Sustained

I had two of my favorite days of my whole mission this week. I have been feeling so much gratitude lately for everything I have learned over the last 13 months. I am so grateful I was called to this mission at this time. That being said, we spent every day knocking doors until 9, so I am tired.

On Friday, I had my exchange with Elder Lindsey. I have never felt that 'at home' with a missionary before. I haven't ever worked that well with someone either. My favorite exchange of my mission, and one of my very favorite days. Knocked doors from 10:30 to 9. He goes home in 10 days. Huge example to me.

On Sunday morning, The Bentonville Arkansas Temple was dedicated. Elder Bednar came to dedicate it. We listened to other speakers all morning, and then he came up to close. The moment he began to speak, changed my life. When he uttered some of his first words, he bent over the pulpit and audibly cried, a lot. I have never seen an apostle do that. The feeling of complete humility and gratitude emanating from that man was something I won't ever forget. 40+ years ago, he was the stake president here. How special it must feel to see the growth that has happened since.

President Monson taught this a few years ago: "There will be times when you will walk a path strewn with thorns and marked by struggle. There may be times when you feel detached—even isolated—from the Giver of every good gift. You worry that you walk alone. Fear replaces faith. When you find yourself in such circumstances, I plead with you to remember prayer."

And then this counsel from a lonely, yet unshakeable Moroni in some of his last days: "20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because they dwindle in unbelief and depart from the right way and know not the God in whom they should trust. 21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ, it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth. 22 For behold, thus said Jesus Christ, the Son of God, unto his disciples who should tarry, yea, and also to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multitude: Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

It really doesn't get much better than this.

Elder Smythe



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