Jaxon's Sacrament Talk

Kia Ora everyone!
My name is Jaxon Wihongi for those who don’t know me.  My Dad is Jason and my Mum is Candi I have an older brother on a mission in North Carolina and I have three sisters, I’m the third child and the favorite child. I go to Taylorsville high school and I like to play rugby.

I was asked to give a talk about the importance of the Holy Ghost in my life.

Who is the Holy Ghost? When I was younger I learned from primary and FHE that the Holy Ghost is a spirit. He gives you warm fuzzy feelings, comforts you like a cozy blankie and helps you make good choices.

As I got older I learned that the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead and that he is very important to our eternal salvation. He also testifies of the truth of all things and of our savior Jesus Christ. He can help you to overcome temptations. He can warn you of danger and guide you in your life.

The gift of the Holy Ghost comes by the laying on of hands after baptism. This qualifies us for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. To perform this ordinance, worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders place their hands upon the head of the individual, call him or her by name, state their priesthood authority, and in the name of Jesus Christ, confirm him or her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and utter the important phrase “Receive the Holy Ghost.”

One important lesson I learned about the Holy Ghost this week is how not to receive his guidance and inspiration. My parents told me early in the week to start on the talk and I ignored their advice and procrastinated until yesterday. I found receiving any inspiration difficult and my mind was blank. Instead of receiving the still small voice of the Holy Ghost throughout the week. I received the unsettled, loud voices of my parents last night. But in this talk, I want to focus on one of my favorite roles of the Holy Ghost, which is the Comforter.

I’m going to share with you a story from a 2017 General Conference talk given by Gary E. Stevenson he says, I share the true account of a family with five sons who moved from Los Angeles, California, USA, to a small community some years ago. The two oldest sons began playing high school sports and associating with friends, leaders, and coaches—many of whom were faithful members of the Church. These relationships helped lead to the baptism of Fernando, the oldest, and his next younger brother.

Fernando later moved away from home, where he continued his education and played college football. He married his high school sweetheart, Bayley, in the temple. As Fernando and Bayley finished their schooling, they eagerly anticipated the birth of their first child—a baby girl. But during the process of their families helping to move Fernando and Bayley back home, Bayley and her sister were driving on the freeway and were in a tragic accident involving many vehicles. Bayley and her unborn daughter lost their lives.

Yet as deep as was Fernando’s pain, as well as that of Bayley’s parents and siblings, so too was the depth of contrasting peace and comfort that distilled upon them almost immediately. The Holy Ghost in His role as Comforter truly sustained Fernando through this incomprehensible affliction. The Spirit communicated an abiding peace that led Fernando to an attitude of forgiveness and love toward everyone involved in the tragic crash.

Bayley’s parents called her brother who was serving as a missionary at the time of the accident. He described in a letter his feelings upon hearing the difficult news of his beloved sister: “It was amazing to hear your voices so calm in the midst of a tempest. I did not know what to say. … All I could think of is my sister may not be there when I come home. … I was comforted by your infallible testimonies of the Savior and His plan. The same sweet spirit that brings me to the verge of tears as I study and teach filled my heart. I was then comforted and reminded of the things that I know.”
The Holy Ghost will help you by comforting you, as He did Fernando and Bayley’s family.

This story reminded me of when my grandma was passing away I was scared because I didn’t want to lose her.

All our family was with her in her room we knew she was dying we sang church songs to her while she layed in her bed. Everyone was crying, I was balling my eyes out but at the same time I felt the love of my family, it was felt the whole 3days we were with her.

Just after she passed away and I would be alone in my room at night the sad feelings would return but I would say a prayer, I know that my Heavenly father heard them and would send me the holy ghost to comfort me, I would have dreams of my grandma reuniting with her husband in heaven. And that would make me feel better knowing my grandma is happy to be with grandpa again. I know that the holy ghost helped and comforted me during this trial in my life. Just like he did Fernando and Bayley’s family.

And this is why I know that the Holy Ghost is important to me.

In closing I’d like to bear my testimony, I know my Heavenly Father loves me and I know my Savior lives, they are real. I know families can be together forever through his plan. And that the Holy is helping me do that, he will always be there for me when I need him most.
And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

August

Scripture of the Month: Same as July.

8/5/18

Hi Son,
Coming down to the last weeks of summer school Holidays, and Jaxon will start Taylorsville High on the 20th. The girls are signed up for a online school this year too, but they only have one class with them which is ‘keyboarding’ will see how that goes, it's called ‘mytechhigh’. I got released from my calling from being the YWomens secretary and now I’m in the primary helping with Erana’s class.
Work is the same for Dad and I, what happened recently if Dad didn’t tell ya yet, is that we paid off our mortgage last month was our last payment. We are super happy that we don’t have that debt, that is good because we will soon have two kids on a mission for a bit. I put $40 dollars in your checking acct. still putting in your bday money and you were low. I think now you have $70 in checking.
Mina had her interview with Pres.Lundquist today and he mentioned you and that I was angry with him! Lol but I wasn’t, so I need to apologize to him and tell him that I wasn’t.  Also your Grandma Cathy had a stroke and is in the hospital, be there for a week, she is getting better has a little numbness around her face. We fasted for her today, well hope you are doing well.
We love you Mum and Dad xx

Heyo Big Bro!
I haven’t written to you for a while. Japan was such a great experience. I learned so much and ate yummy food! I went to Monkey mountain and fed wild monkeys, saw whale sharks in aquariums, boated to a foggy island. There was too much that happened, I can’t write it all! The rain there feels like mist, and it is so green and foggy. The grapes are waaay better there. Today I had my stake president interview. My papers are in! I’ll get my call in 2-3 weeks! Oh and I also broke up with Jordan this week. I hope everything is tubular with you! Can’t wait to hear from ya!
Love you -Mina

Hi Tyrell,
This week wasn’t much. Just school lunch and playing with Kage and Dray. On Friday we went to the Jordan River Temple to do baptisms for the dead. This guy that worked there asked for mine and Kages last names and when I told him he said he knew a Wihongi. Then in the confirmation room he said he knew a Wihongi from North Carolina Raleigh. And then we immediately knew that it was you he was talking about. He said he was your zone leader. His name is Richard Hall. I thought that was pretty cool. Hope you have a fun week.
Love, Jaxon XOXO.

Hi Tyrell,
What I learned at church was let your light shine.
Love Erana xoxo

Hello Tyrell,
What I learned today at Sunday School was to Be One. And in the Young Women’s class I learned how to make my family better like being a peacemaker. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!
Love, Leila XOXO

From Tyrell 8/6/18 11:09am:

Hi Fam,

That's awesome that ya'll got the mortgage paid off! That's really exciting, but what does that mean for us in the future?

And wow I'm so jealous of Mina. I'm excited to hear where you'll be going though. I hope you don't come here Mina because it's a hard mission haha. Maybe you'll go back to Japan, did you leave any hints in your papers? haha. I did, but I still got called here. But it really shouldn't matter where you go, it's why you go.

That's awesome Jaxon, yeah I served around Elder Hall and went on an exchange with him before, he had to wait a few hours for me to get my toe checked haha.

That's awesome Leila and Erana, glad to hear what ya'll are learning in church. Anyways, I'm doing good still, another normal week just trying to find people it rained quite a bit this week, it rains A LOT here. here is a video of it raining.

Transfers are on the 14th fyi. We were able to get a couple less actives to church this Sunday :)
Love ya'll!
Elder Wihongi

 

 

8/12/18

Hey Tyrell,

This week was boring. Nothing exciting happened this week. My test for the learners permit is on Thursday. The ward pool party is on Thursday too. We watched I Can Only Imagine today. It's a pretty good christian movie. I punched a hole on the cross base door because I got angry at games. Now I’m banned from games until I pay off the door lol. Well, hope you have an adventurous week. Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hi Son,

We went to Lagoon on Friday with Jaxon, Leila and Erana. We stayed from 11am to 9:30pm. It was ok in the morning, not much people and the lines were short. Then in the afternoon and evening it was a bit nuts. Lines were way long. Mum and I felt sick after the Spider ride. We had done the Cannibal, Blast-off and Wicked before then. We were done riding at that point. It was a nice day though. Leila and Erana did another Tausala show on Saturday at a Poly festival. It was a short one. The whole state pretty much has been in a smoky haze for the last week or so. The large wildfires going on in California and some local ones are the cause. The smoke gets blown our way. Keep up the hard work, we’re very proud of you.
Love you heaps. Mum and Dad.

Hello Tyrell,

On Tuesday, Erana and I played with Kage and Dray at Classic Fun Center. Then, we did a show in Aunty Heather’s backyard for her Relief Society that was having a luau. We did the poi and a Hawaiian dance. For Young Womens the next day, we made posters for the released leaders and gave them their posters. Thursday, Jaxon, Kage, Dray, Erana, and I went to the wAIRhouse. After, Erana and I had Tausala practice. We spent the whole day in lagoon on Friday, and I went on the new ride Cannibal! Yesterday, Erana and I had a Tausala show at a Tongan festival, it was very short. Today, our family movie was I Can Only Imagine. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!!!

Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell,
We went to lagoon.
Love, Erana xoxo

8/19/18

Hi Son,

We hope all is going well with your new companion training and your new area. That's quite an assignment you've been given. I know your mission president must trust you a lot and with the Lord's help you'll handle it very well. 

Well, Mina got her mission call on Friday but didn't open it until Sunday at 7pm. She did it in Uncle Scott's back yard. She invited a lot of friends and heaps showed up. Guess where she's going?? Hamilton, New Zealand mission!!!!!! I was cheering out loud! How about that! I didn't expect that and wasn't sure where she would be going. I was thinking some spanish speaking mission or something. She said New Zealand wasn't her top choice but she seemed very excited about it last night. Grandpa Pat is very excited. Your Uncle Strantz, (Uncle Jono's son) is the 1st counselor in the mission presidency. She has to report to the MTC in New Zealand on January 3rd, 2019. Now Mum and I will consider going to NZ with her and drop her off and stay a little for a holiday.

In other news. Jaxon passed his drivers test to get his learners permit. He also started school today as a sophomore at Taylorsville HS. We had the Condo bbq party with yummy ribs last week. Also we had the Ward swim party at the Taylorsville rec pools. Friday evening we went to your cousins Taylor Barlow's graduation party. She got her 4 year degree. She is Deana's daughter and Deana is Uncle Jono's daughter. Sunday morning we also went to the Wolferstan's ward for Imogen's farewell. She is going to the Sand Diego spanish speaking mission. Garrison Hauet had his farewell Sunday. He is going to Tacoma Washington. Your other cousin Maili Schaap is going to the Phillipines. Her mother is Olga, Uncle Jono's daughter.

We love you and pray for you. Keep up your hard work and faith.

Mum and Dad.

Hello Tyrell,

Erana and I played at Kage and Dray’s house the whole day and we went to G-ma’s grave for FHE. Erana and I had piano lessons and we went to Seven Peaks with Kage Dray on Tuesday, and I got over the big yellow slide 3 times! On Wednesday, we went to Classic Fun Center with Kage and Dray, afterwards, we had the Condo BBQ party at the park down the hill. Thursday, we had the Ward pool party, and I did another backflip of the high-dive! If I didn’t tell you before, because I can’t remember, I did a backflip of the high-dive before when Maya was sleeping or playing over, I forgot. The next day, Erana and I swam in Shauna Morley’s pool, and we ate lunch and did gymnastics at her house. Yesterday, Erana and I had another Tausala show at a Vietnamese carnival. Today, we went to 2 Farewell’s and 1 Call Opening. The first Farewell was Imogen Wolferstans. The second Farewell was Garrison Hauet’s. And the Call Opening was Mina’s. I’m so glad she’s going to New Zealand! I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!!!

Love, Leila XOXO 

From Tyrell, Mon 8/20/18:
Wow, that's awesome! Are we still going on a trip to New Zealand when I get back? Because I miss it. And where did she want to go? I thought she was going to Japan like how Rhett went to Japan after his trip to Japan. I feel like I was sent here to have a similar experience dad had haha. Wow she leaves soon before I get home to. I heard the New Zealand temple is being renovated for a few years.

Mina's call came in the mail

8/26/18

Hi Son,

We had our family fantasy football draft Sunday evening and so forgot to get the kids to write to you. Uncle Shaun, Jody and Danny, Wesley, Spencer, Joshua came over. It was Stake Conference today. Friday, Mum and I and Leila and Erana went to Pineview lake for the day. It was a nice warm day on the beach. We ate bbq we bought at the restaurant next to the park and ate in the park then went home. Mina got another part time job at a store in Fashion Place mall that sells modest clothing. She will still work at Chick-fil-a. Jaxon started school on Monday at Taylorsville. He rides to school with Hunter Fox. I took him driving for practice. He went on the road for a little bit for the first time. A bit scary. We ran into Richard Hall again at the Temple Friday morning. Did we tell you that Joshua got engaged to a girl from England that used to be Ariana’s companion? He’ll get married in April so you will be home for that. Serina will also get married in March so you may be home for that too. We hope all is well with your new area and your training the new missionary. Take care, keep up the faith and good works.

Love Mum and Dad

Hello Tyrell,

We had our first week of school, and my first Thursday in the older Tausala class! On Friday, mom, dad, Erana, and I went to the Pineveiw lake and had yummy food. I also buried Erana in the sand! Saturday, Kage and Dray played over, then Erana and I played at their house, and Kage, Dray, and I went on a walk to a park and played on it for a bit. Today, we had cousins and Uncles came over for Fantasy Football, I was playing with Jonah. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!!!

Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell,
We went to pineveiw lake! Leila buried me with a big shovel! Then we went to eat at this place. Leila and I were sitting in the front seat of the car eating our food. And then, we went to this ice cream place, Leila got vanilla and I got vanilla with chocolate syrup in it. Mom got a big rasberry one, but it looked small.
Love, Erana xoxo