"What?! I totally thought he was really Joseph Smith!!!"

Me with Elder Escobar

Outside our apartment that is attached to this deli owned by the ward mission leader

Well, I'm in Worcester! WOOSTAH. The Boston accent is more prevalent and widespread here than anywhere else I've served, I think, but I'm so accustomed to it by now that I barely even notice it. This is my first time serving in a rural area; we have a small part of the large city of Worcester in our area, but for the most part, we work in the small towns just north of the city (Holden, Boylston, Rutland, Paxton, etc). Westford and Chelmsford in my last area were definitely more spread out too, but we were in Lowell most of the time.

Speaking of Lowell, I miss it there, but I'm very excited to be here in a new place with tons of new people to serve! My companion and I are already working and praying hard for the work of the Lord to be hastened in this area. The ward is small and some of the members are more apprehensive about missionary work, but I look forward to building up this ward and helping them take part in this marvelous work and a wonder! I'm already having learning tons of learning and faith-building experiences here, and it only reinforces my love of being a missionary. =D

Sister Rivera and Elder Hanberg are in my district again - we were together in a district during my time in the Revere 2nd ward, and here we are together again! Sister Rivera and her companion serve in both Worcester wards (there's another companionship of Elders for the Worcester 2nd ward), and Elder Hanberg and his companion are in the Framingham ward. It was nice to have familiar faces at district meeting on Friday to go along with all the new ones.

You're probably wondering about the title of this email...so, last Sunday, the Primary Presidency of the ward asked the Elders to come in to Primary to do part of Sharing Time. I got transferred in on Thursday, and Elder Escobar told me about it. They're learning about the Restoration right now, and the lesson manual suggests that a priesthood holder comes into the room in a simple costume and plays the part of Joseph Smith, telling the story (from a first person point of view) of how he received the golden plates and how gospel truths were restored through heavenly visitors. Elder Escobar said I would probably fit the part better, and I jumped at the chance to do a bit of acting. It worked out perfectly, because it was my first Sunday in the ward and nobody knew me yet! I went in without my coat, tie, or nametag on, and told the kids that I was Joseph Smith. Their eyes got all big, and I told them my story in a few brief, simple sentences. I told them about "my" First Vision and how the Angel Moroni gave "me" the plates. I talked about translating the Book of Mormon, receiving the priesthood, and learning more about the sacrament and temples, etc etc. After that, I told them I had a secret, and asked if anyone could guess my secret. One of the girls in the back raised her hand and said with a grin on her face that I wasn't really Joseph Smith. I admitted it, and there was a small boy in the front who said, "WHAT?!? I totally thought he was really Joseph Smith!!!" I got a good laugh out of that afterwards. After the cat was let out of the bag, I walked over to the table, put my nametag back on, and told them that I was the new missionary in the ward. I bore my testimony to them of Joseph Smith, the Restoration, the Church, and of Jesus Christ as our Savior while I put my tie and suit coat back on. It was tons of fun and a special experience to bear my personal testimony of Joseph Smith in a different way.

It's hard to believe that it's already almost May. Time certainly does fly...all the more reason to get out and work! =]

Love,

Elder DeLong