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 October 8, 2025 

Sacrament Talk on Easter

April 20, 2025

 Easter Sacrament Talk 

Intro: 

Good morning brothers and sisters. For those who don’t know me, I am Elder Hall. I am from Draper Utah - a town south of Salt Lake City. I have been serving as a missionary for almost 18 months. I transferred into Dothan the week you became a ward. Elder Kupu and I have enjoyed serving here and have met some of the greatest people. 

I want to begin by bearing my testimony. 

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The Book of Mormon is true. 

We have a prophet on the earth today who speaks with God daily. 

I know God loves us and is aware of us. 

I know Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and that HE LIVES! . 

I love being a missionary and sharing these truths. 

These truths have changed my life for the better. 

1. 
   

I was asked today to speak about Easter - the empty tomb -- the resurrection -- and the effect this fact has had on so many lives.

President Benson said; "The greatest events of history are those that affect the greatest number of people for the longest periods. By this standard, no event could be more important to individuals or nations than the resurrection of the Master."

In Luke chapter 24 Some of the first to have their lives affected by the resurrection were Cleopas and his friend. Bear with me for a minute as I READ an account of their story written by Peter Marshall.

"They were walking on the road to Emmaus, a town just a few miles north of Jerusalem. So much had happened in the last few days. The week must have seemed like a terrible dream.

There had been Christ's triumphal entry into the city. … Then, swiftly there had been a change of events. There was Gethsemane and Christ's arrest. The rest was an agony of painful memories. He had died after six hours of suffering... Because of the rumor that Christ had said he would rise from the dead, the tomb had been sealed and a three day watch by soldiers was stationed at the tomb.

So deep in thought were the two men in these memories, that they did not notice the approach of a stranger. Suddenly, there He was walking beside them. And He said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" 

They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 

And He said to them, "What things?" 

And they replied, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Also, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive.... But Him they did not see."

And He said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?" 

And He began with Moses and all the prophets and explained to them all the scriptures that referred to Himself.

Thus, the walk of seven and a half miles pass quickly. And when they reached Emmaus, the sun was fast sinking and soon it would be dark.

The two men begged the mysterious Stranger to spend the night with them, or at least to share their evening meal. Still they did not know who He was.

Why didn’t they recognized Him?

"Partly because Christ was the last person they expected to see.

And so they sat down to eat their evening meal. The Stranger stayed with them and gave thanks before He took bread in His hands. Perhaps His robe fell back. Perhaps they saw the marks of the nails in His hands. Whatever it was, in that instant they knew Him --and then He was gone!  But they had seen Him with their own eyes.

And how did this affect their lives? They rose and ran, not walked, they RAN all the seven and a half miles back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples the incredible news."

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Many others had similar experiences. 

Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, most of the twelve saw him. He visited the apostles James, Paul and John. And from the Book of Mormon we know that He visited the Nephites, the Nephite 12, the Lost Tribes, and Moroni. And in modern times He visited Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdrey.

John and Peter didn't know what to think as they had gone into the tomb that first Easter morning -- that is, until they saw what was inside the tomb -- and then they believed. 

How were their lives changed and affected?

When their Master was arrested, the disciples had all fled. Peter was so fearful that he had denied ever even having known Jesus. After Jesus' death, the disciples stayed in hiding with the doors locked. Yet, after Christ resurrection, we find these same timid and frightened men preaching openly, apparently with no fear of anyone. Nothing could silence them.

It takes a very great conviction to change men so drastically.

Men do not invent a story so that they can be: 

• crucified upside down, like Peter 
• beheaded like James or Paul. 
• stoned to death like Stephen. 
• banished like John.

An illusion may sustain men for a time -- but an illusion does not build character strong enough to stand great hardship, great persecution. Only the truth can do that!

This principle applies in modern times. We read Joseph Smith’s testimony in D&C 76:22-23 

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

This was no illusion, it was truth! 

What happened to Joseph Smith? He died at the hands of an angry mob with this testimony still burning within his soul.

Conclusion:

My message today is this. Throughout the centuries, there have been men and women who were frightened, confused, and hopeless like the disciples or like young Joseph Smith who was troubled because he didn't know which church was true. Then they experienced the coming to know that their redeemer lives.

And you, too, may have this same comforting feeling. Your life today may be changed by Him. Your weaknesses may be turned into strength by His help. Your sorrows may be turned into joy by His comfort. 

This is the real meaning of Easter; not the bunny rabbit and the colored eggs -- symbols that so often confuse and conceal the real meaning of what we celebrate on that day.

No newspaper will ever print the startling news that the body of Jesus of Nazareth had been discovered in old Jerusalem. Thank goodness we have an empty tomb! The glorious fact the empty tomb proclaims is that life for us does not stop with death comes.  Death is not the end, but a door to eternal life. We will live on.

Because the resurrection is true, it is the greatest event in history that has affected the greatest number of people for the longest period. 

Let it affect your life as well

Georgia ⏩️ Bama

 March 24, 2025

Short email. Lots of change but nothing too crazy. I left Bainbridge after like 7 months. I am now opening a new area in Dothan Alabama. 

A brand new ward just opened here so we have been assigned to it. 

I am also training a new missionary, Elder Kupu. He is from Taylorsville but he's Tongan, so everybody asks where his people are from. And it kills me every time he says “Taylorsville, Utah”. 

He has been awesome. He is super “go with the flow.” Which is needed because I, myself, am still figuring out this new area, ward, and district. Plus I have been sick as a dog throughout this whole experience. So he has been super easy. 

1 funny thing about him though is his favorite restaurant is Carl's Junior (psychopath.) Well out here it's been renamed to “Hardees”. That blew his mind. So I keep saying things like “wait until you see what they did to Taco Bell, or Wendy's, or Walmart” (literally nothings different about them). He doesn't completely trust me anymore but it's chill. We get along. 

We are just working on building a teaching pool right now. So there's not many crazy stories. Best part of the week is when we go to this members and just do renovations on a house he bought with the other missionaries in Dothan. 

Pray that we find some more people to teach. Until next time.

District Council Lesson on Book of Mormon

 April 26, 2025

Book of Mormon DC

Watch video… 

“Please do not take the Book of Mormon for granted. Pray for a vision of how the Book of Mormon can be used more effectively in your mission. I promise that as you do so, your mind will be enlightened with the direction that you should take.”

—Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Many people you teach either do not read the Book of Mormon or do not understand what they read. Those who do not read or understand the Book of Mormon will have difficulty receiving a witness that it is true.

President Ezra Taft Benson said that missionaries “need to show how [the Book of Mormon] answers the great questions of the soul”

How do we do this? 

Be a P•E•S•T

Pray • Explain • Share • Teach/Testify

1. PRAY before reading

• Pray for help as you select passages that address their concerns and problems

• Then pray AGAIN before you read with them. 

President Gordon B. Hinckley declared: “Those who have read [the Book of Mormon] prayerfully, be they rich or poor, learned or unlearned, have grown under its power. … Without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts … the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God”

2. EXPLAIN what you read

• When you read with people, stop occasionally and explain what you read. Point out key messages or important doctrine to look for as you read with them.
• Explain the background and context of a passage. 
• Explain unfamiliar words and phrases.

3. SHARE personal experience

 (1 Nephi 19:23)

For example, you might say to a person:

“Nephi, like you, was faced with a difficult challenge. But as he exercised faith to ‘go and do’ what the Lord commanded him, he was able to succeed. (Read 1 Nephi 3:7.) I know that God will prepare a way for you to live the Word of Wisdom.”

“John, it is good that you want to be free from the guilt you feel. Just as the Savior promised the Nephites, if you repent, are baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost, you will be ‘guiltless before [the] Father.’” (Read 3 Nephi 27:16.)

4. TESTIFY

Sacrament Talk on Talents

 July 23, 2025

Sacrament Talk on Talents

Intro: 

Good morning brothers and sisters. For those who don’t know me, I am Elder Hall. I am from Draper Utah - a town south of Salt Lake City. I am the youngest in my family with an older brother and sister. I transferred into your area two weeks ago and have enjoyed getting to know you all. 

I want to begin by bearing my testimony. 

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The Book of Mormon is true. 

Joseph Smith is a true prophet and we have a prophet on the earth today who speaks with God daily. 

I know God loves us and is aware of us. 

I know Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and that HE LIVES! . 

I love being a missionary and sharing these truths. 

It has changed my life for the better. 

I’m humbled to speak to you today and hope that the thoughts and personal experiences I share will in some small way touch your hearts.  

Through out the scriptures, Jesus did much of his teaching by the use of parables. I’d like to share two with you. 

1.The Parables

The first one is found in Matthew chapter 13. It is the parable of the sower. In verse 3 we read:

Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Some fell upon the stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked  them:

But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

The sower had a choice to make. He had to choose whether to first prepare the soil for the seed or to take a chance and sow the seed without preparing the ground. He chose to be careless- sowing without preparing the soil. 

Some seeds fell by the wayside and were eaten by the birds. Some fell among thorns and were choked out. He learned that sowing where birds ate and where thorns choked was not profitable. But Had he prepared the soil first, he could possibly have reaped one hundredfold. 

This parable teaches us one of life’s great lessons. That lesson is: “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

The second parable I want to share is found in Mathew chapter 25. It is the parable of the talents. 

The Savior told of a man who was about to leave on a long trip. 

He called his servants together and gave them his goods. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one. To each man he gave according to his ability.

While the master was away, the one that received five talents put them to use and made five more talents. 

The one that received two talents put them to use and made two more. 

But the one that received the one talent hid it in the ground.

After a period of time, the master returned and asked for an accounting. Unto the servants that had doubled their talents the master said in verse 23:

“Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord”.

He did not share the same sentiments with the one who buried his talent. 

From this parable we learn about the expectations of our Savior. Regardless of the amount of talents ALL are expected to multiply the talents they are given. 

As we compare these two parables, both were given gifts from God. These gifts had the potential to grow and multiply and bless the lives of not only the men receiving them but the people around them. Both were given a CHOICE. What they did with these gifts was up to them. 

2.Kenzie

One of my favorite quotes from President Russell M Nelson was given in the April 2020 General Conference when he said; “the Lord loves effort because effort brings rewards.”  We have an obligations to develop and use the gifts and talents we have been blessed with. If we CHOOSE to put in the effort, through faith and study, we will see rewards. 

When my older sister, Kenzie, was 12 years old, she asked for a guitar for Christmas. Over the next five years she developed this talent. She took guitar lessons and practiced all. the. time. She spent hours in our basement playing her guitar and belting out the top hits on the radio.

Her efforts paid off when in 2014, at 16 years old, she auditioned for the popular realty TV show American Idol. To my family’s surprise she made it through the producer round and then the executive producer round. She got three YESES from the judges and sailed past the dreaded Hollywood Week. Out of the 80,000 people who auditioned my sister made it to the Top 15. 

Because of this she was given many opportunities to share her talents-  opening for well known musical artist like Reba McIntyre, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, even Don McLean. Although it was a busy and stressful time in her life, she was living her dream. She had worked hard but also knew this was a God given talent and she knew she needed to share it. She felt extremely blessed. 

After her time on American Idol, Jason Wright, the author of the popular book Christmas Jars, interviewed her and asked her about her experience being a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on a national stage. She shared with him that music was a part of her life just as her religion is, but that her goal on the show was to try keep them separate. I’m pretty sure the Lord heard that and thought “game on!”.

Kenzie had many opportunities to share her faith. For example, while many contestants depended on coffee to keep them awake and motivated through the long hours - as well as tea to keep their voices performance ready, Kenzie always politely declined. This shocked not only the contestants but the producers and music coaches. Of course they inquired as to why she never took the drinks. It gave her a chance to share a little bit about the word of wisdom and her beliefs. 

She also wore a small gold CTR ring that my mom gave her. During an interview Ryan Seacrest noticed this piece of jewelry and asked about it. With a big camera on her face she once again was giving an opportunity to share her faith and why she chooses to wear this little reminder to choose the right. 

In this interview with Jason Wright, she said, “I don’t carry my faith like a neon sign, it’s more a quiet commitment. I made a decision long before American Idol to not let outside influences change me or determine my choices. I learned a lot about myself and this experience strengthened my testimony. I learned Heavenly Father never gets tired of our prayers. He really is there and He will always be there.”

Robert D. Hales said “As we follow the Savior, He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we've never before thought possible."

Although I was only eight years old when my sister was on the show, I remember being so proud of her for doing something so scary and out of her comfort zone. As I have gotten older, I can see how this experience blessed her life and introduced our beliefs to people who have never heard of our faith. 

3.Talents 

Kenzie’s experience is unique in that it was very public. Not everyone will share their talents on a national TV show. But it is not unique in that we have all been asked to recognize and develop our gifts from God. And we are asked not to bury or hide them but to share them. 

Sometimes we think Talents are only what we see  on a stage or on an athletic field or court. We think a talent has to include an instrument or what we paint on a canvas. But often talents aren’t seen with our eyes or heard with our ears.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf said “You may think you don't have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before- colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

What you create doesn't have to be perfect. Don't let fear of failure discourage you. Don't let the voice of critics paralyze you-whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.”

Sometimes gifts from God can be found in the one who sees the good in others and freely offers compliments. It”s the unwavering faith in the one faced with many trial. It’s in those that are tech savvy and the handy man that can fix machines. It’s in the teacher that calms her nervous students. The loyal minister who listens to promptings and doesn’t hesitate to act. The greeter who remembers everyone’s name or the neighbor who has perfected the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. 

We have all been blessed with different skills and abilities. They are all gifts from a God who knows and loves us. 

In Doctrine and Covenants 82:18 the Lord has told us that he has given us many things, “For the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talents, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold”. 

Of course, we all have our free agency to do with them as we please. But I pray we will take time to recognize what God has given us and instead of taking a chance and tossing them by the wayside like the sower did, I hope we will put for effort to develop our talents and to share them with the people around us. 

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion I’d like to share one more personal story with you. 

Just over two years ago on July 26th 2023 I surprised my parents with my mission papers. In the weeks and months following I felt every emotion on the planet. I was excited and nervous! I was anxious to get started but was also filled with self doubt. Did I know enough about my faith to go and share it? Was my testimony strong enough to be a missionary? Was I ready physically mentally and spiritually to leave the comforts of home, move to an unknown area, live with a stranger and share a message that was still new to me?  I was a confident kid in school and on the football field but that wasn’t going to help me much as a missionary. I wondered if I had anything special to offer. 

The night I got set apart I was sitting in my front room surrounded by my friends and family. The stake president asked if anyone had any advice they would like to share with me. 

I don’t remember a lot of what was said . Thankfully my mom recorded the conversation and printed it for me.  As I have been thinking and preparing this talk want to share something my bishop said to me. 

He said; “Put your heart into the work but most importantly Keep your personality. Be who you are. While the mission will help you change and grow and learn- remember to be who you are. There is a reason you are called to the place you’re serving in and part of it is because of the person you are. You might be the only person that can connect with certain people so don’t lose sight of that. Allow the Spirit to help you grow into the next version of Hayden Hall. The Lord needs you. Remember you are doing the Lord’s work. It won’t always be easy but when you are doing the Lord’s work, great things will come.”

Our talents, abilities, even our personality, are given to us for eternal purposes, and God intends us to step out and use those unique gifts as a light in a dark world.

I know that the Lord needs me and I know that the Lord  needs you. He needs us all individually and collectively to share our talents and gifts to build his kingdom here on earth. I hope that these last two years I have been true to myself and by doing so I have changed someone’s life for the better. I hope through my efforts, my studies, and my faith I have shared what God has given me. And when my mission is done he will say what he said in Matthew 25:23

Well done, good and faithful servant. 

I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ amen.