Good morning, boys, we have come to conduct school.’ They yelled and made fun at the top of their voices. ‘Now, I want a good school, but I confess that I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me, and I will write them on the blackboard.’

One fellow yelled, ‘No stealing!’ Another yelled, ‘On time.’ Finally, ten rules appeared on the blackboard.

‘Now,’ said the teacher, ‘a law is not good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with one who breaks the rules?’

‘Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on,’ came the response from the class.

‘That is pretty severe, boys. Are you sure that you are ready to stand by it?’ Another yelled, ‘I second the motion,’ and the teacher said, ‘All right, we will live by them! Class, come to order!’

In a day or so, ‘Big Tom’ found that his lunch had been stolen. The thief was located—a little hungry fellow, about ten years old. ‘We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rule—ten stripes across the back. Jim, come up here!’ the teacher said.

The little fellow, trembling, came up slowly with a big coat fastened up to his neck and pleaded, ‘Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but please, don’t take my coat off!’

‘Take your coat off,’ the teacher said. ‘You helped make the rules!’

‘Oh, teacher, don’t make me!’ He began to unbutton, and what did the teacher see? The boy had no shirt on, and revealed a bony little crippled body.

‘How can I whip this child?’ he thought. ‘But I must, I must do something if I am to keep this school.’ Everything was as quiet as death.

‘How come you aren’t wearing a shirt, Jim?’

He replied, ‘My father died and my mother is very poor. I have only one shirt and she is washing it today, and I wore my brother’s big coat to keep me warm.’

The teacher, with rod in hand, hesitated. Just then Big Tom jumped to his feet and said, ‘Teacher, if you don’t object, I will take Jim’s licking for him.’

‘Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?’

Off came Tom’s coat, and after five strokes the rod broke! The teacher bowed his head in his hands and thought, ‘How can I finish this awful task?’ Then he heard the class sobbing, and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. ‘Tom, I’m sorry that I stole your lunch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I will love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I will love you forever!’

Πριν κάποιες χρονιές, Πρόεδρος Gordon B. Hinckley είπε <<Κάτι όπως παραβολή.>> Σχολείο με ένα δωμάτιο στα βουνά τις Virginia που τους αγόρια ήταν τόσο τραχία ότι κανέναν δάσκαλος δεν θα μπορούσε να τους καταφέρνει. Τότε μία μέρα ένας δάσκαλος έκανε αίτησει. Τον είπαν ότι κάθε δάσκαλος είχαν λάβει άσχημα φθόρα, αλλά υτηκε τον κίνδυνο ο δάσκαλος ζήτησε τους αγόρια να καθιερώσουν ε δική τους κανόνες και την συνέπεια για παραβαίνουν τους κανόνες. Η μαθητές έκαναν 10 κανόνες ως τους έγραψε στην μαύρη πίνακα.

Τότε ο δάσκαλος ρώτησε, <<τι να κάνουμε με τα ποιον που παραβαίνει τους κανόνες;>>

<<Φορές χτύπηστε τον στην πλάτη,>> είπαν την απάντηση.

<<Μία μέρα και κάτι αργότερα, … το γεύμα από ένας μεγάλο μαθητής ονομάζονται Tom, κλέφτηκε. Ο κλέφτης βρέθηκε– ένα μικρό παιδί, περίπου 10 χρόνων.

<<Ως ο μικρός Jim ήρθε για την συνέπεια παρκάρεσε για να κρατήσει το παλτό του. <<Βγάζε το παλτό σου,>> ο δάσκαλος είπε, <<βοήθησες να κάνεις τους κανόνες!>>

Το αγόρι μου έβαλε το παλτό του. Δεν είχα ένα πουκάμισο και αποκάλυψε ένα μικρό ανάπηρο σώμα. Πώς δάσκαλος δίστασε με την ράβδο, ο μεγάλος team στάθηκε και προσφέρθηκε να λάβει την συνέπεια του.

<<Εντάξει, υπάρχει μένω κανόνα που κάποιον γίνει αντικαταστατη για άλλον. Συμφωνείτε;>> Ο δάσκαλος ρώτησε.

Μετα πέντε χτυπήματα στην πλάτη του tom, η ράβδος έσπασε. Η μαθητές εκλεψαν. Ο μικρός Jim είχε σηκωθεί και κράτησε του τον δύο σχέδια γύρω από αυτόν. <<Συγγνώμη ότι έκλεψε το γεύμα σου, αλλά ήμουν πολύ πεινασμένος. Tom, σ’ αγαπώ μέχρι θα πεθάνω επειδή προσπέρθηκες να λάβεις την συνέπεια μου. Ναι, θα σε αγαπώ για πάντα!>>

Πρόεδρος Gordon B Hinckley παρέθεσε Ησαΐας, <<Aυτός, στην πραγματικότητα, βάσταξε τις ασθένειές μας, και επιφoρτίστηκε τις θλίψεις μας· ενώ, εμείς τoν θεωρήσαμε τραυματισμένoν, πληγωμένoν από τoν Θεό, και ταλαιπωρημένoν. Aυτός, όμως, τραυματίστηκε για τις παραβάσεις μας· ταλαιπωρήθηκε για τις ανoμίες μας· η τιμωρία, που έφερε τη δική μας ειρήνη, ήταν επάνω σ’ αυτόν· και διαμέσου των πληγών τoυ γιατρευτήκαμε εμείς.>>

How have I seen the value of the children of God on my mission?

For those of you that don’t know, this isn’t the first time I’ve gone home. When I was about 6 months into my mission, we discovered I had a hernia. It required surgery, and before I realized it, I was home– no nametag, no missionaries, no mission. It was a unique experience for me. But it wasn't so much the going home as it was the coming back that was unique.

Για όσους που δεν ξέρετε, δεν είναι η πρώτη φορά που πάω σπίτι. Όταν ήμουν περίπου 6 μήνες στην ιεραποστολή μου, βρίσκαμε ότι είχα μια κήλη. Χρειάστηκε χειρουργική, και πριν το καταλάβω, ήμουν στο σπίτι – χωρίς ταμπελάκι, χωρίς ιεραπόστολους, χωρίς ιεραποστολή. Ήταν μια μοναδική εμπειρία για μένα. Αλλά δεν ήταν τόσο η επιστροφή στο σπίτι όσο η επιστροφή της ιεραποστολής μου.

I was a fully released missionary, I had completed my mission according to the church. It was 100% my decision to go back on my mission. Whenever I was asked, “Why did you decide to serve a mission in the first place?” I would answer simply. It was my responsibility as a priesthood holder. And with that I went.

Τελείωσα την ιεραποστολή μου σύμφωνα με την εκκλησία. Ήταν η απόφασή μου να το επιστρέψω. Όταν κάποιον με ρώτησε, «Γιατί ήθελε να υπηρετήσεις σε μια ιεραποστολή;» Θα απαντούσα απλά. Ήταν δική μου ευθύνη ως κάτοχος της ιεροσύνης. Και με αυτό πήγα στην ιεραποστολή μου.

Now, I was faced with a new decision. One not so easy to decide. Why am I going back? I remember requesting a meeting with my Stake President, whom I was actually good friends with his daughter so it was very cool. I needed to talk to him because I was quite frustrated with the slow process of submitting my papers for service again. It was making me reconsider my decision to serve.

Τώρα, είχα μια νέα απόφαση. Ένα που δεν είναι τόσο εύκολο να απαντήσω. Γιατί επιστρέφω; Θυμάμαι που ζήτησα για μια συνάντηση με τον Πρόεδρο Πασσάλου μου. Χρειαζόμουν να μιλήσω μαζί του γιατί ήμουν απογοητευμένος με τα αργό εγγράφο πράγματα για να υπηρετήσω ξανά.

“The church system is not perfect,” he said. “It’s operated by imperfect people. We can’t get around that.”

«Το εκκλησιαστικό σύστημα δεν είναι τέλειο», είπε. «Λειτουργείται από ατελείς ανθρώπους. Δεν μπορούμε να το ξεπεράσουμε αυτό».

He understands what I’m saying! I remember thinking.

Καταλαβαίνει τι λέω! Θυμάμαι να σκέφτομαι.

“It doesn’t change that God still works through the members of the church.” He proceeded to explain the story of the time when his daughter returned early from her mission. She had grown a lot since then, and gained things she would not have had any other way.

«Δεν αλλάζει ότι ο Θεός ακόμα εργάζεται μέσω των μελών της εκκλησίας». Είπε την ιστορία της εποχής που η κόρη του επέστρεψε νωρίς από την ιεραποστολή της. Είχε μεγαλώσει πολύ από τότε και έλαβε πράγματα που δεν θα είχε αλλιώς.

“God isn’t always efficient, but he is εffective. Was it efficient to have my daughter fly all the way to Hawaii for such a short time, only to return a month later? No. But it was effective.” As he spoke to me, explained how difficult it was in the moment to see why things needed to happen the way they did. However, in sufficient time, it began to be clear.

«Ο Θεός δεν είναι πάντα βιαστικός, αλλά είναι αποτελεσματικός. Ήταν βΙαστικός να πετάξω την κόρη μου μέχρι τη Hawaii για λίγο καιρό, μόνο για να επιστρέψει ένα μήνα αργότερα; Όχι. Αλλά ήταν αποτελεσματικό». Καθώς μου μιλούσε, μου εξήγησε πόσο δύσκολο ήταν σε εκείνη τη στιγμή να δουν γιατί έπρεπε να συμβεί εστί. Ωστόσο, σε αρκετό χρόνο, άρχισε να να αποκαλυφθεί.

I couldn’t understand why God let me be sent home. I wasn’t sure why I needed to back out again. I had a feeling it was the right thing to do, but nevertheless, I wasn’t sure.

Δεν μπορούσα να καταλάβω γιατί ο Θεός με άφησε να με στείλουνε σπίτι. Δεν ήμουν σίγουρος γιατί χρειαζόμουν να φύγω ξανά. Είχα την αίσθηση ότι ήταν το σωστό, αλλά παρ’ ολ’ αυτά δεν ήμουν σίγουρα.

But I kept walking forward. I wasn’t sure. But when will you ever be so sure as to know each step you’ll take. One should have been enough for me;

Αλλά συνέχισα να περπατάω μπροστά. δεν ήμουν σίγουρος. Αλλά πότε θα είστε τόσο σίγουροι ώστε να γνωρίζετε κάθε βήμα που θα κάνετε; Ένα θα έπρεπε να μου ήταν αρκετό.

“Because it felt right!” I didn’t know if it was right, but it felt so. That should be enough to keep you going forward.

«Επειδή ένιωθε σωστά!» Δεν ήξερα αν ήταν σωστό, αλλά έτσι ένιωθα. Αυτό θα πρέπει να είναι αρκετό για να σας κρατήσει μπροστά.

(Show pictures of friends or family made on the mission.)

Amongst many reasons, God wanted me to decide to go on a mission. Was it efficient to send me home? No. But it was certainly effective.

Μεταξύ πολλών λόγων, ο Θεός ήθελε να αποφασίσω να πάω σε μια ιεραποστολή. Ήταν βιαστικός να με στείλει σπίτι; Όχι. Αλλά ήταν σίγουρα αποτελεσματικό.

We usually don’t know how the rest of our lives are going to play out. But we do know that we have a Father in Heaven that knows us and wants the very best for us. That gives me confidence in his plan for me in my life. I know it won’t always be easy, but I know it will always be guided.

Συνήθως δεν ξέρουμε πώς θα πάει η υπόλοιπη ζωή μας. Αλλά ξέρουμε ότι έχουμε έναν Πατέρα στους Ουρανούς που μας γνωρίζει και θέλει το καλύτερο για εμάς. Αυτό μου δίνει εμπιστοσύνη στο σχέδιό του για μένα στη ζωή μου. Ξέρω ότι δεν θα είναι πάντα εύκολο, αλλά ξέρω ότι πάντα θα καθοδηγούμαι.

(BARE TESTIMONY)

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.