BELATED POSTS

A NOTE from "Mama Smith":

I am truly BEHIND in many of areas of my life...

Went to Pennsylvania and Virginia for

TWO baby blessings...so I have

been in catch-up mode ever since I returned!

NO...I did not see "Elder Smith" while in Virginia, even though, I was only

20 minutes from where he was "evacuated" during

Hurricane Sandy...Yes, Garvin and I were there during that time! (smile) In fact,

"Elder Smith" was evacuated to his brother, Caleb's, ward he

had MOVED FROM... People WE have gotten to know who

are in that WARD "Elder Smith" stayed in, were with US for Caleb's newborn son's

blessing...so I believe they missed him, unless,

they saw "Elder Smith" before he was sent back to his area...

FUN, isn't it? (smile)

Mama Smith

Now, for Elder Smith's email after HURRICANE SANDY:

WRITTEN: 30 October 2012

 

Hello hello!
Well, this was an eventful week! But before I get into that, yesterday was a very...long...day... Due to a "hurricane" my companion and I got evacuated out of my area up to Virginia on Saturday, and have been staying with the Elders in Great Bridge ever since. Yesterday, due to the storm, we had to be indoors...all...day. We couldn't go outside for any reason, so we were all stuck inside the apartment literally all day. It feels good to stretch the legs once again. All we really had was a bunch of rainy, cold weather.

 

However, now I've got good news! Two of our investigators got married last Thursday! WOOT! They were so excited and have now set their sights on baptism and the temple. Sharing the gospel is the greatest? Honestly, watching other people exercise great faith to make and keep commitments is so worth any sacrifice.
 

I just want to invite everyone to pick up the book, "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder" by Legrand Richards and start reading it. For members who may have a basic understanding of the Church, or perhaps even no understanding of it, it will help make the Restoration of the Gospel more clear, expand your knowledge of the importance of the Prophet Joseph Smith, how being a member of the Church makes us a "peculiar people", and will deepen your faith in Christ. For those who have an expansive understanding of the Church and its doctrine and who have a firm testimony in the Lord, I invite you to read it (again if necessary) to help you understand how to teach the truth simply and promptly to friends and neighbors you have a desire to bring to the truth. You don't need to get into focused discussions on what many consider "deep" doctrine. There is the principle of milk before meat and reading this will help you to give out more milk than meat. Finally, for those who are preparing to serve a full-time mission, this will do for you what has described to the last two groups. You need all the preparation you can get before you head out for 1 1/2-2 years. I promise you that you will be nervous the first few weeks of your mission but the Lord has promised that if you are prepared, you shall not fear.

This is a great cause that we are involved in. The Lord is hastening His work. Prophecies are being fulfilled before our very eyes! "Behold, and lo, I will take care of your flocks, and will raise up elders and send unto them. Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." (D&C 88:72-73) Isn't that what was preached in General Conference? Just a little food for thought.

Love ya'll!
Elder Smith