Talk 8/21/21 - Camp Review - Priesthood -> Tempe -> Mission

The Alchemist is one of my favorite books...a recurring dream troubles Santiago, a young and adventurous Andalusian shepherd. He has the dream every time he sleeps under a sycamore tree that grows out of the ruins of a church. During the dream, a child tells him to seek treasure at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids. Santiago consults a gypsy woman to interpret the dream, and to his surprise she tells him to go to Egypt. A strange, magical old man named Melchizedek, who claims to be the King of Salem, echoes the gypsy’s advice and tells Santiago that it is his Personal Legend to journey to the pyramids. Melchizedek convinces Santiago to sell his flock and set off to Tangier. When Santiago arrives in Tangier, a thief robs him, forcing him to find work with a local crystal merchant. The conservative and kindly merchant teaches Santiago several lessons, and Santiago encourages the merchant to take risks with his business. The risks pay off, and Santiago becomes a rich man in just a year. Santiago decides to cash in his earnings and continue pursuing his Personal Legend: to find treasure at the pyramids. He joins a caravan crossing the Sahara desert toward Egypt and meets an Englishman who is studying to become an alchemist. He learns a lot from the Englishman during the journey. For one, he learns that the secret of alchemy is written on a stone called the Urim and Thummim. The ultimate creation of alchemy is the Master Work, which consists of a solid called the Philosophers Stone that can turn lead to gold, and a liquid called the Elixir of Life that can cure all ills. Santiago learns the Englishman is traveling with the caravan to the Saharan oasis, where a powerful, 200-year-old alchemist resides. The Englishman plans to ask the alchemist the secret of his trade. As it turns out, the caravan must make an extended stop at the Oasis in order to avoid increasingly violent tribal wars taking place in the desert. There, Santiago falls in love with Fatima, who lives at the oasis. During a walk in the desert, Santiago witnesses an omen that warns of an attack on the historically neutral oasis. He warns the tribal chieftains of the attack, and as a result, the oasis is successfully defended against the assault. The alchemist gets word of Santiago’s vision and invites Santiago on a trip into the desert, during which he teaches Santiago about the importance of listening to his heart and pursuing his Personal Legend. He convinces Santiago to leave Fatima and the caravan for the time to finish his journey to the pyramids, and he offers to accompany Santiago on the next leg of his trip. While the alchemist and Santiago continue through the desert, the alchemist shares much of his wisdom about the Soul of the World. They are mere days away from the pyramids when a tribe of Arab soldiers captures them. In exchange for his life and the life of Santiago, the alchemist hands over to the tribe all of Santiago’s money and tells the soldiers that Santiago is a powerful alchemist who will turn into wind within three days. Santiago feels alarmed because he has no idea how to turn into the wind, and over the next three days he contemplates the desert. On the third day, he communicates with the wind and the sun and coaxes them to help him create a tremendous sandstorm. He prays to the Hand That Wrote All, and at the height of the storm he disappears. Santiago then reappears on the other side of the camp, and the tribesmen, awed by the power of the storm and by Santiago’s ability, let him and the alchemist go free. The alchemist continues to travel with Santiago as far as a Coptic monastery several hours from the pyramids. There, he demonstrates to Santiago his ability to turn lead into gold using the Philosopher’s Stone. He gives Santiago gold and sends him off. Santiago begins digging for the treasure at the foot of the pyramids...

I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Aaronic Priesthood Youth camp this last month, and you’ve heard a few highlights from most of the young men and Brother Merrick. Our goal for the camp was to create a highlight, a turning point, and help everyone in attendance get on the path towards their personal legend…just like Santiago.

Finding your personal legend is finding the best version of yourself through trial and error, exploring life’s adventures through pleasure and knowing if it’s part of the legend or fighting against it. It’s also experiencing pain and how to process it in a positive way. In life's journey we are going to experience all kinds of emotions and feelings... information to help us formulate the best path forward.. Knowing the difference between love and fear. And possibly the most important part of our path...finding honor in the pursuit of what you truly want out of life.

Unlike wild animals, we need more out of life than survival and basic instincts. A beaver wakes up every day with the intention of making his pond better...never does the thought enter his mind that the beaver upstream has a bigger pond or more to eat. Now our four legged friends get used to the affection we provide for them, but they don’t compare that affection with what a pet up the street is receiving?

Our lives are full of layers that give us pleasure and pain, love and fear, humor and sadness. ??? Are we not all pursuing the same thing...a consistent and reliable source of happiness. Along our journey to find this happiness, we realize what our core needs are and it’s different for everyone...for one it might be a sense of adventure...hiking, hunting, fishing, exploring nature and find joy in our father’s creation. Another might be emotional fulfilment and affection, they want to give love and receive love and will sacrifice financial and physical well-being to have that love in their life. Competition, humor, wealth, knowledge or prestige...there are so many paths people wander to find joy. Unfortunately, some stop and just try to survive life, wandering...going day in and day out with a routine that provides little resistance and little if not any reward.

Our goal for YM camp was to create an environment to get the boys to hear a message, feel the spirit and keep the option of pursuing a life that includes the gospel, specifically...priesthood progression, temple attendance, and fingers crossed...serving a mission.

We had excellent speakers lined up...Bishop Skidmore talked about turning points and it instantly became the theme of our camp. Brother Linnemeyer spoke about mission experiences and building a solid foundation for our lives. Bishop Erickson reviewed the talk by Elder Holland and testified about the joys of working together in pursuit of the rewards given by Heavenly Father. Brother Rusty Kaiser shared his experience of the Lord has a plan for you, trust his timeline for you. President Deardan talked about a relationship that he formed from his mission, in his words...brotherhood that was formed in the pre-existence...a promise to find...testify of the truthfulness of the gospel. I talked about the importance of creating good habits now to strengthen and prepare for our future. Brother Paul Kaiser shared his conversion story and what he wanted and how that changed once the gospel changed his life. To finish the night we had Teryn Thatcher, recently crowned Miss Teen Wyoming, she talked about what a girl is looking for in someone to date. It was encouraging to hear her talk about taking care of themselves physically, staying clean and taking care of their bodies. She shared stories about boys at college that freely gave of themselves through service and being open about their feelings. Hearing her talk about the difference between boys that know how to express themselves in a healthy way and boys that give a don’t care vibe...was refreshing and hopefully motivating for the boys to learn how to communicate better and not through texting, snapchat or someone else’s vines. The story that really touched me was when a few boys overheard them talking about not having the sacrament because of Covid...the boys left the room, called their priesthood leaders for permission to administer the sacrament...not only did they see an opportunity to serve, but they were in that moment worthy...they were ready.

It reminds me of the talk from Jeffery R. Holland…

It may not be blizzards and frozen-earth burials that we face this conference, but the needy are still out there—the poor and the weary, the discouraged and downhearted, those “[falling] away into [the] forbidden paths” we mentioned earlier, and multitudes who are “kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.” They are all out there with feeble knees, hands that hang down, and bad weather setting in. They can be rescued only by those who have more and know more and can help more. And don’t worry about asking, “Where are they?” They are everywhere, on our right hand and on our left, in our neighborhoods and in the workplace, in every community and county and nation of this world. Take your team and wagon; load it with your love, your testimony, and a spiritual sack of flour; then drive in any direction. The Lord will lead you to those in need if you will but embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ that has been taught in this conference. Open your heart and your hand to those trapped in the twenty-first century’s equivalent of Martin’s Cove and Devil’s Gate. In doing so we honor the Master’s repeated plea on behalf of lost sheep and lost coins and lost souls.

Before we departed on Saturday, President Nelson recapped our camp and bestowed promises and blessings on young men, reminding them they are part of a royal army, reserved for this time…

This camp started off with ideas of grandeur...splitting the boys into companionships, pre-missionary priests teaching the classes, simulated mission experiences, explosive activities and games, thought provoking and life changing discussions...we had it figured out.

We started off as a committee of 10 brethren back in February and it got whittled down to 3 by the end of June. Between work schedules, family life, county fairs, and other random reasons...it was apparent that we needed to focus if we were going to pull it off.

We didn’t know how many boys were going to show up, we had Kevin in Pinedale working frantically on meals and did a great job, and Darren scrabbled to get supplies and logistics mapped out...I was working with the stake on a theme and finding people to teach or lead discussions...we all agreed with the time and resources we had, we wanted to accomplish just 1 thing...feed these boys. Let’s make sure the boys have plenty to fill their bellies and that they feel the spirit as much as possible. Days leading up to the camp, I kinda felt like Nephi...not knowing beforehand the things which I should do...Nevertheless I went forth...but I’m sure we were lead to call the different people to speak...Bishop Skidmore, Bishop Erickson, Ryan Linnemeyer, Rusty Kaiser, President Deardon, Paul Kaiser, Teryn Thatcher...President Nelson.

Our goal was to move just one boy from one side of the fence to the other. Administer to that one boy that was starting to question his faith and provide an environment where he could feel the spirit and direct his focus on staying worthy, honoring his priesthood, and if he chose, serve a mission. Our hope, to help one of these young men to see his personal legend...not to find treasure at the bottom of the pyramids, or a chest of treasure, but to seek after these things...being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men...believe all things, hope all things, endure many things...pursue things that are virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy….

In the alchemist, Santiago meets Fatima at the Oasis and falls in love with her...and for a moment feels like giving up on his personal legend...for something that feels so wonderful...and a great substitute for personal legend. How many times do we allow distractions to get in the way of our purpose...girls...college...job or early start to a career...fear of the unknown. The false sense that you are putting life off for 2 years? Something that feels good and possibly even safe, even comfortable and right.

I want to finish my synopsis of the alchemist…

Santiago begins digging for the treasure at the foot of the pyramids to find his treasure and fulfil his personal legend, but two men accost him and beat him. When Santiago speaks to them about his dream vision, they decide he must have no money and let him live. Before leaving, one of the men tries to illustrate the worthlessness of dreams by telling Santiago about his own dream. How discouraging it might have been for Santiago at this point in his life...he could have stayed at the oasis, stayed with Fatima and lived a comfortable life. But the dream of the man that just beat him allowed him to see the big picture...the man’s dream is about a treasure buried in an abandoned church in Spain where a sycamore tree grows. The church is the same one in which Santiago had his original dream, and he finally understands where his treasure is. Santiago returns to Spain to find a chest of jewels and gold buried under the tree by the abandoned church. By following his personal legend, he gains knowledge and intelligence, he meets his love, grows in his own abilities and connects with God on a higher level. He obtains his treasure and plans to return to the oasis, where he will reunite with Fatima, who awaits him...

If we are on the Lord’s errand, all of the treasures that he has await for us...

For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthood of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies..for he that receiveth my servants receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father, and he that receiveth my Father, receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

This includes those worthy desires you have now...love of a spouse...a worthy career to provide for your family...comfort in the spirit...and the possibly the greatest reward...HONOR.

The Doctrine & Covenants tell us this is the most worthy pursuit…

“...and it came to pass that Adam, being tempted of the devil - for, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power…”

And in Moses…

“And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying, That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning...behold, here am I, send me...I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it, wherefore give..ME..THINE...HONOR...and he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies...to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will…

Our fallen brother even knew that true power starts and ends with honor…

What is honor…

It’s keeping commitments...it’s saying you will do what is asked of you. It’s instilling confidence in those around you that you can accomplish the tasks assigned to you. Honor is to have the ability to get people to follow you because of your courage, service, knowledge, faith, and love for them and love for your Heavenly Father. Honor is having high esteem and respect for all...Honor is the difference between a shepherd and a sheep herder...no one can lead without honor.

As a father I work tirelessly to earn the right to ask the tough questions that are coming too soon. With my 11 year old daughter, Castle, it’s playing games, singing songs, doing Legos, watching movies, and being an example of hard work and accomplishment. For Roman, it’s Pokemon hunting, building forts, creating adventure and entertainment, being patient and kind when he loses his cool...and helping him find ways to earn money for his piggy bank. Of course, I facetime for homework, reviewing their day and seeing if they need anything...I’m trying to honor my responsibility as a father...and I’ve learned some painful lessons in the past few months about what it is to have honor as a father, particularly a father physically removed from his children, but honor is more than time. Honor is co-parenting with their mother and meeting my obligations to her and supporting her. Honor is withholding their wants and administering their needs. Honor is being perfectly honest with them, helping them manage their emotions and square their shoulders to challenges of their life. Honor is listening with the intention of understanding and not hearing to respond. Honor is knowing that 5 minutes now is more important than 5 minutes later.

Our goal of camp was to get one boy to stay or get back on the path...honor his priesthood, be worthy to enter and frequently visit the temple, serve a mission…

Just like any calling...any lesson we prepare...any talk we put time and effort into...it’s that person who needed it the most. I’m confident, I was the boy who needed this camp the most...I needed to hear those warm testimonies from leaders from our stake. I needed time to consider what it means to be physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually healthy. I needed to be reminded to trust in the Lord’s timeline. I need to have this camp to create a turning point for me. I needed this camp to feel my Savior’s love.

I want to share a story from my friend Mark...he shares…

Disclosure, all of our kids are usually really good kids. But Canon, my 11-year old son, always scores bigger than his siblings from Santa on Christmas morning. I’ve watched him do this since he was 6. So how does he always make a haul? And my other kids get a lump of coal by comparison? I think I’ve cracked his code. And also learned a little something about God in the process. Say “surprise me” In October the kids start writing letters to Santa, my oldest three send epistles, they revise and resend. Until our horrible little elf on the shelf finally leaves. But Canon writes only one letter each year…”Dear Santa, you always do awesome. Please surprise me! Love Canon” Then on Christmas morning, while the other kids are opening the air force ones and new clothes, just like they asked for.. Canon thoughtfully pulls little gifts out of his stocking...Cherishing every moment. Tara and I bounce off the walls excited for him to see “The Surprise” that Santa brought him. In 2019, he got a trip to Israel with me...What if Jesus has simply answered the exact prayer of Peter, Andrew, James and John before they knew him...they would have really missed out on some things. “Jehovah, please send us more fish!” God want to maximize our lives through Jesus and he will. But we need to stop thinking we’re the experts on our own growth. After all, does a seed know that is needs water and sun to become a tree? No Jesus doesn’t offer a little change here and there. He doesn’t want Christmas lists...For you Father knows what you need before you ask him. Jesus wants a whole new creature.

C.S. Lewis said…

“The more we let God take over, the more truly ourselves we become - because he made us. He invented us. He invented all the different people that you and were intended to be...it is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to his personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.”

I hope all of us will take the opportunity to understand how important callings and assignments are...not to keep the work going forward, but to keep us going forward.

To the young men that are preparing or age ready for a mission...take the time to meditate about a mission, fast, pray, talk to someone about what it meant to them to leave behind everything comfortable for the unknown. Ask them about the friendships that are bonded over the sharing of the gospel. Ask them how it is to see someone find peace in the atonement of their Savior and be a part of that.