Walk His Walk

May 25, 2015

Family and Friends,

The weather is getting quite warm and the short sleeved shirts are coming out! It's been wonderful traveling the mission and seeing all the beautiful green farmland. As the flowers sprout and the plants grow, you can't help but thank the Lord for providing such beauty. 

This week has been very exciting and filled with faith building experiences. We had the opportunity to travel around Washington and give training's at zone conference's about the importance of teaching to the commitment we leave our investigators. It was so wonderful seeing all of the missionaries and the spirit they provide. They all set such a wonderful example for me. We've been very busy traveling every night, but it is worth every second of exhaustion. It's actually not at all exhausting because we have so much fun. I have really enjoyed spending so much time with Elder Stringham and trying to learn as much as I can from his great example. Below is a picture of all of the "Smith's" in the mission in one location! Elder Smith, Elder Smith, Elder Smith, and Sister Smith! 

I'd like to quickly bear my testimony about the power Jesus Christ will play in our lives if we exhort great faith in him. I know that he has the power to lift burdens, comfort, and provide us with light and understanding. I'm grateful for his atoning sacrifice which can both sanctify us and purify us. Through him we will be made strong and think less of ourselves and more about him. As we seek his light our power of discernment will increase in which we can then make enlightened choices. I love him so much and feel blessed to try to walk shoulder to shoulder with him.

Love Always,

Elder Smith

LIFT

May 18, 2015 

Family and Friends,

What have you done today to lift someone else? What will you do to search for someone else's happiness? What can you do to become more Christ-like? These are questions that I have been pondering this past week. It's amazing to think how just the smallest action to help someone else can mean the world. "To the world you may only be one person, but to one person you may be the world." I love this quote and the principle of charity because it allows the Light of Christ to be transmitted to others. Charity also helps us become more humble as well. When we take the focus off ourselves and lift others, we will notice a light dwell within our hearts. There will be no need to compare, no need to judge, and no need to break others down. Rather, take interest in someone else and eliminate all pride. Will you all please join me this week in losing ourselves and lifting our peers? I know that as we all take small steps, we will feel the presence of our Savior radiate to those we are serving as well as ourselves. Here's a little video that may help;)

Lift- Mormon Message

Our week was absolutely wonderful. Although we didn't have a lot of time to spend in our area, we saw several miracles and felt the Lord blessing us. We had MLC this past week (Mission Leadership Conference). It was a revelatory experience in which we learned from the spirit. I have been trying to learn a lot about the prayer of faith. Often times in my mission I feel like I seek the miracle or the fruit, when in fact, I just have to realize that I am not in charge, but heaven is in charge. It's not about the faith in the miracle, it's about faith in Jesus Christ. If we have the faith, the miracle will come to pass. Also, we learned from our Mission President that the time for planting seeds is over, it is harvesting time. He wrote on the board, "In this mission we ________." After, he had us all answer and the first person said, "baptize." "That is exactly right," claimed President Ware. Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel. Baptism is the first step. A quick side not to say how eternally grateful I am for the dedication and devotion of President and Sister Ware, they are incredible people. 

I love you all so much and I love this church. I'd like to bear my testimony that if you are searching for any answers in your life, seek the Lord and his guidance. I miss you and think about each one of you every single day. 

Love Always, 

Elder Smith

Let the Lord be Your Light

May 11, 2015 

Family and Friends,

My heart is filled with gratitude for my mother this week as I commemorate all that she has done for me. Mothers are such a crucial part in our lives and they truly provide the guidance and direction we need in our lives. To my mother, I want you to know of the deep love I have for you and the appreciation in my heart for your willingness to care for our family. You are a light in my life and always will be. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my mommy you'll be." "When we understand the magnitude of motherhood, it becomes clear why prophets have been so protective of woman’s most sacred role," said Sheri Dew. 

Our week has been incredible. It has been busy, but extremely rewarding. We had an amazing experience with an inactive member named James. James is 19 and when we met him he said, "Guys, I want to get my life back in line." Well long story short, he came to church and he know wants to go on a mission! It's amazing to see how quick the gospel can provide change and happiness in our lives, what a great blessing! The rest of the week was full of wonderful miracles and feeling the Lord's hand guide us.  Our mission President has been teaching us missionaries an important principle lately. "We don't seek the miracle, we seek the faith so that the miracle will proceed." That is so powerful and such a great truth. In my nightly prayers, I have always asked, help us to see a miracle tomorrow, let us find someone, etc. Now, I realize the importance of asking for an increased amount of faith so that the Lord can bless us with the miracle. I heard a scripture this week that truly changed my perspective about missionary work. Doctrine and Covenants 16:6 reads "And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen." WOW! My motivation was  kicked up 1,000 notches when I heard this powerful and uplifting scripture. 

I love you all so much and hope your mother's day was a special one. Love your mothers and do whatever you can to make every day her special day.

Love always,

Elder Smith

Charity is What We do for Others That They Can't do for Themselves

May 5, 2015

Family and Friends, 

It's been a wonderful week and an incredible blessing to be a missionary. Not only this week, but every week. It is incredible to know that the Lord knows exactly where he needs to send you for a mission. I feel as if I have grown more in this past year than I have in my entire life and quite frankly it's all because of the great spirit I feel from every person in Washington. From the experiences I've had, I know that the Lord is placing his sons and daughters in my path to strengthen myself along this journey. Also, the Lord is placing others in our path so that we can share the gospel with EVERYONE. It's been a miracle to have the privilege to be around my Mission President so frequently. The spirit he provides and the light he gives has served as a great blessing for me. 

This was quite the busy week with transfers. In such a large mission, it makes it a bit confusing to figure out the path of each individual missionary and where they are going. But the harder the challenge, the more fun. Plus, Elder Stringham and I have gotten to know each other very well over this past week, so there are no complaints. Life is good, the church is true, and the Lord is hastening his work at a rapid pace. 

Love you all so much and hope you have a fantastic week! Go provide an act of service to someone today out of love and charity! 

Love Always, 

Elder Smith