Entry Thirty Six: The Orbs Spoke to Me

September 22, 2025

Entry Thirty Six: The Orbs Spoke to Me

Well hello there! (General Kenobi!) How’s it hanging with y’all this week? Things were pretty good out here in Jamestown, which is always a blessing when it does go well!

There’s not too much about the missionary work funnily enough. We actually found people this week, but our friend Gary told us he doesn’t want to be baptized yet, so we cancelled the baptism. Always a bummer, but I’m glad that he really understands the importance of this covenant and doesn’t want to go into it unprepared.

Now for the funny stories:

This past P-day, our district leader just ghosted us and we didn’t have a P-day activity, meaning that my comp took a fat nap and we were stuck in the apartment (the worst part was that this was day 2 of being inside the apartment all day 😭). One of the ways I managed to keep my sanity was with orbeez. Some Elder long ago left a big jug of them, so I put them in our biggest pan and just started playing with it, because I don’t know, I’m like 5 lol. Fast forward to later when we get back in the apartment after working 6:00-9:00pm, and I drop my things off, use the bathroom, you know normal things you do when you get back after a “long” day. When I came back into the kitchen, I see Elder Reed COOKING THE ORBEEZ 🤣

He said the intrusive thoughts won, and I don’t blame him, because that just made my day! Also fun fact about orbeez, if you cook a lot of them, the steam from the bottom ones get absorbed by the top ones, making them grow rather than shrink.

Aaaaaaanyways, this week we also had interviews! I seriously appreciate President Barlow so much; every time I speak with him, I just feel so uplifted and bright. He knows how to carry the spirit with him, and from what we discussed, he’s teaching me how to do the same. Despite how rough my area’s been recently *cough cough* I’m learning so much about myself, God, and the workings of the spirit, and I am absolutely loving it.

This morning I was reading through my MTC journal, because why not, and I found something really interesting at the end. Excuse the cringe, but I wrote,

Daaang this journal went by fast. There is a lot of wisdom in here. I know that wisdom is a quality God has. Zach, continue to study this journal throughout your mission. You’re cool!

When I read that I was immediately reminded of how the prophet Joseph Smith reacted when he discovered the eternal truth in James 1:5. In his own words:

Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again… (JSH 1:12)

So, in somewhat irony, I rediscovered by reflection, that through reflection you rediscover truths. I don’t know for how long Joseph reflected on that truth. The important thing is that he remembered the good feeling he had when he read it, even if he couldn’t remember what it said, and he used that as motivation to look upon it again and feel the power of that truth again.

As I reflected on my MTC experience and reread my study journal, I was reminded of so many important truths that I’ve honestly lost. But that’s ok. By the grace of Christ, we don’t have to be perfect on our first try. I believe we are intended to “reflect on [things] again and again,” because that’s how we grow. So, will you take the opportunity this week to reflect on some old notes you’ve taken? If you don’t have notes, will you take time to sincerely study the scriptures (preferably the Book of Mormon) and take notes? As a representative of the Savior, I promise that you will feel the spirit. These truths you reflect on will stick with you more often. I testify that the spirit is your comforter and your guide. I end in the name of Christ, amen.

Reverently and meekly now, let thy head most humbly bow. Think of me, thou ransomed one; think what I for thee have done. With my blood that dripped like rain, sweat in agony of pain, with my body on the tree I have ransomed even thee.

Love ya’ll sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much! Have an awesome week :)

-Elder Clayton

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