On Sunday, June 26, 2016, Daxton gave his farewell talk and it was awesome! He spoke with his close friend, Seth Redford who left to the MTC on July 6 (the same day Daxton left) to serve in South Korea. The other speaker was a return missionary, Sister Emma Buhler, who just got back from the Scotland-Ireland mission. Daxton was the last one to speak but before he went up, there was a musical number, by the youth: the EFY (Especially for Youth) Medley: As Sisters in Zion & We'll Bring the World His Truth. It was crazy on how many youth and youth leaders were up on the stand singing. The spirit was so strong and then Daxton went up to talk and this was his talk:
Good afternoon or morning brothers and sisters.
I am Called to serve in the Germany, Frankfurt mission. I enter the MTC on July 6th.
Some of the connections I have to this mission are some of my buddies: Jacob Blackner, Scotty Hughes are called to the same mission and Michael Evans, Courtney Cressler, Ammon Ingersol already out there and Joseph Gjidos who just returned from the same mission.
Some quick facts about Germany before I get started. There are 39,726 members, 3 missions: Frankfurt, Alpine, and Berlin. 111 Family history centers, 116 congregations and 2 temples. The Frankfurt Temple is under renovation right now since September of 2015 and is scheduled to be finished in July of next year.
A unique party the Germans have is called Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volkfest meaning beer festival and travelling funfair. Held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, it is a 16-day folk festival running from mid or late September to the first weekend in October, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year. Locally, it is often simply called the Wiesn, after the colloquial name of the fairgrounds (Theresienwiese) themselves. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktober celebrations modeled after the original Munich event.
I will be a fresh missionary out of the MTC not even a month out before the fest starts and it should be interesting. I’m looking forward to it though.
Anyways,
The topic I have been given to speak on is Elder Robert D. Hales’ talk in the last general conference in April on the Holy Ghost.
It has been interesting since the time that I have received my mission call and the Melkezidek priesthood, I went through the temple, and went on origination, and as the time is winding down to head to the MTC, the profound influence of the Holy Ghost and the constant companionship of him.
In Elder Hales talks he starts with saying “ The Light of Christ, which is given to every man and woman that cometh into the world. All of us benefit from this holy light. It is in and through all things and it allows us to distinguish right from wrong. But The Holy Ghost is different from the Light of Christ. He is the third member of the Godhead, a distinct personage of spirit with sacred responsibilities, and one in purpose with the Father and son.”
I have never taken into account that the Light or spirit of Christ being different from the Holy Ghost. When anyone would talk about it or when I would read in the scriptures, as the light of Christ came up, I assumed that meant the Holy Ghost.
Elder McConkie taught us that the Spirit of Christ is the agency through witch the Holy Ghost operates.
Through the restored priesthood of God, we are baptized and then by the laying on of hands, confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints. In this confirmation we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Jay E. Jensen gave a talk down at BYU and he states the 3 distinct missions of the Holy Ghost.
1: He testifies of or reveals the Father and the Son.
While I was on origination for the first 2 weeks of June and traveling across the US on a bus for hours a day and being able to read my scriptures, when I wasn’t sleeping. For the first time just diving into the scriptures and seeking to understand it and it’s teaching I couldn’t help but be filled with the feeling of what I am reading and feeling are testaments that God the Father and his son Jesus Christ are real.
So to explain a little more about Origination. Greg Schwarz and Brandon Maughan a few years back, put together a tour that takes us, kids who have just graduated, basically to most of the Church sites from Utah - the East Coast. And keep in mind this is what we do in a total of 2 weeks! We saw Martin’s cove, Winter quarters, Independence, Missouri visitor’s center, Liberty Jail, The Far West Temple Site, Adam- ondi-Ahman,the Nauvoo Temple, Carthage Jail, Morley Farm, Kirtland temple and sites, Joseph Smith Birth Place, Peter Witmer Home, Hill Cumorah, Palmyra temple, and the Sacred Grove. we saw and experienced all of that plus days in Cedar point, Boston, DC, and New York; all the while eating the cheapest food we can find and staying in some of the most interesting hotels I’ve ever seen. Coming home alive is a testament of itself that the church is true.
Number 2 brother Jensen states is: The Holy Ghost testifies of all truth.
In Moroni 10:4-5 it says “ And when Ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye ask of 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 unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”
While on origination, and seeing all that the Pioneers and Joseph Smith went through, you honestly think to yourself: there is no way this is possible without God’s hand and the Holy Ghost!
*Tell German name’s story in Nauvoo Temple, read journal experience of susquehanna river and first Priesthood blessing where Priesthood was restored.
Number 3: He Sanctifies
3 Nephi 27:20 says “Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.”
Elder Hales ends his talk with talking about the many ways the Holy Ghost helps us. He teaches us the peaceable things of the kingdom, he causes us to abound in hope, he leadeth us to do good and to judge righteously, he gives us knowledge and brings things to our remembrance, through him we may be sanctified and receive a remission of sins and he is the comforter, the same who was promised to the Savior’s disciples.
*Explain why I chose to serve a mission
*TESTIMONY/ Thank bishop, Pres. Henersen and Mickleson, fam, leaders
After sacrament meeting was over, all of Daxton's family and friends came over to the house to say their goodbyes and have some lunch.
Daxton with Aunt Jamie, Uncle Jordan, and his cousins: Van, Graham, and Charlie.
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