It was so wonderful to hear Elder Roskelley speak in church (Manila Creek 8th Ward in Cedar Hills, UT) on March 27, 2022. Ryker gave a very nice, spirit-filled, heartfelt talk titled āExperiences in my life that have helped prepare me to serve a missionā, sharing several personal experiences he has had while growing up . . . here is his talk:
āHello Brother and Sistersā¦ for those of you who donāt know me I am Ryker Roskelley. My parents and I moved into my grandparents, the Roskelleyās basement about a year ago and it has been awesome being in this ward. I have been attending BYU these last two semesters and that is probably why I am not a very familiar face, but I am so glad that I am a part of this wardā¦ it is incredible. Iāve been assigned to labor in the Brazil, Curitiba South mission and I start Home MTC training on April 4th for 2 weeks, then on April 20th I go to the Brazil MTC for another 4 weeks. When I opened my call, I was stoked to see Brazil because my older brother Porter served in Brazil as well, so I canāt wait to learn Portuguese and be able to converse with him. When people find out where I am going, everyone seems to say that Curitiba is the city everyone wants to serve in, and I am super excited because the weather there is apparently comparable to San Diego weather. It seems like the perfect place for me serve.
Today I was asked to talk about experiences in my life that have prepared me to serve a mission. When I received this topic, I was really excited because I feel very blessed that Iāve had many experience in my life that have helped prepared me for a mission. I found a great LIAHONA article that lists several things to help prepare for a mission. There are 4 things that really stood out to me from the article. The first point is the importance of Communication. A few years ago, I was fortunate to have my first high school job at Taco Time. At this job, most of the time I was communicating with others while running the drive thru and lobby area. This really prepared me and showed me how to make conversation with complete strangers. In Preach my Gospel, section 9 it talks about how to find people to teach, it says (quote) āNothing happens in missionary work until you find someone to teach. Talk with as many people as you can each day. It is natural to be somewhat apprehensive about talking to people, but you can pray for the faith and strength to be more bold in opening your mouth to proclaim the restored gospel.ā. I found this to be true and it is so important to trust the Spirit to put into your heart and mind who and what to teach. I feel it is important to be as authentic as possible and offer to help people in any way I can. Also, I have been fortunate enough to travel throughout the world and meet many different people and make friendships through communication. When I moved into the dorms at BYU, I made a goal to talk to a new person every day. And I have created great and lasting friendships by doing so, which I feel has really prepared me to be able to talk to complete strangers more easily, when I get to the mission field.
The second point I like that the article talks about is Finding Fine Friends. That is an understatementā¦ I have been blessed with an incredible friend group. I have realized the blessings that have come by surrounding myself with great friends. We have definitely had our fair share of shenanigans over the years, but I love that weāve always had each otherās backs and always push each other to be our best. I am very grateful for the amazing examples they are to me. There are nearly 20 close friends currently serving or preparing to serve missions. An experience that stood out to me is when we all went on a Church History tour together called Origination, just a few days after we graduated. It was an incredible experience where I was able to watch our friendships and testimonies grow tremendously. A challenge we were given during the trip was to try and finish the Book of Mormon in the 2 weeks we were gone. I was able to witness our friendships grow stronger as we all studied the Lordās words. Another opportunity that prepared me was going with my friends Jake Lindsley and TJ Wells to peopleās homes, who couldnāt attend church, and administering the Sacrament to them. Being able to exercise my priesthood in this way, with my good friends, was very powerful and unifying. I am so grateful for this unique opportunity to serve members of our old ward, which strengthened the brotherhood that we have. Another experience that was very impactful, was doing temple baptisms at the Provo Temple with my good buddy Crew Jenkins, who I met in the dorms Fall Semester! Incidentally, Crew has been serving in the Brazil Curitiba Mission since January! Crew had this incredible gift of magically finding available appointments. . . and then inviting the Sisters we ministered to, to do baptisms with us. Those days that we did temple baptisms were some of the most spiritual experiences I had during Fall Semester, and Iām SOO grateful for Crew and his righteous example because it blessed my life immensely!. Iām stoked that weāll be serving our missions in the same city. . . but in different missions.
The most recent experience that made such an impact on me was when my friend Josh Biegel and I did an endowment session at the Mount Timpanogos temple just this last Tuesday. It was both of our 3rd time doing an endowment session and it was very strengthening knowing we have the same goals and desires, while spending time & learning together in the temple.
The third important point to help prepare for a mission isā¦ Donāt Just Believe - Do. This means getting in the habit of going the extra mile, of sacrificing, of serving. Thatās what missionary work is all about. My family members are strong believers in being a doerā¦ and serving those in need. An example in my life is the humanitarian trips we would do in Tijuana, Mexico every spring break. One of the years, for my Eagle project, I decided to organize a donation drive around my neighborhood, and collected supplies for an orphanage we would visit each trip. My 13-year-old self was overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends, neighbors, and people I didnāt even know. We packed up hundreds of pounds of food, school supplies, and baby supplies. It was such a blessing being able to hand deliver all the items I collected. The tearful reactions, and look on all the orphansā faces was priceless and something my heart will never forget. There is a scripture that I have always loved, that I am putting on my mission plaque. The reference is: Mosiah chapter 7 verse 33 which says, āBut if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, He will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage. I love that this scripture promises that if we always remember to turn to the Lord. . . trust in and serve Him, He will deliver us.ā What a powerful promise!
The fourth point is. . . Build your Testimony. It says to practice telling people how you feel about the gospel. The more you do it, the more natural it will feel. I havenāt really been the best at sharing my testimony often, but I always feel incredible when I do. A memorable time when I bore my testimony was during Origination, while standing on the bank of the Susquehanna River, where the Priesthood was restored to the earth, through Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdrey. The Spirit was so tangible and bore witness to me that this indeed happened. While there, I was also able to receive many answers to my prayers. . .one being whether I should serve a mission. From that moment on, there was not a doubt in my mind that I needed to serve a mission, after my freshman year at BYU. That experience gave me great comfort and peace, knowing I was following exactly what Heavenly Father wanted me to do.
President Russell M. Nelson said āThe decision to serve a mission will shape the spiritual destiny of the missionary, his or her spouse, and their posterity for generations to come. A desire to serve is a natural outcome of oneās conversion, worthiness, and preparation.ā Iād say that pretty much sums it ALL UP!
I feel extremely blessed that Iāve had so many powerful experiences that have helped shape me and better prepare me to serve a mission for the next 2 years. I have felt Heavenly Fatherās guidance every step of the way and I know the timing is PERFECT! I am super excited to serve the people of Brazil! Iād like to bear my testimonyā¦ā¦ā¦
In the NAME of Jesus Christ AMEN.ā
Wise counsel, my 18 year old youngest son! It was overwhelming to see the chapel completely packed (itās the first time (since Covid-19) Iāve seen them have to open up the very back curtain to the overflow section and set up several more rows of chairs) with so many friends, family members, leaders, coaches, beloved elementary school teachers from American Heritage School, etc. Many loved ones who have influenced Rykerās life in such an impactful way, which has helped shape him into the quietly confident and humble young man that he is today. It truly does "take a village..." we are humbled and very grateful for this incredibly loving and supportive ānewā village in the Cedar Hills Manila Creek 8th Ward that weāve been part of for the last year, since weāve been living in my in-lawās basement while we build our new home in Alpine. What an honor to be surrounded by such a large concentration of the highest caliber of people. Well done Elder Roskelley. . . we sure love you!!
