Refining our Homes to fit our Celestial Home

 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,

but that which is good to the use of EDIFYING,

that it may minister GRACE unto

the hearers." 

Ephesians 4:29

Hello hello hello!

Wow...AMAZING last two weeks. Miracles abounding and faith expanding! I don't know where to begin. Another wonderful person has begun her journey as a disciple of Christ and her influence is spreading to her family. We are going to start teaching them here soon. We have several solid investigators, returned and returning less-active members, new investigators that are being found, and the walls of the church building are bulging because it's pretty full. To put it simply, celestial experiences cannot be described with telestial language; these past two weeks have been quite celestial.

We had a mission conference yesterday where Elder Scott D. Whiting of the Seventy came and spoke to us. It was a very spiritual time. Great insights were received and faith has been strengthened. 

This next week we have the wedding of two investigators occurring in the church building and the branch has been phenomenal in their help to get that set up. Again, I never want to plan another wedding in my life...it's all worth it though.

Speaking of language, I recently read an Ensign article that spoke on refining our homes to fit that of our celestial home. One point that was brought up was the use of our language. How do we speak, both in formal and casual settings? Are we refined and edifying in our language, or, are we degenerate and tearing down? Yes, actions DO speak louder than words, however, we may gain quite a bit of insight about someone by the way they speak. "Language most shows a man. Speak, that I may see thee." The way the Lord speaks shows what kind of individual He is. He's refined and modest in His words. Are we? What we say reflects who we are and reflects the kind of family we come from. Do people look up to our family by the way we act and speak? It's more than polished, measured words that make language pure, it results from purity of thought and sincerity of expression. Let us strive to be more refined in our speech. Let us uplift and edify. I know that by learning to speak as God speaks, we will be more comfortable to speak in His presence.

Love,
Elder Smith