Where Would You Be if Joseph Smith Didn't Pray?

Man! I just absolutely love having Elder Campos back! He is using the extra mattress in the apartment right now, and for some odd reason he is sleeping in our room! He just told us “you dudes so funnies!” The first night he slept in our room, we had a discussion on which milk was better – cow’s or llama’s. When the conversation started Elder Campos was confused about what a cow is. He kept on saying, “Eww, cow milks must be nasties.” He knew what the animal was, just not the English word. For a while he didn’t understand, so we used the Spanish word to explain it to him. He said, “Oh waits? That’s a cow? I thought that’s what we called fat peoples. Oh no way.” How glad we are to have Elder Campos back -- how glad we are!

          We live about ½ mile away from the beach. It’s most excellent being able to run on the beach in the morning. Today we gathered as a district and had a group workout. Then, as an extra bonus, this week at Revere Beach was the International Sand Sculpting Competition. These sand sculptures were absolutely brilliant. There was more definition in these sculptures of sand than in a Webster’s Dictionary. They were crafted by the Michelangelos of sandsculpting!

          During this week I was able to closely study the History of Joseph Smith. I do want to say I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet. I know he was a man called by Heavenly Father to bring the fullness of the truth to the hearts and souls of the people on this Earth. I solemnly bear testimony that Joseph Smith is a true prophet and that even after 180 years his testimony still stands strong and undeniable. While engaged in my studies I dwelt on this simple yet profound question:  No matter where you are in life with regards to the church, whether you are struggling with your testimony, or you have a firm testimony, or you are not a member of the church, or you have fallen away from the church, or you are seeking to join the church -- no matter where you are – where would you be if Joseph Smith, at the age of 14, didn’t pray to know which church was true? Whether or not you believe what Joseph Smith saw is true, what would have happened if this so-called “story” hadn’t been spread to the world? Where would we be? What would we be doing? I personally cannot fathom the answer to this -- but fortunately, Joseph Smith did see our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. He did. Nearly 15 million people have been brought to the truth because of a 14-year-old boy, who was foreordained to bring forth this marvelous work. I cannot express what an honor it is for me to have this opportunity to share the true Gospel message restored by Joseph Smith.

Elder Tait.

2 years. Make it count.

 

4th of July on the Charles River

4th of July

Boats on the Charles River

With Companion Elder Wright

With Elder Maldonado after his Pixie Stick Injury!

Fireworks!

Tomorrow is the Beginning of a New Transfer!

To those who it may concern: I have rather pleasant news! Tomorrow is the beginning of a new transfer. This last Saturday the missionaries were informed of who was being transferred, and who would still be residing in their current areas. Elder Wright and I were absolutely jovial when it was indicated that we would be kept together in Revere for one more transfer. But, we were more jovial when we found out who was being transferred to the Lynn Spanish Branch. The elders who serve in that branch live with us. Currently Elders Pitcher and Shim are serving there, but Elder Pitcher will go home mid-transfer, so there will need to be a threesome for a short time. We are informed about transfers via text message. So, the missionaries crowded around a 2x2 inch screen on “T-Text Night,” to see what was in store for us next. We anxiously waited to see who would be our new roommate. When the text message appeared informing us that Elder Campos would be our new roommate for at least 6 more weeks, Elder Wright and I instantly looked at each other with smiles on our faces! Elder Campos left us one transfer ago and now he is coming back! We could not stop laughing. Elder Campos texted us immediately, and I quote, “Dudes! I coming back! I come back and say to that them, Hello my name is Elder Campos and welcome back. Dudes yous guys so crazy. I love you guys.”

As I try to type this email my mind just draws a blank. I’ve concluded the reason for this has to do with something that happened this week. We tracted out a man named J. – a great guy who has, without a doubt, been through monumental trials in his life. His body developed a serious infection that caused him to have both legs and half of his right arm amputated, as well as deformed his fingers on his left hand. Needless to say, J. has had it rough. We looked forward to teaching J. about the comfort the gospel brings. Well, that unfortunately did not happen. We entered his apartment and started talking to him, then realized in no less than 1 minute that J. was “not all there.” This was due to the fact that he was taking powerful legal drugs for his physical condition, as well as a combination of illegal drugs, causing J. to talk for 45 continuous minutes about his theory that the “illuminati” and the “Sand-man” have joined together and are after us. He also told his life story about how he met the Hulk through Facebook, but then found out he was really the Sand-man, which then launched his rap career. This was all while he was exhaling his stimulating drug directly into our nasal cavities. I had the pleasure of sitting next to him, while the other Elders were a good 10-feet away. It was difficult to excuse ourselves, and say we’d come another time when he wasn’t so stimulated, but we were eventually able to depart his apartment. Hopefully, we will be able to rendezvous with him again in a cleaner environment.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ has allowed all men to redeem themselves. But we often overlook and not discuss what else the Atonement provides for us, which is the enabling power to endure challenges. As we grow in the church, we eventually come to the realization that our Heavenly Father will not just take away our trials. In 1 Nephi 3:7, it talks about how the Lord gives us no commandment or trial without also having a way for us to be obedient or faithful. So, how does the Lord prepare a way for us? Through his Son, Jesus Christ and his Atonement, he has prepared the opportunity for us to come to Him in humble prayer and ask Him, who loves us, for the strength to endure. It is comforting to me to realize that Jesus Christ had the strength to endure, and as I ask my Father in Heaven for strength, I am abundantly strengthened in knowing Jesus Christ understands and knows about enduring to the end. Needless to say, we still need to be obedient, faithful, and humble to receive this strength.

I know as we all strive to endure we will become consecrated missionaries and be able to give everything we have to our Heavenly Father – taking nothing -- and set ourselves free.

Elder Tait.

2 Years. Make it count.

Birdslaughter and Pixie Sticks

In life you just gotta shake things up a bit, you know? Well, our District Leader, Elder Maldonado, did just that while riding his bike – he was just shaking things up a little too much and fell off his bike and broke his wrist. The nurse explained it to him in a rather enthusiastic manner: “Well your hand is broken! Just like a Pixie Stick snapped right in half! You’re going to need surgery! How fun is that?”

You can’t argue with that type of a positive attitude! Any nurse who can relate orthopedics to Willy Wonka candy deserves some credit. The surgery took place yesterday, on our P-Day, and we took him to   the surgery and stayed there to support him. As we arrived at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, the parking lot was jam-packed – just like the animals in Noah’s Ark. Then, as we drove by the front of the Hospital we saw a “Parking Only for Visiting Clergy” sign. Well, fancy that! Turned out we had 4 visiting clergy and 1 of them was getting surgery for his Pixie Stick related problem!

So Elder Wright and I joined with and kept Elder Maldonado’s companion, Elder Mullins, company as our fearless District Leader was getting an operation on his Pixie Stick wrist. Then Sister Packard, the mission President’s wife, came and joined us as we waited. We sat and talked with Sister Packard - she really is an awesome lady! The surgery went well - the Pixie Stick successfully repaired. President Packard wanted Elder Maldonado to spend the night at the mission home after the surgery, so Sister Packard took Elders Mullins and Maldonado and we parted ways.

Well, this past week was phenomenal! The 4^th of July was awesome! Words cannot describe how it was to celebrate the 4^th here where America and our freedom were established. We were allowed to go to the Charles River and we got home between 1 & 2 AM in the morning! I was able to see Elders Langford, Hanberg and Stradley from my first area! It was so golden to see them again and be able to relax and play the ukulele as the fireworks went off.

A few days later I was able to go on an exchange with Elder Mullins, Elder Maldonado’s companion - the one who broke his wrist while riding his bike. So, guess who got to ride a bike! Yes -  that’s right – me! So here I am, my first day riding a bike as a missionary. We biked about 5 miles with no broken wrists. So, we are about .2 miles away from home, and here I am thinking, “This is great - no one got injured - everything was smooth and safe”. As I am concluding this thought in my head - in the time of about a ½ second - I see a bird jet out from underneath a bush on the ground, and directly intersect with my bike’s front tire. The bird just flew right into my front tire and I accidentally ran over it! I shouted to Elder Mullins, who was in front of me, to stop - then informed him about the birdslaughter I had just committed. We both agreed it would be a good idea to go back and give this bird a proper burial. We named him Jimmy. I figured the reason I am not in a biking area is because I don’t like running over birds or the potential of having my wrist snap like a Pixie Stick!

Besides Jimmy the Bird, fireworks, and Pixie Sticks, I had a simple realization this week. The question “What is the purpose of life?” can lead to a plethora of long, wordy responses. In my personal studies it dawned on me that I am making the answer to this question too complex. I strongly believe that the purpose to life is this: To figure out what God’s will is for me and others, and to accomplish or obey God’s will as Jesus Christ would.

I know through prayer we can receive answers to what we need to do and how we can do it. I know this takes time, but as we humble ourselves and become patient we can start accomplishing our purpose in life.

With Love,

Elder Tait.

 2 Years. Make it Count.

Hello. And Welcome Back!

Hello. And Welcome Back!”

          That is what Elder Campos would say every time he would enter our apartment.  Elder Campos, unfortunately, was transferred and now we have our Korean boy, Elder Shim! Elder Shim is a Korean speaking/learning Spanish as his third language. He has 8 years of experience with his second language, English. We can tell which food is his because we can’t read any of the symbols or characters. I don’t even know how they decipher those complex characters. It’s like trying to find out what a girth unit is.

          Anyway, Elder Campos has made an everlasting impact on how I use the English language.  I was talking to Elder Campos and trying to convince him to come on a skiing trip with us after his mission. He kept on refusing and I told him he either had to come with me, or I would go to Peru and take away all his family’s llamas. He then told me:

“No way Elder Tait! I would be so mad! I would drop and kick you!”  

“Wait Elder Campos, you would do what?”

“I would drop and then kick you!”

“Wait, are you trying to say dropkick?”

“No Elder. I will drop then I will kick you.”

He has changed the way I look at life. If I am ever in a fight, I will make sure I drop and kick the person, instead of dropkick him.

Anyway, I proudly salute you Elder Campos and the service you have given. I look forward to learning the Korean language so I will be able to read what Elder Shim’s food packaging says, and if anyone disrespects Elder Shim, I will drop and then kick them.

Revere has been blimey brilliant! This week Elder Wright and I had the privilege of witnessing a 23 year-old woman covenant with the Lord by entering the waters of baptism. It was Elder Wright’s first time baptizing someone! It was great to see. We look forward to the spiritual moment next week when she is confirmed. This woman has gone through a huge amount of turmoil in her life. I cannot say how blessed I feel to have seen her progression. I know the Lord did everything; we were simply there to represent him and his Son, and then allow the spirit to do the rest.

I would not be truthful if I said that I don’t struggle at times. During the hard moments is when the love of our Father in Heaven is most apparent to me. I always think to myself “A day at a time. A day at a time”. Stay with God today, and God will stay with you forever.”  The other day it dawned on me that I will look back and think about my mission for the rest of my life. Looking back at the time I have already served has allowed me to see how mighty the hand of the Lord has been in my life. He has been there with me every step of the way - no matter where I was. Sometimes I wasn’t humble enough to recognize it, but God still blessed me. It is time to start stepping up the intensity and serve with all my heart, might, and mind. When comparing myself to others, life looks absolutely miserable, but when I compare myself to what God wants me to be, and my divine potential, life has a whole new perspective.  Then I think of the “gentiles” in this great city of Boston. When looking at people, I am able to see that they have their own paths in life to follow. Then it dawns on me that I have been called and assigned to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ, and bear testimony of the Gospel to anyone who we come across. The Lord wants us here to help his children follow the path of happiness that He has prepared for them. It is up to us to do his work.

With love,

Elder Tait

Studying with Elder Wright

Elder Tait with the Sen Family