One Saturday afternoon, Hayden heard a knock on his door. He opened it up and saw two missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Driggs and Elder Bartholomew. They introduced themselves and invited Hayden to church. Hayden wasn’t sure at first, but he felt something inside nudge him to go for it. That night the spirit continued to work on Hayden, and he made up his mind:
“I’m tired of this old life, I am ready to make a change. I want to be brand new.”
The very next day, Hayden had an incredible experience coming to church for the first time. Everyone in the Forest City Ward was very welcoming, and treated him like a long lost friend. He said he saw light around everyone, and that this church was different from ones he went to in the past. He felt the spirit at church, and it nudged him again. He felt the impression that he needed to throw away some bad habits.
The next day, the missionaries explained that making covenants with God at baptism would help him overcome his challenges and become “a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17) in Jesus Christ. They extended a date for baptism to work towards as a goal, and Hayden accepted. This would be the beginning of a brand new life for him.
The missionaries introduced Hayden to the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and he began reading it every day. It became something he could turn to instead of his bad habits, and it would bring him much needed personal peace. Ever since picking up the Book of Mormon, Hayden would never again return to his old bad habits.
About the Book of Mormon Hayden said, “That book is special. Every time I struggle with anger or temptation, it just fades. I know it’s true.”
Hayden was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints March 9th, 2025.
Since joining, Hayden was able to witness and testify to His wife Jessica who would also join the church three weeks later on March 30, 2025.
Attending church has brought them closer together and helped them become better people as they follow the example of Jesus Christ. Hayden testifies that his life has more meaning and direction now than ever, and that he is able to experience true joy. He no longer struggles with anger in the same way he did before his baptism.
Barlows in TKM 