Entry Fifty Five: The Pepper

February 02, 2026

Entry Fifty Five: The Pepper

Good morning everyone 🙂

So I am alive and well. A couple people were asking me if I've had power because of the snowstorm, and yes I have. I am fortunate enough to be in the western-most part of Tennessee that kept power. Many blessings have come upon us and the work continues!

But, I hope it is going well for all of you! There were some funny moments, that's for sure. Let’s get into it:

First off, our friend, Tyrese, is progressing so well! He’s hopefully gonna be baptized this Saturday! Some last minute things came up yesterday that we need to sort through, but I have confidence he can make it.

Unfortunately, we have transfers this week, so I might not be able to stay for the baptism 😭

I just hope I get a good area and a good companion.

We met with this guy for like an hour and a half one day talking about major church questions. Not the best use of that time, but I love the chance to bear my testimony of our church. And at one point he stopped us and said,”You know, you're making it really hard to hate you guys,” so it was all worth it 🤣

I had an epic final blowout esque exchange in Cookeville. I love being in Cookeville, even if Tech's campus was dead. I got to go out with Jim (a really awesome member) a couple times for meals. They were sooooo good.

On the subject of food, a member in Lebanon took us to Chiles this week. As we were heading inside we decided to talk with some folks. One couple asked us if we were the Elders they were going to be eating with, then the man proceeded to flash us his garments to prove he's a member 💀

Turns out it was the son of the member taking us out, and we had a very good meal.

Ok this last story is lowkey about to be a spiritual thought because I made a very sincere gospel connection through it this week.

In short, I made a very stupid decision.

Remember how I said my DL would eat a Carolina Reaper? Yeah. He convinced me to take one as well. His reasoning was that it was only 4x hotter than this one hot sauce I devour at the local tienda, and it convinced me (I really got to stop giving into peer pressure 😭🙏)

The heat of the pepper in the mouth wasn't all that bad. I thought I was doing good… until about 30 minutes in, when it started attacking my insides. Let’s just say that little pepper had me begging for mercy real fast.

Now, we all make stupid decisions all the time. It’s just a part of growing up and learning, and we come to learn very quickly our dependence on God. King Benjamin put it quite well when he said,

“For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have…?” (Mosiah 4:19)

I testify to you all today that hope is not lost when we are left on our knees begging. Our Heavenly Parents knew that to mess up was the only way to become more like them. The only way was through the fall.

So, a Savior, yea even a Redeemer was prepared. Oh how great and wondrous is this plan that has been prepared for us! That redemption may come through this Messiah! That through him the world might be saved!

When we are begging, our pleas are heard! And they are answered! Jesus Christ lives, and he can provide succor where needed! And for this my heart rejoices. I say all this in the name of this beloved Messiah, Jesus Christ, amen.

I’ve got a list of the things I’ve done wrong, all the pain that I bore for so long. Justice was holding the cards, mercy seemed so far. Then You stepped in between me and my fate, took a pen to the charges I should pay. Right on the dotted line, you signed your name over mine.

Love y'all! Don't do anything stupid this week!

-Elder Clayton

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