Watch What You Say...

Hello Everyone!

Wow....this has been a super AWESOME week! I won't go into details but let's just say that several people have made the commitment to come closer to Jesus Christ :D. There have been several tornado warnings as well. I guess little ol' Satan is trying to scare us away but I say, "Nu uh! You little devil!" and then the tornadoes go away. So it's all good. :)

So, a week ago we received a text (yes, we're allowed to text) from a member of the branch presidency asking if one of us (oh and when I say "us" I'm referring to my companion and I) could give a talk on Sunday. Unfortunately, my companion got a hold of the phone first and proceeded to tell me, "Elder Smith! I'm going to volunteer you for the talk." I didn't think too much about it for I thought I would only have to talk for 5 minutes (A few weeks prior my companion only had to give a 5 minute talk so I thought I would luck out). Nope! I didn't get to be a "youth speaker" so it had to go for 20. I hope it went well because I didn't make any notes.

Oh! So cool story: Last Monday me and three other elders were eating at a restaurant laughing, talking and so on. This guy suddenly walks by, drops a napkin on our desk with a long note on it, and keeps on walking. It was kind of a shock so we all turn our heads to begin reading, "I couldn't help it, but as I was listening to you four speaking [(at this point we all stopped, looked up at each other and said, "uh oh...what did we say?")]..." and he proceeds to say that he's never heard a group of "young men" speak so maturely and how we got the title of "Elder". He left his email and told us to contact him. We were in Elizabeth City (outside my area) so I just look up and say, "Well, looks like you have a potential investigator." We were shocked and pleasantly surprised. Looking back I remember pretty much all that we were talking about and wonder which parts he picked up to think so highly of us. Now this story isn't meant to brag or boast but to tell something that I learned.

One of most cliche statements as members of the Church is to always be an example and be careful of what you do and say because PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS WATCHING. We've all heard that. Well, I didn't always believe it until last Monday. We had to stop and think about what we were talking about after reading that note. Well, shouldn't we always living our lives in such a way that we won't EVER have to wonder what we talked about or what we did? We are told in the scriptures, "But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not." (Mosiah 4:30) and "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12).
It's not longer a cliche statement for me. People are always watching YOU. I don't care what you think, it's so true. Especially if they know you're LDS. Be careful. Actually, DON'T be careful. Live your life in such a way that you won't have to worry at ANY TIME if what you say and do will affect someone negatively. If you need to change, do so. That's what repentance means: to change.

Elder Smith

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!