On July 29, 2025, Russ was in Walmart shopping for his favorite cheese when two missionaries commented on his cross necklace and invited him to church! He was interested in learning more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Russ was raised around members of the church but never fully knew what they believed.

The next day the sister missionaries were planning on showing him around the church building. He had a busy day at work and called and canceled. But then he saw a rainbow and felt that was a sign that he needed to meet with the missionaries.

Russ met with the missionaries for three months and was growing his faith in Christ more every day. He became great friends with one of the members of the congregation, Ted Simmons. Russ loved reading the Book of Mormon and the Bible and seeing how they complemented each other.

On October 26, 2025, Russ was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He shared his testimony about the difference between believing and knowing, and said He knows this is where he belongs. He knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He knows that this is Christ’s church. He knows these things because he reads, ponders and prays, having faith that God will direct him as he continues those things.

On November 2, 2025, Russ was able to receive the Aaronic Priesthood, God’s power and authority to act in His name. He is also sharing the joy that he has felt from the gospel by inviting his friends and co-workers to come to church with him. Russ is a great disciple of Christ! 

Soon, he will be going to the Atlanta, Georgia temple with the Simmons family to do proxy baptisms for his deceased ancestors.

Here is a short message from Russ:

Hello, my name is Russ Kline and here is my brief testimony,

I was walking in a local Walmart looking for one of my favorite cheeses and these two angels came walking around a corner holding vibrant smiles and they said to me – “we really like your necklace.” I replied – “I really like my necklace too”. In the hopes of being terse, we had a short conversation, I was invited to church in Loudon, to which I accepted.

I learned of Joseph Smith, the plates, Nephi, Moroni, the Tree, the Path, the Iron Rod, the Fruit, the Great and Spacious Building, etc…. after much trepidation (long story), this isn’t what cemented my conversion. 

God is subtle so we must carefully listen. There were signs, right in the spot where I was supposed to be. Two in particular. One with Sister Thatcher and the second, with Brother Ted Simmons.

The one with Sister Thatcher was one where I had been thinking about Revelation 3:20 during one of our meetings:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” 

…and then she brings up Jesus knocking at a door with no knob. Way too fortuitous to be a coincidence.

The second one was, again, at one of our meetings and brother Ted Simmons was there. He had mentioned his belief in Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and the Church being true and this is where it got interesting. I mentioned that I don’t like the word “belief” as it casts doubt to the validity. To “know,” is much more concrete, stronger. Ex: Jesus Christ – “Believing vs Knowing” he died and rose from the dead for us. Which plants the seed? Believing he died for us? Or knowing he died for us? I KNOW he did!

Later, I learned Alma agreed (or I agreed with Alma, nevertheless) … I found it in Alma 32:17-18.

“17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.

18 Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it.”

God is subtle, we must listen. After God subtly speaking to me, I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I know the Church is true.

I made my choice. 

Much love, Russ 

#TKMTenderMercies

Izzy and Kevin were at Walmart when they met Sister Baldwin. Sister Baldwin was at Walmart picking up some “get well supplies” for another member of the Harlan group who was sick. She ran into Kevin and Izzy and their three boys and they became instant friends. Sister Baldwin invited them to come worship with us at sacrament meeting and also to have the missionaries to stop by their house for a lesson. When Sister Baldwin called the missionaries, she kept saying that Kevin and Izzy were filled with light. 

The Baldwins became very good friends with Kevin and Izzy’s family, to the point that their son, Opie began to call them grandma and grandpa. They spent a lot of time with the Baldwins, learning about the gospel, the Book of Mormon, and the church. As the missionaries taught the discussions, they readily accepted the invitation to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. Because of their desire, Kevin and Izzy progressed very quickly.

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Izzy later said that Kevin’s heart was softened as he read the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart. She could see him changing. The missionaries began to notice their little family gaining more and more light as they began coming to church and began expressing further desire to learn more.

Although somewhat resistant at first, Kevin had become fully invested into studying the Book of Mormon, and this was apparent by the many, many pages of notes that he had taken as he studied. Elder Croney said that he’s never seen someone’s heart change so much in such a short amount of time, and such a willingness to learn. It wasn’t long before they accepted the invitation to be baptized. 

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Kevin and Izzy were baptized on October 12, 2025 in the Harlan Group as members of the Powell Valley Ward. Kevin was baptized by Elder Croney. After his baptism, he came out of the font, and sat on a chair next to the font where he was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Immediately after that, he was given the Aaronic priesthood and ordained and elder. He then took Izzy into the water and baptized his wife. It was an incredible experience!

The Sunday after Kevin and Izzy were baptized, Kevin shared this talk in sacrament meeting about what led him to be baptized.

“As some of you know, over a year ago I was in a car wreck that shattered my leg and ankle. I went through several surgeries, a lot of pain and a  long recovery. I’ll be honest — I was mad at God. I blamed Him for what happened. I didn’t understand why it had to happen to me, but I had turned away from him for a time. I was raised in church so I’ve always believed in our Savior, but at that time I felt angry and lost. 

After a year of many struggles, physical therapy, and still feeling lost, God sent my family Sister Baldwin who sent Elder Croney and Elder Helm to our door. They didn’t judge us or push me into anything. They listened, shared scriptures, invited us to pray, and uplifted us with their words. 

I started reading the Book of Mormon and felt something shift in my heart. That hardness toward Him began to melt. I could feel His Spirit again, guiding me and helping me see that He had never left me – He was just waiting for me to reach out.

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Last week, right after I was baptized, I was ordained to the Aaronic priesthood and had the amazing blessing of baptizing my wife. That moment was unforgettable. Despite the freezing water, I felt Heavenly Father’s love so strongly that He didn’t have to warm me up but He did pour the Holy Spirit over me. It reminded me that baptism is about healing, and new beginnings.

I know that God lives and that He loves us, even when we’re angry or struggling. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He delivers us when we rely on Him.”

Since Izzy and Kevin were baptized, they have been hard at work, sharing their experiences with others being taught by the missionaries, and serving faithfully in every way they can. Their story has blessed the lives of so many and they have become a great strength to the Harlan group as well as the Powell Valley Ward!

#TKMTenderMercies

Robert’s story began one evening while he was on Facebook. At the time, he felt he was in a dark place in life. As he scrolled, he came across an invitation asking if he wanted to come closer to Christ. In that moment, he said he was overcome by a prompting within, guiding him to take the first step on his journey.

The very next day, missionaries contacted Robert and visited his home. They shared a scripture with him and gave him a Book of Mormon.

Reflecting on that experience, Robert said:

“After our meeting they prayed with me and made arrangements to come back for more lessons. It was through these lessons that I learned about Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon, and the Plan of Salvation. I learned more about our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, and how much they love us! I learned that faith leads to repentance which leads to baptism and the Holy Ghost. By praying, reading scripture, and attending church regularly, I could feel my faith growing stronger every day! It caused me to fall to my knees and repent with all my heart while asking for forgiveness of my past.”

On July 5, 2025, Robert was baptized and confirmed. Since then, he has taken another step forward by being ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood and receiving a calling as a ward missionary.

Robert shares, “I love my church family, and am joyous to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!”

Not a day goes by that Robert doesn’t bring a smile to those around him. He continues to fill the world with light everywhere he goes.

#TKMTenderMercies

Minyue was first introduced to the gospel by a couple of her friends online while she still lived in Singapore. For a the last couple of years she had been reading from the Book of Mormon and praying about the things she was learning.

She eventually came to America and married her husband who was a recent convert himself. Her friends encouraged her to continue to pray and gain her testimony of the gospel. She wanted to know more about the things her husband was experiencing, such as receiving the priesthood and his patriarchal blessing. She said she felt prompted by Heavenly Father that she needed to be baptized.

Over time she understood more and more about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and His gospel. For two months she was meeting with the missionaries and coming to church. She knew baptism was something she wanted to do but didn’t yet feel prepared. Something that strengthened her testimony was reading from the Book of Mormon every day.

While she felt nervous to make the commitment to be baptized, she knew this choice would bring eternal blessings, that will last forever. She accepted the invitation to be baptized and was baptized and confirmed on June 28, 2025.

Minyue is very excited to stay on this path and be able to be sealed to her husband in the temple for eternity. After her baptism, she has felt much happier and more confident. She knows that God cares about us no matter where we come from or what circumstances we’ve experienced. She knows that Heavenly Father knows her, loves her, and has a plan for her.

Sister Critchfield and Sister Bundy were walking into the mission office one day to do some planning. On their way in, they saw an Amazon worker getting back into his Amazon delivery truck after dropping off a package. They invited him to church and he said he was interested! They shared a quick message about how God has a plan for him and how coming to church can help him understand that plan, then let him head out to his next stop of the day. That invitation to church and to grow closer to God was exactly what Sean needed that day. 

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Shortly after that first interaction with Sean, the Sisters found out that his Father had passed away just three weeks prior to meeting him that day in the parking lot. Sean was lost, he was mourning, and was seeking peace, direction and purpose again. He was able to find more peace and guidance in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

A pivotal moment for Sean was learning how to pray. Once he started praying, he was able to start feeling more of God’s love in his life. Sean’s Father loved church and worship and was baptized prior to passing away. The example of his dad gave Sean a desire to come closer to Christ, and as he learned about the gospel of Jesus Christ he felt connected to his dad once again. 

The missionaries were able to connect Sean to the YSA congregation here in Knoxville. His very first time coming to church he brought a friend who has attended church with him ever since! Just three weeks after meeting the missionaries, Sean was baptized on July 20, 2025 as a member of the Knoxville YSA Branch.

Sean has been a great example of strength and hope, and is helping others come closer to Jesus Christ as well!

Corbyn was walking on the Chattanooga Bridge where Elder Ulm and Elder Collins stopped her and invited her to church. They passed her information to Sister Bingham and Sister Adams in Hixson. She was taught by these two sisters and later Sister Gabbitas.

Corbyn shared the following about her experience:

“I have always known of God. I was raised with Baptist and Evangelic principles. I was a Christian. But when I got old enough to question my religion, I was pushed out. When I was ostracized because of my questions, it led to a complete lack of faith even though I still thought of Jesus Christ as an active role model in my life.”

“I eventually went out into the world exploring the Abrahamic religions, Eastern religions, philosophy, and spirituality. I found that what was most important in my journey is recognizing the good in what God has done. In my heart, I desired to be closer to him and find peace. Spirituality was the last step in my journey. Spirituality taught me how to be still and practice gratitude. I’m grateful for the path God put me on because without it I wouldn’t have known how to call out to Him with reverence.”

“Just before joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was at a point in my life where my soul was unhappy. I was reaching my material goals, I had more things than ever before, but I felt lost and empty. I was fortunate enough to meet someone who pushed me to grow closer to God. They encouraged the habit of practicing gratitude. My heart started desiring a life away from sin. I slowly started pulling away from my old habits. During this time, it felt like everything was rapidly changing. I then prayed deeply to God, inviting Him into my life and asking Him to show me the way–to reveal Himself to me. I truly opened my heart not only to find Him, but to also in repenting. I was so sure He would be there for me. I didn’t know when, but I was certain. I sat in silence, taking in the energy of the prayer and acknowledging all that He had done.” 

“I didn’t receive an answer until a week later when I met the missionaries on the bridge. I ended up going to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as soon as I could to find out more information. I learned so much from the sister missionaries. I felt that this was exactly where I needed to be. God also answered a prayer I held very close to my heart, which was to have meaningful fellowship. The beginning of my conversion was difficult because I struggled with giving up old habits, but I was reassured at every step that God forgives, and I don’t need to be perfect. I am loved by the Creator as we all are. I don’t need to feel weighed down by my sins because all sins are measured the same and I can be redeemed through Christ. I am eternally grateful.” 

“I was baptized on April 26, 2025. I am so glad I have come to know and be in a place that has the fullness of the gospel. I know that Jesus Christ lives.”

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When Corbyn was baptized, she couldn’t stop crying and was so grateful to have been able to make this covenant with her Savior.

Two days after she was baptized she took work off and went to the Atlanta Temple to do the baptism on behalf of her Mom who had passed away in 2020. Her Mom is the person who first taught her the importance of following Jesus Christ and she described the experience as “the most peaceful relaxing loving, just indescribable feeling.” Corbyn loves helping the missionaries in lessons and attending institute each week. She is SO excited to recieve a calling and continue her journey of conversion.

Vincent was first introduced to the gospel while in jail. One of his cellmates was friends with Miss Gloria, a member in the Hardin Valley Ward. Through the cellmate, Miss Gloria and Vincent were able to create a great friendship, and Miss Gloria was able to help out Vincent a lot while he was in jail. It was here where Gloria introduced Vincent to the restored gospel, and afterwards sent his information to the missionaries so that they could get him a copy of the Book of Mormon.

After receiving the referral from the Hardin Valley Sisters, Elder Graham and Elder Griffith were able to drop off a copy of the Book of Mormon. They set up a time to come back and talk about his experience reading. Over the next few weeks they kept stopping by and reading the Book of Mormon with him to help him understand the Book of Mormon better. 

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Vincent was baptized on February 22, 2025. He has since been able to attend the temple and is sharing the gospel in normal and natural ways with everyone he can.

James saw some information on Instagram about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and made a request to meet with the missionaries. That’s when he was first taught by Elder Andreasen and Elder Cox. James shared he wanted to surround himself with the right kind of people and had this strong feeling he should start going to church again.

Preach My Gospel teaches us, “Heavenly Father may have blessed the people you find with valuable spiritual preparation. The steps they have already taken may have prepared them to make covenants with God through baptism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” This was definitely the case with James. Heavenly Father had been giving him important spiritual impressions that had prepared his heart to “receive the word” (Alma 16:16-17).

16 And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming—

17 That they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord their God.

Alma 16:16-17

James loved the principles he was taught by Elder Cox and Elder Andreasen. While he was being taught, Elder Johnson was transferred into the Gray Ward. James came to church and felt the love that the members of the Gray Ward had for him. Soon he was invited to be baptized, which he accepted and continued to work towards this goal..

James continued to progress and even watched a session of General Conference with the missionaries. While he knew that baptism was the right thing to do, he wanted to be sure it was a choice he was making for himself. He didn’t want to blindly follow and he wanted to know for himself that the things he was being taught were true. He prayed about it and felt good about it, especially the Book of Mormon, and knew this was the right thing for him to do. 

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James was then baptized October 12, 2024 and confirmed the next day in Sacrament meeting. James has been able to see the joys of the gospel enter his life as he continues to study and come to church and feel the blessings and power that come from making sacred covenants with God.

#TKMTenderMercies