Elders Smith and Smith: Coming Soon to a Digital Device Near You

What makes your day as a missionary? Not meetings. Definitely not meetings. But I'll get back to that. What makes your day is when a completely random idea makes an impact. Especially one you'd never have imagined.

Last year, Elder Thorkelson and I made malva pudding (a South African recipe) for an investigator family. Okay, we've only had one lesson with them, but I say it counts. It was their Christmas gift. After following up to get our pan back - yes, I baked it in a pan, don't judge me - they replied with something unexpected.

Turns out they had a hectic holiday. Their kids were in and out of hospital. Their schedules were busy. And they just didn't have time to do stuff. They expressed their heartfelt thanks for a thoughtful gift that brought relief. Which they shared with a neighbour. We'll be seeing them this evening.

Yes, it is the little things that count.

Earlier this week, we were able to help a family moving out of the ward. Normally missionaries are the ones leaving. We fixed up the fence, painted the house, and moved around odds and ends. At the end, I requested a photo, and they recommended we have all the tools I've worked with in the shot. See below.

Again, the week continued with powerful lessons, new investigators, and further preparation for an investigator on date for baptism. We now have her friends and neighbours in our teaching pool. It also turns out that she is related to a less-active member of ours. She pointed it out when she saw her nephew update his profile picture with Elder Harp and I in it. Hear that, a soul my son touched!

Speaking of which, we found him in a place we never expected. We saw his brothers - who weren't all that interested when we met. But with some magic (or Spirit) we ended up having a braai and peaking their interest. Saying a little prayer always helps. We'll be seeing them on Thursday again.

Now, for the not so nice part. Meetings.

Meetings. Meetings. Meetings. That's what we had this week. District development meeting on Wednesday - Repent to teach Repentance. Powerful lesson on how we need to live what we teach. Mission leadership council on Thursday. Many, many changes, considerations, and insights. That took just about all day. And zone conference on Friday. Again, just about all day. We were instructed well on the importance of temporal laws inviting the Spirit.

Those of my group were also able to bear their testimonies. I shared on the love that I'd seen, and the love that I'd grown as a result of this service. An interesting correlation I noted as well, with many testimonies starting with knowing our Father and Saviour love us.

So, I'd like to bear testimony of that. Heavenly Father loves you. I know he does. Our Saviour loves you too. In a very personal, and real way. Never doubt that. No matter what happens, you always have them backing you up. And if it's any consolation, I'm right there with them (on a much smaller scale, that is).

Also, shout out to Elder Knight. Looking forward to our day together Thursday. Stay handsome. I mean, be prepared. We'll be working.

Oh, and tomorrow, Elder Smith and I get to teach the together. That's right, Elder Smith and Elder Smith will be teaching about Joseph Smith. Yes, I'll take photos.

Future Elder Smith

I'd just like to emphasize the Future part of the title. Yes, Future Elder Smith. As in, not quite yet Elder Smith.

It's interesting to see that my surname has been the topic of many a conversation since my joining of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Not only among members, but also among my non-LDS friends.

"Face it, the only reason you joined the Church is because of Joseph Smith. Such vanity."

Yes, definitely. My entire testimony is dependent on a man I didn't even like while investigating the Church. I only developed a testimony of Joseph Smith long after accepting the Book of Mormon and the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ. Granted, I do admire him now, but it actually has very little to do with my decision to be baptized and confirmed as a member of the Church.

"Smith is a common surname in America."

Yes, and it is a common name everywhere else in the westernized world. It doesn't change my repellent stance on the promised land. Yea, that's another thing I'm going to have to work on before Zion comes.

"Maybe you're related to Joseph Smith."

Yes, because all Smiths are related. I mean, Will Smith is my uncle. Besides, the entire thought is a moot point, especially considering the great difficulty involved in finding any relative before my great grandparents. My immediate family tree is complicated enough. I don't even want to think about the chaos that'd unfold in tracing back to 1830. I'll take the 1900s and leave the rest to my kids.

Interesting tidbit. My sister and I are the only remaining Smiths in our entire family (the ones that we know of, that is).

I digress. My biggest pet-peeve regarding my surname is Elder Smith. I am still Jonothan. I wasn't an Elder when I was first called Elder Smith and, even though I'm Elder now, the title itself is reserved for Apostles and those they (or the First Presidency) have called and set apart as such (directly or indirectly).

That being said, I am a Future Elder Smith - considering that my mission papers are currently being processed. And I do understand the attempted humor and affection involved in calling me Elder Smith. But this is me - blunt, technical, and attemptively accurate to a perfectionistic degree.

That, and I don't like being put on a pedestal. You see, the reasoning behind the affectionate humor is that I am quite zealous with regards to the Gospel. I take my calling as a Ward Missionary seriously, but more seriously is my obligation as a Member Missionary, yea, even a disciple of Jesus Christ.

But I don't like being reminded, or having it pointed out. Because there is something about the way people say it that makes it seem like I'm doing more than I actually am.

Brother Farquharson once pointed out that I shouldn't see it as flattery. Rather, I should list them as facts and remove all nuances and exaggerations. And I suppose the derivatives thereof support others' views of me.

But it doesn't make me comfortable. Perhaps that's the blue in me (see color code here), I don't know.

Regardless of my ranting, however, I am grateful for the friends I do have. They are supportive, encouraging and uplifting. Even though I often cringe at the things they say, and outright tell them they're wrong, they do teach me a lot. And it's that spirit I'd like to bring with me when I do, finally, go on mission.

So here's to serving the Lord the best I can. Here's to friends, whom I cherish. And here's to being a Future Elder Smith. Perhaps there'll be more when I'm a father, one day.