Having lived in Venezuela for most of his life, the missionaries first met Denilson when he moved to Cleveland, TN. He moved in with the family of a few recent converts of the church, who quickly took him in as their own. Denilson’s girlfriend, Samyra, also grew up as a member of the church, and they slowly began to attend church together with the rest of Samyra’s family.
For months, Denilson would listen to or sit on on some of the missionary discussions. He always asked thought-provoking questions, and truly took interest in growing his faith. As he slowly began to attend church more, Samyra commented that she saw a big spiritual change in Denilson. Missionaries and family members had always talked with Denilson about making the covenant of baptism, but he hadn’t felt ready to make the decision.
One day, the missionaries came by to visit Raines and Lizzie, two of the recent converts of whom Denilson was living with. Denilson and Samyra were together in the home as well, and they soon started talking with the missionaries about their current circumstances. They had been struggling, and they expressed that they needed support and more of God’s strength in their life.
The missionaries testified of the strength that would come through making a covenant with God. They promised Denilson that he would be able to receive more support as he exercised his faith in being baptized. Denilson knew it was the right thing to do, and confidently said yes to being baptized. Before his baptismal date, Denilson and Samyra also planned to be married!
The marriage ceremony was fun and filled with lots of cultural Venezuelan and Peruvian food. It was a sweet moment in which family members of all sides joined in, both virtually and in-person.
The next day, Sunday, October 20, 2024, Denilson was baptized and confirmed as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a bright smile leaving the baptismal font, and almost appeared to be glowing with the spirit. Denilson had come a long way, and his baptism was the start of a covenant relationship with his Father in Heaven.
Barlows in TKM 