Elder Kraemer's Farewell Talk

Well, after a very eventful day... welcoming home his Sister from her mission to the Kansas Wichita Mission and being set apart this evening as a full-time missionary, Elder Kraemer is all set to head off on his 2-year service to the Lord and the people of the Washington DC South Mission first thing tomorrow morning.  He passes through LA and then off to the Mexico City MTC where he will be for the next 6 weeks as he learns Spanish.  

Below is a copy of Elder Kraemer's farewell talk for those that may not have been able to attend the day he spoke...  while his thoughts and words may have drifted slightly from this written talk, you will get a general idea of the message he shared on Sunday, June 30, 2019.  Enjoy!

The 4 Fold Mission of the Church — Proclaiming The Gospel

Hola!! Me llamo Joseph Kraemer!! Yep, that’s about all the Spanish I know!!

Thank the prior speakers/performances!! Wonderfully done!! Thank you for inviting the spirit. It will touch the hearts of those who are here today.  

Observations of Children (Little Ones)

The Spectrum of Joys!

In a recent exercise to enhance children’s ability to portray emotions, I would state generic words that strike fear and disgust to a group of 7 to 9-year-olds. I would say words like Spiders, Monsters, and The Dark.  — To 7 to 9-year-olds these words can be frightening! For some of you the really

frightening words would be something like Taxes, Marriage, or you have a hole in your pants. —

The point of this activity was to help these children recognize and illustrate the body language associated with these emotions (or/in basic terms) (to help them make “I’m really scared faces”! )

The reactions to this exercise were priceless!  Today we’re going to focus on one little girl’s reaction.

I began the exercise:

I said the words Spiders—> the children reacted saying ewww!!

I said The Dark—> the children reacted yelling Ahhh!!

I said Monsters—> the children reacted closing their eyes!!

I said the word Snakes—>the kids reacted the worst with this one! It was pandemonium!!

Except one little girl, whose face lit up as she jumped for Joy proclaiming!!

“ I Love Snakes!!!!!!!!” You can imagine she got some funny looks!

This little 8 year old girl had so much Joy!! Truly a priceless reaction!

The topic for my talk today is:

The 4 Fold Mission of the Church — Proclaiming The Gospel (the gospel proclaimed)

It’s a fitting topic . . . Isn’t it! Thank you

To Proclaim is to: announce or declare in an official or formal manner

A proclamation for example might be made that I love snakes!!

Or I dislike snakes!

We read in Doctrine & Covenants 71:1:  “the time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel, the things of the kingdom, expounding the mysteries (or joys) thereof out of the scriptures, according to that portion of Spirit and power which shall be given unto you, even as I will”

The time is now that we proclaim the gospel with everyone we talk to. As we discuss and share with those around us we will find a feeling of fulfillment! We exponentially feel joy as we bring others to the same knowledge we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have.

Imagine for a moment...

Imagine with me, for a moment, what understanding the following principles does for each and everyone one of us.

1. God is our Heavenly Father, and He loves us.

2. Jesus Christ’s Atonement allows us to be free of mistakes, shortcomings, and burdens.

3. Families can live together forever. Overstepping the limitations of mortality.

Just Imagine

To someone who feels as if they are alone, or that nobody cares for them.

How happy they would be to know that Heavenly Father knows their name. He knows each and everyone one of us personally. He is always with us! He does not leave us comfortless.

To someone who struggles with anxiety, depression, addiction, or grief.  How happy they would be to know that through Christ we can be made pure!  Cleansed from the baggage of life. That we get to try again, again, and again. So  that we can be happy!

To someone who just lost a child, sibling, parent or grandparent might feel as if they have lost their loved one forever.  How happy they would be to know that they could see their lost one again.  They could see the smile of their lost one again! They could embrace their lost one again!

Understanding these few principles alone brings so much joy and hope! Why wouldn’t we want everyone to understand these truths. “Men are that they might have Joy” (2 Nephi 2:25).

We are here to have Joy!

President Gordon B. Hinckley said:  “We are here to assist our Father in His work and His glory, ‘to bring to pass the  immortality and eternal life of man’(Moses 1:39).”

If our Father wants His children to have Joy, and we are “here to assist our Father in His work”. We have a divine duty to help others find and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Doctrine & Covenants 15:6 says:  “And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.”

 

In Doctrine & Covenants 16:6 it says “And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen”  Hold on, it says that twice? Yes, it does!  That’s how important it is for us to understand! We must help Heavenly

Father‘s sons and daughters find Him!

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are commanded to turn back and call others to join us in the journey.

Now, I recognize that not everyone here is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I recognize that not everyone believes what I believe.

Please Listen to the following scriptures.

Doctrine & Covenants 18:10:  “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;”

 Mosiah 2:41  “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state

of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it”

The gospel brings happiness! It brings light into our lives and brightens every moment. The gospel secures every Joy!

Brothers and Sisters

I have been called to serve!

I have been assigned to labor in the Washington DC South Mission!

I will teach in the Spanish Language!

● I have a testimony!

● God loves us!

● He knows our name!

● He comforts us when comfort is needed, and lifts us when lifting is needed.

● He sent His son Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins, so that we can have Joy!

● I know that families can be together forever. I know that He lives!

 Thank you all for everything you do!!

 I love you!

 He loves you!

 In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.