The Journal of Hyrum McDougal Smythe:

             ~ My Missionary Journeys ~
                 21 July, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight
 

        After studying several of the writings of the beloved Prophet Joseph Smith, I had this conversation with my companion.  This said conversation took place three weeks after I had read these writings of The Prophet, especially those pertaining to water.  I informed my dear companion that I believed without any doubt all of the words of The Prophet pertaining to waters.  I therefore shall never set foot on ANY body of water, be it ocean, sea, lake, pond, river, creek, bathtub.  Nor even shall a glass of water grace my lips.  For, as The Prophet has said in D & C 61:15  "Wherefore, the days will come that no flesh shall be safe upon the waters."
        For these past three weeks in my duty that tells me to follow The Prophet, I have not bathed for fear of evil spirits coming up through the drain and dragging me down into the regions of darkness.
        I am sorry to say, as much as I dearly love him, my companion is not equal to my faith.     He has his doubts.  I have informed him that we must stay away from water as The Prophet has instructed, until after the very end of times.  The debate that ensued lasted for three days.  At times it seemed that my companion would loose complete control of his anger, and on several occasions, threaten to leave his mission and go back home where his mommy would let him take a bath.  I suspect, lacking in faith as she is, she would insist on his bathing.
        At the end of the third day my companion brought in the Mission President.  He too showed his lack of faith in the words of The Prophet by insisting that I bathe.  But I kept my faith!  As the Mission President and my companion were speaking to me they tried many ways to convince me to break my trust in the holy words of The Prophet.  They even asked me about baptism.  How was I to perform baptisms if I would not go near the water?  "How are you going to baptize the new converts?" asked the Mission President.
        "Spit on 'em!" says I ~ whereupon the Mission President sent me home - as he was not able to deal with someone as enlightened as myself.
        So as of this writing I am heading home and I am sure that my mother will support me in my faith.

      ~ ~ This is Hyrum McDougal Smythe,
                                    upholding the words of The Prophet.....

         ~ ~ Simon West
           © 22 November, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Eight

 
This page was last modified May, 2002.