Paden Smith

Since I can remember, music has played an important role in my life, especially music that inspired me to love others and learn to be more like Christ. It is through music that the Holy Ghost works on each of us, bringing us closer to Christ and developing our testimonies of Him.
Being involved in nearly every facet of choral music during my junior high and high school years, I fell in love with singing. With no technical training while growing up in Cheyenne Wyoming, I owe the development of my talent to my participation in choirs. At about 17, I wrote my first song, “Forgiving Eyes”, in response to a portrait I sketched of the Savior. At this time, I was really struggling with all the things teens struggle with. Trying to develop my own testimony, I turned to the Atonement and watched as His grace and mercy really changed my life.
Shortly after graduating high school, I received my mission call to Ukraine. I wrote my second song, “Ready to Share”, to express my excitement for entering the mission field. I seriously couldn’t wait! I was so anxious to share my testimony with everyone! Writing music was the only way I could get my feelings out. I ended up singing “Ready to Share” at my mission farewell.
However, because Heavenly Father sure knows how to throw us curve balls, I was honorably released from my calling as a full time missionary. I was devastated. I was supposed to be gone for two years! This wasn’t supposed to happen! Man, did I need to be humbled. For a couple of weeks, I didn’t do much of anything except mope around, trying to figure out what to do with myself. I turned back to my music. I wrote the song, “I’ll Move On”, helping me put my faith in God, knowing His plan is always more perfect than ours. They always say “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” The other songs seemed to just fall into place, some having been in progress for awhile.
After leaving the MTC, I had enrolled at Snow College and participated with “LDSingers”, a singing group at the Ephraim Institute of Religion. It had a profound effect on my life. I made some of my best friends, a couple of them having contributed a lot to my music. Through my experience with the group and the support I received from some great religion teachers, I made up my mind…I wanted to share my music with others.
I finished writing more music and began recording my first album, “Just Breathe”. I feel that promoting and performing this music is my way of fulfilling the rest of my mission. I am so thankful for the opportunities God has placed before me. I pray I can touch others with my music, the way it has touched me. I am so grateful for my friends and family for their support. I am especially grateful for the love and support my Heavenly Father has shown me and continues to show me daily.
God Bless!
“With God, nothing is impossible.”