The missionaries met Jayden as a referral from his girlfriend, Maikya. Jayden was naturally fellowshipped by members and this created the desire to learn more about the things his member friends believed in, especially his girlfriend, Makiya.. Makiya is currently serving a mission in Argentina, and invited Jayden to reach out to missionaries near him.
Here are his words about how that went:
“So to begin with, what got me into the church was my girlfriend Makiya who’s a missionary herself. Before she left for her mission she suggested I come to church with her and I did and I didn’t think much of it. But once she left for her mission she asked me to go to church or at least try and learn something so I texted the missionaries, and soon enough they answered me and within a day I was meeting with them.”
During Jayden’s first lesson, he expressed an interest in being baptized, desiring to change his life forever. We quickly put him on date, and per his request, taught him almost every day leading up to his baptism.
“Let me say after the first lesson I was hooked. My life has changed so much in so many ways from the start I have seen my relationship grow and so many opportunities have opened up. I’m so blessed to call the church my home.”
Since Jayden was so eager to be taught every day, we were able to fellowship him with almost the entire branch before his baptism. The members excitedly answered his questions and encouraged Jayden to study and pray every day, and to understand the importance of partaking of the sacrament each Sunday. Brad and Lynette Jones and Mike and Dawn Baker were especially involved in welcoming Jayden into the church.
A powerful moment in Jayden’s conversion was his first time partaking of the sacrament: “I definitely felt the Spirit move in me the first time I took the sacrament and my whole body felt free and just happy.”
Jayden was baptized and confirmed on November 24th, 2024 as a member of the Brevard branch and has since been able to receive the Aaronic priesthood and perform baptisms for the dead in the Atlanta temple. He has a very bright future and is already a powerful missionary in the Lord’s hands with how willing he is to help within the branch and to share his own testimony with others.
One day the missionaries were public contacting at Walmart. They saw an old man getting out of his car, and decided to go help him. His name was Ronny. He said they could stop by and share a message. Later that week they went to visit Ronny. When they stopped by his house he was not there. So, they decided to use that time to knock on some of his neighbors’ doors. Logan was Ronny’s next door neighbor!
November 5th was the first day that the missionaries met Logan. When they knocked on Logan’s door he expressed that he wanted to get closer to God, but did not have a church to attend. He came out to his porch to talk with the missionaries because his dog was all riled up. They had a pleasant conversation and set up a church tour with him just a few days later.
The spirit was so strong during that church tour. They entered the room with the baptismal font and decided to teach the doctrine of baptism. They had not known Logan for long, but the spirit was strong, and so they invited Logan to be baptized later that month.
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The missionaries continued to meet with Logan multiple times a week. He attended church and became fast friends with the members of the Signal Mountain Ward. He was able to keep all his commitments and make changes in his life to prepare for baptism.
We know that God had been preparing Logan. Just a few months prior to meeting the missionaries, Logan was living a completely different lifestyle. He had some friends who were not the best influence. He had an accident that left him with a severely broken leg that required major surgery. This was a turning point for him. He knew he needed to change. He knew that he was not living the kind of life that he wanted to live and he started to make those changes in his life. That’s when he met the missionaries. All of the changes he had already started to make aligned perfectly with the doctrine of the restored gospel.
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Logan was baptized on November 30, 2024. He was baptized by a recent convert Juan. He entered the font willing and ready to deepen his relationship with his Father in Heaven. He had the support of many amazing ward members. One week later he was able to attend the temple and do proxy baptisms. He is now an amazing member of the Signal Mountain Ward. Logan even sang in the choir and volunteered in the live Nativity!
The restored gospel has changed Logan’s life and has changed him. He is living the life he wants to live. He is becoming the person that he wants to become. He is a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.
Josh is the epitome of a miracle! Josh’s wife Sierra was baptized in May 2024. Josh sat in on the lessons as Sierra was taught, but he had a couple setbacks that kept him from being baptized.
Josh continued to be taught by many missionaries and he loved learning the gospel of Jesus Christ. The turning point in his conversion was when members of the ward began to connect with him and became his friend. With their encouragement, he started reading the Book of Mormon every day and everything changed! He was happier, he had a greater resolve to help and support his wife and daughter, and he felt a desire to serve those around him. As Sierra was retaught the lessons after her baptism, Josh would join in with the missionaries. Over time, he recognized the importance of having an eternal family, and this became one of his greatest desires.
Josh decided he was going to put his family first, and the hope of an eternal family became his priority. As he put his family first, he found greater joy.
In the weeks leading up to his baptism, Josh expressed to the missionaries that he was feeling a change in himself as he was consciously making decisions to come closer to God and to his family. The missionaries saw that change in him too. The power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ was truly changing his life.
Josh was baptized on November 23, 2024.
Josh went to the temple for the first time on December 7th, and the next Sunday, with a giant smile on his face he said, “When I was getting baptized in the temple, I felt the power of God working through me!”
Josh looks forward to being able to be sealed to his family in about a year.
One of the greatest blessings of serving a mission is having a companion to share with all of the experiences of missionary work. It’s an adjustment for missionaries to be with a companion 24X7. They are ALWAYS together. These companions are brought together for a short time, but during that time they are inseparable. They share hardships and triumphs. They work to be united in all they do. They have powerful experiences together that will connect them for a lifetime. Some of their very best friends in life will be companions they served with on their mission.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell once taught, “The macro plan of salvation is composed of micro plans. God governs the intersections of our lives, the people that we meet, and when we meet them. These intersections are all watched over by our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and we will not be aware of it. We can look back on these intersections, and the people that God brought into our lives and see how we were changed as a result.”
Monday, February 10th was “Companion Appreciation Day” in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission. Missionaries were asked to do something that day to celebrate their companion. We had so much fun expressing gratitude and doing acts of kindness for each other. We saw a lot of pancakes, ice cream, homemade treats, doing dishes, making beds, matching outfits, and messages on mirrors.
We shared pictures all day long across the mission and it brought such a sweet feeling of love and unity. We love and appreciate all of the wonderful missionaries, young and old, who we get to serve side by side with. They are a great joy in our life.
I’m a native of Hendersonville and the oldest of five kids. I grew up Southern Baptist. I believed in God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. I loved going to church and being active there. I loved singing the hymns and learning about Jesus, but I had questions. Questions that were brushed off or ignored if they didn’t fit in the box of their theology.
I went to Southern Baptist University to study nursing. I knew at a very young age that I was called to be a nurse. That was one of the clearest promptings that I ever had. Now, it is second to the clarity that I had when I made the decision to join this church, and the answers and confirmation that I received during my baptism and confirmation. Even in college, my questions still weren’t answered to my satisfaction. I felt like there was something more out there, and that something was missing. I didn’t know what it was.
After school, I came back home and helped start a non-denominational church that split from the church of my childhood. I was very active in the children and youth programs. I loved spending time with them and trying to answer their questions. Then I got married. At first, we were still going to church regularly. As time passed, he didn’t want to go anymore. I was frustrated with the lack of answers and fell away in my faith as well.
Over the years, I was cut off from friends and family. My finances were in ruins. In 2023 things began to escalate. Small tiffs suddenly became explosive arguments. I tried praying and felt no one was listening as things kept getting worse. I was utterly devastated and could not figure out why my life had been spared to be left with crippling anxiety, pain, and darkness. My prayers felt empty and like they were hitting the ceiling.
In July 2024, I had COVID for 3 weeks. This pushed me deep into a dark place. Coupled with court dates and an upcoming birthday, my world became dark and painful. I felt desperately alone. On August 4th, I prayed in desperation. I begged God to give me a sign, to show me a reason to keep going on. On August 6th, Elder Huff and Elder Johns arrived at my door. A physical answer to my prayer.
I answered my door, something that was very rare, and the first words out of my mouth were, “Y’all are here to tell me about Jesus.” We stood on my porch and talked in the hot August sun, they gave me a Book of Mormon, asked me to pray about it, and we set up a meeting later that week at the park with the Sheltons joining us. I walked inside, put the book on my shelf and left it there. I wasn’t sure what to do. I felt confused but strangely hopeful. So I did as the Elders asked. I prayed. And I read the verse they had asked of me. 3 Nephi 9:14.
Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. 3 Nephi 9:14
I showed up at the next meeting. I read the next thing they asked then went off on my own, reading and praying and questioning. I sent them a list of questions. I knew the answers they shared with me were true. I was filled with a peace that I cannot explain. I was still nervous and began to overthink and actually delayed my baptism. I continued to search and pray. I was constantly reminded of one of my favorite verses. Isaiah 52:7. I will be forever grateful to all the missionaries that I have met for being the feet on the mountains.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7
Prior to my baptism, during a lesson either on prayer or the Holy Spirit, I informed the Elders and the Sheltons that I had been impressed with a phrase that I simply could not shake but did not have direction on. The phrase was “Called to Serve”. I then learned that it is also a song. And we sang it. Little did I know, that was to be a calling that would encompass my life. The covenant that I made in baptism has been so very precious to me. In the temple I was reminded of my covenant and the joy it brings.
I was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 22, 2024
Since my baptism, there was the hurricane and I changed jobs. During the hurricane, my house and my family’s houses were spared. Immediately after the hurricane, I spent a lot of time with friends who lost everything. Like many of you, serving those in need. Loving and being examples of Christ. In case you ever wonder, that can make a huge difference. It did for me.
My first experiences with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was with the Sheltons, the Creasmans and Brother Watson. I knew a bit about the church, but more so, I knew how they lived their lives. I had watched them and their kids for years. I know Heavenly Father sends us moments of clarity and assurance when we need them most. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.
On January 22nd, we welcomed seven new missionaries to the Tennessee Knoxville Mission. We are really excited about this group and can already tell they will help to elevate the mission.
We had another great welcoming party at the airport!
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Elder Beer joined us earlier in the transfer, so we only had six to pick up at the airport. After orientation at the stake center in Farragut, these new missionaries had great success in their first experience finding people to teach at the University of Tennessee campus.
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The best part (by far!) of the first day on their mission is getting to assign these new missionaries to their trainers! We are really excited about this group of trainers and know they will get these missionaries off to a great start.
NewMissionary
Trainer
Area
Elder Beer
Elder Safsten
Asheville Spanish
Elder Martin
Elder Johns
Grove Park Spanish
Sister Ericksen
Sister Mair
Maryville
Sister Jonsson
Sister Wittwer
Waynesville
Sister Hughes
Sister Petersen
Poplar Creek
Elder Hartzell
Elder Cox
Dalton
Elder Peterson
Elder O’Brien
Gray
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Welcome to the TKM! We are so excited you are here!
Five more missionaries completed their service in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission on January 22nd. We’ve been able to see how much each of these missionaries has changed as they’ve worked to come unto Christ themselves while doing all they can to help others come unto Christ. We love these missionaries and will forever be grateful for the time we’ve had to serve side-by-side with them.
Before the fun of the Olympics, we met as a group to discuss how we can continue to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ, and met 1:1 with each missionary to give them a blessing.
The competition in the 14th TKM Family Olympics was the closest it has ever been! Because of some really cold temperatures, all of the events were held indoors this time around. Our three events were:
Ping pong
Sequence Board Game
Poster Making Contest
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We only had two team, and it was the closest competition we’ve seen yet, but in the end, only one team can take home the gold medals!
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We love these missionaries and look forward to all of the great things that lie ahead!
At zone conference last week, we rolled out March Madness 2025 in the TKM. In March Madness, we will be focusing on 1) reading the Book of Mormon together over the next 90 days, and 2) dialing in the “Sweet 16 Daily Essentials” introduced by Sister Barlow.
We invite parents and families to join with us in our Book of Mormon reading. Here is the schedule we will be following over the next 90 days:
Book of Mormon reading schedule
As you talk to your missionary each week, ask them how they are doing with the “Sweet 16 Daily Essentials”.
Sweet 16 Daily Essentials
We know that power comes from the Book of Mormon. President Nelson said, “When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power.” He’s also reminded us that power comes from these daily essentials. Speaking to missionaries, he reminded us, “Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings miracles!” We are excited to apply these principles to gain more power as we work to baptize 100 friends by the end of March.
Elliott’s family had been members of the church since he could remember, but, despite passing the usual age of eight, he hadn’t yet been baptized. Elliott began to think about spiritual things more as he got older as he realized that he, unlike his family, had not been baptized. He saw how happy the gospel made them, and how it united them with others and he wanted that as well.
“I saw that all my family is baptized, my dad and my mom, and my brothers and sister, and I wanted to be just like them!” he recounted. Elliott’s parents, Robert and Mallory, also felt a responsibility to teach their kids gospel principles, morals, and values.
When the decision was finally made for Elliott to start taking the missionary discussions, he was ecstatic! He had a lot of questions and he needed answers. The lessons were difficult at first — being only nine years old, Elliott was easily distracted and quick to lose focus — but Elliott began to feel the Spirit working. He felt happy when the missionaries were over because he really enjoyed learning about God and why we do what we do in church.
Although he didn’t always like to read his scriptures and pray, he gradually learned to love it. He began practicing praying, and as he did so he had experiences where his prayers were answered. He remembered one event in particular in which he prayed to be able to help his sister and, shortly thereafter, he had impressions on what he should do. His family and friends note that his disposition began to change after he learned to pray. He became more focused and compassionate as his relationship with Christ grew.
The week leading up to the baptism brought a lot of emotions for Elliott and his family. His parents shared that all he would talk about was his baptism, asking “Is it Saturday yet?” Needless to say he was excited!
Elliott was baptized on August 31, 2024 in the Pleasant Ridge ward. On the day of the baptism, he stated that he felt God’s spirit in the church and he was grateful he finally got to be baptized. He said of the experience “I felt clean and happy after I came out of the water. I felt totally different, way more calm than I usually am!”
In the weeks since his baptism, Elliott has said he feels “100% different” from the way he was before his baptism. His family has also noticed a change in him. He is looking forward to a life of discipleship and participating at church, and is even considering serving a mission when he is older. Elliott is grateful to finally be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lyric had been around the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his whole life and always told everyone that he was a member of the church when asked about his religion. His family and friends in the Chattanooga Valley ward helped Lyric to build his faith and love of the gospel throughout his life.
The missionaries met Lyric when Sister Harrop and Sister Webb were invited over to have dinner with Bishop Flynn and his wife. While we were eating, Lyric, their grandson, came in looking for a toy his little brother had left at their house. His grandpa invited him to stay for dinner, so he did and he told the missionaries all about his High School. Then, after dinner he joined them for a lesson about the story of Nephi and Laban. He found it interesting, and and his grandpa invited him to read the Book of Mormon and come to church with his cousin that weekend.
That Sunday, Lyric came to church with his cousin Liam who had recently returned from his own mission. He helped Lyric get excited about the gospel and started bringing him to church every Sunday. The next Sunday Lyric saw the missionaries giving another friend of theirs a tour of the church and decided to come join. As the sisters showed them the baptismal font Lyric told them that he planned on being baptized in that font. And the missionaries set a date right then for Lyric to be baptized!
As he prepared for his baptism he quickly read through the Book of Mormon and always had notes on what he was reading ready for the missionaries when they came over. Everyone could see his excitement; he invited all his friends and family to come to his baptism.
Lyric was baptized by his grandpa on September 14, 2024. At his baptism, Lyric bore the most beautiful testimony of the impact that the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Chatt Valley Ward had had on him. We could see the powerful impact his testimony had on so many who were in attendance at his baptism. He was confirmed the following Sunday morning by his grandpa and was given an opportunity to bear his testimony in the sacrament meeting. Again, his testimony was powerful and invited the Spirit into the meeting.
He told us that he now understood what the purpose of a missionary is in helping people come unto Christ through making covenants with Him at baptism, and he wants to serve a mission himself in the future.
Barlows in TKM 