Revenge Tour

Well, as sad as it is, my tour came to a close in Springfield. I was heartbroken to hear that I would be leaving. I haven't felt the spirit that often as I did the 4 and a half months that I was there. It ended on a high note with saying bye to everyone and obviously winning in basketball one last time.

I have been transferred to Berryville, Arkansas. It is a lot different. Smaller, and with a lot of farmland. Not anything that I am used to, and I miss the sense of urgency that the ward in Springfield had. Nonetheless, I am excited to get to work.

I noticed a 14-year-old boy who was sitting in the back of church with his older sister. He has been to church multiple weeks now, and nobody ever approached him. His sister was baptized just over a year ago and has been bringing him to church. We taught him after, and he is going to be baptized on August 5th. A much-needed moment and feeling of light in his life, and mine.

I have spent a lot of time studying the book of Ether. It never fails to amaze me. The faith that the Brother of Jared had is widely talked about. After the barges had been constructed, the plans had been made to depart across the ocean. The Lord asks him what he would like to light the barges. The Brother of Jared, who once spent time being rebuked by the Lord, was taken aback by the question. He wrestled with his thoughts on what he should do. The verse reads as follows: "O Lord, look upon me in pity and turn away thine anger from this thy people and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock." His offering was a pile of things. Rocks.

He had the faith that was necessary. He had much more than that. Soon after this moment, he saw the body of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ perfects our offerings, always.

Time to hop on the train.
Love you all,
Elder Smythe














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