An Inspiring Account of One Man's Fight with Cancer

"Is it really God's will that we have tragedy in our lives?" After telling of his extremely difficult battle with intestinal cancer, and the ups and downs that he faced both physically and spiritually, Brother Emmett Smith says, "I suggest to you no. [God] doesn't cause it to happen, [but] he may allow it to happen so that we might grow and we might struggle and we might react to the tragedy." The apostle Paul once wrote these words to Timothy: "I have fought a good fight, I've finished my course, I have kept the faith." Emmett adds that "this is the way life is meant to be in the Church—always walking toward the light, always searching for the dawn, stumbling some in the darkness, sometimes in the pain, sometimes losing our way, but always searching for another tomorrow. Without the darkness there could be no light. Without the pain there can be no healing."

ABOUT EMMETT SMITH

For decades, Emmett Smith has brought his life experiences, stories, and insights to schools, businesses, civic organizations, and churches throughout the United States. He is also the subject of the national award-winning BYU Productions film, "The Emmet Smith Story."

Among the awards he has received are Arizona's Outstanding Service to Youth Award, Valley Forge All-American Teacher's Award, National Coach of the Year, and the Achievement Above All Award. He is also listed in Who's Who Among Arizona's Teachers.

Emmett's church service has included callings as a bishop, high councilor, and executive secretary to a regional representative. He and his wife, Jacqueline, have four children and 15 grandchildren.