Divinity and Destiny

March 30, 2015 

Family and Friends,

Wooooooeeeeeeee! What a busy and eventful week. My companion and I have been running around to meetings and living the mission dream. The month of March is already gone?! Time is a joke while serving a mission. This upcoming week we have a district meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mission Leadership Conference on Thursday. Weekly Planning on Friday followed by general conference on Saturday and Sunday. This week is going to fly by as well. I hope we will have some time to proselyte in our area:)

Speaking of our area, it is doing wonderful! We found a family of 7 this past week and they are incredible. We had seen them outside their house one day as we were getting in the car and both my companion and I felt something good about this family. We couldn't really explain it, but we knew we needed to come back. As the night went on and we ran out of people to try by, we decided to try the family that we had seen previously. We knocked on the door and they let us right in. After testifying of the restoration and our purpose as missionaries, we knew that this family was special. We tried back a couple of days later, and they said we could come back soon because they had read the Book of Mormon and had questions. They also mentioned baptism! This week we also had the privilege to have the baptism of Hortencia. She was sooooo happy! It's moments like these that a missionary dream of having. I feel so blessed to have been part of her conversion, but I know that the spirit touched her heart more than anything. I love my mission. I love it so very much that it almost brings tears to my eyes.

I have such a strong testimony of this restored church of Jesus Christ. We must administer this gospel to everyone we come across, there is no time to waste. I love you all so very much and keep you close to my heart daily.

Love Always,

Elder Smith

Overcoming the Fear of Men

March 23, 2015 

Family and Friends,

Where has the time gone? I feel as if everyday I'm sitting behind this computer and writing you a new letter. I hope these aren't getting repetitive or dis-interesting because at times I feel as if I just blabber on about how happy I am. The reason I do that is because I truly am the happiest I have ever been and love sharing my experiences with you. I hope that you are cherishing every moment that you share together as well. Moments are the molecules that make up eternity. 

All of our investigators are doing fantastic. This Saturday we will be having the baptism of Hortencia. Like I've previously said, she has been prepared from the Lord since day one. Also, we put Silvino back on date to be baptized the 11th of April! His two daughters may follow his fathers example as well, so stay tuned and buckle your seat belts. We received our transfer calls this past week and Elder Knowles and I will be staying here in the promised land of Yakima.  

This week I have been absolutely addicted to the teachings of Jesus Christ found in the Bible. One chapter in particular allowed myself to better recognize how to become a "good soldier of Jesus Christ.

" 2 Timothy Chapter 2.

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

~After reading these verses I came to the conclusion that missionary work is indeed hard and we will have to endure and press forward with an eye of faith while serving. Also, I love how it implies that we have to leave all worldly affairs behind so that we may be sanctified through Jesus Christ who allowed us to have this opportunity. 

6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

~"We endure all things for the elect's sakes." Isn't that quite a powerful line. We endure trials, we choose to be obedient, we choose to magnify our callings within, we are obedient, we focus on our purpose, we do ALL these things because we love every single son and daughter of God and we can't afford to let them get away. I feel a great responsibility knowing that my actions and thoughts will have such an impact on those of the Lord's "elect." 

I love you all so much and hope you have a fantastic week. Stay Safe!

Love Always,

Elder Smith

Rise Up and Become the Person You Were Meant to Be!

March 17, 2015 

Family and Friends,

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the beautiful weather outside; Isn't it wonderful? :) I hope the weather is just as beautiful wherever you are at. It's a great time to cook some carne asada as well! This week, we were blessed to be fed carne asada from a different person every single day of the week. The Hispanic culture is outrageously giving. Every time we smell meat on the barbecue we simply follow the smell and it always results with some carne asada tacos. My companion and my fingers consistently smelled like meat for about 3 days. 

Besides the large amounts of carne asada we consumed, our week was great. I know I say that every week, but the mission life never ceases to make me incredibly happy all the time. Heavenly Father has definitely been blessing me with home sickness. It seems that if I just keep my mind and actions focused on the work, I can leave everything else behind. I feel like the Lord is consistently telling me, "Stay focused on your purpose Elder." I love the wording and power behind our purpose. It reads, "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." Our mission president always reminds us of the two action words in our purpose. They are "invite" and "help". When I think of missionary work as an act of service and that we have the potential to "help" others, it gives me the push and desire I need to keep going. It all starts with leaving everything behind and eliminating my fears with faith. I love how faith is a principle of action and power. 

All of our investigators are doing great! Please keep all of them in your prayers!

Have a great week, I love you all so much!

Love Always,

Elder Smith

Eliminate Your Fears with Faith

March 9, 2015 

Family and Friends,

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the beautiful weather outside; Isn't it wonderful? :) I hope the weather is just as beautiful wherever you are at. It's a great time to cook some carne asada as well! This week, we were blessed to be fed carne asada from a different person every single day of the week. The Hispanic culture is outrageously giving. Every time we smell meat on the barbecue we simply follow the smell and it always results with some carne asada tacos. My companion and my fingers consistently smelled like meat for about 3 days. 

Besides the large amounts of carne asada we consumed, our week was great. I know I say that every week, but the mission life never ceases to make me incredibly happy all the time. Heavenly Father has definitely been blessing me with home sickness. It seems that if I just keep my mind and actions focused on the work, I can leave everything else behind. I feel like the Lord is consistently telling me, "Stay focused on your purpose Elder." I love the wording and power behind our purpose. It reads, "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." Our mission president always reminds us of the two action words in our purpose. They are "invite" and "help". When I think of missionary work as an act of service and that we have the potential to "help" others, it gives me the push and desire I need to keep going. It all starts with leaving everything behind and eliminating my fears with faith. I love how faith is a principle of action and power. 

All of our investigators are doing great! Please keep all of them in your prayers!

Have a great week, I love you all so much!

Love Always,

Elder Smith

Oh Ooooo Sometimes, I Get a Good Feeling!

March 2, 2015

Family and Friends,

Life is sooooo good. I don't know if I'm hyper or just abnormally happy, but I am so excited right now as I write this letter. This week was wonderful, absolutely wonderful. Joy fills my heart because of have the opportunity I have to be here in Yakima, Washington. The sun has been shining, I get to meet so many great people everyday, and the missionary work is going to explode here pretty soon.  WOOOOOOOOOOO, I LOVE MY MISSION SO STINKING MUCH! Calm down Elder Smith, calm down......I can't.... BOW CHICKA WA WAAAAA!

Our investigators are doing wonderful and we are excited to watch them progress in the gospel. Hortencia came to church and brought her entire family. After we asked how it went and she said, "This is exactly what I was looking for." SWEEEET!  Also, we had another investigator bring his entire family and his wife cried in church because of how happy she was. Let's just say, yesterday was a great day at church. One of the parts I love most about the mission is the opportunity to meet different people, every single day. This week we saw a 70 year-old man trying to squirt our car with a water gun. Where else do you get to see incredible people like that? 

This week I have grown such a strong testimony about the power of creating a spiritual plan before making it come to pass temporally. Everything in the world happens because it was first....spiritually planned. By coming to this realization, I realize the importance of exercising more faith on a daily basis. In my prayers I had not thought to ask for more faith before, but by doing so this week, the Lord has poured down miracles upon us. Lift up your head, create a spiritual plan, and go teach the elect! I had never realized the power behind this simple principle. Alma 32 has truly become one of my favorite chapters because it talks about both faith and humility. These are two things that I am focusing on to become a better missionary. Alma 32:13, "And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved." The Doctrine of Christ and humility are directly correlated. Man, church is so true, I love it! 

Well I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you so incredibly much!

Elder Smith

Live it, Learn it, Love it!

February 23, 2015

Family and Friends,

The Lord is pouring down miracles upon us this week here in Yakima. I say it almost every week, but THE MISSION IS AWESOME. There is honestly no place I'd rather be than here in Washington. Everywhere we go, people continually ask us what we do as missionaries. When we tell them that we leave for two years and devote our time to share the gospel, their eyes always open in surprise. Why do young men and women walk around in fancy clothes and talk about Jesus? Why is this message so important to us? The answer is very simple. We have felt the joy and we want to spread the joy. 

A miracle that we saw this week came from a woman named Hortencia. A member had referred us to this 61 year old lady because she had talked to her at work. We entered into her house and the first thing she said was, "Quiero congregarme con su iglesia." (I want to join your church). My companion and I simply looked at each other with pure joy for we knew that the Lord had already prepared her to receive the restored gospel. Moments like these is why we come on missions; To watch the power that the Lord has to bring others to him by outpouring the spirit upon them. In addition, I had the opportunity to hear one of the most heart warming stories this past week. A 19 year old young man shared his conversion story with my companion and I. I have not cried that hard in a long time. I wish I could go into detail, but because his story is private I cannot share it. But this I can say! I know this church is true. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has the power to shape us, to purify us, and to change us. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL! I LOVE YOU ALL! 

Love Always,

Elder Smith

Remember, It's Better to Look Up

February 16, 2015 

Family and Friends,

As the week begins, great joy fills my soul. I love the hymn in our church, "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today" because it is a friendly reminder to always maintain a positive attitude. This past week has been incredibly busy and incredibly tiring. However, more than anything it's been incredibly rewarding. I feel like my testimony has kicked up a couple of notches because I have spent most of my time either in meetings or on my knees. We have so many ways to receive revelation in this latter day work which is quite frankly my favorite part. The Lord has given us the resources to nurture our testimonies and provide nourishment to our seeds of faith. We can literally communicate with our Father in Heaven. Think about that. When I realize the power and magnitude of prayer, it simply baffles me. We can communicate with our Father in Heaven if we are humble enough to receive his answers.  

This past week I was transferred to Yakima and received a new companion. His name is Elder Knowles and he is an incredible missionary.  He is from Logan, Utah and came to the mission to work.  We are so excited for the work happening in our area and in our zone. Although we haven't had an immense amount of time in our area this week, I can see that the work is on fire here! 

I would like to share this brief story with you about Carl B. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy.

At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Authority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor.

The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.

I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!)

But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!” As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, “Now, remember, it is better to look up."

Family and friends, look up this week. Face every problem with a smile on your face and cherish the moments that matter most. I love you so incredibly much and love this work. 

Have a great week,

Elder Smith