The Talk I Would Give
Preface
Over the years I’ve had recurring dreams that I visited my home in Newfoundland again. I was born there and have been able to trace my family history there back over three hundred years. Not all of these dreams have been pleasant, due to my difficult early years. The main theme though, is that trapped in a place and time that I should not have been. The life I had built since leaving home didn’t exist.
I have also had many pleasant dreams. Being with my family again. Being with my mother, grandfather, and other friends and family that have passed on. Another frequent dream is where I come back and speak in church to the congregation I grew up in, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In those dream, I profess my testimony of Jesus Christ, my gratitude for the Gospel, and my gratitude for the people there who touched my life over the years.
Tonight, as I write this, I’m sitting at my computer in a hotel in St. John’s 32 years after I left home. This is my first visit since then. I’m hoping to attend church on Sunday and if I had the opportunity to speak, the following is a rough sketch of what I would say.
(To put this into context, in my church we don’t have a paid ministry. Our main Sunday service has members from the congregation speak, generally on topics provided. My experiences doing this as a youth certainly helped me with my public speaking ability.)
The Talk
Brothers and Sisters,
My name is Shane Sullivan and I’m visiting this week from my home in British Columbia. I am joined by my wife of 29 years, Laura, who I first met here. Some of you may remember me, as my family and I were members of this branch. My father was first to join the church after meeting the missionaries playing basketball. My mother and other siblings joined later. I left here 32 years ago to serve a mission. Sadly, this is my first time back to visit as I’ve endured many health issues on top of other very demanding responsibilities.
We did not have many folks leaving to serve missions back then. Notably there was our dear friend, Carol Squires, who I’ve known since a child and who has been like a member of our family. My brother served in the old Canada Montreal mission. Then something weird happened. A young man was called to serve in the California Sacramento mission. The next missionary called was also sent there. Then so was I – in the new Roseville mission that was split from Sacramento. I found it strange that three people were called to the same mission in a short period of time - but trusted that God knew what He was doing in sending me there, out of the hundreds of other places I could have been assigned.
Many missionaries wonder or question why they are sent to a specific area. I do not and let me share why that is. I was born with a life-threatening illness called Marfan Syndrome. Back then many folks would die young from it before they were diagnosed. I was fortunately diagnosed at a young age. I had, and still do, have many health challenges. But my life was saved because I was called to serve in that specific mission. My aorta began to give out shortly after I arrived. I was too sick to return home. The church arranged for me to have surgery at Stanford University by the top surgeon in the world for my condition. The church flew my mom out. My mission president and his wife were there at every step. We stayed with very kind members in the San Francisco area and with another member family from my first area to help my recovered as the father was a doctor. This branch, my mission, and my mom’s ward all fasted and prayed for my recovery.
I was called to serve just where I needed to be in order for my life to be saved. Faithful members of the church stepped in to help when I and my family needed it. If I had not served, I would not be here to speak to you, nor would have had these three decades of life and time with my precious wife, family, and friends.
I am telling you this because I’d like to share something very important to that I’ve learned during this time that I’ve been away. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. He died for all our sins and was resurrected so that we all can live again. This means everyone. All of you here. Your neighbours. Those of other faiths. Everyone – including you.
We have the Two Great Commandments, which Jesus explained to a lawyer who was trying to trip Him up in a discussion on the Law of Moses. This is in Matthew chapter 22:
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
My life was saved, in part, because of the love of people who knew me and those who didn’t. They knew that loving God meant loving and helping others.
Everything in our teachings, lessons, prayers, scriptures, and temples point us to Him and those simple commandments.
I’ve met too many folks over the course of my life that think that some how they are not worthy of God’s love and forgiveness. “Oh I believe in Jesus Christ, but I’m this exception. I can’t pray until I’m a better person. I can’t go to church until I’m a better person.” This is not true. God loves you. God loves you. Please let that sit with you. Remember it and keep it with you, because it’s true.
I was asked to speak in church before I left for my missionary service. I was given the subject of these verses in Doctrine and Covenants section 18:
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
Please remember that. We all need to hear the good news of God’s love for them. God needs you to be His angels in helping others, like all those folks who helped me and my family when I was dying and so many times since.
We can change the world and see miracles happen if we love God and our neighbours. Sometimes all it requires are kind words to a scared young man like I was, coming back to church after years of being away. The folks in this congregation here did that for me – people like George Simmonds, Jim Burton, some very special missionaries, and many others. Their actions – their love changed my world and literally helped save my life.
I love God. I love that I will have the chance to live again, without pain, and to be reunited with family and friends. As I said, Jesus died for all our sins – including mine and yours. Forgiveness and spiritual healing is there for all of us. We are all worthy of it. I have tried to live my life with gratitude for that and to have kindness for others.
Thank you for being here today and thank you for all that you do help and uplift others.
I humble offer these words in the name of our Saviour, Jessus Christ. Amen.
Epilogue
I was able to attend church. I was reunited with some old friends and the memories of friends long gone. It was wonderful to share that time together, along with many new folks, and share our common faith.
I wasn’t able to speak in church, of course, since the speakers were all previously arranged. The first speaker, who I believe was a new Canadian, gave a wonderful talk. He spoke of the two great commandment and how the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple and for us all, just as I intended to do. This really touched my me, as I felt as though God knew my heart and acknowledged it. The Gospel of Jesus Christ carries on, if we participate or not. But it’s better if we do and to be there for each other
.