Tanner's Farewell
Tanners farewell was lovely. He really did do a nice job on his talk. It was fun to catch a glimpse of his personality sprinkled throughout yet he was respectful as well. He has truly grown so much this past year and I'm sure he will grow even more these next two.
I'm very grateful my family were able to come. I think he would have felt bad if nobody was able to be here. We stay for all three meetings so we really didn't have much of a celebration after....just the family had lunch together and then we said good-bye. I still tried to decorate a bit so he would feel special.
Here is a copy of his talk. I don't remember hearing the poem before but I really liked it.
Good morning brothers and sisters. And thank you so much for all of you who showed up to support me.
When I was a young boy my mom and I were in a bank. When we were sitting down with one of the workers at the bank they asked “so what do you want to do when you grow up”. I quickly replied, I don’t want to work. As you can tell my ambitions were high at a very young age. The conversation continued. The bank person asked, well if you don’t work, how ill you get money to provide for yourself. Again i quickly replied with a smile on my face, “i will just steal what I need”. My mom now was very concerned and tried to teach me a valuable lesson of right from wrong. She said well tanner that’s a bad thing to do and if you do that you will go to jail. Then she said trying to scare me. She knew i was very particular at that time with what I wore so she told me “Tanner, you know if you go to jail you will have to wear an orange jumpsuit everyday for the rest of your life.” my mom thought that would do the trick but I simply looked at her, and shrugged, then said to her “I like orange”.
Who knew that same young boy who insisted on not working would be standing here today, ready to serve a the lord and work full time to help his people for two years.
So for those of you who don’t know, I am Tanner Pace and I was called to serve my mission in Ghana Kumasi. Yes that is in Africa, and yes I am very white, but I couldn’t be more excited. I was called to speak the English language, and the best part is, I don’t even have to bring a suit! So I was asked to speak on the importance of service, and how it has helped me or helps those who are preparing to serve a mission
I was thinking about it, and pondered why would they give me this topic. What came to mind is this. As missionaries our goal, or our hope, is to be able to bring souls unto Christ. So how does this relate to service?
When we look at Christ ministry on the earth, what was on of the biggest things he did. He served. But why would he serve? Why as missionaries do we need to serve? As a missionary the only way we can help others see the truth of our words, is by helping them feel the spirit, so that it can testify the truth unto them... Well, how can one feel the spirit if their heart is hardened towards you and what you have to say? They can’t. How do you fix this? The answer is simple. You serve.
A scripture story that illustrates this principle perfectly is the one found in found in Alma about Ammon. Ammon was a great and humble Nephite man, who served a Lamanite king. This king was king lamoni. Now the king had flocks and Ammon and some of the kings servants would tend them. One day lamanites came and scattered the flocks, causing much trouble for them. Well Ammon saw this and directed the servants to swiftly gathered all the flocks together and then he went to go confront the the robbers. These evil Lamanite men were not afraid. I could imagine what the must have been thinking, who is this guy, and why does he think he is so big and tough and can talk to us telling us to cut it out. Little did they know Ammon was basically
the Jason Bourne of his day. He pulled out some stones and started slinging them towards those men slaying some. As you can imagine they weren’t very happy and started to charge at Ammon. They lifted up their clubs to hit him, but as they did so he cut off their arms with his sword. The servants of the king were amazed by this and later told the king. The king was like, well, where is this man, and guess where he was. After killing several people and cutting off others arms, he goes to feed the king's horses. In Alma chapter 18 verses 10 and 12 shows the king’s reaction to this.(read Alma 18:10 and 12). It says his countenance had changed, and I believe that was because his heart was beginning to soften. Then Ammon starts to leave but they tell him the king wants him to stay and look at what Ammon says in verse 14. ( read verse 14). So again, Ammon was looking to serve. Now after Ammon served the king many times, the king began to open up to him and wanted Ammon to teach him about the gospel.
As I relate this story to myself and for those preparing to serve a mission, I realize I will probably never cut off arms and sling rocks at people, but I can serve. Ammon served with a Christlike love, and after doing so the king’s heart was softened. I imagine, the same result will happen as I serve my fellow men. I have noticed that when I have looked for opportunities to serve others not only is their heart softened but mine is as well. Every time my countenance changes just a little more. I find it easier, to notice the good in others instead of focusing on the bad. I begin to be more patient and loving and understanding.
I’m being called to serve for two years of my life in a place that I’ve never been to. For 18 years I’ve grown up in a sheltered safe place, where my only worries are being able to get tickets on the same day infinity war comes out. But I can only imagine in Africa, they don’t even know where their next meal will come from and how it will be provided. Sure I’m excited about all the cool things I will see and get to experience. I’ve already made it a goal to saddle up on and ride a lion. But I’m more excited about being able to serve the humble people in Ghana.
Whenever I ask people who have met someone from Ghana, they tell me they are the nicest sweetest and most humble people you will ever meet. So I’m sure as I serve them, it won’t be me softening their heart, but they will be softening mine.
Elder Carl B Cook of the seventy gave a talk in October 2016. In it he said this about service, “Serving Is a Blessing.”
The opportunity to serve is one of the great blessings of membership in the Church. The Lord has said, “If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me, and we serve Him by serving others.
As we serve, we draw closer to God. We come to know Him in ways that we otherwise might not. Our faith in Him increases. Our problems are put into perspective. Life becomes more satisfying. Our love for others increases, as well as our desire to serve. Through this blessed process, we become more like God, and we are better prepared to return to Him.”
As I relate this story to myself and for those preparing to serve a mission, I realize I will probably never cut off arms and sling rocks at people, but I can serve. Ammon served with a Christlike love, and after doing so the king’s heart was softened. I imagine, the same result will happen as I serve my fellow men. I have noticed that when I have looked for opportunities to serve others not only is their heart softened but mine is as well. Every time my countenance changes just a little more. I find it easier, to notice the good in others instead of focusing on the bad. I begin to be more patient and loving and understanding.
I’m being called to serve for two years of my life in a place that I’ve never been to. For 18 years I’ve grown up in a sheltered safe place, where my only worries are being able to get tickets on the same day infinity war comes out. But I can only imagine in Africa, they don’t even know where their next meal will come from and how it will be provided. Sure I’m excited about all the cool things I will see and get to experience. I’ve already made it a goal to saddle up on and ride a lion. But I’m more excited about being able to serve the humble people in Ghana.
Whenever I ask people who have met someone from Ghana, they tell me they are the nicest sweetest and most humble people you will ever meet. So I’m sure as I serve them, it won’t be me softening their heart, but they will be softening mine.
Elder Carl B Cook of the seventy gave a talk in October 2016. In it he said this about service, “Serving Is a Blessing.”
The opportunity to serve is one of the great blessings of membership in the Church. The Lord has said, “If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me, and we serve Him by serving others.
As we serve, we draw closer to God. We come to know Him in ways that we otherwise might not. Our faith in Him increases. Our problems are put into perspective. Life becomes more satisfying. Our love for others increases, as well as our desire to serve. Through this blessed process, we become more like God, and we are better prepared to return to Him.”
If I could change one thing of what he said to relate it more to myself I would say, through this blessed process, we become more like Christ, and we are better prepared to represent him... on my mission I will be wearing two names on my chest. One is my families name, and one is Christ’s. As a missionary I will be a disciple of Christ. I will be able to go around, performing miracles, showing love to others, and preaching the gospel that I know to be true and love so much.
There is a quote I love which comes from a guy named saint Francis. It states “preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”
We can try to preach the gospel to someone and shove words down their mouth until we are blue in the face, but if they don’t feel that we love them and care for them, then whatever we say won’t matter. Actions speak louder than words. And if we can teach with love then the spirit will be there, and if the spirit is their, it will touch their heart.
I was at a ward mission prep and Brother Hied was teaching. I remember a story he told me. I can’t remember the specific but I remember the basic idea. He told us of a missionary who was in a foreign place, because of this he had to learn another language. Well early on when he still didn’t quite have the language down he taught someone the lesson. And as he taught the spirit was strong in the room and the elder thought he was doing a great job with the language . The investigator I think brother Heid said wiped his tears, looked at the missionaries and said, I haven’t got a clue of what that young elder said, but I know it’s true. That investigator felt the spirit that day, and I’m willing to bet that’s because he felt loved. I’m willing to bet before that lesson, the elders served him as Christ would if he were there.
In April 2011 m Russell Ballard gave a talk on finding joy through loving service. He said quote “Our motivation and heartfelt desire are like unto that of the Savior. He shared this desire with His Apostles on the eve of His Crucifixion. He said:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you. ...
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34–35). The love the Savior described is an active love. It is not manifested through large and heroic deeds but rather through simple acts of kindness and service.” Close quote.
Often times we overlook the small and simple opportunities that we get to serve. I know I did and still do and I’m sure I’m not alone. When an act doesn’t seem grande to us we tend to overlook it, however, this should not be the case. I have found that in my life, the smallest acts of service and kindness have had the largest impacts. I remember freshman year, a friend of mine sent me a short and simple text. All that was in the text was just little nice things about me and then ended it with saying have a great rest of your day with an explanation point at the end
There is a quote I love which comes from a guy named saint Francis. It states “preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”
We can try to preach the gospel to someone and shove words down their mouth until we are blue in the face, but if they don’t feel that we love them and care for them, then whatever we say won’t matter. Actions speak louder than words. And if we can teach with love then the spirit will be there, and if the spirit is their, it will touch their heart.
I was at a ward mission prep and Brother Hied was teaching. I remember a story he told me. I can’t remember the specific but I remember the basic idea. He told us of a missionary who was in a foreign place, because of this he had to learn another language. Well early on when he still didn’t quite have the language down he taught someone the lesson. And as he taught the spirit was strong in the room and the elder thought he was doing a great job with the language . The investigator I think brother Heid said wiped his tears, looked at the missionaries and said, I haven’t got a clue of what that young elder said, but I know it’s true. That investigator felt the spirit that day, and I’m willing to bet that’s because he felt loved. I’m willing to bet before that lesson, the elders served him as Christ would if he were there.
In April 2011 m Russell Ballard gave a talk on finding joy through loving service. He said quote “Our motivation and heartfelt desire are like unto that of the Savior. He shared this desire with His Apostles on the eve of His Crucifixion. He said:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you. ...
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34–35). The love the Savior described is an active love. It is not manifested through large and heroic deeds but rather through simple acts of kindness and service.” Close quote.
Often times we overlook the small and simple opportunities that we get to serve. I know I did and still do and I’m sure I’m not alone. When an act doesn’t seem grande to us we tend to overlook it, however, this should not be the case. I have found that in my life, the smallest acts of service and kindness have had the largest impacts. I remember freshman year, a friend of mine sent me a short and simple text. All that was in the text was just little nice things about me and then ended it with saying have a great rest of your day with an explanation point at the end
of it. I still remember that text about 4 years later, and I still remember who sent it and how it made me feel. That text did and still does mean a lot to me. So let us all ways remember that we are his disciples as we serve on another.
I would like to share a poem shared by president Monson October 1996 entitled “Living What We Pray For”:
I knelt to pray when day was done
And prayed, “O Lord, bless everyone;
Lift from each saddened heart the pain, And let the sick be well again.”
And then I woke another day
And carelessly went on my way;
The whole day long, I did not try
To wipe a tear from any eye.
I did not try to share the load
Of any brother on the road;
I did not even go to see
The sick man, just next door to me.
Yet, once again, when day was done,
I prayed, “O Lord, bless everyone.”
But as I prayed, into my ear
There came a voice that whispered clear: “Pause now, my son, before you pray; Whom have you tried to bless today? God’s sweetest blessings always go
By hands that serve Him here below.” And then I hid my face and cried, “Forgive me, God, I have not tried.
Let me but live another day,
And I will live the way I pray.”
May we today go forward and serve. Yes it is good to ask God, but then once we ask, we must do. And when we take action Heavenly Father will begin to make known the needs of those we should serve.
In closing, to answer the question of how has service helped prepare me to serve a mission, well it has helped open my eyes to the great work that still needs to be done.
As I have served and tried to find out others needs, I have realized that people have so much more going on in their lives than we see on the surface. As I have taken Time to realize that my heart has been softened and it has helped to be more willing to give myself to the lord for only two years of my life, so that I can be a blessing for someone else’s.
I would like to share a poem shared by president Monson October 1996 entitled “Living What We Pray For”:
I knelt to pray when day was done
And prayed, “O Lord, bless everyone;
Lift from each saddened heart the pain, And let the sick be well again.”
And then I woke another day
And carelessly went on my way;
The whole day long, I did not try
To wipe a tear from any eye.
I did not try to share the load
Of any brother on the road;
I did not even go to see
The sick man, just next door to me.
Yet, once again, when day was done,
I prayed, “O Lord, bless everyone.”
But as I prayed, into my ear
There came a voice that whispered clear: “Pause now, my son, before you pray; Whom have you tried to bless today? God’s sweetest blessings always go
By hands that serve Him here below.” And then I hid my face and cried, “Forgive me, God, I have not tried.
Let me but live another day,
And I will live the way I pray.”
May we today go forward and serve. Yes it is good to ask God, but then once we ask, we must do. And when we take action Heavenly Father will begin to make known the needs of those we should serve.
In closing, to answer the question of how has service helped prepare me to serve a mission, well it has helped open my eyes to the great work that still needs to be done.
As I have served and tried to find out others needs, I have realized that people have so much more going on in their lives than we see on the surface. As I have taken Time to realize that my heart has been softened and it has helped to be more willing to give myself to the lord for only two years of my life, so that I can be a blessing for someone else’s.
Service is a fundamental part of our this everlasting gospel, and as we do it we will become more and more like Christ and be more worthy to represent him. I will end with my testimony...
I know this church is the true. I didn’t always know it but as I have read the Book of Mormon and prayed daily, I have begun to grow my testimony of it. I know this gospel and the teachings found in the Book of Mormon are true. I have read it, I have prayed to my Heavenly Father and asked him, and the answer I received is it is indeed the word of God and another testament of Jesus Christ. It does not replace the Bible, but it complements it and makes hidden doctrines more clear. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and through him the church that was set up by Christ many years ago was brought back on this earth. I know we have a Heavenly Father, who knows and loves each and everyone of us. I myself have experienced many miracles happen in my life, and because of that I have felt of his love for me. I know that I was called to serve in Ghana because that is where I a needed. I was prompted to put my papers earlier than I previously desired , and I know that’s because I’m needed for some reason in Africa at an earlier time. I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today. President Nelson receives revelation for our church and guides us on the path that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. If we listen to our prophets council, we will make it back to live with him again someday. I have a testimony of our local church leaders. I know they were called by the will of God. I would not be here today if it weren’t from them. Other than my parents, I think it’s fair to say my leaders have had the largest impact on my overall life. I have a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ died for each and everyone of us and because of that, no matter what we have done, we can be forgiven, start over, and become perfected eventually. I love this gospel and I know that as I have lived it I have found the most joy. I am just overwhelmed with excitement of being able to share that same joy with others. I love this church, and I love this gospel, and this is my simple but firm testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I know this church is the true. I didn’t always know it but as I have read the Book of Mormon and prayed daily, I have begun to grow my testimony of it. I know this gospel and the teachings found in the Book of Mormon are true. I have read it, I have prayed to my Heavenly Father and asked him, and the answer I received is it is indeed the word of God and another testament of Jesus Christ. It does not replace the Bible, but it complements it and makes hidden doctrines more clear. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and through him the church that was set up by Christ many years ago was brought back on this earth. I know we have a Heavenly Father, who knows and loves each and everyone of us. I myself have experienced many miracles happen in my life, and because of that I have felt of his love for me. I know that I was called to serve in Ghana because that is where I a needed. I was prompted to put my papers earlier than I previously desired , and I know that’s because I’m needed for some reason in Africa at an earlier time. I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today. President Nelson receives revelation for our church and guides us on the path that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. If we listen to our prophets council, we will make it back to live with him again someday. I have a testimony of our local church leaders. I know they were called by the will of God. I would not be here today if it weren’t from them. Other than my parents, I think it’s fair to say my leaders have had the largest impact on my overall life. I have a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ died for each and everyone of us and because of that, no matter what we have done, we can be forgiven, start over, and become perfected eventually. I love this gospel and I know that as I have lived it I have found the most joy. I am just overwhelmed with excitement of being able to share that same joy with others. I love this church, and I love this gospel, and this is my simple but firm testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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