by Sister Dalby

“Hello, my name is Isamuel. Before I came to America, I had a lot of faith in Jesus Christ and in the power of prayer. I talked with God as I went through hard times. He helped me and guided me in all things. As I continued through my difficulties, I saw signs of the hand of the Lord guiding me and helping me overcome all that I was facing.”

Samuel was found when the missionaries were teaching his cousin, Cecelia, and her significant other, Fabian. He joined in on the lesson when they invited Cecelia and Fabian to be baptized, and they all said yes! Cecelia and Fabian ended up having to wait to be baptized so they could get married first, but Samuel went through with his date and is now a confirmed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

About being found by the missionaries, he shared, “I had doubts about what church I should join, so I prayed. A few days passed, and later, out of the blue, someone knocked on the door and it was the sister missionaries and an Hermano from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I knew it was God answering my prayer as He had in the past. I then knew the truth about which church to join and now I am a member of the church.”

The growth that Samuel experienced in a relatively short amount of time is monumental. Cecelia, his cousin and close friend, mentioned to the Hermanas how proud she was of him and how much he had changed since accepting the gospel and strengthening his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Samuel himself said that he felt himself becoming more patient, having better relationships with his friends and family, and more strongly feeling God’s love for him!

One experience that left an impression on Samuel was the first time that a member came with the Hermanas to a lesson. He said that he really appreciated how the member shook his hand, listened to him, and how strong his testimony was. Throughout the teaching process, the missionaries brought many members with them to aid in teaching the lessons. Samuel formed special friendships with members in the process, including Jim Knott, the branch mission leader, Felipe Hernandez and Sergio Salazar, other members of the branch. Hermano Jim Knott performed Samuel’s baptism on April 14, 2024, and Samuel received the Aaronic Priesthood on May 19, 2024. He is currently preparing to go to the temple with Cecilia and Fabian for the first time as a family.

About going to church, he said, “The first time that I went to church, it felt nice and I felt like I was home. Compared to the church I went to before, where no one greeted you and I felt bored, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I feel peace, calmess, the Holy Ghost, I feel like I belong with the members, and I feel a connection with each of them. I feel fortunate to be a member of the church because I know that God is helping me everyday and that He is with me.

“I know that the Lord has answered each of my prayers, and I say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

TAbout going to church, he said, “The first time that I went to church, it felt nice and I felt like I was home. Compared to the church I went to before, where no one greeted you and I felt bored, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I feel peace, calmess, the Holy Ghost, I feel like I belong with the members, and I feel a connection with each of them. I feel fortunate to be a member of the church because I know that God is helping me everyday and that He is with me.

“I know that the Lord has answered each of my prayers, and I say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

#TKMTenderMercies

by Elder Bangerter

Jonper moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina, from Pohnpei, Micronesia, shortly before his baptism. His wife had arrived a few months prior, and was taught and baptized by the missionaries 7 months before Jonper made the trip to the states.

Jonper has been close to the church his whole life. His best friends are all members of the church, and many of his children, who still live in Micronesia, are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In the Micronesian Branch here in North Carolina, Jonper has been known as “the stubborn one.” Jonper had been taught by missionaries numerous times back on the island, but refused to take any steps toward conversion.

Something changed for Jonper when he decided to come to the states. A new world, with new beginnings. He knew that baptism by proper authority was something that he needed in his life. Our Branch President, who is one of his good friends, told Jonper before he came: “When you get here, I am dunking you in the water.” And that is close to exactly what happened!.

Right as he arrived, the local members introduced Jonper to the missionaries, reporting that he wanted to be baptized just like his wife. They taught him the lessons and he was doing remarkably well. Jonper only had one concern, the Word of Wisdom. He was partaking of substances very common in Pohnpei, yet contrary to the commandments. Missionaries were told that he needed lots of time to overcome this trial, and that they would let us know when he is ready to be taught again. So the missionaries stopped teaching Jonper, and trusted that the Lord would help him overcome his addiction.

Just a couple weeks later, after I was transferred to the Micronesian Branch, we got a call from Morney, one of Jonper’s closest friends. In Morney’s own words, he said:

“Hey Elders! Jonper has been off that stuff for a couple weeks now and he’s ready to get baptized. How many lessons do you have left to teach him?”

We responded with joy and excitement: “Just one!”

“Okay, come to my brother’s property and teach him today. This guy is ready bruh, he is ready.”

So we went to the middle of nowhere in the forest of North Carolina, and had a lesson and a meal with Jonper, Morney, and others. There, as we sat around a fire, we taught Jonper the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and invited him to be baptized. He easily accepted the invitation, knowing the gravity of this commitment.

Just a week and a half later, on April 27, 2024, Jonper was baptized by Morney Alati, his good friend who had been there the whole time. Jonper speaks very little English, so daily contact was not really possible for us. However, Morney had daily contact with Jonper, and helped him prepare to be baptized.

At Jonper’s baptism, Morney told me: “I never expected this to happen. Jonper…man he’s hard headed. Something changed in him, he didn’t like the church before, now look at him.”

Just a couple Sundays later, Jonper bore his testimony during Fast and Testimony meeting. It was all in Pohnpeian, but even those who speak Pohnpeian said his testimony couldn’t be translated into English because of the eloquence and power with which he testified.

Now, Jonper and his wife Karlihna are making steps toward entering the House of the Lord to be sealed as husband and wife, and enjoy the blessings of an eternal marriage.

Jonper’s life is forever changed, because he had good friends that continuously shared with him the good news… the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

#TKMTenderMercies

by Sister Nielson and Sister Wittwer

On February 10th 2024, Nikki was surprised to see two missionaries knocking on her car window.

She reluctantly rolled the window down and listened to what they had to say. She felt strangely happy to have met them, but she was apprehensive to meet with them again. After a month of persistent contact with the missionaries, she gave into meeting with them.

After meeting with them twice, she attended sacrament meeting for the first time. She came two hours early to ensure she would not be late. She was greeted warmly by a couple of members who showed her around the church building. One of the members was her 4th-grade teacher, “Miss Reed,” whom she loved dearly.

Over the next few weeks, her faith grew, and she started meeting with the missionaries more frequently and was honored when the missionaries invited her to prepare for baptism. Brother and Sister Reed became her honorary cheerleaders and supported her all the way through baptism. She started bringing her 4-year-old daughter, Ember, to church with her, and had insisted on coming every week since.

After weeks of saying her baptism day could not come soon enough, she found herself grinning from ear to ear as she entered the baptismal font. Nikki was baptized on April 13, 2024.

She recounts her experience saying, “I think the most profound thing I’ve experienced throughout is finding myself speechless when  feeling the spirit. When I was baptized, all I could do was cry happy tears. The temple was not only stunning but also felt so holy and you just felt God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit throughout.”

Nikki attended the temple for the first time one week after her baptism and now helps the ward with their family history.

#TKMTenderMercies

DJ is from Pohnpei and was baptized on the island in a catholic church. However, it didn’t have much meaning to him and it didn’t change how he thought and acted.

He moved to South Carolina, but could feel he wasn’t on the path he needed to be. So he moved here to Asheville, North Carolina to live with some family. DJ moved in with strong members who recently got sealed as a family in the temple. They were great examples to him and helped us as we taught him.

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DJ believed everything we were teaching him, and he overcame every obstacle that came in his way. His testimony was growing, and it was evident that his life was getting better from it.

He was baptized on March 9, 2024. Since then, he hasn’t been shy to share his solid testimony. He has since moved back to Pohnpei to be with his family. He is being an example to his family back home who are not members of the church. 

#TKMTenderMercies

by Sister Moore and Sister Bird

The missionaries were in Target and found Connor as he was roaming the aisles. They invited him to church so Connor brought them over to his mom Shena and said, “I found these girls! Do you want to go to church with them?”

But it took some time for Connor and Shena to actually come to church. That first weekend they were sick, so they didn’t attend sacrament meeting like they had planned. Then Shena had to work on Sunday. But even though they didn’t come to church, they agreed to let the missionaries begin to teach them.

As she began to learn, the first question Shena had was, “Why would God, if he loves us and we’re his children, why would he send any of his children to burn in hell?” The missionaries were able to answer that question! They taught her the Plan of Salvation and Shena felt the spirit so strongly. After that lesson, everything just made sense to her.

Shena loved that central to Heavenly Father’s plan for the happiness of His children was the family. Another principle that helped her make the decision to be baptized was the hope she felt of being able to see family members that have passed away.

Ever since meeting with the missionaries, Shena has been the happiest she’s ever been her entire life. This was something that stood out to Connor and helped him decide to also be baptized. He saw how much it meant to his mom and how much it was changing her life. As he was preparing for baptism, the missionaries asked him to pray about this decision. He heard the Spirit tell him it was the right decision and moved forward with excitement!

A few days before her baptism, Shena found out her friend Ann, who she had known for a long time, was also a member of the church. At her baptism, she heard a voice while she was changing in the bathroom. She immediately recognized it as Ann’s voice. The familiarity of her voice just gave her extra reassurance and confirmation that she really was doing the right thing. She had no idea Ann was going to come so that was a special moment for her.

Shena and Connor were baptized on April 12, 2024.

A cool memory for Connor from his baptism was that his hair was still wet from his baptism when he was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood.

Shena and Connor went to the temple the day after being baptized. They had been members for less than 24 hours as they were immersed under the water a second time, but this time it was on behalf of family members that had passed away. Shena and Connor both said being baptized for family members was so special and that they felt the spirit so strongly as they were in the temple.

They continue to see God’s hand in their life and have found so much joy in being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

#TKMTenderMercies

On May 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, we held zone conferences with our seven zones. The focus of this zone conference was to increase the number of our friends attending sacrament meeting each week. This focus was identified by our Mission Leadership Council in our council meeting held earlier in May.

Mission Leadership Council – May 2024

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At Zone Conference, Sister Barlow taught us about removing “lids” that may be limiting our efforts and success. She did this by showing a video about fleas.

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Sister Barlow taught us to have a “No Lids” mindset like Nephi.

She then invited us to “bury our lids” by writing down any lid we have, and putting it in a jar as a symbol of our efforts to remove all lids from our missionary work.

She then taught us about how we can use technology more effectively to involve more members in more of our lessons. In addition to having members join us in person for lessons with our friends, we want to include them via the video and phone, even if only for part of the lesson to share the blessings of going to church and inviting our friends to attend church with us. Involving members more will help us increase the number of friends who attend sacrament meeting each week.

We talked about the purpose of the sacrament, and what we learn from the line in “The Living Christ”: “He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice.”

The sacrament is essential to applying the Doctrine of Christ in our own life. The sacrament helps to strengthen our faith in Christ and to reflect on His relationship with us. The sacrament is all about repentance and lifting the burdens of sin. The sacrament helps us renew the covenants we’ve made with God. It is all about the Spirit, so that we “might always have His spirit to be with [us].” And it is the one ordinance that we repeat over and over in our life to help us endure to the end.

We reviewed the symbols of the sacrament with the bread and water and how they represent the physical and spiritual sides of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And we thought about the blessings we can promise others as they come and participate in the sacrament with us.

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As the missionaries learn to apply the sacrament in their own life, they will be able to teach it more powerfully with their friends.

We also had four workshops to help us improve our invitations to sacrament meeting:

1. Planning for members in lessons
2. Using technology to include more members
3. Inviting to church with greater power
4. Leveraging the power of Chapel Tours

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We closed out the zone conference with an “Avengers Assemble!” moment where we broke into zones for zone councils on how we can apply the invitations we received throughout the day.

We left with big goals to have more powerful experiences at sacrament meeting ourselves, and to significantly increase the number of friends who join us at sacrament meeting each week. It’s been remarkable to already see the faith and efforts of these wonderful missionaries to apply the things we learned.

Kingsport and Asheville Zone Conference (Johnson City)

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Knoxville and Cumberland Zone Conference (Farragut)

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Chattanooga, Cleveland, and Cookeville Zone Conference (Sparta)

#WhatsUpInTKM

On May 16th we welcomed 10 new missionaries to the TKM. It was a little chaotic for these missionaries as storms across Texas created many canceled flights. Only Sister Hernandez, Elder Naufahu, and Elder Vejnar arrived on time. Sister Bingham joins us from the Mormon Battalion site in San Diego, and she didn’t arrive until the following day, so we are missing her picture below, but we will get it this week. The rest of the missionaries were delayed and didn’t arrive until 2am, so it was a very long day for them.

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Because they arrived in the middle of the night, we delayed the start of our orientation the following morning and did an abbreviated orientation with them.

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After the abbreviated orientation, we assigned them to their trainers and new areas. This is always one of the best things we get to do as mission leaders. It’s a wonderful mix of anticipation, excitement, a little anxiety, and the beginning of a very special relationship.

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We love these missionaries! They are a wonderful addition to the Tennessee Knoxville Mission and we look forward to all that we will get to share with them.

#WhatsUpInTKM

On May 16th, we had three fantastic missionaries who completed their two-year missionary service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission. We love these Elders and feel so grateful for their sacrifice and the incredible changes we’ve seen in their lives in the time we’ve served together.

Elder Bonham
Elder Dunn
Elder Pollister

With just three missionaries, we met at the mission home for our discussion, gave them each a blessing, and then started the 8th TKM Olympics.

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And the winners of the 8th TKM Olympics were Elder Dunn and Elder Bonham!

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After the events, we held a testimony meeting. Since we had a small group, we took the three of them to a restaurant for our dinner. We had good food and great conversation as we talked about memorable experiences, favorite areas, and companions who had a big impact on them. And we were so proud…Elder Pollister was working hard right up until the end. He was doing all he could to get our server to agree to come to church. We told him that we would be following up with her.

Great things lie ahead for these three men. While we had the opportunity to serve with them these last 10 months, we’ve seen remarkable changes in each of them.

Elder Bonham has been a missionary that the Lord had a lot of confidence in, and we saw him rise up to tackle many different challenges head on. In the process, the Lord has taught him powerful lessons through those experiences that will bless him for the rest of his life.

When Elder Johnson left the TKM a few transfers ago, he told us, “The Lord loves Elder Dunn!” When I asked him what he meant by that, he told us, “Just watch him. He baptizes everywhere he goes.” We found that to be very true. The Lord loves Elder Dunn.

And I don’t know we’ve seen a missionary change as much as Elder Pollister. We saw his desire and willingness change, and thus the blessings that come with that flowed into his life. Elder Pollister is the definition of “We will fear no man!” He has been 100% committed to talking with everyone. We love his passion and desire to share the gospel.

We now look forward to the next steps for each of them and commit to do all we can to continue to support them in their efforts to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.

#WhatsUpInTKM

Every six weeks, a mission experiences what we call transfers. On this six-week cycle, missionaries who have completed their service return home, new missionaries arrive, and many missionaries end up changing locations or changing companions.

On the Friday of transfer week, people are coming and going from the Knoxville Stake Center in Farragut to drop off missionaries and pick up new companions. These moments remind me of the reunion that happened with Alma and the Sons of Mosiah as they were serving their missions:

And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.

Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

Alma 17:1-3

There is a lot of joy as these missionaries have the opportunity to briefly reunite. Their shared experiences are very powerful. It’s a unique combination of being together 24/7, supporting each other through struggles and adversity, overcoming challenges, celebrating success, and most of all, many, many experiences where they have felt the Spirit together.

There is something that happens when we feel the Spirit with someone else…especially as missionary companions. The connection and unity it creates is different than anything else they’ve experienced so far in their life. It is very unique…and very special. It is so powerful that they will now be life-long friends. You see that as they reunite in moments like transfers. It’s a special bond and we are very grateful to get to share that with them.

#WhatsUpInTKM

by Sister Talbot

Lisa Naegle was introduced to the missionaries by members. Lisa had married into a family that is strong in the church, and over time, her heart was prepared to join the church. Her father-in-law reached out and let the missionaries know she might be ready to take the lessons.

Throughout her life, Lisa has had several experiences that have helped her as she has been growing in faith. One beautiful moment was when she visited the temple with her husband and her in-laws prior to meeting with the missionaries. Lisa had felt sick that morning, but as soon as she got to the temple, her stomach settled down. She wished she could’ve gone into the temple, but she felt very happy as she walked on the grounds and took a bunch of pictures.

Lisa was baptized on May 4, 2024. As we met together with Lisa, the temple has been one of her primary motivators. She is so excited to be able to go to the temple this weekend, and she cannot wait to be sealed to her husband Robert in the temple in a year!

#TKMTenderMercies