Entry Forty Nine: Curse Breaker

December 22, 2025

Entry Forty Nine: Curse Breaker

So judging by the title, I hope you can guess that this was a great week :)

But I want to hear from you guys. How are you doing? What have you done this week that has brought you joy? I hope y’all are having a very Merry Christmas season! With that being said, let’s jump into it:

Now for some context, Lebanon split its one ward back in November of 2022, creating the Lebanon 3rd ward. I’m not sure which spiteful missionary in the first ward at that time spoke cursings because they lost access to the good side of town (joke), but from that point a mist of darkness was cast over the area. It’s an absurd reality, but this ward has never had a convert baptism since it was opened.

Until yesterday.

Fast forward to around April/May of 2025 when one Nick Clabough put in a request to meet with missionaries from our church. Not sure what happened, but missionaries never made contact and left his record in the back of the books. A few months later, come late October, Elder Hales and I reached out again and he responded very quickly. We got a bible study set up and he was hooked.

The Lord had been preparing Nick for about 50 years to receive the restored gospel, and when he had the chance to accept it in full, he took off. (A quick side note, my grandparents sent me an email last night talking about the importance of the word receive, and how it is a conscious effort on our part with promised blessings) Within the matter of about 6 or 7 weeks, he entered the waters of baptism.

And thus we see, the curse had been broken.

Now, I’m not sure why I was chosen to be here in Lebanon at this fantastic moment; I am equal with all the faithful missionaries who have worked this area in the past. But I am incredibly grateful that I was. I have come to know, in a very real sense, that God has a perfect plan for His beloved children. I want to speak directly to all my fellow missionaries, who may seem stuck or forsaken by “an arbitrary decision” from their mission president.

The Lord does not just send bodies to fill the slots in a mission. No. He is a lot more omnipotent than that. He carefully and deliberately considers each of your talents, gifts, and abilities. He matches your personality with those who he is preparing. There was once an Elder in my mission who sat where I am sitting right now for 7 months and never baptized. Was this an uninformed decision? Absolutely not. No matter the outcome of other people’s choices, you are still sent directly to them from God as a gift of love. In a way, representing the Savior means you become a “condescension of God” (1 Nephi 11:16-17).

I testify that this is the most glorious and important work taking place on the earth! You are needed. You are wanted. Each and every single one of you has a vital role to play! When we share something even as simple as a smile it lights the world. Jesus is the light of the world; our Savior, and we are his hands and feet until he comes again in all his glory. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Well, now that I’m off my soapbox, here’s some other things that happened this week:

1️⃣ We had transfers this week and Elder Hales got booted. Poor guy got to miss the one baptism this area’s ever seen 😭

2️⃣ My new companion though is Elder Hall! I’m greenie breaking him, but honestly it feels like he’s greenie breaking me! He is super bold and we’ve been having a lot of fun together so far.

3️⃣ There are now sisters in Lebanon. RIP the brostrict 🫡 (althought these sisters are chill enough they might as well be bros)

4️⃣ At the baptism, a member brought a friend named Ty. We had a very heartfelt conversation afterwards with Ty and a couple other members, and he said that this church is the first he has ever seen that’s not hypocritical. We then invited him to be bapti zed himself and he was beaming at the prospect! Huge tender mercy from the Lord right there!

5️⃣ Zone P-Day, which was taken from us long ago, is back for Christmas! Not sure if we’ll get to keep it for next transfer, but I’m happy I get to spend a few hours with all my favorite Cookvilleans.

That is all from me today. If you made it this far, I’m sorry lol. I know I yap, but can know I’m doing good when I yap like nobody’s busy. I sincerely love you all so much. I wish you the most Merry Christmas of your life! Remember the reason for the season ✊️☝️

Seasons greetings,

-Elder Clayton

Epic photograph time: (bum bum bum)