I am so grateful to speak to you all this day. I wasnt able to speak to you because I went to Hermosillo to renew my visa and things got a little crazy but I am glad that I was able to write to you all today because there have been some experiences that have happened these couple days that I need to share with you all. I feel so grateful to be a member of the church of Jesus Christ and being able to serve our Heavenly Father every day. There is a joy that comes from serving others and a joy that comes from the Gospel that lasts. A joy that lasts and is real. Its not a happiness that is fake or cheap. It is a joy that is full and rich. Its a joy that cant be bought in a store. Its a joy that isnt tacky or worldy. Its a joy that only comes from our Heavenly Father. Its his love. The world doesnt value the things that are valued by us. Like it says in one of my favorite parts of the bible in Corinthians 2 in verse 11 and 12
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
I have felt that spirit from him throughout my mission. I have felt that spirit that come froms him. I now understand what it says in 2 Timothy 1 verse 7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
That spirit is real and can be felt. I can say it because of the experiences I have had and what I have seen bears testimony of it. I can say without a doubt what the eight witnesses said about the golden plates. "And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it." I have seen miracles and my mission that have testified to me that God is real and he loves us. And like them I lie not. God bearing witness of it. We have been focusing on the power of prayer this week and a change of heart. We have realized. What are desires? What do we desire to accomplish on our missions? God wants to give us more more and more. We can ask for one baptism or two but why not more? We have made a goal to have 14 baptisms in this transfer and I know its possible. We have seen the power of prayer and revelation work in our mission life. One day we set a high goal to find 2 families (8 people for the day) and we decided to start working. Our goals were inspired by God and if comes from him it cannot fail. We worked the whole day and we only found one new person. We decided to say a prayer on the side of the street. We only had 15 minutes before we had to go home but we had faith. We said that we hadnt met our goal and we knew that God would help us. We said "We know that thou art a God of miracles and we will recieve thy help" We closed the prayer and started to search. We decided that the family would be in their home and the door would be open. We saw the first house with the door open and we went and started talking to the guy that was there. We asked if we could walk in and sing a Christmas hymn. Politley he said no and said that his wife wouldnt approve becuase she was catholic. But all of this sudden he left and talked with his wife. After she gladly let us in. They were a family of 4. We rapped up the hymn and a lesson about Christmas and the Savior and went to the next house. We found a house with the door open and we went to teach. We felt a beautiful spirit with the family and they were a family of 4. We realized that we had reached our goal of 8 people and 2 families. The amazing part of all this was that is was the end of the day when there isnt a lot of success. The next day, We did the same and the first house we knocked on we met a nice lady. She letted us in and we taught her about the Restoration. She was very interesed in everything that we had to teach her and accepted a baptismal date. The spirit has been strong in our lessons. All came from a change of our hearts and a desire to do the Lords work with ALL that we have to offer. We know that God knows our hearts. When our desires are aligned with his, we can do miracles. The last miracle I want to share happened today.We went back with one of the families that we found. One of the young men in the family is named Jorge. Hes 20 and a great person. He had a experience that has made me more grateful that I can express. We taught the Restoration today and when I said the first vision and a beautiful spirit filled me when I said it. After I asked "Can you all feel something special here?" Everyone responded "Yes" quietly. We explained it was the Spirit testifying of the truthness of our message. We asked if anyone had prayed about our the message. Jorge said "actually I prayed. And I felt something strange but beautiful. Something I felt similar to what we all felt last time together." I got really emotional and we explained that he recieved his answer. Him and his family have a baptismal date. I know that the the spirit will testify to ANYONE that truly wants to know and is willing to act on that impression. God wants us to know. He didnt put us here to fail. It brings tears to my eyes sometimes when I remember that every single person here accepted the plan of God and they dont remember. They need us. It is our duty to help them. It is our responsibility to help remember that. One cannot, I repeat, cannot deny that after feeling the spirit. And if they do, they break the biggest commandment that God has given to his children. I know that God lives and that this all comes from Him. He wants us all to know it. I am very imperfect and make many mistakes everyday. The only thing that I can truly say about myself that is perfect is my testimony. Its a testimony that has set the course for the rest of my life. No one can pay me for it and make me deny it. Philippians 2 10 and 11 say
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
It cannot be denied. This is my testimony. I love you all and I hope every single one of you can feel it also.
Elder Smith
Giddy Up
1. Todos los que fueron a renovar la visa en Hermosillo
2. Arre Viejon
3. Mexicanos al grito de guerra
4. Modelos
5. Nuestras Metas
