April 11, 2022

From Ben - D&C 121:39

It has been a doozy of a week. 

Transfer call night. The phone starts ringing. 

It's President Ensign. 

To me and Elder Durant's suprise, I am getting. transferred out. He is staying a 4th in Weston. (He's a champion)

And I got sent to Newmarket! 

To be the Digital Finding and Teaching Coordinator over the Canada Toronto Mission.

Basically, me and Elder Blum (my companion now) lead and coordinate the Social Media efforts for the entire mission. 

With this in mind, most of what we do is delegation to more effective missionaries in Facebook page running, content creating, and Ad placing. 

It's awesome 

However, I got some first hand experience with the  concept that power corrupts. 

(Not talking about Heaven's power, that purifies, but the prideful power) 

Now, not saying I became a tyrannical social media missionary, rejoicing in my authority over others; but at a certain moment, when I sat down to journal my experiences, I totally realized some that some thoughts I was having were not in tune with what was true. 

I thought myself a little wiser than the "average" missionary (very dangerous and incorrect perspective)

I thought some rules didn't apply as closely to me and Elder Blum like not messaging other missionaries outside your Zone or District except on P-day or for specific missionary duties (this one is really bad when pushed to its extremes. God isn't a respector of persons, and hypocrisy cripples spiritual power) 

I even, in a moment of shock to me, made a comment about some other missionaries (with them not present) that was unfair and immature. 

I had let my call to serve become a game of ego. 

There is a scripture that always blows my mind. 

It is hard for my to wrap my head around sometimes. 

It's Christ speaking, and He says.

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet"

(John 13:13-14)

Or, in Elder Smith's perspective. 

"If I then, the Master of the Universe, The King of Kings, One with infinite power and unlimited knowledge, 

who sees all and knows all, 

the greatest missionary of all time, 

the best teacher of all time, 

the greatest scientist, writer, genius, champion, leader, war strategist, father, brother, friend, who created the earth, 

who doesn't need you for any of your abilities (which is nothing compared to what I can accomplish) will kneel on the ground, and wash your dusty and dirty feet, 

ye ought to wash one another's feet" 

The speed by which I forgot that principle, that we are "Called to SERVE" shocked me a bit. 

I'm grateful that my journal caught me on it sooner rather than later. 

I am grateful for a God who forgives. 

Elder Blum is awesome! He's got some Italian in him, so he's got a solid brow and a solid chin. 

He cooked incredible food, is a practiced and sincere listener, and is bold. 

I am really excited to work alongside him  I have a lot to learn. 

Sunday was hilarious. 

There was a service dog in training during Sacrament Meeting, and during Elders Quorum, the second councilor totally dropped the B-word!

He was roasting people that B-word and complain about their challenges. 

Me and Elder Blum did a double take and just had to laugh together after the fact. 

He's a bit rough around the edges, but the second councilor is a difference maker. 

I love how the the point of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to take us exactly where we are and improve us from there.

Another highlight was during a lesson with a part member family. 

The mother and father haven't been baptized, but they love the church and even watched all four sessions of Conference. 

In a certain turning point in the lesson, Elder Blum turned to the wife and simply asked what she thought about the things we were teaching. 

She opened up and explained some of the challenges she had had in the past with church members. 

Elder Blum, with boldness and love explained that the Church can still be true if the people aren't, and then invited both the Father and the Mother to be baptized if they knew it was true. 

They declined. 

But said yes to coming to know for themselves if the Book of Mormon was actually God's word. 

It was a lesson I won't forget, and we will see what fruits it will yield. 

Other than that, I bore one of the most straightforward testimonies I have ever done over a voice clip to a dude that toasted the Book of Mormon Ad I put out.

It always fun to message the naysayers and try to calm any of the flames they feel. 

Love you all!! 

- Elder Smith

1) Some hot sauce I put on a burrito that may or may not have expired in 2008. Not sure. But I sure didn't feel that great after eating it 

2) Elder Blum, the champion flipping some hashbrowns

3) The healthiest meal I've ever had. Oatmeal with flack seeds, hemp hearts, chia seeds, peanut butter and honey. I almost died it was so nutritious. 

4) Elder Blum at it again 

5) Sheeba, a sweet old Muslim lady we got to serve. Her faith in Allah is incredible. It's so fun to talk with her. 

6) The last goodbye

7) Random selfie with some gnarly stairs

8) The roles of being the Digital Coordinator 

From Dad - Our legacy of faith

Dear Ben,

I’m sitting in G&G Smiths living room listening to Grandma have her last missionary zoom meeting with the Glenwood ward as they prepare to move to Cardston. It reminds me of the legacy of faith that we are so privileged to inherit. We are going to try and get Grandpa to church today for a last chance to connect with their ward where they have served and been served for decades. It is hard for Grandma especially. 

As I prepared to get dressed this morning for church I realized that I had forgotten my white shirt. So now I’m wearing one of Dads shirts. Though a little short in the sleeves it fits fine and I’m honored to have had such a wonderful father and friend. He is very much my hero despite his failing strength and vitality. 

Grandpa says to keep  up the good work and that he loves you. He enjoys your letters. 

A small insight I’ll share before listing out some of the events from the week. Learning about the children of Israel as they were trapped between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea, the Lord had been leading them by pillar of light and as the Lord is revealing what to do the pillar moves to the back and becomes their rear-WARD. A Ward is something that guards or protects. What do we call our congregations! Interesting to think of the symbolism of the name of our gathering congregations on Sunday. 

Friday night was Stake dance night. Our house was the pre-dance gathering. Abby and Mia’s lunch bunch friends came over (Gabby, Kadence and Alex). They are great kids.  We enjoyed rice bowls with them. Mom and I were planning to go to a movie after dropping the kids off.  After work I went for a walk and while walking Dave Bonnell called me and asked if we could sub for them as dance chaperones. Of course we said yes. Great chance to spy on our girls :)

Can you spy them in this picture?

The theme was Hawaiian so we dressed up a little

Fun to hang out with your Mom patrolling the halls, parking lot and mingling and dancing with the kids. 

Thursday night we got to go to community choir again. The girls came late as they were asked by Mr. N to sing their Skyler sisters number for the grade 9 orientation. 

Mom had her last University class Wednesday. She pushed hard on Monday to finish her last assignment.  We have had to balance the distraction of Netflix series with school. Mia and Mom started watching “Cobra Kai” a spin off from Karate Kid with the original actors. 

How’s the social media calling? Do you get any training for that or do you have to discover as you go or both?

We love you Ben. The work you are doing is important and needed. So much struggle in the world to find peace. My siblings struggle mightily to find it often in the wrong places. Every alternative other than the principles of the gospel leads to sadness and pain in the long run.  Just listening to the painful conversations my Mom has with my sisters reminds me of how the enticing deceptions of the adversary always fall through and never sustain like the plan of salvation does. 

Have a great week. 

Dad.