Farewell

August 28, 2022

We had Boaz’s farewell, or final address in church before he left. My family came up to support. Willa & Pete, Carl, Ivan, Deb, Cody, Devon, Nick and Brittnee and their kids, and Mom. I was overwhelmed a bit that so many came. I was horrible and didn’t get a photo. 

Craig’s family came. Brad and Kris, Mark and Cyri, LuRose. Sandy was going to come, but Logan, her son-in-law, was made a bishop that day. 

Boaz was wonderful.

Here are his notes:

1. Introduction

1. I leave on Monday September 5th to go to the MTC in Quezon City Philippines 

1. By that time I will have the privilege to share the name of Elder Oswald

2. Though not as literally I will also share the names of those that are on my mother’s side

1. There are significant “crying” genes from both of my parents and thus I have been doubly whammed. I apologize in advance

3. But most importantly I will be known as a missionary of Jesus Christ

1. Set apart from the world to teach His gospel

2. It is Christ’s name that will bring salvation and joy to all people

3. It is Christ’s name through which anything can be overcome

1. And this even includes the detriment of doubly whammed crying genetics, hopefully

4. But more than anything, I look forward to being associated with this name

2. Even so as this date has gotten closer it has also gotten harder

1.  Even writing this talk has been harder for me than usual

2. The way I think of it there is a war of wants inside of me

1. There is a very real aspect of me that does not want to go

1. I am leaving behind many amazing people

2. I am plunging into a whole new lifestyle and culture, living with people that I don’t know

3. There is so many unknowns that overwhelm me and my thoughts 

2. There is another very real aspect that understands that this is the best thing for me and thus wants to go

1. I will get to see a people that are renown for their generosity and kindness even in poverty

2. I will get to know the scriptures and the gospel like I never have

3. I will get to learn how to be patient with companions as well as investigators

3. The ultimate want is to go on a mission, but it isn’t because of any of these thoughts

1. I am going because I am trying to put one foot in front of the other, and going on a mission is what God’s prophet has “reaffirm[ed] strongly that the Lord has asked every worthy, able young man to prepare for and serve a mission. For Latter-Day Saint young men missionary service is a priesthood responsibility.”

2. Now more than ever in my life, this step is in faith and not in my own logic.

1. And how could it be any other way

3. I know that Christ doesn’t *need* me to preach his word

1. He will get done what he needs to get done

4. But he wants me to break through this fear and realize that he is there

1. And if decisions in my life stayed as my own logic then I would never truly realize that. That he is there

2. And so the only thing that I feel I can do is share with you the most fundamental parts of my testimony

2. Testimony

1. I testify that the spirit speaks to those that seek it

1. As a young child, I wondered if the church was true

1. I thought everyone was faking it

2. But one night I figured, in my own 9 year old way, that if I could just know what the Spirit felt like then I would be able to tell its influence over my life as I learned about the gospel

1. So I prayed, and asked what the Spirit felt like

2. A simple prayer, it didn’t take 15 seconds

1. But it held within it months of pondering

3. I declare, at that moment I felt the smallest glimmer of light and heat in the center of my chest

1. By the time I recognized the feeling and asked for confirmation if this was the feeling of the spirit, it was gone

2. After a little bit of stumbling in surprise I gave a prayer of thanks and went to bed

4. Over and over through the years of my life I have felt this same feeling, some stronger than others, bear witness to me of the truthfulness of this gospel and my Father’s and my Savior’s love for me

5. I now add my testimony to the declaration of James in chapter 1 verse 5 of his book: 

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him

1. In this specific instance, that answer was there for as soon as I prayed. That has been the only time in my life where an answer was there that quick

2. As I reflect, I see that the other times when the answer was not there right away, no matter the amount of tears or pain or time I spent into a prayer and into scripture study, that these are the times that I consider the hand of my Savior and King in eventual and inevitable answer, to be the most personal and the most tender

3. I bear witness that the spirit speaks to those that seek it

2. I testify that The Book of Mormon is the word of God

1. Preparing to go to the temple and symbols

1. Context, structure, story, don’t matter

2. They were written with the intent to show God’s hand

3. The church has access to so many materials but the focus is on discussion

4. Any context could be misunderstood and, with effort, it will lead to a personal truth

5. How can there be any truer book

2. I have felt the influence of the Book of Mormon in my life as I have made an effort to read

1. Day is better

2. More positive

3. The effect is slow but significant

3. I have been interested in the focus of the Book of Mormon in preach my gospel

1. I think it is because it contains a testimony of the restoration of the gospel

2. It tells us that there are prophets here

3. That God still speaks

4. It answers the need in our hearts to know that God has not abandoned us

1. It talks about all these things

2. But most importantly you feel these things

4. I add my testimony with Moroni in the 10th chapter of his book

3) Behold I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts

4) And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not btrue; and if ye shall ask with a csincere heart, with dreal intent, having efaith in Christ, he will fmanifest the gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5) And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may aknow the btruth of all things.

5. I bear Witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God

3. I testify of Christ and His Atonement

1. Hard to talk about

1. Makes sense mentally but not emotionally

2. I don’t understand, while in the depths of misery from sin how and why he would forgive me

3. But he does every time

4. So it is hard to do anything but declare that it is true

5. Even though I don’t understand it I have felt joy in repentance and in the sacrament

2. One of the greatest things I have done is learned about the atonement

1. How bleeding from pores is a rare thing that happens

2. How it leaves skin sensitive

3. How the lashings, 

4. the crown of thorns, 

5. caring the cross, 

6. having nails driven through his palms and wrists, 

7. Only held together through the power of divinity

3. I've loved reading the psalm that Christ quoted at that time

1. Psalm 22 which starts out “My God my God why hast thou forsaken me”

2. Ends with “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD’s: and he is the governor among the nations

4. I add my testimony to John’s in 1 John 5 verse 20

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

5. I bear witness of Christ and his atonement

3. Conclusion

1. I hope that you have been able to listen to the spirit today

1. I recognize that I am not a very good speaker 

2. I hope that something has been able to touch you

3. Recognize that that is not me but the spirit

4. I am grateful that he is able to convey truth in such a direct manner

2. I am grateful for those of this ward

1. For the love that has been shown to me and my family

2. For smiling faces

3. For a good environment to learn of God

3. I am grateful for my fellow Sons of Mosiah and friends who are here

1. For supporting me in righteousness

2. For getting me out of my room

3. For having good fun times

4. I am grateful for those of my family

1. Those that have traveled to be here to support me

2.  For the love

3. Thank you

5. I am thankful for my Dad

1. For teaching me wisdom 

2. Talking with me

3. Trusting in me

6. I am thankful for my mom

1. For teaching me knowledge and curiosity

2. For making sure that I always know that I am loved

7. I am thankful for my brother

1. For always being a friend to me even when we would fight

2. For talking and counseling with me

8. I am thankful for my sister 

1. For having an undying support of me that I feel across the ocean at all times

9. I reiterate my testimony

1. That I know and feel and my spirit sings that spirit speaks

2. That The Book of Mormon is God’s word

3. That Jesus is the Christ and the Savior of my soul

4. Amen

He spoke with a high councilman. We were lame and didn’t have a musical number. 

Thea tuned in on zoom from Hawaii. And of course Josh came for the weekend. 

After church, we had lunch at the city park and smiled and laughed with family and friends. I tried hard not to cry. I enjoyed the day and left my phone alone. 

Saying goodbye

On Monday, September 5, 2022, we took Boaz to the airport in Idaho Falls. 

We left Sunday evening, because we had to get him there early, 5:30. 

We stayed with Brad and Kris. Josh came for the event of course. 

We gathered around Brad’s piano and sang hymns. Boaz played some that he knew and Josh played some that he knew. One of the songs was Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy. It is one of our family’s favorites. 

We were reluctant to go to bed, because goodbye came with the morning. 

I didn’t take a picture of the second page of the itinerary. Craig left on the 5th of September 1978 from Salt Lake City to Seattle to Seoul. 44 years earlier. It touched us and we felt loved by Heaven. 

Last bit of bro love. Josh said it was such a different experience on this side of the goodbye. 

Boaz broke into a smile. 

Smiles and laughs and last hugs. 

Boaz met a missionary who was going to the MTC in Manila with him. I felt so much better knowing he would have a travel buddy. 

Last view through security. 

Last, last view in the US for us. 

Deb met them at the gate in SLC. Their connection had already started to board. She power walked them to the gate. Shoved a bag of food at them and got them on their way. 

We didn’t know anybody in Seattle or Seoul. It took a few days to hear from Boaz that he made it. I was prepared this time because of Josh’s trip. 

The MTC was being cleaned, so the group of 27(?) missionaries stayed in a hotel for two days and then were finally able to enter the MTC and send out a brief message to families that they had made it. He notified us 8 September. 

A new adventure for him. I am posting his letter on Facebook and the my mission app. So I won’t repost them here. 

Future missionary

September 4, 2022

I wanted a missionary type photo. This was after church. 

Crazy how grown up he is. 

Photo shoot

September 2,2022.

Emma set up a photo shoot before Boaz left on his mission. Her friend is a wonderful photographer. I’m going to post them all because they are beautiful. 

I hope she is still around when he gets home. We love her. 

They look good together. It looks like a different kind of photo shoot. It’s not, but it is a good memory. 

Boaz went through the temple

July 30, 2022

Boaz went through the Idaho Falls Temple. Serendipitously Erik Oliverson went through the same session. Micah Toleman came to support. (Tyler Hilton went through the same day, but in Brigham

City.)

We took pictures as a group. 

Three of the six boys together in the temple. Micah, Boaz and Erik. 

Closer up. 

Salmon ward mothers. Stacey Oliverson, Camille Williams, me, and Kala Toleman. 

Our little family. Just missing Thea. 



Everybody that came. Pete and Willa Knight, Mark and Cyri Oswald, Brad and Kris Oswald, Bridger Oswald, LuRose Mecham, Sandy Cooper, Craig, I and Josh. A good group to celebrate a good day. 

Coast trip

The boys set off for a two week trip after graduation. They went west to Portland, Oregon and then headed toward the beach. It rained and rained and rained in Oregon. They had many adventures, one of which was crabbing. After the crabbing, they couldn’t stand the smell. This is the picture I saved of their trip. 

Waiting at the laundry mat so they wouldn’t smell of crab and mildew. 

They visited family, played in the ocean, went surfing, and hung out together. 

They planned the itinerary, meals, budget, and everything else. 

Fabulous memories to carry them through life of great friends. 

Graduation Day

It is weird. My school days are over. Boaz’s too. A joyful day for sure. 

They came in together. Boaz and his Emma. 

They came back out so I could snap a picture. Janessa, Mason, Emma, and Boaz.

Emma with Amber. A fabulous photographer. 

He didn’t know where to look. I was happy with a picture. 

Final high school concert

The final high school concert. We have fallen in love with Mr Anderson. He is fabulous. He gives so much to the kids. 

It was also senior night. So I have a few pictures of awards. 

Trumpet trio. So lovely. Boaz is on the right. 

The concert choir. They were so wonderful. 

The seniors in the choir. 

All of the boys, or Sons of Helaman, were involved in either the choir or the band. 

Playing around. Ties and white shirts are choir and some in band. Black shirts are just band. 

Boaz received the Leonard Bernstein Award. A big part of that I believe was his extra effort he put into his senior project. 

The plaque. 

Every senior got a chocolate filled mug. Embossed with their name. 

Pins for his letters. 

District Track Meet

Districts was in Idaho Falls this year. Craig and I attended the first day. The wind was crazy hard. It made the poke vault horrible. 

I think ha has vaulted his last time. He cleared 9’. He almost cleared 9’5”. 

He qualified for the finals in the 400. 

It was a busy day. The plan was Craig would head home to work Friday, and then come back for the 4x4 late in the day. 

Friday Boaz had three events. 

The 400 final. He ran and is happy to be finished with that. 

The 4x2 relay. They came in second. They will be headed to state. 

The 4x4 relay. They took first and will headed to state in that event as well. 

So Boaz will attend State his senior year. 

The 4x4 relay team. 

With his medal. 

Mission Calls

Tuesday, May 10, I was working in Challis. About an hour from home. We rotate weeks at work. 

His friend group, called The Boys, worked to get ready for their missions. There are six of them. They decided they would turn in their papers together and hope to be able to read them together. So they supported each other and keep each other on track. They spoke with the bishop and stake president and told them they wanted to turn their papers in together with the hope they could read them all together. 

Anyway,

I got a text from Boaz. 

Boaz was the first to get his call. I showed the doctor and his son. They understood the significance. I was distracted all day and on my phone more than I should have been at work. 

They got there calls together. They scheduled the church at 7:30 and started to spread the word. The

Mothers started talking and we brought stuff for root beer floats and a few other munchies. 

Coming home I found out that Nate had to wait an hour and a half to get his call, after the others came.  Boaz said they all decided to pray and ask that the call would come so they could all read together. 

It came and I am convinced it was because the boys had the faith to work towards the goal. President Nelson said we should expect miracles. 

They all lined up together. They set up the zoom. Other mothers live steamed on Facebook. 

I was amazed the all the people that came to support. A lot of the kids from school came. From cross country, the play, track, and probably golf. 

They read the first part of the letter in unison. 

The love and joy at achieving an impossible goal. 

The mothers of the Boys. There are twins in the group, so five mothers 

Crazy happy family picture. 

I was trying to figure out how to post a video from my phone on this ap. 

But Boaz is going to the Philippines, Urdaneta. He leaves September 9. He is going to be learning Tagalog. 

One of the mothers has all the info, so thanks to Stacie

So now we have a goal to work towards. We are so excited. 

I heard Boaz muttering to himself at breakfast in Tagalog. He is practicing phrases.  We are going to be learning a whole bunch about a new country. 

18!

He is 18!

How did that happen. There was a track meet on his birthday, so we celebrated him the day before. We barbecued steak, had mashed potatoes, corn and I made him a delicious pie. 

I am unusually proud of my pies. 

Then Craig and I went away on a weekend with some of his siblings. 

That will be my next post. 

He has his passport ready. His papers were in SLC. It’s hard to think of anything while waiting for the letter from SLC. 

But he now an adult. Watching adulthood come

barreling his way.