Letter of Release

Release date:  July 09, 2015

Braden Curtis Smith, 

You are honorably released from your sacred calling as a full-time missionary. No greater service can be rendered than to labor faithfully for the Savior in the salvation of human souls. The gratitude of those who have benefited from your unselfish labors will always be a source of satisfaction and encouragement to you.

May the joy that has come from conscientiously performing your duties as a missionary abide with you and inspire you with a constant devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, whom you have served.

Kendle Bowler
Mission President
Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission

This Is It

Hola Hola!

Well, this is it! I don't think I'm going to write much today, because I'm going to be seeing you very soon!

I'm glad you had a fun 4th of July! All the Elders in our zone went to a nice pizza place. But that's nothing on Journey! That's super cool, I'm sure it was a blast. I would have loved to see Journey!!

I love Honduras and all the people here. There are so many great things here! But I'm glad to be an American. God blessed us with the best country ever. I don't think I will ever take that for granted again.

It's been kind of a sad week. I can't believe that it is coming to an end. The time passes you by so fast. I am just glad I got this chance to serve as a missionary. I'm pretty sure this is the last time I am going to write as a missionary, so I just want to invite everyone to read the Book of Mormon, and pray about it asking God if it is true. It will be the best thing you ever do in your life.

-Elder Smith

All I Can Really Say Is Thank You

Hola Hola!

Well, this is it. My last full week as a missionary. I can't believe how fast these two years have flown by. It feels to me like only last week I was saying goodbye to my best friends and family the night before I left. I remember so vividly walking into the airport and meeting Elder Christiansen. We didn't know what we were in for! We didn't realize that we would grow to be such good friends while serving out here together.

I remember saying goodbye to my family without really realizing how important that moment was.

I remember getting to the CCM and meeting a bunch of guys that had so much faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that they were willing to leave everything behind for two whole years. I remember learning so much in that place. It is one of the best environments in the world to feel the spirit, grow, learn and prepare.

I remember getting to Honduras and meeting my trainer, Elder Glassett! One of my best friends! I remember the first long drive down to Choluteca, the pouring rain that drenched us within seconds of getting off the bus...I remember the heat, the mud, the incredibly humble and prepared people that accepted the gospel through two missionaries that had only about four months of experience between them! I remember my first leaders that made that zone so great and the example they gave me for the rest of my mission. Thank you guys!

I remember every single area since then, and my heart is still there in every one of them! I remember every mountain I climbed. Every meal I ate in the homes of people who couldn't afford to feed us. I remember every service project we did with all our hearts to help those people. I remember lessons where everyone left crying, and lessons ending with us getting thrown out of the house. I remember loving these people no matter what their answers were to our invitation.

I remember the five Sundays I had when I brought more than fifteen investigators to church and how happy I felt. I also remember all the Sundays when my companion and I sat there without a single one. 

I remember watching a family of menos activos walk through the door just before Sacrament Meeting for the first time in three years and feeling such a feeling of love from the Savior. I remember watching the whole ward walk over and welcome them back right after the closing prayer. I remember saying a prayer of thanksgiving with my companion, Elder Yac, in the back of the church.

I remember sharing my most spiritual experience with Hermana Xiomara and then listening to Elder Pearson do the same. I remember the spirit testifying so strongly and watching her son cry. I remember her telling us that it wasn't her time, and how badly that hurt. I remember begging and pleading with the Lord to have her call us and ask us to visit her again, because when we prayed to know what to do with her we felt we needed to wait for her to call us. I will always remember her and her family.

I have so many memories and the only thing I can really say is thank you. Thank you to my parents, my leaders who helped me get here, my coaches who were great examples, my companions, my leaders, my mission presidents. But most of all to God.

-Elder Smith

She Passed Her Test

Hola Hola! 

Well, it's been an interesting week, I think for you at home much more than for me here in the mission. Honestly, it was a pretty good week for us out here. The big day was Friday so we'll focus on that day. 

It started early with a last minute final check and clean of our apartment. Every time we have interviews with President we run the risk of him coming to inspect our house. Now we have another set of older missionaries here as well, the Oldroids. And Elder Oldroid's main responsibility is taking care of the missionary houses. And thus the shower pictures from a few weeks ago, haha.

After a little cleaning we went to the church and started the interviews. President always has us and the Assistants take turns teaching lessons while he is interviewing everyone. Elder Pearson and I had prepared a couple of really good lessons! We invited some members to come so we could have actual practices, we prepared videos, we had called people beforehand to ponder certain topics and then asked them to share about that topic. And we were successful in inviting the spirit to help us teach, which is the most important part. It went really well for us.

After President had finished with everyone besides us we had lunch and he shared a short message with us. He always has great insights. He shared stories about his mission, miracles that he saw and helped bring to pass, and ideas that we could use. He finished, we closed the meeting and everyone else left to work. Elder Pearson had his interview, leaving me for last. 

He started by telling me that my service has been accepted by the Lord, and that I had done a much better job than even I knew or felt I had done. He said that the Lord was very happy and proud of me for serving a mission. He asked me about the zone and how things were going in our area and companionship. Then he read the message Mom had sent to him and shared with me that Grandma Smith had passed away. It wasn't really a shock, but I wasn't expecting it either. He shared some very comforting words and counsel and gave me a big hug. The spirit was there comforting us both. 

After that Hermana Bowler took me aside and also offered some comfort and support. She is so great! She told me that If I needed anything that I could call her and talk. 

Through it all I was mostly just worried about Dad. I know this must be really hard for him. But she made it! She passed her test! God decided it was time to take her to paradise.  I am so proud of her, and of Grandpa. They have left us a great example of enduring to the end. I hope to follow their example. 

After that we went to work. There are still people to find and teach out here! I love my calling and I'm going to magnify it until they release me. 

I love you all and I'm praying for you.

-Elder Smith

Burning Down Babylon

Hola Hola! 

Wow, you guys had a really exciting week! Everyone going in different directions. That's the summer for ya. I'm glad you had such good experiences. Good luck Carter! You're going to be a great missionary. It will be good to see you after four years when you get back! But for three weeks the Smith cousins are going to be burning down Babylon!

Our week was pretty good, we spent it contacting all the people we met with the single adults. Last week we were all working at the same time, but this week we left with each of them individually to go meet the people they had contacted. It was pretty fun! They are almost all returned missionaries. This ward has so much potential. We just have to light the fire again and we are going to see miracles! 

The rainy season has officially started again down here in Honduras. It rains here every single day. I realized just how destroyed my shoes are this week, haha. I think I'm going to have wet feet till the end of my mission. But because of all the rain everything is turning so green and beautiful! This country really is amazing. I love it. 

Stefanie, I'm really glad you had a good time at Youth Conference! I remember loving those things. And I'm proud of you for being a good missionary. That's so important! And I'm sorry everyone keeps asking you about me! Haha, I don't even know who would be asking about me, I can't remember anybody anymore. But I'm glad I'm still loved! (: 

Dad, thanks for the advice. Don't worry, I'm going to be knocking on doors, talking to everyone I can up until the day they make me get on the plane. I have three more weeks of FULL TIME missionary service. A whole lot of good can happen in three weeks. I know why I'm here.

I love you guys! I hope you have a great week! 

-Elder Smith

There is Nothing That Can Stop the Work From Progressing

Hola Hola! 

This week was pretty uneventful. We worked really hard, but not a whole lot beside that. Let's see if I can't still write a good letter today. 

This week we had a lot of help from our ward. On Sunday we had an activity with the JAS which is the young single adults, where we went to contact in a part of our area. Almost every one of the single adults here are returned missionaries so it was really fun to be able to work with them and see their love for missionary work come back into their lives. It was a blast, and we found a couple of families that seem like they are honestly going to progress! God blesses people when they try to go above and beyond! 

There is an Hermana in our ward who got back from her mission this week. She is awesome! She has already given us like five references, she has asked to work with us in the area where she lives. She still has the fire in her! It's crazy what one person with a lot of faith can do! But it's even more incredible when a whole group of people come together, that's when you really see miracles! 

We had Consejo this week as well. Consejo is always great! It helps us to stay focused and to remember our huge responsibility. But it also helps us to stay down to earth and remember that it's all in God's hands. He is the one behind the plans. And there is nothing that can stop the work from progressing.  

Another thing we did this week was FINALLY clean our bathroom! Haha, I'm going to attach some photos of our shower! It was super dirty... its sad... viewer disgression is advised... 

before

 after

Well, I think that's all from me today! I love you all and hope you will have a great week!

-Elder Smith

I Know In Whom I Have Trusted

Hola Hola!

First of all, Mom, my toe is fine! Haha, we went to the office on Tuesday, they gave me a shot, cut my toenail off and we were working again that night. It was no big deal at all. My toe does feel a whole lot better. But thanks for worrying about me!

I'm still with Elder Pearson, we didn't have changes. But there were quite a few changes in our zone. It should be a pretty good change, my last one. That's a crazy thought! I got an email from Elder Staten, he's finishing his mission and going home this week. I swear I was just at his farewell! But that's how the mission works. You start and before you even know it it's ending. Mom, I'm sure that's exactly how you felt this week saying goodbye to your little first graders. Dad, that must be how you felt this week with Grandma. But that's one of the great parts of life! Nefi talked about that right after Lehi passed away in 2 Nefi 4. Se en quien he confiado. I know in whom I have trusted. We just have to trust in the Lord and trust that better things are coming. 

Apart from that it was a pretty normal week! We worked hard. Saw some progress in some people that we weren't expecting to progress. Had one of the WORST lessons in my whole mission. We didn´t eat very much this week because last week was stake conference and the Relief Society didn't plan who we were going to eat with! Haha, that was interesting. But all in all a great week. 

Stefanie, I hope you will have a great summer! Working and dating and going to high school and all that stuff! Haha, you are so grown up! Kevin, atta boy! I'll see you at the airport! And tell my coach that poster is awesome! I love you all, have a great week!

~Elder Smith

A Lot of Work To Be Done

Hola Hola! 

First of all, Grandma Smith, I love you so much. I hope you know that I have felt your love and support so much while I have been out here on my mission. You have really helped me now and throughout my whole life. You have been a great example of a woman who loves the Lord and tries to follow Him. Thank you for that! I'm praying for you out here. 

This week we have changes coming up! I will be starting my last change! I can't believe how fast the time is flying by. The weeks seem like days sometimes. The good thing is that I shouldn't be getting changed, I'm pretty sure that I'll be here to finish my mission. And I'm super happy about that! I really like it here, and there is still a lot of work to be done. 

I'm super happy for Rachel getting her Patriarchal Blessing.  That must have been a great experience. I vividly remember the night I received my Patriarchal Blessing. Rachel, I hope it will be a light for you in your life! There are things in mine that I think about every single day. Stefanie, you should really start thinking about getting yours as well! 

Tomorrow I'm going to the clinic to get my ingrown toenail looked at... I couldn't take it anymore. Well, actually Elder Pearson was the one who called Hermana Bowler to set up the appointment because he knew I wouldn't do it. But it was the right decision, it was getting pretty bad! I'll let you know how it went! 

Well, I think that's all my news for today. I love you all! Have a great week! 

P.S. Happy Birthday, Michael! Save me a piece of pie! haha

My zone...

Sweet grafiti in our area...

Preaching repentance to the Pueblo...

Helping Others Come Closer to Christ

Hola Hola! 

This week was a busy one! We had divisions with the Assistants and with one of the areas in our zone. It felt like I spent just about as much time with other companeros as I did with Elder Pearson! But it's always fun to spend time with other missionaries and see their style of teaching. It changes so much! A whole lot more than you would think. But despite all the changes it is always centered on the Lord and helping others come closer to Christ. 

On Wednesday I went with Elder Osmond to his area. I found out that he will now be going home at the same time as me! So that was fun to talk and work with him, he is a really good missionary. Then we had one day together with Elder Pearson. And the next day I was with Elder Sosa in my area. He is from the Dominican Republic and only has about five months in the mission. It was fun to teach with him and get to know his life story a little more! 

We worked really hard this week, we had fifty baptism challenges this week! We decided that it was time to drop a lot of our investigators that were not progressing. It's hard to do that because we know that this might be the only chance they get...but we also have a big responsibility to the Lord and other people to give them their chance. That is really one of the hardest things we have to do as missionaries. 

This is the last week of the change, everyone is getting excited to see where they might go! I can't believe this will be my last one! But really nothing will change. That is the best part of the mission! (: 

Go Lehi!

Have a great week! 

~Elder Smith 

For p-day today we went to a big Catholic Church.

We also played soccer today!

Still A Lot of Time

Hola Hola! 

Well, not a lot to say today because we talked for awhile yesterday! But it was great to see and talk to you all. I can't believe that was our last call! That was the last big milestone of the mission for me. No more Christmases, no more birthdays, no more General Conferences. It's winding down! But there is still a lot of time to help some people find the gospel! (:

I love you all! Have a great week.

-Elder smith

A Day and Memory I Will Never Forget

Hola Hola!!

This week was great, we had a baptism! It was for an hermana named Irinia Núñez. I love her so much, she is sooo pilas! She wasn't going to be able to be baptized until the middle of June because of her work schedule and other conflicting problems. But God opened doors and she was able to get baptized! It was a beautiful service. The craziest thing is that we baptized her in Choluteca! Her family in Choluteca was also investigating the church, and they were going to get baptized in two weeks. But when everything worked out just perfectly they decided to get baptized this weekend so they could do it all together as a family. So we talked to President and he gave us permission to go down with Irinia to baptize her. We woke up early Friday morning, met up with Irinia, and headed to the bus station at about 7:30 a.m. The next four hours were spent on the familiar twisty windy road back to the south. When we got there we went and ate at Chorascos, the best restaurante in the whole freaking world! Or at least the south part of Honduras! And then we went to her baptism. She is amazing! After the baptism she bore her testimony, the spirit was so strong! 

We left right after the baptism and got back on the bus. As we were driving away it started to rain. Choluteca was saying one last goodbye to me and crying as I left for the last time ever. A day and a memory that I will never forget! God works miracles to bring to pass his righteous purposes. I was reading in DyC 35: I think verses 8 and 9. It says that Gods arm is still extended, and miracles follow those who believe in Christ. Today, just like in Old Testament times! We just have to believe and see.

And that was the highlight of my week! (:

I'm super glad you guys have a good birthday week planned. Happy birthday Stefanie! I got your letter this week. Thank you so much! You're the best! 

And on Mother's Day this Sunday I think I will get to call you in the evening, like around 5 o'clock Honduras time! Love you!

-Elder Smith

Zone Conference with Elder Ochoa

Hola Hola! 

This week was great! We had the opportunity to listen to Elder Ochoa. He came on Thursday for our zone conference. He spoke on how there are chosen people who have been prepared to receive the gospel, it is these people we need to be looking for. He told us that we need to do a better job of helping people understand and realize who it was that sent us to talk to them. It was exactly what I needed to hear! 

This week we have been focusing on our investigator Xiomara and her family--Alejandro, Nelly and Ashli. I love them so much. We gave them a promise last week that if they would read the Book of Mormon every day and come to church that they would be able to receive an answer to know if this is the only true church. They kept their part of the promise, they read every day. And they came to church! I really am hoping and expecting three baptisms very soon! Please pray for them this week.

We went to this sweet waterfall this week..but my camera is missing again..this is like my fourth camera of my mission. Jaja, so I don't have any pictures but it was amazing! I really like my zone.

WOW! It's crazy that you already have my flight information! If you wanted to share that with me I would like to know. I'm super proud that Stefanie is going to mission prep! And Mom, I'm happy you accepted my scripture challenge. Thank you for your insights! 

I feel like my emails are getting shorter and shorter! But know that I love you and that I am growing and becoming who the Lord needs me to be. I hope you are too!

Love your son, 

Elder Smith

Roller Coaster of Emotions

Hola Hola!

Well, I'm with a new companion. Elder Pearson from American Fork, Utah! He's a really good guy and we are going to work hard. It's crazy that he could very well be my last companion. Our zone had a bunch of changes too. There are now more Hermanas in our zone than Elders. It should be a good change! 

It is always exciting the morning of changes! We wake up and start the day as normal, pretending that it isn't killing us not knowing what is going to happen. Then at about eight o'clock the Assistants call to tell us the changes. We then call everyone in our zone to let them know. And the rest of the day is bittersweet. We go out and say goodbye to everyone, which is very sad, but there are always very nice things said, and usually a lot of food! The worst part is that night when we start packing. That's when it hits you the hardest. You might not ever see that place again. But you are also very excited to see your new area! It's a roller coaster of emotions. But it's very good because it gives you a great chance to progress.

Mom, thanks for all the news and updates. I can't believe that the school year is almost over for you guys! Life just keeps going, time just keeps sliding past. Mom, I'm glad you have so many fun activities planned for your first graders. And I'm glad Dad's track team is doing so well! I'm proud of Stefanie for being so pilas. Go Lehi soccer! And that is the craziest thing I've ever heard that Rylie and Josh have two kids! Congratulations to Nate Hancock, and Amanda McHenry too. She better not get married before I get home! And way to go Trevor and Haley for your graduations! 

This week we have Zone Conference. Elder Ochoa from the Quorum of the Seventy is coming to talk to us. We have a meeting with him on Thursday, and then a meeting for leaders of the mission on Friday. I'm very excited for that.

Well that's all from me this week. I love you all!  Keep reading and praying as a family.

-Elder Smith

The Spirit Was Felt

Hola Hola! 

Arches National Park looks awesome! I'm glad you guys had such a good time. I can't believe spring break is already past! And you guys can now say that you have been to the  place on your license plates!

This week was awesome for us, Consejo was great as always. We saw a bunch of progress in our investigators and we had a lot of them in church yesterday! I'll attach a picture we took.

Hermana Xiomara and all her kids came, as well as Consuelo and her WHOLE FAMILY, including the guy who took us to mass! We were super happy! It was the first time that the whole family had come to church together. It was also ward conference, so the bishop and the stake president both spoke. The spirit was felt! 

We also felt super guided to go to this guy's house in a part of our area where we had never really worked that much. His name is Freddy, We started teaching him and he said he didn't want to join any church because the faith of the people in churches isn't really faith. That no one who goes to church would be willing to die for what they believe in. We shared Doctrine & Covenants section 135 with him, the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The spirit was very strong and I was able to tell him about the time our family stood in that very room. How I saw the holes in the wall where the bullets entered. How I have felt the spirit of Joseph Smith's testimony that he sealed with his blood. And how the church was restored! He said he would pray about it, so we´ll see what happens when we go back!

Well that was pretty much our week! On Wednesday we have changes. I will probably stay here in this area, but I might get a new companion! I'll let you know next Monday!

Love you all, 

-Elder Smith

Easter and General Conference

Hola Hola!

Happy Easter and Conference to each and every one of you! I hope you had a great week full of the spirit and remembering the Savior and his sacrifice. General Conference probably helped you to do that. It was so great this year! I have grown such a love for Conference while out here on my mission. But did you notice that Elder Scott didn't speak? I wonder why? My favorite talks were given by President Eyring in the Priesthood session, Elder Bednar, and Elder Holland. Can't wait for the Liahona to get here next month! 

This week was pretty slow. Everyone went on vacation, even the public transportation people. We were unable to get to the half our area where we have most of our investigators. And most of the ones we have here close by were gone. So we had a week full of member visits! It was fun, but it was not a very productive week. 

That's really cool that Carter got his mission call!  Atta kid, Carter! My MTC companion is serving in San Antonio,Texas! It sucks that I won´t be able to see him before he leaves. But I am really proud of him!  

Its also pretty cool that you signed my National letter of Intent! Its official, I'm going to be playing college soccer! I'm pretty excited about that! Thanks for all your help.

This week coming up we have Consejo! I'm excited, it's always a great spiritual experience. I´ll keep you posted on that.

Well that's all from me today. I hope you all have a great week, and that you apply what we learned in Conference. Love you!

-Elder Smith