** Not complete - just a rough draft but thought I'd put it up for myself so I have it for future reference (I'm sure I've lost the hard copy long ago)
***Also to keep in mind, I was called the night of 7/7/12 to speak...I was working the night shift and would get off at 7:30 am. Sacrament started at 10 am.
7/8/12 Sacrament Talk Eagle Mtn Ward
Everyday Hero through Serving Others
Introduction: My name is Tahsha Tavoian. I grew up in Malad, ID on an elk ranch; I’m the oldest of 9 children; I’ve graduated from USU with a bachelors in Biology, served a mission to Melbourne, Australia and I’m currently living with my Grandma in Corinne while in the nursing program at Bridgerland and working part time at the Bear River Valley Hospital in Tremonton.
I’d like to talk to you today about two significant events that happened this past week. The first is Independence Day and the second is the funeral of Trooper Beesley.
***Also to keep in mind, I was called the night of 7/7/12 to speak...I was working the night shift and would get off at 7:30 am. Sacrament started at 10 am.
7/8/12 Sacrament Talk Eagle Mtn Ward
Everyday Hero through Serving Others
Introduction: My name is Tahsha Tavoian. I grew up in Malad, ID on an elk ranch; I’m the oldest of 9 children; I’ve graduated from USU with a bachelors in Biology, served a mission to Melbourne, Australia and I’m currently living with my Grandma in Corinne while in the nursing program at Bridgerland and working part time at the Bear River Valley Hospital in Tremonton.
I’d like to talk to you today about two significant events that happened this past week. The first is Independence Day and the second is the funeral of Trooper Beesley.
We celebrated the Fourth of July on Wednesday just past. Perhaps, like many of you (but hopefully not) I gave little thought of the significance of what we were celebrating that day. As a matter of fact, I slept in till about 10 am or so, rolled out of bed, ate a bowl of cereal, went out to the garden to weed for a bit, showered, got cleaned up, then drove up to Malad to enjoy a BBQ and fireworks with my family. It was a nice relaxing holiday for me. But after Brother Brazelton called me last night (about 8:30 pm to speak this morning after working the graveyard shift all night) and suggested that I speak about something to do with our nation’s history and then whatever else I wanted, I thought, “Hmmm...This is going to be a challenge” and started to give a little more thought to the significance of the holiday.
What comes to your mind when you hear, “Our nation’s history...”? For me, one of the first images that come to mind is a large painting in my parent’s home. It is titled, “The Prayer at Valley Forge”and was painted by Arnold Friberg. It depicts George Washington kneeling next to his horse on snow covered ground during the American Revolutionary War against the British. In it we feel the cold, the suffering, and the weight of the burden falling on that tall and lonely man, driven to his knees there in the bitter snows of Valley Forge. This picture expresses a powerful affirmation of faith, patriotic duty, and the deep spiritual depths in the founding of our country.
While George Washington and the Continental Army were camped at Valley Forge, a man named Isaac Potts supervised the grinding and delivery of the grain which Washington had requested that local farmers provide for the army. Potts was a Valley Forge resident, about 26 years old and a Quaker. And like many other Quakers was opposed to the war and sided with the British.
The story behind the painting goes that Potts and a Reverend Snowden, were out riding….
What comes to your mind when you hear, “Our nation’s history...”? For me, one of the first images that come to mind is a large painting in my parent’s home. It is titled, “The Prayer at Valley Forge”and was painted by Arnold Friberg. It depicts George Washington kneeling next to his horse on snow covered ground during the American Revolutionary War against the British. In it we feel the cold, the suffering, and the weight of the burden falling on that tall and lonely man, driven to his knees there in the bitter snows of Valley Forge. This picture expresses a powerful affirmation of faith, patriotic duty, and the deep spiritual depths in the founding of our country.
While George Washington and the Continental Army were camped at Valley Forge, a man named Isaac Potts supervised the grinding and delivery of the grain which Washington had requested that local farmers provide for the army. Potts was a Valley Forge resident, about 26 years old and a Quaker. And like many other Quakers was opposed to the war and sided with the British.
The story behind the painting goes that Potts and a Reverend Snowden, were out riding….
The fullest account of Isaac Pott's encounter with Washington praying comes from the "Diary and Remembrances" of Reverend Nathaniel Randolph Snowden (1770-1851). He was an ordained Presbyterian minister and a graduate of Princeton University.
Here is what he (Nathaniel Randolf Snowden) wrote:"I was riding with him (Mr. Potts) near Valley Forge, where the army lay during the war of the Revolution. Mr. Potts was a Senator in our state and a Whig (favored British). I told him I was agreeably surprised to find him a friend to his country as the Quakers were mostly Tories (an American who favored the British side during the American Revolution).
He said, "It was so and I was a rank Tory once, for I never believed that America could proceed against Great Britain whose fleets and armies covered the land and ocean. But something very extraordinary converted me to the good faith."
"What was that?" I inquired.
"Do you see that woods, and that plain?" It was about a quarter of a mile from the place we were riding. "There," said he, "laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of the war, and all were for giving up the ship but that one good man. In that woods," pointing to a close in view, "I heard a plaintive sound, as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling and went quietly into the woods and to my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was the Crisis and the cause of the country, of humanity, and of the world.
"Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. I went home and told my wife, 'I saw a sight and heard today what I never saw or heard before', and just related to her what I had seen and heard and observed. We never thought a man could be a soldier and a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. We thought it was the cause of God, and America could prevail." (http://www.fribergfineart.
Here is what he (Nathaniel Randolf Snowden) wrote:"I was riding with him (Mr. Potts) near Valley Forge, where the army lay during the war of the Revolution. Mr. Potts was a Senator in our state and a Whig (favored British). I told him I was agreeably surprised to find him a friend to his country as the Quakers were mostly Tories (an American who favored the British side during the American Revolution).
He said, "It was so and I was a rank Tory once, for I never believed that America could proceed against Great Britain whose fleets and armies covered the land and ocean. But something very extraordinary converted me to the good faith."
"What was that?" I inquired.
"Do you see that woods, and that plain?" It was about a quarter of a mile from the place we were riding. "There," said he, "laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of the war, and all were for giving up the ship but that one good man. In that woods," pointing to a close in view, "I heard a plaintive sound, as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling and went quietly into the woods and to my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was the Crisis and the cause of the country, of humanity, and of the world.
"Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. I went home and told my wife, 'I saw a sight and heard today what I never saw or heard before', and just related to her what I had seen and heard and observed. We never thought a man could be a soldier and a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. We thought it was the cause of God, and America could prevail." (http://www.fribergfineart.
Like Isaac Potts, when I contemplate the spirituality of our Founding Fathers, their faith in God, their courage to secure their freedom, their selfless sacrifices to serve their fellow men, I know the events that happened in our nation’s early history were the cause of God. As Nephi explains in his vision, “And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle. And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.” (I Nephi 13:16-19)
Interestingly, today those who protect our rights, freedoms, and the legacy we enjoy because of our founding fathers are known as servicemen, public servants, law enforcement officers, etc.
The second significant related event is the funeral of Trooper Beesley that I attended yesterday (7/7/12). You may have noticed that American and state flags were flying at half staff yesterday, or if you were traveling south at all early afternoon you may have been delayed some by the procession, and you may have heard his name mentioned on the evening news.
However, for those who don’t know, Aaron Beesley was a Utah Highway Patrol Trooper who died June 30 in the line of duty after falling 60 feet down a cliff during the aerial rescue of a pair of stranded hikers on Mt. Olympus. Investigators believed he lost his footing while trying to retrieve a medical bag that rolled over an edge during the rescue effort.
His mother, Laretta Beesley stated, “Aaron is a hero, but he’s not a hero because of one rescue or three rescues. Aaron was a hero every day. Aaron served constantly, and if it wasn’t service for the police it was service for the soul. Aaron was one of those people who could make you feel special.”
Governor Gary Herbert said, “Beesley set an example that everyone could follow in serving his or her community. We have a challenge, all of us, to serve each other, to love one another…to be better people and to help those who are struggling. He quoted President Spencer W. Kimball saying that people pray to God, and God often sends people as an answer to their prayers. “I believe many have prayed and God sent Aaron Beesley to meet their need.”
Just as General Washington was a hero through his selfless sacrifice, Aaron Beesley was a hero everyday through his service to others.
How fitting it is that we sing:
O beautiful for heroes proved
in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved,
and mercy more than life!
O beautiful for heroes proved
in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved,
and mercy more than life!
In conclusion, when we think of our Founding Fathers and celebrate this time of year and next time you see a police officer or public serviceman think of their selfless service and sacrifice. Next remember our baptismal covenants which as the Prophet Alma explained includes a willingness to give meaningful service –to “bear one another’s burden, that they may be light,” to “mourn with those that mourn,” and to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:8-9)
The Savior is the best example of service. Even though He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served all those around Him. He declared, “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27)
The Savior used a parable to teach the importance of service. In the parable, He told of His return to the earth in His glory and of separating the righteous from the wicked. To the righteous in this parable He says: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me (Matthew 25:34-36).
The righteous, who are puzzled by this declaration, ask: “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?” (Matthew 25:37-39).
Then the Lord answers, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40).
Opportunities for service to others are limitless. Kind words and deeds can lift burdens and gladden hearts. Sharing the gospel is a great service with eternal consequences. One true key to happiness is to labor for the happiness of others, as did General Washington, Aaron Beesley and the Savior. (True to the Faith (2004), 161-162).
[Part of Testimony] I testify of the Lord’s hand in bringing forth the Gospel on this land that he prepared through our Founding Fathers, whose righteousness and faithfulness leave us standing today as beneficiaries of their priceless heritage to us. May we follow their example and the example of our Savior to serve others and enjoy the blessings that come as we do so. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment