Trying Faith

This week absolutely flew by. Having a birthday on the mission was a little different, but I loved it and I am happy I am no longer 18 years old. This week we put our friend Alejandro on a date for baptism for February 25. He came to church, along with four of our other friends which was amazing to see. 


Aside from all of that, there is one thing that is almost always constant while serving a mission. It happens to missionaries, but it happens to the people investigating the church just as much. Almost all of our investigators who are close to making the big decision, the one that will change their life, are constantly being battered by issues. Satan does his best to attack us right before we do the biggest and the best things in life. Brian, our other friend on date, had his cousin pass away in a serious car accident a week ago. The English guy that we put on date has had strep throat for three weeks and hasn't been able to get to church... You can pretty much say the same for everyone in life, about to do something great. 


These things have grown my testimony and my faith so much. Our faith is always going to be tried, tested, and battered. Ether teaches that we "receive no witness until after the trial of our faith" and "he showed not himself until after their faith." Right before the first vision, Joseph Smith was faced with "thick darkness gathering around him, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction." Moments later, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and changed all of mankind. 


Always welcome challenges, struggles, and hard moments. They are what will shape you, and how Heavenly Father will manifest himself to you. 


Stay believing and stay faithful,

Elder Smythe 








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