The missionaries first contact with Michael Morton was on July 16, 2023. They were going to meet with another friend and ran into Michael and his friend. Michael noticed right away that there was something different about the missionaries.
Soon Sister Harrison and Sister Lund started teaching him and helping him grow his faith in Jesus Christ. At first Michael didn’t see the need for baptism. He felt that he already had a good enough connection with God. The sisters had many lessons with him and even watched General Conference with him, but ultimately the sisters had to stop teaching him because he was so busy.
Sister Lund and Sister Biasi then ran into him again and Michael said that he was ready to get serious about learning about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. They started to teach him pretty consistently, but the lessons were never very productive so they stopped teaching him again because He wasn’t progressing. Even though the sisters stopped teaching Michael, the Spirit continued to work in his life.
Michael kept randomly running into the missionaries around town. Finally one Sunday during church, Michael called Sister Adams and Sister Foster and said he was outside! We asked him what inspired him to come to church with us that Sunday, and he told us he wanted to get baptized.
We immediately started teaching Michael about baptism and began to prepare him to be baptized. Michael was so busy that sometimes we would show up to Walmart where he worked to have lessons with him.
On April 30, 2024 we taught Michael the doctrine of baptism and extended a baptismal date to him, He was very excited and willing to do whatever it would take to make this covenant with Heavenly Father. Michael was baptized on May 11, 2024 and there were many people there to support him!! He said that after his baptism he felt good and tired because he was finally clean. He said that he was able to be kinder to others and get along better with everyone. Michael is now preparing to receive the priesthood and attend the temple.
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Barlows in TKM 