Tag: baptism

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Johnny

~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

Johnny’s story is nothing short of a miracle! His story starts with with his Aunt Barbara. His Aunt Barbara had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints within the past few years. The missionaries would stop by frequently to teach Barbara, and, because of life situations, Johnny was living with her when the missionaries would stop by. Time and time again, he turned the Elders away.

This changed one day after he had lost his leg in a tragic accident. This accident resulted with Johnny losing one of his legs and having to learn how to live his life with one leg. The Elders had taught Johnny about church and promised him great blessing if he came to church with them. Johnny promised the Elders that if he got a leg, he’d go to church that Sunday. Elder Clayton gave Johnny a powerful priesthood blessing and Johnny received his prosthetic leg the next day. This miracle led to Johnny coming to church and starting on the beautiful journey of walking the covenant path. This blessing was a huge turning point in Johnny’s conversion.

.

Another turning point in Johnny’s conversion was watching “Jospeh Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration” video. He watched what had happened to Joseph Smith and everything he went through and knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that God’s power was restored to the earth. As he read the Book of Mormon, he could simply feel and knew that it was true. He couldn’t deny it. He learned that the Book of Mormon is a light and a guide for him and anyone else who reads its pages.

As Johnny has continued down the covenant path, he would determinedly say that “I’m dedicated, already.” His greatest desire is to help the people around him to find the relief, love, and joy that he’s felt as he’s learned about Jesus Christ and how he can be born again and bless his family. He really wants to help his immediate family to come unto Christ and be baptized. He plans to be baptized for some of his family members who have passed when he goes to the temple to perform baptisms for the dead. He expresses so much thanks to his Aunt Barbara for helping him to find the church and truly find the light Christ offers to each of us.

.

Johnny’s life before meeting the missionaries was not easy. He had a lot of experiences and hardships in his life. After meeting the missionaries, his life began to change! He still experienced many hardships and challenges as he prepared for baptism. Nevertheless, he tackled the harships and set backs with faith and hope.

Johnny was baptized on October 19, 2024 in the Hardin Valley Ward. When he finally made it to the waters of baptism, he was so excited! He stated that after his baptism and confirmation that, “My soul feels clean since I’ve been baptized.” He loves feeling clean, good, happier, and saved through Christ because of the covenant he has made with God. He has since received the Aaronic priesthood and is excited to help others.

.

The story doesn’t end there! Johnny is so excited to continue to learn everything he can and continue to feel the love and hope that comes from Jesus Christ and the covenants we make. He makes an effort to share the gospel and the Book of Mormon with everyone that he interacts with! He has been changed through Christ and wants others to feel the pure joy that he has experienced. 

In the end, this promise from Johnny is a show of his testimony. He promises, “I will be faithful.” Johnny has been and continues to be faithful to Jesus Christ! Johnny loves the Lord and is filled with love and joy. He truly has been born again through the power of God and the redeeming power in Jesus Christ’s Atonement.

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Kaden

~ barlowsintkm ~ 1 Comment

Growing up, Kaden has always been a good kid. He has a special spirit and a light that shines from within. He has been faithfully attending church from a young age and has loved learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how families can be together forever. He had the strong desire to one day be baptized. But it wouldn’t be an easy road and there were other things that needed to happen first. He needed to be adopted.

Kaden is the adopted son of Barry and Beverley, local members in the Powell Valley ward. Kaden has a deep love for them, especially his momma Beverley. They love Kaden and see the light and joy he radiates into the world and wanted to be able to help him grow that light. They’ve felt it is their calling to help and care for kids just like Kaden.

Barry and his wife Beverley have adopted 6 kids, and fostered over 100 in their home over the years. They have felt such joy as they mimister to the needs of God’s children. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. As they’ve done all they can to help these children of God find healing and joy in life, many have been introduced to the gospel and the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Their family has had many special experiences teaching the gospel in their home. They have gained a pure witness of the divinity of God’s children. Every single one is special, with unique gifts, personalities, struggles, and ways they are meant to bless the world. The Ison’s have seen lots of answers to prayers, mighty miracles even as they have cared for these special children who have come through their home. They see all of them as choice spirits, precious sons and daughters of God. Although there has been lots of trial and heartache, there has been lots of love and blessings poured out from heaven. They have found it a blessing to be an instrument in the Lord’s hands in touching the hearts of many. Many of these kids have come to know their Savior more deeply, kids like Kaden.

Before Kaden could be baptized he needed to be adopted. There were worries that it would not be possible, but Kaden’s great grandpa promised he would keep him and his brother together. They would do all that they could to see him happy and safe. There was a time where things got difficult and it seemed like things wouldn’t work out but through persistent effort and the power of God in working many miracles they were kept together. This family, who had been raising these two boys and teaching them to follow Jesus Christ, were finally able to adopt Kaden and his brother. Once they were adopted they became eligible for baptism.

.

In preparation for his baptism, Kaden began meeting with the missionaries. He always felt good meeting with the missionaries and especially enjoyed learning about the temple where families can be sealed together forever. He has a firm testimony of God’s plan for eternal families. One day he will be sealed to his parents and great granpapa.

Kaden Ison and his brother Garrett were baptized on April 21, 2024. Kaden has felt so much joy in his life since his baptism. For him, baptism was a great milestone and a true outward expression of his inward commitment to following Jesus Christ and trying to be like him.

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Jacob

~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

Jacob’s story begins with the sister missionaries teaching his mom Rebecca. She said that he had asked why the elders never stop by to visit him. While the sisters had tried to teach him, he was not interested so this was a big change and a surprise for the sisters.

Immediately the sisters called the Hixson elders, Elder Mendenhall and Elder Harmon. They set up a time to visit with Jacob the next day. During the first lesson Jacob talked about how he has been trying to live a better life and wanted to change to be better. He also talked about how he was actually an atheist and hated god and used to tell people god wasn’t real, but as he saw his mom gain joy and happiness with meeting with missionaries he wanted to see what it was all about.

The missionaries explained that baptism was the way to gain a relationship with God. Jacob said he wanted to be baptized but didn’t feel now was the right time. In the next few lessons, his heart was softened by the Spirit and he went from saying he would be baptized at 18 to being baptized in a few months.

A big moment in his conversion was the story found in Mosiah 18 when Alma was teaching the people at the Waters of Mormon. As we watched the Book of Momorn video with him he was inspired and touched by the Spirit. It seemed every lesson after that the Spirt was teaching Jacob. Elder Mendenhall was transferred out and Elder Haderlie had came to serve in Hixson as a new missionary.

.

During the whole process of preparing Jacob to be baptized, Jacob had been attending church with his mom and building friendships with the youth his age. After a few weeks of teaching Jacob, his mom Rebecca was baptized. At her baptism, he shared his testimony and expressed how happy he was and that he felt he was ready to be baptized.

At the beginning of the planning stages for Jacob’s Baptism, he expressed that he didn’t want very many people at his baptism and only wanted his closest friends and family. But as members kept expressing their love for him and as he attended youth activities he was gaining true friendships that would be life long. He started inviting people to his baptism.

Jacob was baptized on August 4, 2024. He couldn’t have been more happy. His closest friend came to his baptism as well as six other non-members, including his sister who was also taking the missionary lessons. As he came out of the water, Jacob had the biggest smile, gave Elder Harmon a hug, and expressed how much he felt God’s love.

While changing back and drying off Elder Harmon said Jacob told him he felt something and it was warm and powerful and knew it was the Spirit. After receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, he was visibly happier and more joyful. His mom shared her testimony at the baptism on how as a mother, she saw the hand of the Lord working in Jacob’s life and it was incredible to see his mighty change of heart.

.

A few months later Jacob was able to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead. While waiting to go back and change, the Temple President came in and talked to him about the joys of the temple. Jacob expressed that this was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. After doing baptisms, and as everyone was walking around the temple grounds, he talked to the Elders saying he wished he could explore more of the temple. They shared that one day he would get the chance to experience everything the temple offered. He was so happy and expressed he looks forward to that day.

Jacob is now serving and a faithful priesthood holder, blessing and passing the sacrament to the members and friends of the Hixson ward.

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Kris

~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

Kris was found on Facebook about three years ago. He called the first missionaries to meet with him “The Carson Twins”, Carson Noble and Carson Hagberg. From the beginning, Kris was interested in the things they had to say and enjoyed meeting with the elders. 

Eventually, as he continued to meet with the missionaries, listen to the Book of Mormon, and come to church, Kris felt a desire to be baptized. He was unable to be baptized for a few years due to personal matters, but continued to be taught by the missionaries and to build relationships with the ward. Great members of the Hixson ward like Harold and Trudy Johnson, Joe Thomas, and Brad Tobler kept Kris fellowshipped and encouraged him to live the gospel while he waited for his time to be baptized to come.

.

On May 28th, Kris received word that he would finally be able to get baptized. This was a huge deal! He was elated! Christ was baptized on June 8, 2024. There was great support for Kris at his baptism. He was very excited to finally become a member of Christ’s church.

Kris was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on June 9, 2024. The week previous, he bore his testimony in sacrament meeting, testifying that he knew he was making the right choice and that the gospel of Jesus Christ would continue to bless his life. Kris plans to travel the United States soon and visit as many temples as he can, doing the work for others. His story is a testament to the fact that the Lord can open doors and change lives.

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Angela

~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

This story is about a valiant seeker of truth, who is a powerhouse of knowledge and the Spirit, and loves Jesus Christ. Her name, is Angela. 

One day, Angela was down by the pool at her apartment complex, when she met Tevin, who is a member but had not been to church in a while. They got to talking, and began to do Bible studies together, which of course led to discussions about church. Angela had been looking for a church to attend since she moved here, and while she had visited a few, none of them felt quite right. She’d always had a strong relationship with God, and when Tevin brought up the Church, she convinced him to go to church and to bring her as well. She enjoyed the experience, listening to the talks and the music, and she introduced herself to the missionaries, and expressed interest in learning more.

We set up a time to come see her later that week. We went over and got to know her, and even at that first meeting it was clear that she had a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, and that it meant a lot to her. One of the first lessons we taught her was about prophets, and how important they are, and we invited her to listen to some talks by President Nelson. After listening to some of his talks she remarked that she had never felt so much peace in her home as she did when she would play his sermons. She explained that she would turn it on and have it play in the background becasue of how much peace it brought to her. During this same time she started her study of the Book of Mormon.

As she opened the Book of Mormon for the first time, she read the Testimonies of the Three Witnesses, the Eight Witnesses, and of course, the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. As she read Joseph Smith’s testimony, she gained her own testimony of it’s truthfulness, and the reality of the First Vision, that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and that he had indeed found the ancient record and translated it by the gift and power of God. She said that God had been preparing her for a long time, so when we taught her the doctrine of baptism, it was more like she taught us, and as we extended the invitation to be baptized, she was more than ready to accept. 

Angela’s original date for baptism was September 28, 2024. But the day before her baptism, Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, and unfortunately for us, we were stuck right in the middle of it. Due to a lack of water, power, and service, we were unable to have Angela’s baptism that day, despite our best efforts.

Following the hurricane, there were also a lot of needs in the community and our church family that prevented us from using the church building. As we consulted with the Bishop, he said that her baptism (and eternal salvation) was top priority, and he even offered his pool if the church remained unavailable. Fortunately, the church got power and water back in time for us to perform Angela’s baptism on October 9, 2024.

.

It is often said that the opposition in our lives reflects the faith that we have. We know that Angela’s faith was so strong, that a literal hurricane was the only thing that could slow her down. She was able to persevere, and make that sacred covenant with God. We’re grateful for Angela’s faith, and for God’s hand in her life. 

Angela is proof that God is preparing people, and  He has a plan for each of us. One visit, Angela said that she wished she could have heard this message earlier, but she recognizes that she wasn’t ready at that time, but that God had been  preparing her for, and leading her to, the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

God is in the details of each of our lives. We each experience hardships and trials that may feel like a hurricane. We can testify that there are no accidents and that God always provides a way. He did for Angela and he will for you!

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Deybinxon

~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

We found Deybinxon from a media referral we received from his aunt, Emily Ochoa. On the first lesson we had with Emily, her sister Marianne (Deybinxon’s mom), and their neighbor Yaquelin, the Spirit was felt very strongly and we extended to them the baptismal date of August 10, 2024.

Within the next couple lessons we were also introduced to the parejas of Emily and Marianny, as well as Emily’s son, Neyder, and his cousin, Marianny’s son, Deybinxon. Both sons had the same baptismal date extended to them as well. As we taught, most everyone was interested in our message, but we could tell that Deybinxon especially felt the Spirit from the truths that were taught.

Over time and with the help of the Lemon family in the ward, Deybinxon was taught all the missionary lessons. Any time we talked about their baptism, Deybinxon and his cousin Neyder would literally bounce up and down in their seats and clap their hands from excitement. 

.

Deybinxon was only able to come to church once before his scheduled baptismal date on August 10, so we had to move his date back. Nevertheless he continued to take the lessons and had a wonderful ability to understand and remember the things we taught.

A super important moment for him was when he attended the baptism of another young person, Adrian, who was baptized on September 14. After the baptism he told members that he wanted to be baptized too, and the very next Friday if possible, since that would be when his dad was off work so his whole family could attend.

.

On September 20, 2024, Deybinxon had a powerful baptismal service and in his own words, he said he felt God touch his hand and he could feel His presence immediately after getting out of the baptismal water. He was confirmed on September 22, 2024. Since then he has loved listening to General Conference and watching the children’s Book of Mormon Stories on YouTube.

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Carole

~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

Carole was seeking truth! She was seeking something new. She was on a journey looking for the true church. A church centered on Jesus Christ, focused on His teachings, and one full of love. She was looking for a place to finally settle into, and she found it.

Back on May 9, 2024, the missionaries in Ringgold, Georgia, Sister Bosh and Sister Herget, received a referral from Carole Pendergraft. That’s where it all started! Carole said that she received an email asking if she’d like to do a Bible study with missionaries. And she said “Of course!” So she put down her information, and next thing she knows she was getting a call from the missionaries that same day. That referral was an answer to prayer on both ends. 

The missionaries returned with a Book of Mormon in hand ready to give her. They had their Bibles ready to study, and some pamphlets to read from as well. The questions in the pamphlets really made Carole think about her eternal destiny, and it left her wanting to learn more. 

Carole had grown up in various different churches. She had tried  church after church and never found what she was looking for in any of them. She had heard about the Book of Mormon before, mostly misconceptions, but hadn’t ever come in contact with any members of the Church of Jesus Christ until the missionaries. So, seeing that offer through the email gave her a chance to try out another church again.

.

Each time the missionaries would come to her door, she’d excitedly think “What do they have for me to study today?” She loves to study! Within a few weeks she had all of the General Conference talks from 2023 read, and she was ready to study even more. She has been meeting with the missionaries 2-3 times a week since. 

Just prior to the missionaries showing up at her door, Carole started suffering from migraines daily. To help with this, a couple months into meeting with her, Sister Critchfield and Sister Herget scheduled a priesthood blessing for her on a Saturday afternoon. The next day, on Sunday, she was able to come to church for the first time, migraine free the whole day. Since that first priesthood blessing, she has still had migraines, but they have never been nearly as severe as they were before. 

.

Carole immediately fell In love with the people at church. She said she’s never been in a church where the people cared so much and would do anything for her, or that she’s never been in a church where missionaries would come to study with people to help them learn the Doctrine of Jesus Christ. She said “The missionaries were there that very first Sunday at the door to greet me! They were there for me that Sunday, and have continued to be there ever since, saving me a seat each week. That’s when I knew I had found my place!” 

Carole was very pleased at the opportunity we have to take the sacrament weekly in the church, since that wasn’t something she was ever used to. That really drew her in to returning again. 

Carole had been invited to be baptized four different times before she accepted and went through with the date on October 2, 2024. Before she was ready, she felt she needed to study more. She knew baptism was the end goal, she just knew she needed to gain a strong testimony of her own on a few gospel principles beforehand. The main one being the Restoration of The Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. So that’s exactly what she spent her time studying. She started studying the life of Joseph Smith and what he went through to get these restored truths to us. She watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration, started reading chapter after chapter in the Doctrine and Covenants, and answered the questions for herself in the back of the Restoration pamphlet.

One day, while doing that, something hit her “like a ton of bricks” and she knew that it was true. We always knew that there was something special about Carole. She wanted to be all in and she was determined to do everything it took to get there.

The day of her baptism on October 2nd, she said she wasn’t nervous at all because she knew she was ready. Brother McPheters in the Ringgold ward baptized her, and so many people from the ward came to support her, many of whom she didn’t really know all that well. She couldn’t believe all the support that the members of the church provided, and it made her feel so loved.

.

The day of the baptism she came down with a terrible migraine. However, she was determined to go through with this special day no matter what. She wasn’t going to let the adversary get in the way of it. So, she showed up, migraine and all, proceeding with the baptism only to notice that her migraine was completely gone the second she came up out of the water.

She described her baptism as one of the best experiences she’s ever had, with the most joyous feelings she’s felt. She’d repeat the day all over again if she could! She’s noticed a huge difference in her life from receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Now that it’s with her the all the time, she says she notices that she always has a good feeling. One of peace and comfort, that will never go away.

Carole always likes to say she doesn’t know if she was sent to the missionaries or they were sent to her, but all she knows is that “it was a God thing!” That’s how she knows this is where she is meant to be. She was on a journey looking for a true church and she found it. And now she likes to say she’s on another journey: one as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that’s just starting and that she’s ready to be on forever. It’s a whole new way of life! She said she didn’t necessarily live a bad life before, but she wasn’t living up to the expectations she knew she was capable of in her youth. But she is now and she couldn’t be happier! It has helped her reach her full potential. She is still learning all the time as a new member and she has continued to study every day. She has enjoyed what she has learned and knows she has a lot more to go.

Since day one, even though she joined the church by herself, Carole has never felt alone, because the ward family took her in like one of their own. Who knows how Carole Pendergraft happened to get that email from the church, but as Carole likes to say “It was a God Thing!” And that’s exactly what it was, a God thing!

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Michael

~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

Michael just moved and he wanted to find a new church to go to near him. He saw an ad for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Snapchat and decided to fill it out with his information and he sent in a media referral! Sister Bingham and Sister Hodges got this referral and saw Michael was just down the street from the church.

Michael began taking the lessons and it wasn’t long until he said yes to his invitation to be baptized! He said he felt like he needed a fresh start and to renew himself. 

Michael was referred May 14, 2024 and was baptized and confirmed June 16, 2024! Michael said that after he was baptized he felt like all his worries were swept away. 

.

Michael says that he loves coming to church because everyone is so kind and helpful. He says he feel at home. Right after Michael was baptized he wanted to learn more about his family history and started coming Wednesday nights to meet with Family History Consultants to learn more! He is very excited to go to the temple with the ward this next month!

There is a quote that the Sisters love that Michael said once. He said: “God and Christ are like a bomb shelter. The outside may get hurt but he is protecting the most important part, our hearts and our souls.”

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Charles

~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

Charles was on YouTube and saw and ad that offered the opportunity to meet with the missionaries. He sent a request to meet the missionaries so that he could feel God’s love for him in his life more fully.

As Charles talked with the missionaries, he prayed and asked God if what he was learning was true. He received the confirmation that Jesus Christ’s gospel has been restored and that he needed to be baptized into His restored church.

Charles immediately made changes in his life so he would be ready for baptism. He told us he had an urgent feeling to be baptized, and he’d do whatever he needed to so that he could be. Without a way to church, Charles was able to get rides from amazing members in the ward. Supporting him on his journey closer to Christ, the members continue to support him in his efforts to come to church and remember his covenants.

.

Charles was baptized on August 31, 2024. There is a new light around him, one which he has recognized as the joy he received from the Holy Ghost. He has told many about his baptism, and the joy he felt from the promises he has now made with God. It was only one month between when Charles saw the ad on YouTube, met with the missionaries, and was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

#TKMTender Mercies. 

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Elie

~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

We first met Elie when she came to church with her brother Jared. As soon as we met her, we immediately knew that we would be great friends. She had moved to the University of Tennessee for school and her brother decided to invite her to come to church with him. Since that day, she never stopped coming! 

Elie was raised learning the doctrine of Jesus Christ and of the Book of Mormon from her parents, but was never baptized. When she attended church for the first time in a long time, it all rang true.

.

Her first lesson, she joined her brother, Elder O’Brien, and Elder Hathaway for a lesson with their friend. She recognized the Spirit strongly in that lesson and started to remember the teachings of her father about the Book of Mormon and the Plan of Salvation. We started to meet with her and go over God’s plan, the restoration and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything made sense to Elie and she knew it was true. 

.

The turning point for Elie was when she attended the baptism of Cece, the same friend she participated in the lesson with at the very beginning. After the baptism, we all gathered to talk about it. We asked about if she wanted to get baptized and she said, “How about the 13th of October?” We made all the arrangements and Elie was baptized on October 13, 2024.

We were able to attend the temple with her, and as soon as we exited she said, “I want to go back!” Elie now is serving as a ward missionary and sharing her testimony with so many others. Her influence has stretched to everyone in the YSA and all those around her.

#TKMTenderMercies