Worldwide Broadcast and Missionary Work

Hello, hello, hello Everybody!

Wow! Did anyone watch the worldwide broadcast last night?!? How did you feel throughout it all? Did you catch how historic that was? I don't know where to begin with all that happened. The Spirit was STRONG the entire meeting. When Elder L. Tom Perry spoke I could just FEEL the strength of the Spirit flowing through that man of God. We are living in interesting times. It's now time to stretch and stand a little taller. Missionary labors aren't changing, just the "how" to do things. We live in a time that it's no longer going to be enough to be active at church. We need to be active in the Gospel. I heard a wise man once say, "Don't make the Gospel part of your life. Make your life part of the Gospel." We can't just portion a small little bit of God in our "busy" lives. We need to be busy in the Lord's work.
I've made a lot of invitations in my emails home but I would like everyone to accept this one: Elder Jeffery R. Holland gave a talk at BYU years ago titled, "The Inconvenient Messiah". Please, go listen, read or watch that talk and pay attention. Even if you are a University of Utah fan, listen to this talk.
This life isn't about the best career but how you make the best out of your career in the Lord's Work. Am I missionary crazy right now? Of course I am! And I never want to forget who I am as a missionary when I go home. Two years isn't the only time we're supposed to share what we have. Neil L. Andersen had some good things to say about that last General Conference.
I know this Work in which we're engaged is of God. I know that God lives!  I pray that one day I'll be able to declare, as did Elder Boyd K. Packer did last night, "I know that He lives and I know Him." That statement holds so much weight.
Love,
Elder Smith

New Picture of Elder Smith

I received this email from a Sister in Elder Smith's new area

of Yorktown, VA.

She was so nice in sending us a picture of him with 3 other Elders that

he is serving with in this area.

Virginia Chesapeake Mission - New Area - New Mission

Good Morning Everyone:

Well, in case you haven't heard, I have been "emergency transferred" to the Poquoson Ward. A missionary had to go home so I was called up to take his place. Poquoson is also on the other side of the mission..."on the other side" means on the Virginia Chesapeake Mission side. THe mission officially splits on July 1st and on that day I can claim that I've been in two missions. Poquoson is an old Indian term that means "Great Marsh"...yup! That means mosquitoes. I'm going through some major culture shock though. I've been serving in branches most of my mission and now I'm in a large ward. Quite a difference. There are a lot of Air Force presence here so that helps with the size of the ward. I'm also in a biking area which is great because I have too much "winter storage" I need to get rid of. Looking ahead though, it's going to now present a little bit of a challenge since I screwed up my foot this morning playing sports. Oh well, worse things can happen.
So, I've been asked about my feelings regarding the whole mission splitting, new mission president, and now me being in the new mission. Let me explain it this way: if you talk to some of the older folks of the area, they'll tell you how they remember when the first BRANCH was formed in Richmond, and that branch covered practically all of Virginia. Their stake center was in Washington D.C. In one lifetime we see the growth from one little branch, to many stakes that cover the state and surrounding states. Now we see another mission formed! WOW! Even in the short time I've been here I've been able to see fantastic growth. It's been amazing to see. As for me being in the new mission? I'm excited. It took me a while to come to that feeling but honestly I'm excited to be a part of this change. There are some fantastic things happening and I get to be a part of it. We all do actually. That reminds me: this upcoming Sunday the church will be broadcasting a mission president seminar for all new mission presidents. They have stated on LDS.org that this will be a historic event (and I've heard of other comments as well). I'd highly encourage you to watch this broadcast. It will, indeed, be a historic event.
I know this Gospel is true and this Church is the ONE and ONLY true Church on the face of the earth. Jesus Christ is our Savior. Bear witness of Him every day.

Love,
Elder Smith

Emergency Transfer and New Mission

I'm getting emergency transferred over to the Virginia Chesapeake Mission tomorrow.  I'll give more info next week. I just found out an hour ago. My new address will be: 22 Parkwood Drive#202 Yorktown, VA 23693...Plus it's a biking area so I'll have to purchase a bike.

Will remain in Virginia Richmond Mission

Hello Everyone
Another transfer has begun and I'm staying in Buckingham! I'm stoked! I love this area a ton! I've really grown close to the members here. I know it's been a while since I've written. We've just been doing a LOT of service here in the past few weeks. Hey, I'm not complaining. It keeps me from getting too fat and my hands from getting too soft :).

So how's life been with all ya'll? Ya'll should send me some letters to update me (hint, hint).

Well, I don't have much to say in this letter, only that I'm grateful that the Lord trusts us enough to give us adversity. It's hard to keep that in perspective at times but I know the Lord is there for us to support us. The Lord takes raw materials, shapes them and refines them into pure and priceless gems. Apparently I need a lot of refining. It's easy to forget at times how short of time we have on this earth, and the even shorter periods of adversity that comes our way. Honestly, with a solid foundation on the Gospel of Christ, we honestly have more good times than bad. Maybe that's because some of the perceived bad times are so much easier to bear with the Gospel. I know I couldn't have lasted through what I've had to face had it not been for the knowledge to get down on my knees. Life is good. God is great! He won't leave us stranded. What was it the Lord stated to the Prophet Joseph Smith while he was in Liberty Jail? "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;  And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever." (D&C 121:7-8 & D&C 122:9)I know this Gospel is true and Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.Love,Elder Smith