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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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

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.”

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