Isaac had heard about our church from a friend. He was curious as to what made his friend make such drastic changes in their life just to get baptized into another church. So one day, Isaac wandered into the church about an hour before sacrament meeting started. The times on Google Maps were wrong which led to Isaac meeting the missionaries in Columbia, Tennessee.
Isaac met with the missionaries in Columbia, Tennessee for a month, he had regular discussions with Elder Madsen and Elder Alder about the gospel. He enjoyed getting to know the community and the doctrine of the church through Elder Madsen and Elder Alder. But not too long after he began meeting with them, Isaac moved to the Chattanooga area to start his new job.
The missionaries from Columbia referred Isaac to the missionaries in the Ooltewah Ward. After about a week, the missionaries in Ooltewah were able to speak with Isaac and start having discussions. Isaac met with Elder Hirst and Elder Staker frequently to study and learn more. Isaac had a feeling that he needed to get baptized but struggled with some uncertainty about whether or not he was ready. One night, the Elders had a lesson with Isaac and Brother Marshman, a member in the Ooltewah ward. During the lesson, they read the promise of Moroni in Moroni 10:3-5. After reading the promise, Brother Marshman extended the invitation to Isaac to pray about whether or not he should get baptized. Isaac prayed and after faithfully asking his Heavenly Father, Isaac stood up and said he felt like he should make his first covenant with God and get baptized..
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Moron 10:3-5
Isaac soon would face strong opposition in his journey along the path to baptism, which led to a few delays in the date of his baptism. But Isaac never once forgot that night when he first felt that he should get baptized. Isaac continued to press forward in his search for truth, he met and discussed with Elder Hirst and Elder Staker, as well as many of the members of the ward. He felt loved and he saw the joy the Gospel brought to their lives. He too desired that joy in his own life. Isaac watched General Conference, went to Stake Conference, and continually received the same impression that he not only needed to get baptized, but also receive the discerning power of the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
That following weekend Isaac went with the ward to help in the service efforts of cleaning up after the hurricane in Augusta, Georgia. It was so fascinating to him to see so many people helping and serving others. It testified that not only was the church a worldwide church, but also a church of service and charity. This was a turning moment for Isaac, because he knew that a church of so much joy had to be true! Isaac trusted that receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost would help him to have the guidance and direction that he needed in his life. Isaac made the decision to get baptized and confirmed that Thursday!
Isaac was baptized on October 24, 2024.
Isaac’s baptism was meaningful to him in a lot of ways. It was significant to him to have that clean slate through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and baptism.. It was a comforting experience to receive the constant companionship of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Although still new to the area, lots of people attended and supported Isaac in this choice. Isaac realized he not only found a church, he found a second family.
Isaac continues to press forward strong in the gospel today and has even started attending lessons with the missionaries to share his testimony with other people seeking the truth like him!
Barlows in TKM 