I'm Home

It's like stepping into a whole new world. Everything has changed. I have changed.

My mom and sister greeted me with a sign telling me to go back. That's my sister, making me laugh withing three seconds of seeing her. And then my sister drove me to the stake center so that I could be released. Elder Smith will always be around, but now I'm Jonothan Smith - and a whole new array of adventures is just beginning.

I learnt that my sister will soon be moving to her own place with a friend of hers. Currently my mom and sister stay about four k's apart - so I'm in and out of two places at the moment. Though, technically staying with my mom, for now.

I have a new phone - and I'm still trying to figure out how it works.

Today I'll be going to the temple to complete my dad's work, and completing plans to get myself on track.

It feels weird. But it feels good.

This is Jonothan, post-mission Elder Smith, reporting day one on life after mission. All further updates will be on my blog, ldssmith.blogspot.com, with links to Facebook - and your email, if you add yourself to the mailing list on the blog.

Coming and Going

“Some people pass through our lives for a reason, to teach us lessons that could never be learned if they stayed.”
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I recall the discussions I once had with my mother, and others ​​​around the time of my adolescence. While I understood the reality of people coming and going, I never accepted its application. And considering the number of places I've been, and the number of people I've known, it's interesting to note that I'm still not used to leaving - or having other people go.

This past Saturday, as my companion and I were preparing the chapel for the baptism of a family we'd been teaching, the phone rang with a call from the mission president.
He informed me that my time in Chatsworth had come to an end, and that I was needed in Bethlehem. With the news still sinking in, I mustered myself up for the baptisms - and boy, what an experience!

The family's neighbour, as well as a close friend of theirs, came to show their support - the moment was tender and sweet. The Sunday following, both the father and daughter were confirmed (as the mother's a returning member), and their youngest (10 months old) was given a naming and a blessing. Seeing a family enter into the Gospel, united, is a blessing like none other.

As the day progressed, I began thinking back to the experiences I had in months previous - and the bonds that had been created. A family in Hillcrest (who I was privileged to teach) shared that another family that Elder Bryan and I taught are actively attending Church, and that they had made friends.

In this short time, I've seen the hand of the Lord in hastening His work. Even just a while back, while we were at the hospital, a man walked into me - purposefully and intentionally. And when I shrugged it off, he did it again - just  to get my attention. It was then that I noticed who he was - and he was there with his wife. They requested that my companion and I give their daughter a blessing, who shared with us concerning her father's baptism. Teaching them was an honour and to see them again, in the Gospel, has strengthened my testimony.

Chatsworth has been an experience of note - and as I leave the families I've taught behind, I feel my heart strings tug. But I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to be a part of their journey. I have witnessed two children of record being baptised and four converts in this area alone. I pray that the Lord keeps careful watch over them, and that He prepares the rest to receive of His glorious Gospel.
​Tomorrow I move up to Bethlehem, working as a Zone Leader with Elder Ncube. Perhaps I'm able to see another convert I taught in ​Kroonstad - but if not, home is not that far away. And for that, I am grateful. I have learnt a lot - and I feel still that there is more to come.

Everything is going to be okay.

The Last Sunday

There are few moments in life, in my life at least, when one specific day brings to pass the flooding of emotion more than ever before. It was my last Sunday, for the next two years, at the ward I’d come to love. It was my last Sunday with the men and women who’d been at my side from the very beginning. It was my last Sunday behind the pulpit of familiar eyes… and I couldn’t have asked for a better one.

The previous night, my five closest friends drove from their various districts to spend on final eve together as a group; Surietha from Pretoria, Ben from Johannesburg, Sunette from Bedfordvies, and both Warren and Priscilla from Weltevreden Park. Though, Warren did drive from Sandton that day.

We conversed, played a game they spent hours rigging and ate dinner ‘til midnight. It was at that point Surietha said, “Don’t you still have a speech to write?”

I did. I was final speaker in sacrament meeting that… yea, that morning. I had been procrastinating, trying to find the perfect words for nearly two weeks, and now I had only nine hours left to write, learn, and uphold my commitment to not have cue cards (much less have the talk written before me). I was stressed.

It wasn’t until 01:30 that I had my spark, found my opening, and began typing; praying every second until that moment. Practicing, typing, and searching the scriptures. This continued until I’d finally finished at around 05:00. Now I had another problem, learning it before sacrament meeting in four hours and looking refreshed enough to give a talk.

At 05:37, I closed my eyes and went to sleep, having to wake up, get up, shower and dress to be at Church by 08:15. This included my five other friends getting ready as well as my mon, sister and step day. We did it—

Or so I thought. We got into the car and Surietha said, “Your eyes are red.”

Now this was actually a bad combination of eyeliner and not sleeping. Yes, I wore eyeliner, as cosplay for a date I went on Saturday afternoon. We dressed up as our own unique characters; she had scars for an extended smile while I had bloody tears running down my face. Little did I know, pharmacy grade eyeliner does not come off with just water and face wash.

So Surietha spent the car ride applying additional powder and some other make up to hide the look of death. That, and Sunette had given me a henna tattoo on my neck that previous night. Yes, I did ask for it.

So it wasn’t a good start. Kim and Andrew Willoughby both noticed my eyes (which were cleared up as much as possible). Elder Broadhead, Sister Farquharson, and Eleanor noticed the henna tattoo (which was also mistaken for a hikkie). But I was ready; as ready as can be.

I sat facing the congregation, with all five of my friends seated at the back (all five of my friends, at Church, together), Dylan and his girlfriend keeping them company, and Shan and Kev on the far right corner.

We started with sacrament, continued with Elder Broadhead as first speaker (it was his last Sunday as well). Three minutes is how long he spoke for. Three minutes. And he even mentioned my name. Now, I was even more nervous.

Jennifer Cox was the second speaker, and she gave a beautiful talk on the young women principles and being a witness of Christ at all times and in all places. Things were going well, until she too mentioned my name. She spoke about my Facebook posts (she actually read them?!) and how I was the only member in my family, that I was an example unto others.

Now, I was even more nervous.

We all rose to ring the intermediate hymn, I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go. Tears filled my eyes and emotion filled my hear. I felt the Spirit strongly and I couldn’t hold back. It hit me. Every word in that song was me speaking to the Lord. It was an overwhelming sense of emotion knowing that was where I needed to be.

After which, I jumped the gun and went straight to giving my talk. Being touched immediately by the Spirit, saying things I had not even prepared. That, my dear brothers and sisters was the most difficult talk I had ever given. Yet the words came out, clearly, eloquently, and without hindrance. I knew the Spirit was working and I could see the eyes of the congregation peer my way.

I closed and moved back to my seat, tears pushing even harder. I would miss them. I would miss them all.

The Sunday continued with Gospel Principles or, in other words, Jonothan’s class. Elder Wegrowski started the lesson and chose to make the introduction What is your name? And what is your favourite thing about Jono? just because everyone in that room knew who I was.

We learnt of the restoration, had inspirational analogies and good questions. I later learnt that every class had a common theme, even though the topics were all chosen by individuals. The spirit was at work that Sunday, teaching us all to rely on Heavenly Father, to ask Him, and to be witnesses of Him wherever we may be.

We moved on to Priesthood where Kevin gave his phone to Warren so that he could read through the lesson as we were busy. Kev and I, mostly Kev, made interesting comments regarding specific verses and topics.

It was then time to follow my day with Eleanor’s day. Sharing a my farewell with her baptism is only something I’d have over and over again. Elder Broadhead lent me his baptismal clothes so we could start off with photos.

Unfortunately, we were supposed to have Washington baptised as well, Elder Wegrowski was supposed to baptise him, but he didn’t show. The missionaries even went to his house to look for him, but he wasn’t there.

That was the one sad thing that happened that day, but we couldn’t let it have a damper on Eleanor’s day.

We went out to take some photos and then gathered together in the chapel to conduct the service. Brother Youngman was the conductor, and the service went on without a hitch; except for me needing to repeat the words in the font as I had made a mistake regarding tense.

But it was a good Sunday all in all.

Afterwards, we went to Jackson Dam with family and friends for a bring-and-share. Ouma Sandy was there, Oupa Erick was there, Damien and Bonita were there, Theuns and Ursula came, Sonia and Myles arrive, Tanie RIna came, Aunty Michele, Nicole, and even Paul, Devin and Nicole Randal, and Meghan and her mom popped by for a moment.

It was actually disappointing to not have the missionaries there. I was actually checking every five minutes just to see if they were there and was wondering if they were lost. But things happen and they didn’t come. It was fine, not really, but life is such. Poor planning; can’t change that now.

At the end, however, I received the best gifts a person could ever ask for. My grandparents gave me a snow globe with a picture of them inside. I can keep that on my study desk while on mission. Then, in the form of a renaissance Bible, my friends presented me with a box containing letters from each of them as well as family members and friends. And I’m only allowed to open it when I’m down in Durban.

But that was my day. My last Sunday here in Alberton. On Thursday I leave for the MTC and my mission begins. I will miss everyone, but I know that my Lord has need of me. I’m going down to do His work and I can’t wait to see what’s in store.

This is the Lord’s work. I know it. I love it. And I invite you to check it out.

One Year and Counting

Exactly one year ago, as of 08:22 CAT this morning (15 December 2014), I was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One year, exactly, and what a year it’s been.

I’ve been to the Temple (baptisms only) and distribution centre, completed this year’s Institute modules, done Home Teaching, received both the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood, given talks, taught lessons, blessed and passed the Sacrament, given blessings, gone out teaching with the missionaries, been called as a Ward Missionary, attended PEC and coordination meetings, handed in my mission papers, completed tithing settlement, attended firesides (spoke to Elder Hamilton) and went to activities (ward, stake and multi-stake), participated in Helping Hands projects and the Stake Fair, and even experienced mission life as a Priest through a coordinated Centurion Stake activity.

And to think, just over a year ago I tried to prove the Church wrong.

This is my life now. I have people waiting to talk to me in places almost too far to schedule, daily conversations over WhatsApp and Facebook and intense discussions with friends and family – all because, “I want to hear Jonothan’s explanation first.”

It can be frustrating at times, though. Often, I find that me teaching them goes well, but the moment I involve missionaries everything seems to go awry. They talk to me, but not to them (and this goes both ways – missionaries and informal investigators).

I have a friend who asks me, and only me, questions about the scriptures and gospel doctrine and principles. I have an inactive member just hanging on a thread, making excuses every time I mention the word missionary, but openly discusses with me and constantly requests that I visit. I have a family friend waiting for me to tell him about the Church, but won’t see the missionaries, listen to anyone else or read anything related until such time as I find a chance to visit (which may very well be good with regards to Anti-Mormon literature).

I’ve had had positive and enthusiastic referrals who simply fell off the radar after meeting with (or trying to meet with) missionaries. I’ve had missionaries stand up investigators and investigators stand up missionaries. I’ve had cancelled appointments and wrong addresses and all no-shows.

But the change I see in my friends and family since I joined the Church has been remarkable. My immediate family sees the missionaries every other Sunday. My friends are constantly on my case about when I leave for mission and my best friend (who happens to be agnostic) witnessed my ordination to Elder out of his own free will; seriously, he asked me if he could come.

Beyond that, I’ve made friends trying to preach the gospel and planted seeds wherever I could.

As bad as the response often is, beauty almost always shines through.

It feels like a decade has passed, but it’s only been a year. And I am grateful for all the people who came into my life to make a difference. I’m grateful for the missionaries from the start, even though I often complain. It is thanks to them that I am on the path I am on; for they guided me towards truth and, in all their patience, I finally accepted.

So I felt like making a list of all the people who helped make me the Latter-day Saint I am today.

• Kevin Farquharson, who I knew before the world was.
• Shan Farquharson, who sussed me out from the start.
• Dylan Farquharson, who invited me over the night I met the missionaries.
• Elder Beenfield (Daniel Beenfield), the first missionary I ever met.
• Elder Black (Jordan Black), who lied about not being American.
• Elder Dalton (Dakota Dalton), who owes me a photo – now that I think about it.
• Elder Baker (Alex Baker), who I taught about John’s tarrying.
• Elder Zulu (Siyabonga Armstrong Zulu), the first non-American missionary I ever met.
• Elder Tew (David Tew), who I saw as an older brother.
• Elder Mukarati (Alphaa Alphanum Mukarati), the first foreign, non-American missionary I met.
• Elder Day (Brandon Day), who I’ll meet at Tribulation.
• Elder Deichman, my first unofficial companion (Priest's mission experience).
• Elder Carpenter, who made me shake my head more than twice.
• Elder Pulley, who sang me a generic song I swear he plagiarised.
• Elder McAllister, who took me teaching everywhere (most of the time).
• Elder Martin, who loves Diablo III – as well.
• Elder Broadhead, who hugged me without my permission.

So this is my journey thus far. Missionary work seems to be the focus, but soon I’ll be doing my dad’s work and have my chaotic family tree up and running on the genealogy site. Then comes my endowments and then I’m off to mission. I hope I at least get to experience a couple of Institute lessons – it is Doctrine & Covenants, after all.

From Aaron to Melchizedek

To quote the much acclaimed Isaiah,

"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" (Isaiah 28:10)

For every step becomes a journey and every line a story. From infant to elder, child to parent, and scholar to teacher; we're always learning, constantly growing. And the Lord would have it no other way.

Today, on the 23rd of November 2014, I took another step; from Priest to Elder - from Aaron to Melchizedek. And, oh, how glorious 'twas.

I woke this morning to find it raining - another confirmation from our Heavenly Father - and recalled the rain the day I was baptised and the day I was confirmed (and ordained and set apart as Priest) and the day I was set apart as Ward Missionary. In fact, it rained the night I decided to get baptised - how grateful I am to see that Heavenly Father would choose to use the same signs to confirm that this is His path for me.

Sustained at Stake Conference with fellow friends and Saints and family. My mom was there, my sister was there, my best friend was there, my sister's friend was there, and my other family (Brother Kevin and Sister Shan) was there. Unfortunately, Dylan was unable to make it.

Words of a hymn we sang (Onward, Christian Soldiers) emanates still:

"One in hope and doctrine
One in Charity"

The only thing that could've made this day better... Elder Tew (David Tew). Sadly, he's in America and it was 3am for him when the ordination took place. Speaking of which, I didn't record it for him. I should have. I wanted to. Shoust.

I can only remember some of what was mentioned as Brother Kevin acted as spokesperson (with a High Councillor and Elder Broadhead in the circle). Fortunately, there were witnesses, and together we can remember the Lord's council to me. I do remember that I need to council with my mom, family and Church leaders and that the Lord expects, also, that I be a missionary here, now, and when I serve a full time mission.

I'm grateful that I've been entrusted with the Priesthood which belongs to the Saviour Himself. I know that I need to keep the high standards set and that I need to magnify my callings and serve others to the best of my ability (the Lord will take care of the rest). I want to, and I know it is possible.

I'm grateful that my family was there. Yes, everyone that was with me today is my family. Their support and encouragement is truly appreciated and I love them - even though I may not say or express it as often as I should.

This is the Lord's plan for all His children; that they come nearer to Him and experience the blessings the Priesthood has to offer. And through this, we can all experience true joy and happiness. I know this, and I know that God knows this, and I cannot deny it. (To paraphrase Joseph Smith - God's chosen prophet in these Latter-days).