September 29, 2025

God is good, everybody! This week was. Absolutely. Insane. 

Our ward got changed into a branch. The reason for it is because we don't have any married couples who haven't already been the Bishop in the past. We have a lot of old married families. But they just changed our ward into a branch, so some of the young single adults can be the Branch Presidents. For some context, we did not have a bishopric for my first 8 weeks here in Charleroi. But now we do, so that feels awesome. 

The 2 miracles that I'd like to share are with 2 friends. One of them has had the fastest progression I've ever seen in my entire life. We met him outside the gar (train station) just a week and a 1/2 ago, he has now had every single lesson that a missionary can give, including chastity and the word of wisdom. He also is really good at field hockey, we found out recently. Keep him in your prayers. His baptism is on October 25th, we're excited. His name is Julian.

Another miracle we saw was that our friend Layla has a baptismal date on the 11th and she is amazing and she is helping out all of our friends who are also on baptismal date by reading scriptures and teaching them with us. So it's awesome. There's one thing that's certain is that this sector's blessed! Missionary work is amazing here. Also, the apartment I'm in has got to be the funniest fourman in the mission. And I would argue the whole world. 

Today's low-key, cool. We're going to a city called Namur with our member and he's been talking so much about this Cologne store. Where the guy who does them apparently makes colognes for the royal family in Belgium, so we'll see what happens. check the Google photo album for more Charleroi content.

Spiritual Thought:

This comes from Gordon B Hinckley In his 1982 general conference talk. I love this talk. It essentially is a pep talk for missionary work. And this is his testimony at the end.
   
This is our Father’s work, and he has laid upon us a divine injunction to seek out and strengthen those in need and those who are weak. As we do so, the homes of our people will be filled with an increased measure of love; the nation, whatever nation it be, will be strengthened by reason of the virtue of such people; and the Church and kingdom of God will roll forward in majesty and power on its divinely appointed mission. Of this I testify and for this I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

We thank thee O God for a prophet. Much love to Russell M Nelson. He is a prophet of God and his work will continue on the other side.

Elder Smith





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