Elder Dallon Smith in Chile: 50 Years Celebration!

Monday, October 17, 2011

50 Years Celebration!

Chile Mission's 50 Years Celebration was the highlight of this week. We were fortunate to be able to watch it live via the internet on Saturday. It was a beautiful program and lasted over two hours. Dallon had a wonderful time meeting up with old friends and MTC buddies in neighboring missions. What a great time to be a missionary!

"This week was so busy and we were able to enjoy a lot of great times. We have some great missionaries training this change. We all went to the temple and I was with Elder Fuhriman almost the whole day. It was a lot of fun and yet I had a lot on my mind. I was glad to be able to just go to the temple to recenter and refocus myself. I did really well in the Spanish session and soaked up every minute that I had. I stayed in the celestial room for a long time and it was a really great experience. I just prayed and listened."

"Anyways, changes came and my new companion is Elder Izelo from Puebla, Mexico. He is the middle child, likes soccer, likes classic rock, Dad was a bishop, and has a cute older sister. haha He is cool."

"On Saturday, we got to go to the Celebration! I was so excited because I wanted to see all the missionaries and sing and it was something that I had been looking forward to. I was responsible for getting my district there. We all met up at the metro and eventually made it down to the tunnels. We all pulled together and made the journey. It was quite the adventure and I am grateful for my district. I love them so much! We made it to the stadium and I got to see all my old friends!! Elder Petersen, Mace, Barlow, etc. and of course, Elder Tialavea and his brother. We all took a lot of pictures together and I had such a good time. I was so happy to see them all. We were in the section closest to the stage about 12 rows up. After the event a lot of the members went looking for their missionaries. The ward from Diagonal all came and found me! It was funny when all the young women saw me they screamed and everyone was like, "Whoa that Elder better watch out!" haha They were all girls from Diagonal and 2 of my converts. They all participated and it was really good to see them. The Barruetos waited and looked for me and cried again when they saw me. haha It was soooo good to see them. Then by a miracle, a member was able to drive my companion and I home and we arrived about midnight. However, I had to stay up until around 1:00 am to make sure that all my district made it home safe. It was such a great experience. I loved every second of it and it turned out so well. The spirit was strong. Elder Tialavea found me and introduced me to his brother. We took a picture together and I am so grateful for his friendship. His brother was just like, "He talks about you all the time, man." haha They are both so cool. I am lucky to know them."

"We will probably baptize Ana on the 29th. We had to move it back because she has had a busy schedule and it has been hard to find her. We are looking for new investigators and I am praying that the Lord will bless us as we move forward with faith. I hope that we keep up our animo and patience and that we can pull through and do the Lord's work. Pray for me!! I love you all. Stay you and take care."

Elder Dallon Smith

Welcome Elder Izelo from Puebla, Mexico

Great Trainers this change

MTC Elders Cummock, Smith, Petersen, Mace, Birch, & Mason

Elder Smith with the Tialavea Brothers

Elder Smith's sons, Elders Izelo and Gomez

Fun times at the celebration

The Diagonal Young Women with Elder Smith

The loving Barrueto family and old companions

Alma 29: 1-3, 9

"Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."

ANSWERS by Elder Dallon Smith

The morning starts in a rush.
All I want to do is tell the alarm to shush!
I get out of bed and start my daily exercise.
Why is it so early when we have to arise?

I hurry to get ready
and then immediately start to study.
So many things that I need to learn.
Will I be able to answer a question when it's my turn?

Before I know it, my companion and I are off.
Our sector is so big, I hope we don't get lost!
Everyone is really busy running here and there.
Are you sure you don't have time for a two minute prayer?

Lunch time arrives and we're ready to eat.
We get to the table and quickly take a seat.
It's humbling to see how much they give us, though they are really poor.
Oh dear Sister, do you have to ask us if we want more?

The day then begins and we're ready to go.
We get to the first door and loudly yell, "Alo!"
A man answers and coldly tells us to go away!
If it was Jesus knocking, would you let him stay?

We continue to search 'til our voices grow thin.
Once in awhile, someone will actually let us in.
We start to teach about Joseph Smith and the things that he's seen.
When they ask us a question in Spanish, we think, "What does that mean?!"

The sun goes down and the night grows cold.
But we're still out walking, seeking for those of the Lord's fold.
We want to know where else to look.
Who else is waiting to receive the message from this book?

Finally, the time arrives to go back to our home.
We strategically run back, making sure to stay in our "safe" zone.
We silently travel in the light, our safety starts to become a doubt.
Are the Lord's angels really all about?

We reach the pension and start to plan.
We talk about everyone we teach, every woman and man.
We scramble to cook, eat and shower.
Are you sure it's already been an hour?

We crash on our beds, ready to relax in a dream.
Eight hours of rest sounds better than it may seem.
I remember to pray and offer up my humble supplication.
Oh Father, did I meet your expectation?

Sweetly and softly a response starts to echo in my head.
The words feel familiar as if I've already heard them said.
"My son," he begins in a voice that I know.
"Do you realize that I love you even more than I can show?"

"I'm aware of where you are and I know what's going on.
Always remember I've sent you right where you belong.
I have a plan, but you'll have to trust in me.
Do you have faith in the promise, My kindness shall not depart from thee?"

"Don't be nervous about the language, that will all come.
Just keep my spirit near to guide you and he will work your tongue.
Be strong and courageous, and teach with the authority you've been given.
Are you remembering, you represent he who was risen?"

"Reflect on his example and guard him in your heart.
His very words will give those you're teaching a brand new start.
Be obedient, follow in his footsteps, and don't go astray.
Can you feel his presence walking beside you day by day?"

"Go and rescue my children and fight with all your might.
Remember Christ said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."
He loves his missionaries and knows all that you can be,
so how will you serve to answer your brothers' question, "Do you love me?"

My conversation with my Father ends and I am left in a state of peace.
So many feelings rush inside me, a joy that I can not release.
My attitude changes and my love overflows.
How can I not be happy with all of the blessings God bestows?

I will change and do my best to do as the Lord commands.
I want to place myself completely in his hands.
No matter how many questions we have or how inadequate we might feel.
We can always find our answers when we are willing to kneel.

St. John 14: 26 - 29

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father; for my Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe."

Moroni 9: 3 - 5

"Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."