I get a calling and give a talk in church.

I got called as the Nursery Leader!! :D
Before I post my talk, let me explain something about my church. Every Sunday -except the first Sunday of each month - we have at most/least three people giving talks. People from the ward (congregation) are asked to give these talks by the bishop (kind-of like a pastor), so the bishop is never the only person to speak in church.

My talk:

Smile! Mom loves you. :) (I put this on every talk – and have ever since mom wrote it on one of my talks when I was younger).

Hello! My name is Kalani Kelly, and my family moved into the ward a few weeks ago. I am the oldest of ten and was home schooled until last summer, when I started duel-credit at college. I love to read, sing, and I love kids – which is good, because I was called as the nursery leader last week.

I’m the designated “youth speaker” today – because neither of my parents can be youth speakers – and my talk is on Standing in Holy Places - probably because I was wearing a shirt with Stand in Holy Places on it when he asked me to give this talk. The youth theme last year, D&C 87:8, says: “Wherefore, Stand ye in Holy Places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord.”

For girl’s camp every year in the Richmond Stake, there is usually a song that is connected to the theme in some way that we would sing throughout the week. Last year we didn’t really have a set song, but the song I think of as our song for the week was “Stand In Holy Places” by Jenny Jordan Frogley. I’ve written down the lyrics and am going to read them.

“In a sea of shifting values, tossed on every wave; while the winds wail around me, I will not be afraid; to call out for my Captain to calm the waves in me, when I stand a little taller, it’s only then I finally see:

I stand in holy places, protected from the storm. Anchored safe in harbor, though my sails are ripped and worn; I stand in holy places, and I will not move until the Captain comes, and says well done, he is the hope I hold on to in holy places.

There is a harbor in his holy house, an anchor in his grace; that steadies in the waves of doubt, and in every holy place. No matter where I travel, his spirit’s guiding me; with the Lord as my Captain, there is a peaceful port in me.

I stand in holy places, protected from the storm. Anchored safe in harbor, though my sails are ripped and worn; I stand in holy places, and I will not move until the Lord has come, and says well done, he is the hope I hold on to . . .

I stand in holy places, protected from the storm. Anchored safe in harbor, though my sails are ripped and worn; I stand in holy places, and I will not move until the Lord has come, and says well done, he is the hope I hold on to in holy places. Holy places.”

I want to do that – stand strong in holy places with Heavenly Father as my Captain. In 2002, Sharon G. Larsen gave a talk about standing in holy places, and said, quote:

“Standing in holy places is all about being in good company, whether you are alone or with others. It’s being where the Holy Ghost is our companion – alone or in a crowd. When we determine within ourselves that we will control our thoughts and our actions and be the best we can possibly be, the best of life will come to us. A holy place is where we feel safe, secure, loved, and comforted. That’s how it was in our heavenly home. Standing in holy places and being in good company bring feelings of how it must have been in that home we left behind, the home that seems so far away at times.”

Unquote. The Lord wants us to stand in holy places – he says so in D&C Section 101, verse 22 “Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places.” He loves us and I’m pretty sure he knows that standing in holy places – standing for what you believe in – can be hard, especially when you think you are alone – but the thing is we aren’t alone.
We have a Heavenly Father who loves us, a Savior who gave his life for us, and the Holy Ghost – whom Heavenly Father sent to be with anyone who needs it. And if you need the Holy Ghost, we’ve been told he will come. It’s hard to be the only member at school – or to feel like you are, when your Mormon friends aren’t living the standards you are – but like I said, even if we feel alone, our Heavenly Father is there for us. At school I Stand in Holy Places by sharing my beliefs when asked about them, dressing modestly, and standing for what I believe in. Just the other day, one of my choir friends, Nancy, who usually waits for choir with me after lunch, asked me about our church and our beliefs. She was curious, but after I shared the Articles of Faith with her she started comparing them to the beliefs of her faith and other faiths. I decided to change the subject to something else – but I hope I’ll be able to talk to her about it again another time.
President Thomas S. Monson has a favorite rhyme that he learned in primary which he said in a General Conference talk in 2011:

“Dare to be a Mormon;

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to have a purpose firm;

Dare to make it known.”

So we are to Stand in Holy Places, at school, at home, and anywhere else we may be. If we do this, dare to be Mormons, or, really, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we will be blessed. If we stand alone but together for truth and righteousness, for what we believe in, and Stand in Holy Places anytime, anywhere, we will be blessed. We can make our purpose known. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

- Cali