Rough Stone Rolling

Transfers this week brought me to Mankato, with another really nice apartment, nicer in my opinion because of the gym and underground parking. We ward share with another companionship of elders who live in much more humble circumstances, but I guess it's just like the parable of the talents ;). I'm just kidding, they're great elders. One of them is actually committed to play BYU football in 2024, so I've been giving him fitness tips on how to achieve peak performance while on the mission. My companion's name is Elder Noreen and he came out with me, so it's been a blast. He's a pretty talented pianist, so he's been teaching me a little. He's from Dayton, Idaho and used to milk cows for like 6 bucks an hour. Then they got machines to do it, so he was out of a job. Robots really are taking over the world. I finished the old teachings of the prophets manual for Joseph Smith this week. One of the best chapters is at the end, where it shares the testimonies of his contemporaries. Here are a few,

 

“Such was our confidence in [Joseph Smith] as a Prophet, that when he said, ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ we were confident it would be as he said; and the more we tried it, the more confidence we had, for we never found his word to fail in a single instance.”

- Alexander McRae

President Joseph Smith was in person tall and well built, strong and active; of a light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, very little beard, and of an expression peculiar to himself. … His countenance was ever mild, affable, beaming with intelligence and benevolence; mingled with a look of interest and an unconscious smile, or cheerfulness, and entirely free from all restraint or affectation of gravity; and there was something connected with the serene and steady penetrating glance of his eye, as if he would penetrate the deepest abyss of the human heart, gaze into eternity, penetrate the heavens, and comprehend all worlds. He possessed a noble boldness and independence of character; his manner was easy and familiar; his rebuke terrible as the lion; his benevolence unbounded as the ocean; his intelligence universal.”

- Parley P. Pratt

"The love the saints had for him was inexpressible. They would willingly have laid down their lives for him. If he was to talk, every task would be laid aside that they might listen to his words. He was not an ordinary man. Saints and sinners alike felt and recognized a power and influence which he carried with him. It was impossible to meet him and not be impressed by the strength of his personality and influence.”

- Mary Lambert

Pretty powerful stuff. I've studied Joseph probably more than anything else on my mission. I know he's a prophet. If you don't know yet, I would invite you to figure it out ;). it's a wonderful ride. I'm happy, healthy, and grateful to be a missionary. I miss all of you a lot though! Love you guys!

 
-Elder Dahl