Tender Mercies in the TKM: Josh

November 12, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ 1 Comment

by Josh Wilburn

My name is Josh Wilburn. Let me begin with the fact that I’m not an accomplished literateur, but I’ll write as best I can.

I grew up in a nice family. My grandfather was the pastor of a Pentecostal church. I grew up believing in God, but I wasn’t sure if I believed in Him as the rest of my family, plus I was always an inquisitive child, so I went searching for God. I’ve studied various religions and religious groups/denominations. The ones I really felt drawn to were Buddhism, Shinto, and one or two branches of Christianity. But no matter which one I was focusing on, I always believed in Jesus, that never changed, whether or not I even knew myself how I believed in him or who I thought he was, to be honest.

But one day, a video just randomly showed up on myYouTube dashboard called Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. I didn’t really think too much of it (I never really looked at Mormonism for some reason), but I decided to watch it and see what it was about.

When I was watching it, seeing how Joseph Smith was looking for God, didn’t know where to go, and he just got to his knees and prayed with all honesty and humility to God as to how he could worship Him, which church was right, and where he should go. I felt something as I was watching it- I don’t know how to explain it, but I guess it’s like a peace, an awakening inside me. I even started crying tears of joy during it.

After watching it, I started my research. I watched as many videos as I could, read as much as I could, and, most importantly, I started praying more. I was asking God if this was the right way, and so help me to understand it and help to guide me as well. As I was studying, it all was making sense – the Plan of Salvation, the Atonement of Christ, the Godhead, what happens after death (and before mortal life), all of it just felt right.

I know that Heavenly Father was guiding me down the correct path. Yes, there were things that sounded right, but I didn’t completely understand immediately, so I prayed for clarity and understanding, and God listened and answered my prayers.

I attended church for the first time about a week or two after that, and I’m so glad I did. I’m so glad I decided to go, because I felt like I was home when I am there. The people there were some of the nicest people I ever met, and on that first day there I met the missionaries who were to help me learn and grow in the Church. Their names were Sister Leathers and Sister Wilson. I am so grateful to them, for all their work, study, patience, and understanding throughout my conversion.

I kept meeting with the missionaries after church on Sundays, as well as during the week as well. They taught me so much, and deepened my understanding of what little I had already known. And about two to three months after I first stepped inside of the church I was asked if I felt I was ready to be baptized. My answer was a resounding “Yes!”

I was baptized on September 7, 2024 in the Maryville Ward, and the missionaries who helped me to get to that point were my witnesses. The one who baptized me was one of the first people I met on my first day there, Brother Reher. I was confirmed the next day during church service.

I’m so grateful to Heavenly Father, my church family, the sister missionaries, and all who have been a part of my journey home to God’s restored church on earth. I admit, I have made mistakes since then, but I know that I have Heavenly Parents who love me and wish the best for me, not a vindictive God who will send me to hell for a mistake. I can trust in Christ’s Atonement, God’s mercy, and the fellowship and support of the church throughout my life, and I can’t express how happy I am for all of this. I found my way home, and I thank Heavenly Father for all He has done for me.

God bless you!

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Stuart

November 9, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

I can clearly remember the day that Stuart walked into the church building shortly after Sacrament meeting had ended. He told us that he saw on Facebook that it said “Visitors are Welcome,” and it was inviting people to come to church. So, he decided to come!

Stuart had never read the Bible before and didn’t know that much about Jesus Christ, but he knew he wanted to strengthen his relationship with Him. Sister Holladay and I set up an appointment to meet him at Dairy Queen for our first lesson. When we had arrived at Dairy Queen, we talked to him about God, our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. We explained how they are three separate individuals and how they work towards one purpose.

We then talked about how prophets in the scriptures prophecy of Jesus Christ coming and how prophets speak for God. Stuart then learned that Jesus Christ came to the earth and gained a physical body and atoned for his sins and did this so that He could support Stuart. Stuart also didn’t know how to pray to God, and so we gave him a simple outline. Stuart learned that when he is going through something hard, he can always turn to God in prayer and the Lord will help him.

About three lessons in with Stuart, Sister Holladay and I decided to extend the baptismal invitation, and Stuart was so excited to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. About three days after his baptism, we set up time to go to the Raleigh North Carolina Temple. Stuart told us that the temple felt familiar to him and that he wanted to do everything the temple had to offer. Being able to teach Stuart was an absolute privilege. I truly cannot express in words how humbled and grateful I feel to have been the messenger of the covenant and to share these restored truths with such a beautiful, humbled, prepared son of God. Stuart has so many beautiful things in store for him, and I feel just a fraction of the love that God has for him.

– Sister Wall

What a blessing it’s been to teach Stuart about Jesus Christ! There were so many miracles along the way like him randomly showing up to church his first day, minimal damage when he hit a deer on his way to church, and his own quickly-developed testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and the restored gospel.

Several days after he was baptized and had been to the temple, he came to us and the Garcia family and told us of the immense family opposition he’s been having as a new member. It really broke our hearts knowing how much his family meant to him, but he testified with conviction “I cannot deny how I feel, I know it’s true.”

Our experience with Stuart has truly opened my eyes to the power that the Spirit can have on an individual. I know Stuart is going to continue strong and receive all the blessings the Lord has in store for him!

– Sister Holladay

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Juan

November 3, 2024November 3, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ 1 Comment

by Sister Angell and Sister Covington

Sister Angell and Sister Bosh were on an exchange in Signal Mountain. They passed Juan in the Walmart parking lot and decided to invite him to the Tabernacle Choir Watch Party using the TABCAT cards. Juan was so kind and said he would love to come to the Watch Party. He seemed so interested to learn more, they invited him to meet them for a church tour the following Saturday.

That Saturday, July 27, 2024, Juan was heading to meet the sister missionaries for the chapel tour. Previous to the chapel tour, while Juan was driving to work, he found himself in a situation where he could have had a serious or fatal injury. Ending up with no injury, Juan felt the impression that God must really want him to meet with those missionaries that day.

Then on his way to the Signal Mountain building, Juan was running seven minutes late, so he sped up his pace to try to arrive on time to the appointment. He got pulled over for speeding and told the police officer he was trying to find the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The officer pointed to Juan’s right and said, “You’re there!” He let Juan off with a warning and told him that his meeting was important and that he should hurry in. This was another witness to Juan that he needed to be there that night. The sisters invited Juan to church and he attended sacrament meeting the following day.

Over the next few weeks Juan continued to meet with the missionaries regularly at the Burger King. The Spanish missionaries, Elder Lindsay and Elder Youngberg started coming to the lessons and helping Juan get a better understanding of what was being taught. Juan was excited to continue to learn and to come to church and began to come to our church regularly. The ward members were incredible. He made many friends in the ward and started to feel at home.

Juan joined the Tabernacle Choir Watch Party at the Chattanooga Stake Center on Saturday, September 7th. It was a great opportunity for him to meet more members and enjoy uplifting music from the choir. Everyone at the event loved Juan and his enthusiasm. At the Watch Party, Juan met Brother Derek Porter, who is the presenter of Music and the Spoken Word, and talked with him a lot about baptism.

On Monday, September 9th, Juan joined the missionaries and other friends at President Nelson’s 100th Birthday Party.

One day Sister Covington and Sister Angell had a lesson with Juan in one of the members’ homes. They were talking about prophets. The missionaries asked Juan if baptism was something he was interested in. He responded that he had been thinking about it a lot and felt that it was something he needed to do. He knew that baptism would change his life. They were able to spend the next two weeks preparing Him for baptism.

During one of their lessons at the Burger King the following week, Juan asked the sisters what was different about our church. After a short discussion the missionaries asked Juan what his thoughts were. He said that our church committed to Jesus Christ in a way that he had never seen before. He loved that level of commitment. That is why he wanted to be baptized, to further commit to his Savior and receive more of his love, strength, mercy, and power in his life.

The morning of his baptism Juan walked into the church building with a big smile on his face. He had the support of many ward members that had become his close friends. Juan was baptized on October 22, 2024. He entered the baptismal font and was baptized by one of his close friends. Juan came out of the water with a big smile on His face. He then shared his powerful testimony and love for the Savior.

Juan shared how he had always wanted to move to the United States. He had an idea of this country being a magical place full of good people. He has lived in the United States for many years now. He said that he never found the America he had always dreamed of until he joined our church. When he found this new church family, he felt at home. He said he now had what he had always dreamed of as a little boy.

Juan is now a proud member of the church. He does not hesitate to engage in missionary work. He connected his cousin in Colombia with the missionaries there. One week after His baptism he was able to attend the Atlanta temple and do proxy baptisms for his parents and grandparents. He wants everyone to find the joy that he has from the gospel.

Juan is a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He has a desire to serve others and help them come closer to our Savior.

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Matt

October 30, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ 1 Comment

Matt was outside his home when a member of the Marion Ward, Brother Van Brederode, was running by his house. As he was passing by, Brother Van Brederode felt like he needed to stop and invite Matt to church. After some conversation, Brother Van Brederode got Matt’s information and called the missionaries.

Sister Dever and Sister Hodges met with Matt and he felt the Spirit when learning about the Book of Mormon and it gave him a real desire to know if it was true. He prayed and received a strong answer that it was true. As Matt got this confirmation, he began coming to church. The Browns welcomed Matt and gave him rides to church every week. The Browns became his friends and really helped with his progression.

Matt had some concerns that held him back from being baptized. But over time, things really began to change and he felt a great desire to make this covenant. As he read, prayed and came to church he decided to press forward despite his concerns. He attended a baptism where he felt the Spirit and could see the change in those individuals. At the baptism, he told the missionaries, “Someday that is going to be me!” That was a turning point.

The missionaries talked to him about temples and that was a powerful lesson as well. As Matt overcame his concerns, he felt happier and ready for his baptism.

*Sister Hunt, Brother Brown, Matt, and Sister Bingham*

Matt was baptized by Brother Brown on September 1, 2024. He is now preparing for the temple and to receive the priesthood. Matt has joined in lessons with other friends the missionaries are teaching and shared his experience. His faith and testimony is really making a difference for other people.

#TKMTenderMercies

Book of Mormon and PMG Every Day!

October 25, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

Message in the October 9, 2024 Newsletter

Hello, Amazing Missionaries of the TKM!

We’re already at mid transfer- can you believe it? We hope the district accountability that was implemented is going well. I like to think of a district as a little group of siblings working together, cheering each other on, and helping each other when things are tough. When accountability is done with love and support, it will unite the district. Always remember that these things are to better help us fulfill our missionary purpose to invite everyone to come unto Christ and then to help them receive His restored gospel. He is the heart and the center of everything we do.

If you’re struggling in an area of accountability, let the members of your district help. Everyone has been there at one time or another so reach out- I promise you will be wrapped up in love and support and the day will come when you will be able to offer that same kindness to someone else.

We also hope that everyone is deeply invested in reading the Book of Mormon and studying Preach My Gospel every day! Even on P-day! As I have really done a deep study of PMG, I have felt that things you learn through the Spirit will not only bless you as a missionary, it will bless every aspect of your life in the future. Think of the knowledge and skill you will use in future callings, ministering, and most importantly – your own future family. You are learning how to plan, how to interact with others, essential gospel truths that will bless you for the rest of your life, the power of scripture study, how to make and keep commitments, how to build faith in the Savior, and so many other things!

A mission is the perfect time to fully immerse yourself in The Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel. You won’t have another opportunity quite like a mission to be able to deeply study, learn, and grow. There is no downside here! Make the effort and reap the blessings.

We love you,

Sister Barlow

The Restoration Proclamation

October 25, 2024October 25, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

As a way to celebrate the 100th birthday of President Russell M. Nelson, in August we invited all missionaries in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission to memorize “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World“.

The Restoration Proclamation was issued by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the April 2020 General Conference. This proclamation commemorates the 200th anniversary of The First Vision received by the Prophet Joseph Smith that initiated the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and ushered in “the dispensation of the fullness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Our efforts to memorize The Restoration Proclamation was based on this promise from President Nelson at the 2021 Mission Leader Seminar:

We live in this unique and exciting time when the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to unfold. I would encourage each of you to study, ponder, and teach from the bicentennial proclamation of the Restoration, introduced at the April 2020 general conference. Teach it often to your missionaries. There is power in its declarations. It proclaims truths concerning the Godhead, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the First Vision, the organization of the Lord’s Church, the restoration of priesthood authority, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and modern-day prophets. The more your missionaries understand about these fundamental gospel truths, the more their own testimonies will grow—which of course will help them teach and testify with greater power.

Important eternal truths are taught in The Restoration Proclamation that are valuable for missionaries to know and teach:

Heavenly Father loves His children.
God knows you, loves you, and has a plan for your life. He will direct your path.
After the death of His apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth.
God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith to initiate the restoration of Jesus Christ’s Church.
Heavenly messengers re-established His Church.
The Book of Mormon, like the Bible, is sacred scripture that teaches the Doctrine of Christ.
Priesthood authority has been restored.
Missionaries carry the message of the Restoration to the world.
The Restoration is ongoing.
You can know for yourself of the reality of this Restoration.

This was no easy task for our missionaries. The Restoration Proclamation is 608 words. Similar to when we memorized “The Living Christ”, Sister Barlow created flip cards that would help us memorize the Restoration Proclamation. She also noted that we will record a video of missionaries reciting “The Restoration Proclamation” just like we did with “The Living Christ.”

Memorizing this proclamation has been a great experience for our mission. Missionaries shared that they often find themselves quoting The Restoration Proclamation as they teach. Combining it with our efforts to memorize The Living Christ has been powerful. Memorizing and pondering these words from living prophets have strengthened our faith and is helping us to testify with greater power.

#WhatsUpInTKM

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Lorie

October 24, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

It all started with Randall. Sister Webb and Sister Harrop got a referral from a man named Randall. Unfortunately, he wasn’t very interested, but where the Sisters asked who else he knew who might be interested, he told the sisters to see his friend Cody. While visiting Cody, they met his sister Angel. Angel was too busy to meet at that time, but she gave them her address so they could visit her later. When they followed up, Angel was nowhere to be found at the given address, but after asking the man there who might be interested in their message, he said to try the lady at the back of the neighborhood. And this is where Sister Harrop and Sister Webb met Lorie!

Lorie was open to talking with the sisters because she remembered her grandfather talking to missionaries when she was a little girl. She liked that the missionaries would come visit her and teach her the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She has always been a very faithful follower of Jesus Christ and has strove to keep his commandments throughout her life. She enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon because it works so well with the Holy Bible.

When the sisters presented her with the opportunity to be baptized to show the Lord that she was willing to follow Him and to be bound to Him through Jesus Christ’s priesthood, she wanted to take that step! She said that she couldn’t find anything wrong with the Book of Mormon or with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints so she wanted to be a part of it.

The Chatt Valley Ward was so welcoming as Lorie came to church and prepared to be baptized. Sister Alma Griffey was an amazing fellowshipper and was always willing to help Lorie progress in her goal of being baptized. Lorie was baptized on August 31. 2024. Her baptism was beautiful and the Spirit was powerful. After she was baptized, she said she felt “clean”.

When Lorie was confirmed on Sunday and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, Sister Webb and Sister Bunderson noted that she was glowing with the Spirit. She had a new light about her and the Spirit she carried was clearly visible. Lorie looked so beautiful and so happy. The sisters could feel the love that Heavenly Father has for Lorie, one of His beloved daughters.

#TKMTenderMercies

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Francisco

October 12, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

Francisco recently moved to the country and was looking for a church near him. He saw an ad on Facebook for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that’s how he came in contact with the missionaries. The ad was inviting him to join us at a church service, and he sent in his referral on July 20, 2024.

Francisco came to the United States by himself leaving his family behind. He started coming to church every Sunday and quickly became good friends with many of the members. Francisco has a lot of faith and never doubted that this was the path the Lord had for him.

One Sunday, during sacrament meeting a recent convert bore her testimony on how her own baptism had blessed her life. After church that day, the missionaries had a lesson with Francisco. He expressed that he had loved the testimony from the recent convert and had his own desire to fulfill the commandments of God through baptism.

From then on, Francisco started working towards baptism. He has never doubted that this is what the Lord wants for him, even if it means making big changes. When the missionaries taught him about the commandments of God he immediately agreed to live them.

Francisco was baptized and confirmed on August 25, 2024 in the Lebanon 2nd Branch.

Francisco is a very engaged learner and has already contributed a lot to the branch. He would consistently share his own testimony in Sunday School and in lessons, and has continued to enjoy learning more about the gospel.

Finding the church has truly changed his life and has allowed him to find peace during this difficult time of being away from the rest of his family. He is a great example of someone who is always willing to follow God’s commandments and stay true to what he knows. As a member of Christ’s church he is now excited to continue on this covenant path.

#TKMTenderMercies

11th TKM Family Olympics

October 9, 2024October 25, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

On Tuesday, September 17th we had 8 fantastic missionaries complete their service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission. They’ve made a tremendous difference with their service. We began the day with a discussion about what they’ve learned in being lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. Many had submitted videos with their thoughts on that subject that you can find below.

We then met individually with each of them to give them a final priesthood blessing as missionaries.

After our time at the church, we went to the mission home, changed clothes, and began the competition for the 11th TKM Family Olympics. It was a wet, rainy day, so we couldn’t do our typical events, but we held three events of corn hold, Sequence, and Poster Contest.

The poster contest often decides the winner of the TKM Family Olympics

It was another great competition, but in the end, the winner of the gold medals were…

Congratulations to Elder Barber and Sister Lund who took home the gold!

Daisy loves these missionaries as much as we do!

We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve side-by-side with these fantastic missionaries, and can’t wait to see what happens next in their lives!

Videos: Disciples of Jesus Christ

#WhatsUpInTKM

Tender Mercies in the TKM: Dionamit, Jhoan, and Jeremias

October 3, 2024 ~ barlowsintkm ~ Leave a comment

Dionamit, Jhoan and Jeremias were found by Elder Tyson Hurtado and Elder Isaac Maynes soon after they moved to the United States. Their journey is filled with hard work, family, and faith. The Elders met them at a new convert’s birthday party and invited them to begin taking the discussions. Jhoan had met with missionaries in Venezuela years prior, but after the message of the Restoration lesson, nothing came of it. Now in the States, he was finally prepared. The family soon became dedicated to attending the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as much as possible.

Many obstacles stood in their way that could have prevented them from receiving saving ordinances. Yet they came so far and they weren’t ready to give up. One challenge was work. Their boss had them working every other weekend. On the weekends when they were free, they were at church and attended sacrament meeting times many, many times before the day of their baptism arrived.

Since moving to Greeneville, their relationship with the Lord has only grown. They prayed day and night for their dreams of baptism to come true. They never doubted He would work it out. When Sister Wood and Sister Holliday began working with the family, all they asked for were prayers. Dionamit and Jhoan would need to be married before they could be baptized. It was set up so they would be married on Thursday, get baptized on Friday, and attend the temple for the first time on Friday. It was also their son, Jeremias’ 13th Birthday week!

Everyone came together to celebrate these big events with this family. Each member of the ward offered something beautiful for the wedding Ceremony. A youth baked a 3 tiered cake, a sister who plans weddings brought more than 7 flower arrangements, center pieces and table cloth, our friend captured the whole thing like a professional on her camera! And like a potluck, everyone contributed!

They were baptized on August 9, 2024 in a wonderful service attended by many friends.

The trip to the temple was remarkable. The happiest moment of all, is Dionamit’s smile as she held her very first temple recommend. To top off the festivities, Jhoan took family names to the temple. The next day, Sunday, him and his son were able to pass the sacrament for the first time.