by Bethany Gosa
The day that Elder Dodge and Elder Staff came knocking on my door changed – even saved – my life.
I’ve always treasured my relationship with Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ and have never lost faith in their plan for humanity and their plan for me. I knew it would not fail, but had almost resigned myself to not finding the church home that nurtured those things.
The religion that I raised in wasn’t a home community or church family and when I needed them the most they shunned me. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided those things for me and made me feel loved, appreciated, and even treasured from the beginning. Unfortunately I had to move from that location and the year following was one of the worst years of my life, but I still met with the missionaries in Knoxville and visited the ward in Fountain City a few times.
From there I had to take some serious steps to take care of myself, to heal addiction, and some broken bones. So I spent about a year in a couple of different recovery programs. Then in September of 2023, I was permanently back in Maryville and by the first of this year, 2024, I was back to meeting regularly with the missionaries, who were at that time Sister Fee and Sister Condie. Sister Wilson soon replaced Sister Condie and the time I spent with Sister Fee and Sister Wilson proved to be the true changing point for the better.
With their help and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I was able to anchor my life in the positive ways. I was getting close to God and He strengthened me to be able to stand strong against the enemy and the heavy spiritual attacks that were thrown my way. The adversary tried hard to swing me in his way and even take my life, but I refused to abandon my relationship ship with God and this human life. I was also able to make lifestyle changes including leaving a living situation in a garage with a man I was not married to.
One of the happiest days of my life was when Sister Wilson told me I was ready to be baptized and that it would happen on July 27, 2024. That day came, and when I came up out of the water my body and soul felt lighter, and I had a strong sense of comfort that even though life may still be hard at times, it will always be rewarding and full of divine love and the Holy Spirit. I so much look forward to my life ahead as a member of Christ’s true church on the earth and being able to serve God and my fellow man in the highest capacity possible.
Barlows in TKM 