In January 2025, I was going through a divorce and having a hard time. I saw an ad on Facebook that said “Unhappy with the person you’ve become? Become the best version of yourself.” That invitation really spoke to me, so I filled out the information requesting a visit from the missionaries.
Sister Covington and Sister Mathias called me. The first thing they did was invite me to church. I accepted and attended the next day. I had a really good experience that first Sunday. I felt like it was a place I wanted to be.
I started meeting with the missionaries three times a week. I was reading the Book of Mormon and praying every day like they invited me to do. Eventually, they told me they had prayed about it and suggested that I should be baptized on March 2nd. After some hesitation, that date sounded right to me.
James at his baptism on March 2, 2025
After I accepted the date, I felt more at peace and I could feel the Holy Spirit with me. I was baptized on March 2, 2025 in the Sevierville Ward. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, I felt the Holy Spirit even more.
I’m becoming the person I was meant to be and the person I want to be. I’m a completely different person than I was before I met Sister Covington and Sister Mathias. I don’t get upset like I used to and I am more helpful to others. I thank God for these angels that He sent me when I needed them the most. This is my testimony.
This week we said goodbye to an incredible group of missionaries. The elders in this group arrived in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission two weeks after we did, so this is the first group of departing missionaries that we’ve served with their entire mission. We feel incredibly grateful to have served with each of them.
Elder Benjamin PollElder Henry SommerElder Benjamin CoxElder Tyler BowenElder Mason EyreSister Amelia AdamsSister Whitney AveiElder Kaleb ShelleyElder Kaleb KwantElder Andrew MaxfieldElder Tanner KerksiekElder Preston WeaverElder Scott NilssonElder Benjamin PorterElder Nick O’BrienSister JenessaSister Audrey CampbellSister Eden HollidaySister Samantha Hodges
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It was a beautiful day, so for the 18th TKM Family Olympics our events were corn hole, Kub, bocce, and of course, our Welcome Poster Contest.
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As usual, the Welcome Poster Contest ended up being the most competitive part of the day. Each team was given the opportunity to present their posters to the judges (the senior missionaries serving in the office).
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In the end, there can only be one winning team in the TKM Family Olympics!
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These 19 missionaries recorded their final Tender Mercy video from the front porch of the mission home.
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Preach My Gospel invites us to “Do all you can to leave each ward or branch where you serve stronger than when you arrived.” These missionaries have left the TKM stronger than when they arrived. Plus, we’ve had the great blessing to see how much each of them have changed in the process. They are each well on their way to being lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.
This is the sweetest family! They have so much faith in their Savior Jesus Christ, faith that is transformative!
On March 17th we felt inspired to visit a part member family in our ward. When we found them, it was like their mom, Lindsey, was waiting for us. As soon as we parked the car, she was sitting on the porch. We talked for a long time about God’s love, His Character, and that He has a plan for us.
Lindsey invited her kids – Sebastian, Kali, Khloe, and Olivia – to come down stairs. They were so kind and so excited that the missionaries were back. We talked to them about baptism. They immediately explained how badly they’ve been wanting to be baptized and go to the temple!
As we taught them and helped prepare for baptism, the Spirit brought so much light and miracles into their life. They were immediately willing to change anything for their Savior. Every time we said the word “baptism” they would get big smiles on their faces.
Sebastian was Baptized when he was younger and he was always encouraging his sisters to take this next step. They began to read the Book of Mormon every day as a family, and they went to every youth night leading up to their baptism.
Their baptism was so special because it was full of laughter and joy. Baptism truly is a joyful and hopeful ordinance, and it was for these sisters.. Kali, Khloe, and Olivia were baptized on April 6, 2025 as members of the Dalton Ward.
The light they had after receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost was so beautiful. Miracles occurred in their family right after they were baptized, answering so many prayers. There were so many seeds planted for this family! It is humbling to see firsthand that God is in relentless pursuit of all of His children.
Corbyn was walking on the Chattanooga Bridge where Elder Ulm and Elder Collins stopped her and invited her to church. They passed her information to Sister Bingham and Sister Adams in Hixson. She was taught by these two sisters and later Sister Gabbitas.
Corbyn shared the following about her experience:
“I have always known of God. I was raised with Baptist and Evangelic principles. I was a Christian. But when I got old enough to question my religion, I was pushed out. When I was ostracized because of my questions, it led to a complete lack of faith even though I still thought of Jesus Christ as an active role model in my life.”
“I eventually went out into the world exploring the Abrahamic religions, Eastern religions, philosophy, and spirituality. I found that what was most important in my journey is recognizing the good in what God has done. In my heart, I desired to be closer to him and find peace. Spirituality was the last step in my journey. Spirituality taught me how to be still and practice gratitude. I’m grateful for the path God put me on because without it I wouldn’t have known how to call out to Him with reverence.”
Corbyn speaking at the Chattanooga Stake Conference one month after her baptism.
“Just before joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was at a point in my life where my soul was unhappy. I was reaching my material goals, I had more things than ever before, but I felt lost and empty. I was fortunate enough to meet someone who pushed me to grow closer to God. They encouraged the habit of practicing gratitude. My heart started desiring a life away from sin. I slowly started pulling away from my old habits. During this time, it felt like everything was rapidly changing. I then prayed deeply to God, inviting Him into my life and asking Him to show me the way–to reveal Himself to me. I truly opened my heart not only to find Him, but to also in repenting. I was so sure He would be there for me. I didn’t know when, but I was certain. I sat in silence, taking in the energy of the prayer and acknowledging all that He had done.”
“I didn’t receive an answer until a week later when I met the missionaries on the bridge. I ended up going to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as soon as I could to find out more information. I learned so much from the sister missionaries. I felt that this was exactly where I needed to be. God also answered a prayer I held very close to my heart, which was to have meaningful fellowship. The beginning of my conversion was difficult because I struggled with giving up old habits, but I was reassured at every step that God forgives, and I don’t need to be perfect. I am loved by the Creator as we all are. I don’t need to feel weighed down by my sins because all sins are measured the same and I can be redeemed through Christ. I am eternally grateful.”
“I was baptized on April 26, 2025. I am so glad I have come to know and be in a place that has the fullness of the gospel. I know that Jesus Christ lives.”
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When Corbyn was baptized, she couldn’t stop crying and was so grateful to have been able to make this covenant with her Savior.
Two days after she was baptized she took work off and went to the Atlanta Temple to do the baptism on behalf of her Mom who had passed away in 2020. Her Mom is the person who first taught her the importance of following Jesus Christ and she described the experience as “the most peaceful relaxing loving, just indescribable feeling.” Corbyn loves helping the missionaries in lessons and attending institute each week. She is SO excited to recieve a calling and continue her journey of conversion.
As missionaries finish their service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, we invite them to share what they’ve learned that will help them be a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.
As missionaries finish their service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, we invite them to share what they’ve learned that will help them be a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.
As missionaries finish their service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, we invite them to share what they’ve learned that will help them be a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.
As missionaries finish their service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, we invite them to share what they’ve learned that will help them be a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.
As missionaries finish their service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, we invite them to share what they’ve learned that will help them be a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.
As missionaries finish their service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, we invite them to share what they’ve learned that will help them be a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.
Barlows in TKM 