"6" Months, already...

 Currently - "Home Sweet Home"

Barco, North Carolina

Inside Trailor

Study Area

Wow....July 4th will mark 6 months of my mission...I can't believe that a quarter of my mission is over. Time FLIES as a missionary! I'm afraid of blinking for I might miss the next 18 months! Honestly, this past week seems like it has flown by. We have been working hard here in the blistering heat and sweltering humidity of North Carolina. I think Sunday was the worst day for humidity. I thought I was breaking my fast because of all the water I was inhaling! But it's all worth it. We have been working with a few referrals and the members who referred them. There is one girl that we're teaching who shows a lot of promise! The family who is working with her is AWESOME. They're so missionary focused and they've been a great help. Seriously, members that are always willing to help missionaries in any way possible are such a great help.
Looks like I'll be going to the dentist here soon as well! I got a nice hole in one of my teeth due to what I think was a very well placed elbow in a basketball game. Oh the adventures of a missionary.

Sometimes the scriptures can seem a little ancient. I confess I have thought this as well and if I keep that thought in mind during my studies it destroys my opportunity to learn. The key is to "liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." (1 Nephi 19:23). In my personal studies this morning, I had the privilege of reading the words of the prophet Abinadi in the Book of Mosiah, chapters 12 & 13. In chapter 12, Abinadi is taken before the king and his priests and examined so they could find some means to destroy him. He stands firm in his testimony and boldly speaks of their wickedness. He asks them questions regarding the law of Moses and how well they have been keeping it and how well they've been teaching it. Now we've moved past the law of Moses, so why should this be so important to us in our day? Let's go through the scriptures and liken them to ourselves.

Chapter 12
"I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord."
"Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?"
"And they said: we teach the law of Moses."
"And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people?"

Let's translate this to today's language:
What do we teach? We teach the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the words of the Modern Prophets. These contain the law or doctrine of Christ. The law we should be living by. So if you teach these things, whether it be at home, Sunday school, Relief Society, Priesthood, in a talk or in any other situation, then why don't you keep it? Actions speak louder than words. "Preach the Gospel always; use words if necessary" (St. Francis of Assisi)

Let's continue: (Verse 31)
"And it shall come to pass that ye shall be smitten for your iniquities, for ye have said that ye teach the law of Moses. And what know ye concerning the law of Moses? Doth salvation come by the law of Moses? What say ye?"
"And they answered and said that salvation did come by the law of Moses."
"But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai..."

Translation:
What do you know about the scriptures? Will you raise your voices and say that salvation comes through the Bible? or the Book of Mormon? or from something some prophet has said? I know that if you keep the commandments, indeed, if you live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (which are contained in the scriptures) then you will be saved.

Abinadi then begins to teach the commandments as handed down to Moses. In chapter 13 in verse 27 he makes this point:
"And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of Moses. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses."
"And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses."

The Book of Mormon doesn't provide salvation. The words of any of the modern prophets don't provide salvation. "Salvation doth not come by the law ALONE". The law is meaningless unless we KEEP THE LAW and obey with EXACTNESS. Remember: Just because you've been baptized with God's Authority, and just because you've been to the Temple and partaken of those sacred ordinances does not guarantee life in the Celestial Kingdom with God. The actual performance of the law and being cleansed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (which can only occur through FAITH and ACTION) are what qualify you for exaltation.
See? Isn't scripture study fun?


Elder Smith

Brother Caleb, Chipped Tooth, and Atheists

Hello hello!
What a week! It was good, busy, hot and humid. This weekend was Stake Conference and to my surprise my Mission President and his wife, President and Sister Perry, were there.




What made this even better was the fact that my brother also lives here in my stake. So the Perry's were able to see my brother and I side by side (I was tempted to put my tag on my brother to see if they'd notice anything). It was a pleasant visit.






 Amongst other events this past week I was able to catch of glimpse of the beach (which killed me), I chipped a wonderful portion of my tooth, and had a not so pleasant conversation with a couple of atheists. It was an eventful week and my journal is full.

After my conversation with the atheists (and fuming a little as well) I was able to reflect on the complete difference in our lives. I had something to look forward to after I die; they had something to dread. I had purpose in my life; they had no drive to progress and make something of themselves. I knew there was someone who loved me and was looking out for me; they had deceived themselves to think that there was nothing up there and IF there was he didn't care about us humans. I knew of these things because of revelation through the Spirit and because I've witnessed and felt the power of God's Authority, the Holy Priesthood, in my life and in the life of others. But instead of hearing my preach, let's listen to what a prophet has to say. EVERYONE: Watch this - http://mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=1370500727001

I add my witness of the divine power and responsibility placed on the shoulders of men here on earth. Treasure this power.

Elder Smith

Hey hey hey!
What's cookin everybody? I sure am! There are high and low days but when it's high it's HOT! I'm so glad my companion likes it cold because we have our AC down in the 60's...heavenly. But anyway! This was a fun week. On one particular day we did quite a bit of walking and tracted right into another Southern Baptist Preacher. No worries though! This guy was awesome. We had a pleasant conversation on his porch, he invited us in for a drink and gave us some water, we talked about each others families and missionary efforts, and he told us that if anytime we need a break, a place of refuge from the weather or if we're in the area just to stop by. I think there's some potential here...I'm looking forward to going back. Overall the people here are nice.

After finishing my personal studies this morning I have come to this conclusion: Jacob is a stud. Seriously read the Book of Jacob in the Book of Mormon. One reason why I like him is because how straight-forward he is. Let me do so now.

"Why will ye die?" (Jacob 6:6) What can you possibly have to gain by rejecting this Gospel and the responsibility that comes with it? Jacob chapter 5 is the famous (and long) "Olive Tree" chapter. If you read that chapter you will see that the time period in which we live is from verse 61 on. In this, the dispensation of the FULLNESS of times, the Lord has sent out his servants, which are "few", to prune, dig, nourish, and reap a final harvest in the Lord's vineyard with "the Lord of the vineyard [laboring] also with them." The Lord has set his hand to recover his people from all over the world and to prepare them for His Son's Second Coming. He needs servants to go forward in His power, might and strength, to work diligently as hard as we possibly can and indeed waste and wear out our lives to the establishing of God's Kingdom here on the earth. "How blessed are they who have labored diligently in His vineyard; and how cursed are they who...reject these words." (Jacob 6:3,8)

As members of THIS church, the one and ONLY true church on the entire face of the earth, you are called to be a light to those in darkness and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places so that you may stand spotless before the Judgement Seat of Christ and are washed clean from the sins of wickedness of your generation. Everyone: I plead with you to not stand idly by and let opportunities pass by where you can uplift a fellow brother. Repent and serve God with full purpose of heart and "cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you." Why will you destroy yourselves? Will you reject my words? Will you reject the words of the prophets? Even after being nourished by the good word of God will you reject all these witnesses? You may say that you don't but actions speak much louder than words. "Preach the Gospel always; use words if necessary."

What kind of examples are you setting for your friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and your own children? Don't you know that by rejecting this truth, this responsibility, through your actions...or rather through your lack of action, that you will, through the power of the resurrection, stand before that Almighty God and stand shameful and guilty before Him? The great Plan of Redemption has been laid before you and you have been blessed. To you who is given much, much is required now at your hand and you will be judged according to your diligence, and stand accountable of your stewardship. Don't deny that you know these thing for you and I will stand face to face at the great and dreadful bar of God and my words, with all the words of the prophets, will stand as witnesses against you.
There is so much to lose and time is running out.
This is my witness in the name of the Great Judge Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Smith