The Homecoming Talk

This is the legendary I-Am-Home-From-My-Mission-And-Still-Struggle-In-Social-Settings talk. I gave it today during sacrament meeting at church. I actually loved preparing for this talk, I learned so much and it was nice to remember some of the feelings and things I experienced during my mission. Enjoy. 

Good morning brothers and sisters. My name is Alex Ostler and I just completed my full time mission in Cusco Peru. I am eternally grateful for the people I met and the experiences I had, it truly did change the course of my life.

Happiness is preaching the gospel in Peru. 

One day I had the chance to watch one of the seminary videos while my companion was sick. This video became the perfect way to describe my mission experience. It is about a young girl whose biggest desire in life is to have a pink bicycle. That is all she wanted and one day she asks her father if she can have one. The father looks at her with love and tells her she can work for one. 

The video depicts the younger girl working for her bike. She tries to sell lemonade...but no one buys it. She washes the dog but the dog escapes. She tries to mow the lawn but cannot push the lawnmower by herself. One day the girl approaches her father and says, "father, I have worked hard, I think I can buy my bike now." They arrive at the bike store and the eager excitement of the girl turns to crestfallen disappointment; she did not have enough to buy the bike. Her father says, "let me see what you do have". It is in this moment that the girl pulls put a couple of quarters and a crumpled up dollar bill. "This is not enough for the bike. You have fallen short. But because I love you so much I will take these coins and dollar bill and I will pay the rest." 

This is the grace of God; we try our best, and God makes up for what is lacking. My mission wasn't perfect and at times I wondered if I really was doing anything worthwhile. But I know that God accepted my small, imperfect sacrifice and that He has given me everything in return. I worked my very hardest during my mission and it wasn't enough, I fell short many times as a representative of Jesus Christ. And that is why we all need the grace of God; there will always be a gap between who we are and who we should be.

Watch the video! Insta-tears.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-06-2030-parable-of-the-bicycle?lang=eng

A scripture in Ether 12:27 in The Book Of Mormon illustrates this principle perfectly.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. Igive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I makeweak things become strong unto them."

His grace is sufficient fore those who humble themselves and try and do the things right, imperfections and all. Later in the same chapter, in verse 33 we learn by what means we may receive the grace of God. 

" And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men."

Christ suffered and died so that we might be able to throw away our imperfections and sins and sorrows that weigh us down, that impede our true happiness in this life. The divine promise is that we may rely on the infinite grace of God and repent so that we may become strong and immovable in this life. 

Many times we begin to think of the Atonement as a cleansing power for those who have gravely sinned or who are living their lives in a way that the gospel of Christ condones. But many times we forget the enabling power of the Atonement, the power that allows diligent disciples of Christ to go from being good to becoming better and better. Elder David A Bednar said, "Most of us know that when we do things wrong and need help to overcome the effects of sin in our lives, the Savior has made it possible for us to become clean through His redeeming power. But do we also understand that the Atonement is for faithful men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully?" 

During my mission I struggled many times with deep feelings of inadequacy. No matter how hard I tried or how many advances I made personally, I just could not live up to what I knew I needed to be. The Atonement helps those who are giving it their all, and it makes up for the times that they fall short of their full potential. The Atonement has become my life line, my only hope of one day returning to live with the God I so dearly love. 

During Christmas I had the marvelous opportunity to read the account of when Christ came to The Americas in The Book of Mormon. I was struck with the invitations that Christ extended to all during His ministry. It made me remember the time I had in Peru to invite others to do the very same things, to invite them to learn and know about their Savior.

In 3 Nephi 11:14 Christ says; "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world."

After Christ invites all to come unto Him and feel the Atonement in their own lives it says in 3 Nephi 17:10; "And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears."

Haven't we all been there? Haven't we all felt that we have been healed by Christ's love and have been filled so full of gratitude that we could have bathed his feet with our freely flowing tears? Have we not seen the same thing happen in the lives of others? I know I have in the lives of Peruvians who were ready to accept the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

And the most beautiful thing of all in 3 Nephi 18:25; "And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation."

Christ truly does invite all to come unto Him and be made whole.

My favorite and most cherished area of my mission was Puerto Maldonado. It was deep in the jungle and very very hot, about 100 degrees with humidity. I remember that going through the middle of my area was a very long, very dusty road. This road would typically have 4 inches of moondust on top, the kind that clogs your throat and makes your eyes sting. When it rained it had ankle deep mud. There was no shade along this road either. I walked that road countless times. That road is now the most sacred and beautiful place that exists in the world for me. Because along that long and shadeless road, lived some of the people I love more than life itself. Along that road I saw miracles. And along that road I felt that I was truly walking in my Saviors steps, doing the things He would do, and becoming healed in the process.

My favorite and most cherish road. Who knew one could be so happy in so much dust?

I became acutely acquainted with human suffering on my mission, which I think is probably universal for all missions, all around the world. There were things that I saw that made me angry and sad and desperate. But as a representative and spokesman of Jesus Christ I extended an invitation of healing and hope, of happiness and forgiveness. Of a promise that every one of us can be made whole because we have a Heavenly Father and a Savior that deeply know and love us.

I went on my mission because after many years I finally comprehended that God really did love me enough to send his most beloved son Jesus Christ to redeem me from my lost and fallen state. But during my mission I learned how to love him back through what I do, say, and think.

How grateful I am for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that He did indeed suffer for our sins, that thanks to Him we can change and become happier and better people. I know that God is real. He loves us and wants us to return and live with Him. He has created a plan for each one of his children. It's a plan of hope and love and joy; because that is what living The Gospel is all about. I know that in a world of changing values and opinions, we can still find absolute truth and be at peace. I know that there is a living prophet in these days and that he holds all the keys to the priesthood necessary for salvation. I know The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It was my greatest joy to testify of the life-changing power of that book. I know that families can live together forever and that all of this is thanks to our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Ostler Family rocking the Peruvian look at Church.