If you chance to meet a frown…
Jun 19th, 2007 by Stephen Erastus Knudsen III
One of our greatest church hymns says, “If you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay. Simply turn it upside down, and smile that frown away.”
I smile all the time. Even when I am feeling frownie inside (no one like as a frownie face) – even when I’m not feeling particularly pleased or when I see things that I do not approve of – I smile – always.
Why?
Because I know that people are watching me and they see the example I am setting. And after a while, people invariably look at me and ask me why I am so happy — and that opens up wonderful missionary opportunities. It is a very effective technique.
When I was AP, I instituted the “smile plan” among a small group of missionaries in the mission. For three months the only active proselytizing we did was smiling, and our numbers tripled!
Has anyone else noticed that Mormons are the happiest people on earth? There are several reasons for this, but most of it just has to do with the fact that we have been chosen to reveal the restored truth to a world that has its priorities all out of whack, and other people haven’t. That’s what makes me so happy to be a member. What makes you smile?
Brother Stephen,
Just hearing the alarm clock go off at 6 AM is enough to make me smile because it means it is time for another glorious three hours of personal gospel study.
I have done a minimum of three hours every day since my mission, as I ‘m sure you have. Just because you’re released from a particular mission field doesn’t mean you’re released from morning studies.
Companionship studies were always harder. My college roommates would complain and threaten me with bodily harm when I drug them out of bed at the appointed time. But it made me smile anyway because I knew I was helping them stay on the straight and narrow and not lose the spirit of their missions.
Thank you for another wonderful post, Stephen!
Brothers Goode and Knudsen,
I have many shortcomings. But, I soldier on and I sense that my hapiness is deeper than either of yours as I smile in the face of nature’s cruel jokes and the capricious tastes of my acquintances. Those with ears let them hear.
Stevie-boy,
You know, a smile is just an upside-down frown. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against smiling. But on my mission, I relied on a more effective missionary tool called the Book of Mormon.
Petey,
Feel fortunate you weren’t my college roommate. Wake-up calls for “companionship study” would have been met with pillows, books, shoes and various other objects being thrown in your face.
Brother Goode,
I know what it is like to have unrighteous companions. I am sure he wore a constant frown.
Brother Rider,
It does not matter if a smile is upside down or sideways, if you are living right, you will have it — and the Book of Mormon is certainly worthy of smiles — no ifs, ands, or ***** about it.
Felix — It doesn’t matter. Where have you been all my life?
The author uvazhuha for literacy)))