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In this episode of Mission Stories, Shawn sits down with Nick Smithson, who recently returned from serving in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. Nick’s journey is a profound masterclass in moving from a state of hesitation and "cognitive-only" belief to a life governed by clear, personal revelation and intentional action. The conversation explores how a young man facing significant personal and family challenges learned to "seek learning even by study and also by faith" to become a powerful instrument in the Lord’s hands.

The Hilltop Witness

For years, Nick struggled with the decision to serve a mission, weighing valid concerns about his family and personal circumstances. He was torn between serving as a young man or waiting until he was part of a senior couple. The transformation began when he took the decision to the Lord with deliberate effort. While hiking a hill near his home, Nick spent time singing hymns out loud and praying. In that moment of consecrated effort, he experienced a "tangible" witness—a voice to his soul that undeniably communicated: "Hey, you need to go". This revelation provided the "substance and evidence" he needed to move forward with obedience and receive his call to Argentina.

The Skill of Seeking: Study Plus Faith

A pivotal turning point in Nick's mission occurred when he was hitting his one-year mark. Influenced by a companion who studied topically with a notebook, Nick began a deep, intentional dive into the principle of revelation. As a biologist, Nick initially relied heavily on his "cognitive" and intellectual abilities, but he realized he had hit a "skill ceiling" by separating study from faith.

By applying Doctrine and Covenants 109:7, he learned to combine his intellectual diligence with spiritual discernment. He developed a methodical approach to seeking truth: writing a specific question at the top of a notebook, praying until a thought came, and then scouring the scriptures—primarily the Book of Mormon—to build a "web" of understanding. This process taught him to discern the Holy Ghost by looking for what "tracked" as heavenly and tossing out thoughts that did not carry the Spirit.

Building Zion in the Pines

Nick's mission culminated in a return to an area known as Viceroy of the Pines (V), a place he felt spiritually drawn to before the transfer was ever announced. Tasked with the "daunting" mission of opening a new group, Nick shifted his focus from just "looking for sheep" to "building the pasture".

The power of this intentional work was manifest in the reactivation of a member who owned a Taekwondo dojo. Through individual ministering and building a "Zion foundation," Nick helped the members organize so the church could be brought to the people. On his final Sunday, he witnessed the baptism of the dojo owner's daughter, Maya, and left the area with a new group organized to meet in that very dojo—a literal fulfillment of his efforts to help build the kingdom.

Closing

Nick concludes that the most important part of receiving revelation is identifying "Step One"—the immediate action required to put a spiritual truth into practice. He reflects that while he was always "happy," the mission replaced his underlying sadness with a discernable "light" and a heart full of content. His story serves as a clear invitation to anyone on the fence: "Open a notebook, get out a pen, and pray".