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.
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.
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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.”
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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.
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.
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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”.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
Sister Angell and Sister Avei were in the Walmart parking lot and saw them. Alex ran up and did his typical, “Sister Missionaries!!” They chatted with him and Sara for a few minutes when Sara asked, “So what is the difference between y’alls church and everyone else’s?” Alex grabbed the Book of Mormon and said, “This!” He then invited Sara to meet the missionaries.
Sister Angell and Sister Avei met with Sara and Alex two days after they talked in the parking lot. They taught her the Restoration and Alex shared his testimony after every principle that was taught. After the lesson Sara expressed, “I’ve understood more in this 20-minute lesson than I have for the past two years at my previous church.” Sara attended sacrament meeting the following Sunday and was taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ that day. The missionaries invited her to follow the example of her Savior Jesus Christ and be baptized into His Church. Sara said that this is what she wanted to do. Alex hugged Sara, looked her in the eyes, and said “I know this is the right thing for you and it will change your life”.
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Sara was instantly fellowshipped by the youth of the Signal Mountain Ward. They all asked if they could join in teaching Sara about the truths they were raised with. Sara grew up without this same knowledge and was actively seeking truth. She developed a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and had a desire to be baptized.
But Sara’s parents were hesitant about this idea. They were unsure about signing the form allowing her to be baptized. Alex knew how much baptism would bless Sara’s life. He fasted all day so that his parents would be willing to sign the form. Alex and Sara both bore their testimony to their parents. They shared why baptism was important to them. They shared why they felt this was the true church. When their mom heard the testimonies of her children and listened to Sara express a desire to be baptized, her heart was softened. She signed the form and even attended the baptismal service a few days later.
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Sara was baptized on Saturday August 24, 2024. She had the support of many friends and family, including many members of the Signal Mountain Ward. When Sara came up out of the water her face was beaming with the biggest smile. This baptismal service was filled with pure joy. When Sara bore her testimony at the end of the meeting, she closed with “Thank you Alex for bringing me to God.”
Sara made the decision to pursue a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ despite initial opposition from her friends and family. She has found pure joy through the restored gospel. She is an example to all around her, and invites her friends to learn more about Jesus Christ and His gospel. We are so grateful for Sara’s sweet spirit, persistence, and continual missionary efforts. She is a life changer!
Darla’s story is nothing short of countless miracles, family love, faith and at the center of it all, Jesus Christ.
Last year, Darla applied for some housing and was put on a year-long wait list. Early this year, she was notified that she had an apartment, but was only given a 48-hour window to move in the apartment or her offer would be gone. Darla knew that her, her husband, and 15-year old grandson Jayden would not be able to move everything into the apartment in time and frantically began looking for help.
She found herself on Facebook where she discovered the Kingsport Tennessee Stake page, and sent a message requesting help. At the time, Bishop Polk was beginning his first week as the new bishop over the Rotherwood Ward. When he received the message that someone within the ward boundaries was looking for help moving his immediate reaction was to dismiss it as he already had so much on his plate, but the Spirit stopped him. There is more to this story.
Bishop Polk followed the prompting and reached out to Brother Adam Smith, the Elders Quorum President, and asked him to help Darla. Brother Smith immediately reached out and scheduled a time to come help. Even after the original meeting fell through, Brother Smith continued to contact them and eventually, with the help of many ward members, got them settled into their apartment.
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After the move, Brother Smith stayed in touch and continued to help them with every opportunity he saw, including inviting Darla to meet with missionaries. She began meeting with Sister Harris and Sister Duncan. As she met with the missionaries, she felt changes began to happen in her life. She felt the desire to follow the example of Jesus Christ and decided to be baptized.
Darla was preparing for her baptism when her husband became ill and died. She lost contact with the missionaries for a while as she mourned the death of her husband and thought about what the future would mean for her. Darla reconnected with missionaries, now Sister Terry and Sister Leathers, and determined to finish what she’d started.
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As Darla began her journey again, trial after trial sprang up trying to pull her back or distract her from the path she was on. The major turning point for her was when she kneeled down to pray, to ask her Father in Heaven, if all this was true. She received her answer that yes indeed it was true! This was an amazing experience for Darla to receive this personal witness that the principles she was being taught were true!
That knowledge gave her strength and courage to continue forward through even more challenges she faced as she again approached her baptism: sickness, family troubles, and other emergencies. She often told the missionaries she felt like she had spiritual armor on as she prayed and studied her scriptures, and that power was increasing every day. She experienced the peace and love as she and her house were blessed by priesthood authority.
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The day of her baptism she was very special, surrounded by ward members that now had become her family! Darla asked Brother Smith to baptize her. She was baptized on July 27, 2024 and is not a member of the Rotherwood Ward.
Elder Bangerter and Elder McClellan started to fellowship James in the spring of 2023. They loved meeting with him and his family. At that time James kids, April’s step children weren’t members yet. But steadily they began to want to be baptized. Eventually, I, Elder Rumsey began my mission in March of 2023 and I was trained by Elder Bangerter. I met James on the third day of my mission. I became fast friends with James along with the rest of their family. We ate dinner at their house many times and loved meeting them for the three months I was there. I wanted James to be baptized, but I wasn’t sure what to do as he didn’t feel ready to make that covenant at the time.
I eventually had to leave the area and added the Herndon family to my weekly email list. There was a small prayer in my heart that James would read them and feel the Spirit.
Elder Barrow and Elder Nash became companions and started to teach James kids. Who soon enough, in the summer of 2023 decided they wanted to be baptized. In July of 2023 they were baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter-Day Saints. The only member of the family who wasn’t a member at this point was James.
From this point forward, the spiritual progress of helping James reach the waters of baptism was slow. The Herndon family is a busy bunch. James also was fighting an unknown medical condition at the time. They were constantly trying to find answers to why he felt the way he did. We now know he has Parkinson disease.
One year later, I was called back to Kingsport! At the time, I had only guessed why I was sent back to my first area on my mission. I tried to see James and the rest of the Herndons but they were away for a while. I wasn’t able to get ahold of them for about 8 weeks of being back. I figured that I wouldn’t be able to.
Out of no where, James’ wife April came to church and invited Elder Croney and I over to do a service project. The following Saturday came and James was there, it was the first time I had seen him in over a year. After the service project was finished. The we went inside for dinner and to share a message. As we shared our message I felt the stirrings of the Spirit to invite James to be baptized. It was so random and out of no where that I was caught off guard. It had been a year since I had talked to James and I didn’t want to be rude. He had a lot going on in his life and to be honest, I didn’t want to invite him and ruin any progression that he had while I was away. So I unfortunately pushed it aside, assuming I had thought it at random.
As we left the house the feeling of regret grew. In my heart I knew that what I had pushed aside was the Spirit. I pleaded with the Lord to give us another chance to invite him.
The next day, James came to church. Elder Croney and I knew that if there was ever a time to seal the deal, it was then and there. We asked James after Sacrament Meeting to come into a classroom to sit down and talk with us. James being the nice guy he is, agreed.
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As we began to talk, I confessed that I felt as though I missed a prompting from the Spirit. I could see a look of interest and a glimpse of a smile on James face as I explained how I felt. I then invited James to be baptized. James’ response startled both Elder Croney and I. He said, “I knew you wanted to ask me! I could see it on your face. Yes, I would love to be baptized.” As simple as the moment sounds reading it on paper, the Spirit was so strong.
James was then baptized the following week on July 21, 2024.
Two missionaries pulled into the Food City parking lot to do some public contacting. One of the missionaries said “Hey, I think we need to go visit the Webb’s – you know the ones mentioned in branch council that moved here a few years ago?” Immediately they hopped back in the car and headed out.
Just a few miles over, John and Jenny Webb were out looking for some of their chickens that had been attacked the night before. They were always hard at work; gardening, taking care of chickens, quail, goats, and dogs, and their sweet grandson Westley. They previously had lived in Texas with a large home and lots of land and busy work schedules. Their dream of building a home and having land brought them to Tennessee. However, an injury from an accident required 8 surgeries and an amputation, which put a halt to the plans to build a home. Times were hard and money was tight, but the Webbs had been through a lot, and they knew they had each other.
When the missionaries pulled up, they were immediately impressed by the down-to-earth kindness from John and Jenny. They have always lived in a manner of serving and loving others, and they have taken many teens into their home over the years. John grew up in the church, and has always clung onto his testimony. When they moved here they looked up the church building and were considering going. The missionaries visited and talked about the sacrament and invited them to church.
The first time they came to church they just stayed for sacrament meeting. That week was Jenny’s birthday. The missionaries weren’t planning on stopping by their house that day, but the Spirit said otherwise. So they baked a little cake and dropped it off. Jenny was touched that someone was aware of her and that she got to celebrate her birthday in a simple way. The missionaries went by again and asked Jenny if they could teach her. Jenny said absolutely!
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She explained that many missionaries have knocked on her door over the years and she has always been irritated. However, this time was different. She said that her experiences in the last few years had changed her heart.
The missionaries started coming over a few times a week, and Jenny started reading in the Book of Mormon every day. She is legally blind, but didn’t let that stop her. She installed the Book of Mormon app and Gospel Library and zooms in on her phone so that she can see it and listen to the scriptures.
When she learned about the Godhead and that we are created in the image of our Heavenly Father, she said it made so much sense! Jenny continued to read and pray every day. She didn’t miss going to church on Sunday, and she kept praying for an answer.
As we talked about patterns of revelation and light, she was able to connect with the pattern that is akin to walking through fog; where there is only enough light to take one step at a time. When the missionaries invited her to be baptized she was overwhelmed and felt she wasn’t ready. As she had doubts and fears, she continued to turn to the Book of Mormon and pour out her heart in prayer. One Sunday she came up to the missionaries and said, “I’m ready to take the next step into the fog.”
As we planned her baptism there was continuous opposition. One afternoon Jenny stood in the parking lot at the church and felt like she simply couldn’t do it anymore. She wasn’t sure she could carry on and continue to prepare to be baptized. Sister Holladay and Sister Gabbitas each had a unique story they shared. Their experiences struck a chord with Jenny, and she was able to pause and remember why she was working towards this. As they stood in the parking lot crying together, they uttered a simple prayer, and the Spirit spoke peace to their hearts. Jenny had a clear thought. “This is why.” She felt this peace is why it is all worth it. This is why we turn to God in our struggles, so that He can consecrate those experiences for our gain. This is why true joy comes from turning to Jesus Christ.
When Jenny told her sister (who joined the church years ago) that she was getting baptized, her sister shared an experience she’d had 15 years ago. They had been at a Webb family gathering and a discussion about the church ensued. Someone made a comment that Jenny would never join the church. She stood up and said “I never said that!” In that moment, her sister saw her standing there in all white, and she felt in her heart that Jenny would someday be baptized. When she heard the news from her sister, she cried tears of joy.
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Jenny was baptized and confirmed on July 21, 2024. Her father in law, Bill Webb, who is in his 80’s, was able to perform those sacred ordinances. As Jenny sat down and John and Bill Webb stood in the circle to confirm her, the most beautiful light emanated from them. This was a family on the path to their eternal progression.
Jenny and John look forward to the day they will be sealed. Jenny continues to read the Book of Mormon every day and she says that she will not let the adversary take away what she has. Jenny and John continue to love and serve everyone around them and look forward to their path of progression together. Jenny shared, “Even though we have less than we have ever had before, even though we have lost so much, I have never been happier.”
Bobby was found when the missionaries we’re making phone calls on a park bench and he stopped by to use the restroom. He wasn’t planning on being there that day but the missionaries invited him to church and he said “YES!”
His best friend of 28 years and then fiancé hopped out of the car and it turns out she was a long-lost member from South Carolina who wanted to come back to church. She had just recently pointed the church building out to Bobby and said she wanted to go, but was really nervous. Bobby kept saying, “Wow, God knew I needed to come to this park tonight, and you guys just called after me, He is amazing!”
In our first lesson with Bobby, we taught the restoration and Jodi shared her testimony and insights too. As we shared Joseph Smith’s First Vision experience, Bobby immediately responded saying “I know that is true!” He was so aware of the spirit testifying of the truth of our message.
The missionaries recognized his tremendous faith and desire to follow in Christ’s footsteps and invited Bobby to be baptized right on the spot, and he happily accepted! He began reading the Book of Mormon every day and attending church every week. Mike n’ Ikes became his new best friend to help overcome an addiction he had, and he likes to joke that their trash can is only full of empty Mike n’ Ike boxes.
The branch and missionaries planned Bobby and Jodi’s wedding just 3 weeks out so that he wouldn’t have to wait any longer to be baptized. Their wedding was beautiful and they already look forward to the day they can be sealed.
Sister Holladay, Sister Gabbitas, Jodi, and Bobby at their wedding.
Bobby never missed a lesson and was so excited when he understood what a covenant was. He loves to say “ahh that special promise!” And the day he was baptized he remarked that he finally got to make his special promise. Jodi’s Aunt and Uncle drove down from Kentucky to be able to attend and baptize Bobby, and the love and support from everyone in the branch was wonderful. He was baptized on June 23, 2024.
Bobby loves sharing his love for Jesus Christ with everyone around him, in every possible way. He is so excited to continue to learn and grow and says “Don’t forget enduring to the end!”
Barlows in TKM 