Inspiration

Great Seal of the California Santa Rosa Mission

1. Each rope knot around seal represents each missionary serving in the California Santa Rosa Mission.  United we are strong and our bond cannot be broken.  There is not a weak link as our missionaries hold our mission, what we do and what we stand for together in unity.

Mosiah 18:21

“And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.”

2. Name of the mission – California Santa Rosa Mission at the top of the first circle.

3. Scriptural reference to what it is that we sent forth to do.  This represents our charge to teach the Doctrine of Christ (2 Nephi 31).

2 Nephi 25:26

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”

4. Top of the inner circle – Thrust in your sickle with your might – reference to the Lord’s command and blessing to those who thrust in their sickle with his might, “the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul.”  This must be done with all our heart, might, mind and strength so that we may all stand blameless before God at the last day.

D&C 4:4

“For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with him might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul.”

5. The two suns represent God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ when they appeared to Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove in 1820.  

Joseph Smith – History 1:16-17

“. . . I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

“It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound.  When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air.  One of them spake unto me calling me by name and said, pointing to the other – This is My Beloved Son, Hear Him!”

6. It was at this time that the Lord began the work of the restoration for the last time and the Standard of Truth erected.

Joseph Smith stated:  “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; . . . the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

7. Two spears hold banners on either side of the shield representing Helaman’s Two Thousand Stripling Warriors (the spears) as well as each companionship in unity – as we all have different attributes we bring to the companionship, as two witnesses we stand tall and true.  The sons of Helaman fought with the power of God and exercised great faith.  It is also a tribute to our missionary’s families and especially the mother of our missionaries.

Alma 53: 20-21

“And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this is not all – they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

“Yea, thy were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.”

Alma 56:47-48

“Now they never had fought, yet the did not fear death; and the did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

“And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying:  We do not doubt our mothers knew it.”

8. The banners hanging down from each spear contains the attributes of Christ that every missionary needs to develop so that they may qualify for the companionship of the Spirit and to accomplish this great work.  They hang under the spears who represent each missionary as they are given gifts unique to their companionship.

D&C 4:5-6

“And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

“Remember faith, virtue knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.”

9. The shield represents the shield of faith which Paul wrote to the Ephesians exhorting them to take on the whole armor of God:  

Ephesians 6:16

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”  

10. Within this shield is our mission field – the area that is “white, already to harvest” where we must all thrust in our sickle with our might.  From the beautiful Sonoma and Napa valleys, to the Redwood Forest, to the oceans up US 101 all the way up to the Oregon border.

This also represents the Stakes of Zion that we are to strengthen and hold up.  We are to assist in The Rescue of all souls – especially those who are less active.

11. Within this field is the Angel Moroni representing the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Christ.  We are to proclaim the truth of the restoration through the Book of Mormon to all that we invite to come unto Christ.  It is an ensign to all nations.

12. As we do this, we will be blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost who will be with us all day and all night.

As with the children of Israel, through our obedience he will lead us as if with a cloud by day and a pillar of light by night as we sacrifice all to building up the Kingdom of God.

Exodus 13: 21-22

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

“He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”

Medford Oregon Temple. Photo Courtesy of lds.org

Sacramento, CA Temple.  Photo Courtesy of LDS.org

Oakland California Temple. Photo Courtesy of lds.org