Smith's Situation: GENERATING THE LIGHT

In 2002 Robert D. Hales spoke about darkness and light in a talk that we will never forget. He mentioned how, as children, we learned to keep darkness away by turning on a light. Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. This is not only a physical law, but a spiritual law, as well.

Light dispels darkness. When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart. More importantly, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs. When the spiritual light of the Holy Ghost is present, the darkness of Satan departs.

WE ARE ENGAGED IN A BATTLE BETWEEN THE FORCES OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS.

The Savior said, "I am come a light into the world." (John 12:46) "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)
His light will form a protective shield between you and the darkness of the adversary as you live worthy to receive it. We need that light! Learn to claim that protective light as your own.

(This is the hallway in the St. Georges Branch church)

You may ask "How can I do that?" There is only one way: you must learn to generate that light each day by believing on Jesus Christ and following His commandments.

We cannot save the air we breathe, no matter how hard we try. Moment by moment, breath by breath, our lives are granted to us and are renewed. So it is with spiritual light. It must be renewed on a regular basis. We must generate it day by day, thought by thought, and with daily righteous action if we are to keep the darkness of the adversary away.

When Robert Hales was a boy, he used to ride his bicycle home from basketball practice at night. He said: "I would connect a small pear-shaped generator to my bicycle tire. Then as I pedaled, the tire would turn a tiny rotor, which produced electricity and emitted a single, welcome beam of light. It was a simple, but effective mechanism. But I had to pedal to make it work! I learned quickly that if I stopped pedaling my bicycle, the light would go out. I also learned that when I was 'anxiously engaged' (D&C58:27) in pedaling, the light would become brighter and the darkness in front of me would be dispelled."

The generation of spiritual light comes from daily spiritual pedaling. It comes from praying, studying the scriptures, fasting, and serving--from living the gospel and obeying the commandments. "He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light," (D&C 93:28) said the Lord, "and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." (D&C 50:24) That perfect day will be when we will stand in the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ.

(Norma & Ricardo Oliver, St. Vincent)

Sometimes people ask, "Why do I have to go to Sacrament Meeting?" or "Why do I have to live the Word of Wisdom or pay tithing? Why can't I have one foot in Babylon?" Because spiritual pedaling takes both feet! Unless you are fully engaged in living the gospel---living it with all your "heart, might, mind and strength" (D&C4:2)---you cannot generate enough spiritual light to push back the darkness.

(Ricardo carries his "cutlass"-or machete- in a pouch on the bike)

In this world, darkness is never far away. May we each generate the light of our Savior Jesus Christ in our lives, that the darkness may be dispelled.

Here's the rest of our week

Sisters Smith and Grigg

We made "Planner Covers" for each other.

Transfer day was Wednesday, so this was our last District meeting together as this Grenada Zone. We were craving Mexican food, Cafe Rio style, so we made all the fixings for a South (North) of the Border lunch before 2 of our zone Elders were transferred.

Holy Guacamole!!! Sisters Grigg and Smith

Elder Hill dishing up the good stuff with Roger, who came to say farewell to Elders Hill and Strong

Signing journals!

Eating mexican food. Yummy!!!!

Elder Strong modeling the pants which Sister Williams in the Branch made for him. She's a terrific seamstress!

Friends forever! Elders Hill and Strong (both being transferred to Guyana) & Elder Smith, our new District Leader

Roger and Ryan coming over to say goodbye to their pal, Elder Strong, who has been in Grenada for a year!!!! That's basically unheard of in Grenada!

We love these bro. hugs

Elder Dearing was just transferred to Grenada from Trinidad

Elder Witten was also just transferred here from Trinidad. They arrived a day earlier than normal transfers because of flight scheduling problems.

For some reason, our Elders became "jumpy". We think they were all jumping for joy about transfers! It's exciting and difficult all at the same time.....

.....so why not just jump? One, two, three...jump!

Wednesday night, we went teaching with the Sisters. It was a beautiful night on a rooftop with the stars as our backdrop. Perfection!

We have many land crabs in the area where we live

This big guy walked right into our apartment through an open door this week......

Then Kent caught him and should have thrown him in a pot for dinner............

.........but decided to go fishing with these guys instead.

Moses, Roger, Aaron Boren, Ricky

Jemin, Ryan and Ricky

Sea eggs

Ryan, Ricky, Kent, Jemin

Kent & Jemin with an eel. Yes, they eat these!

YIKES!!!!! Gives some of us the creeps!

Jemin

Ricky, Jemin and a very large lobster being cooked over the fire.

It's been a good week for Lobster

We got some new bikes for the Grenville Elders

Elder Loewen

Elders Loewen and Smith trading out their old bikes for new ones. It's an apartment full of bikes!

Practicing for the Celebration 2015 event with Bro. James, Connie, Jelita and Leisha. We taught these young women a lesson afterwards with Elder Loewen and Smith. They have yet to be baptized into our church.