Setting Apart Commentary And Blessing

President Wilkes comments before setting you apart:

 

You will be set apart as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You will have authority anywhere on the earth, so if the plane crashes between here and Roseville, CA, just get out and start preaching the Gospel, because you have authority to do that. 

 

Here’s the scripture I wanted to share with you: [D&C 112:4-13]  “Let thy heart be of good cheer before thy face; and thou shalt bear record of my name, not only unto the Gentiles but also unto the Jews; and thou shall send forth my word unto the ends of the earth. Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning; and day after day let thy warning voice go forth; and when the night cometh let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber, because of thy speech. Let thy habitation be known in Zion and remove not thy house; for I, the Lord, have a great work for thee to do, in publishing my name among the children of men. Therefore, gird up thy loins for the work. Let thy feet be shod also, for thou art chosen, and thy path lieth among the mountains, and among many nations. And by thy word many high ones shall be brought low, and by thy word many low ones shall be exalted. Thy voice shall be a rebuke unto the transgressor; and at thy rebuke let the tongue of the slanderer cease its perverseness. Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall blead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers. I know thy heart, and have heard thy prayers concerning thy brethren. Be not partial towards them in love above many others, but let thy love be for them as for thyself; and let thy love abound unto all men, and unto all who love my name. And pray for thy brethren of the Twelve. Admonish them sharply for my name’s sake, and let them be admonished for all their sins, and be ye faithful before me unto my name. And after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them.”

 

This is the promise to missionaries.  And I promise you that this will happen.  It took you a while to get here; I’m sorry. But in the end, you are young woman still; you didn’t get old waiting for this to happen. You will see – and have already seen – more the payoff you will receive by being patient.  You are so darn cheerful – I think I was the one who was apologizing and even shed a few tears.  You said, “It’s okay President Wilkes; we’ll just do it.”  What a remarkable person you are.  You can be mad every now and again - you’re still a good person. You will do great.  The Church you are going to go represent is true.  I will bear you that witness.  There is a Heavenly Father, and His son, Jesus Christ came and sacrificed for us.  Joseph Smith did see God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in the Sacred Grove. And the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God.  And Russell M. Nelson is a prophet.  And you teaching that will help bring light to dark places, and will help people who otherwise would never know.  People have a chance to accept or reject; that’s on them, but if you extend the invitation and teach the doctrine, you will have fulfilled your calling and performed your duty.

You’ll be given the gifts to be able to do this work.  This isn’t ceremonial.  You’ll be stronger in most unique ways; most ways you have not even considered.  The Lord will help you do this; He always does.  His grace is sufficient to bridge the gap between what we are and what we need to be to perform his work and I want you to know that I know that. 

 

Do you know the name of your mission president?  I don’t know him, but I know you’ll have a great relationship with him.  You have such a good father, it’s pretty hard to top, I’m not being patronizing, but people love their mission presidents.  In a time in their life where they are doing challenging things, a mission president and his wife and the mission leaders will be of great help to you.  Let’s get you set apart.

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Setting Apart Blessing:

Sister Lexi Ellis, by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, which we hold, we lay our hands upon your head as I set you apart as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, assigned to labor in the California, Roseville Mission.

 

I bless you with all the rights, powers, privileges and authorities associated with this calling. I bless you with the mantle of a representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I bless you that the gift of tongues given when you came to the earth will be active now and amplified so your ability to converse in the Spanish language will not only be sufficient but exceptional.  That you will be able to teach the humble people who speak Spanish in a way that they will understand and be given the best opportunity to embrace the Gospel.

 

I bless you, Sister Ellis, that your native kindness and greatness will be one of your greatest assets, that, coupled with the doctrine and the truth you teach, will influence many to have the faith to make the  first step along the journey of conversion. 

 

I bless you to become an exceptional teacher as you study and learn the principles in Preach my Gospel.  I bless you to be a defender of the Prophet Joseph Smith, a promoter of the Book of Mormon, for the Book of Mormon will be your sword and shield, your offense and defense.

 

I bless you, Sister Ellis, with a love for your companions. And promise you that as you serve faithfully, you will meet, make and enjoy some of the best friends that will last and remain your friends through the rest of your life.

 

I bless you with physical health and strength.

I bless you with courage to open your mouth.

I bless you with confidence associated with this calling

I bless you with self-assurance regarding your goodness and value.

I bless you with the ability to discern between truth and error and good and evil —and influence your companions to do the same.

I bless you with the ability to love difficult companions and help them stay engaged in the mission field and serve faithfully.

I bless you with a love for your Mission President, for the Prophet of the Church, and the counselors and Church leaders and general Church officers.

I bless you to find joy as you serve; to find a deeper and fuller relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ – and be blessed with a greater and more accurate vision of yourself, your value, and the love Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father have for you. 

I leave this blessing upon you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

President Robert M. Wilkes

Farmington Utah Stake