George has searched for truth his whole life and he can see how God placed the right people in his path. He began by having a childhood connection with Brother Arnold Jones, one of the happiest, most diligent members of the La Follette Branch. Then, about 3 years ago, George met Brother Gene Muggridge at Walmart, an incredible member missionary who often invites people to learn more about the church. They became great friends and. George agreed to meet with the missionaries then. However, while he progressed for some time, he decided to stop meeting with the missionaries.

George was brought back to the Church because of the passing of his childhood friend, Brother Jones. After Brothr Jones’ funeral, George attended church with Brother Muggridge the next two Sundays. Brother Muggridge gave him a Book of Mormon and the missionaries started meeting with him again.

When the missionaries met with him the next day, George told them, “Yesterday, I asked Brother Muggridge what my next step was, and he told me that I needed to pray about Joseph Smith and ask if he was a prophet. Well, I did, and God witnessed to me that Joseph Smith is God’s chosen prophet in these last days. I believe that this is the true church and I would like to become a part of it.”

The missionaries taught the doctrine of baptism, gave George a baptismal calendar, and invited him to be baptized on April 13th. George said 13 was his lucky number and agreed to be baptized that day.

With every principle we taught, George would think about it, pray, and express how he believed it to be true. He felt another confirmation of the truthfulness of the Church when we taught him about the First Vision, which reminded him of his own “Sacred Grove” experience. He shared a time where he felt the love of God so powerfully in the woods that he couldn’t deny God’s power in his life. The moment he saw a picture of the Sacred Grove he expressed how it looked exactly like where he had had his own experience in Speedwell TN. He had another confirmation as he was taught about the Plan of Salvation and our premortal life, a teaching he said he had been searching for his whole life. He George really enjoyed meeting members of the branch and having members in every lesson made a big difference for him.

The day of the George’s baptism was amazing! Over 40 members from the La Follette Branch came to support him. He was baptized by one of his new friends, Brother Bob Bilyeu, and confirmed by Brother Muggridge. George was baptized on April 13, 2025 as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the La Follette Branch.

Two weeks later, George had an incredible experience at the Nashville temple. George was very excited to enter a House of the Lord and he felt very blessed to meet President Cruz, the Temple President. He said he felt so happy and could feel the presence of the Spirit in the temple. George had brought the names of his daughter and mother to be baptized that day and it was a powerful experience

George said he has never been happier. One of his greatest strengths is serving others, something he tries to always do. He hopes that he can continue to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ, and help others to feel His love.