"Grant, You Look like a Mormon!"



 Grant's Story
There are few things more precious in the life of a missionary than conversion stories, especially the  stories of their recent converts. Meet Grant. He had no faith in God prior to his moment of realizing in February that God existed. Since that time, his faith and testimony in Jesus Christ have increased tremendously and Sister Dodd and I have seen that transformation take place firsthand. Grant is the only member in his family and has made incredible changes in his life to more fully live the gospel. He faithfully reads two chapters of the Book of Mormon daily and is preparing for a full-time mission next summer. There is no greater joy than watching the miracle of the Atonement change the lives of people you love! This is Grant's story in his own words.    

Testimony of the Book of Mormon: "So I started reading the Book of Mormon in late February and I finished it on May 25, 2014. I started off by reading a chapter a day, and started reading a couple chapters a day soon after. I loved reading it, but I didn't fall in love with reading it. Not yet at least. With my missionaries, reading became more enjoyable. Along with it being enjoyable, I started making so many correlations with the Book of Mormon. My life literally seemed to be written a century and a half ago. And once I realized that, all I wanted to do was finish, and finish I did. I love reading the Book of Mormon because I have truly fallen in love with it. I can't not read it. I know it's true because it reflects my life, me, who I am. And with that I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know God gave him the Book of Mormon so that he could change people, like you and me. And with these changes, I've become someone new, someone I'm proud to be. I love Jesus Christ and I know he's my Savior. I know Heavenly Father loves all of us bc he gives us this chance to find this book. I love this Book and with it I plan on bringing as many to water as I can, and hopefully as many as I bring, that many will drink."

Conversion story: "The weekend of valentines day was the weekend I found God. It was either that Sunday or the next Sunday that I finally went to church, for me. After that my faith just kind of took off. I met the two most amazing women in my life soon after. When I first met them, I was a little freaked out by how "Pro-Jesus" they were. Sister Phelon was a little weird and smiled literally all the time. Sister Dodd seemed overly happy and loved to make me cry while she was crying. As I continued to read my Book of Mormon everyday, pray, go to church, and meet with my missionaries, of course I became closer to Christ. I did agree to be baptized at my first meeting with my missionaries, and they loved that. For the next two months, I met with my missionaries constantly. Literally everyday for three weeks before my baptism. But I also learned more about our Gospel and about Christ through my roommate Pedro. I was a little overwhelmed at times, but even the smallest amount light from Jesus Christ can light up any room. As time went on I trusted my missionaries more and more. While waiting for my baptismal date, I would go out with my missionaries on some of their appointments with other investigators. I absolutely loved going and helping my missionaries in every and any way I could. Finally my baptism arrives. I get all dressed up in my Sunday best (of course) and head on over. When I first see my missionaries, Sister Dodd said something I'll never forget. And I agree it was pretty odd. "Grant! YOU LOOK LIKE A MORMON!" Thanks I guess? After that though, we pretty much prepared for my baptism in a normal fashion. I will admit though, when it came time for pictures, I did everything I could to be a menace. Not one picture came out serious, to my knowledge. My good friend Nate baptized me, and I love him to death for it. Before and after my baptism, I was nothing but nervous. Everything did go normally of course, but I will never forget how loved I felt that day on April 12, 2014. From that day on, I've done everything in my power to stay as close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as I can. A friend once told me that the relationship I have with my missionaries will be like no other on this planet. I testify to the truth in that. Since my baptism, I've gone tracting, to more appointments, even to just handing out cards on UF's campus with my missionaries. I do this because Heavenly Father asks for us to do two things, obey his commandments and serve others. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true, Jesus Christ lives and is my savior and redeemer. I will always live this Gospel, I promise you that. And with that I'll give my testimony that because of Sister Dodd and Sister Phelon, I will have eternal life and happiness. They are my rock, and as long as we live, and even after, they will be my rock. I love them more than anyone else on this planet because of how they brought me unto Christ. And I say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Alma 5, 18:34, 24, 26:5-7 3 Nephi 14:2-5 Mormon 8:20."
 

ONE YEAR in the Lord's Service

    

Celebrating our year mark with my MTC companion!

One year. 365 days. Oh how the time flies. I can scarcely believe that exactly one year ago I was putting on a nametag for the first time and stepping into the role of a full-time missionary. I had waited my entire 19 years to be a missionary and the day had finally arrived! My heart was pounding and my eyes were wet as I hugged my parents goodbye on the curbside of the Provo MTC yet I felt a rush of gratitude and excitement to be in this wonderous place that I had waited years to enter. The feelings that entered my heart as I clipped on that beautiful little black square nametag for the first time cannot be described. Every moment in the MTC was something that I had prepared for, hoped for, and dreamed of and I LOVED it more than anything in the world. Being a missionary and wearing the Savior's name each day is the pinnacle of my existence. But really. I have forgotten that real life existed before this and it seems that my 20 years on earth has consisted of area books, investigators, baptisms, and companions. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. When I entered the MTC one year ago, I never could have foreseen the incredible experiences, trials, moments, and people that I have grown to love with all my heart. There have surely been moments where I have dropped to my knees in prayer and desperation, but also countless experiences where I have felt complete happiness and joy. I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER and that happiness truly comes from losing myself in the service of God's precious children. When it all comes down to it, the most treasured things a missionary can take home are not things that can be seen. Those precious pearls are a testimony, relationships, memories, and life lessons. Here are some of my own life lessons that I have learned here in the sunny state of Florida this past year:

1. A mission is what you make it. The power to choose is real and you can choose to love it or hate it. Personally, I am in love with my mission and I never ever want to leave.
2. Love people with ALL your heart. As I look back and read my mission call, I think of the people that I have loved and realize they are the treasures of my service.
3. It really all does begin and end with the doctrine of Christ: faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
4. Daily adventures in the Book of Mormon are critical to real and lasting conversion.
5. There is NO greater joy than declaring repentance and watching people change and make covenants.
6. The ultimate purpose of life is to return to live with God, make covenants, and help everyone else get there too.
7. People need to be loved, trusted, and believed in.
8. There is no substitute for exact obedience, for using every moment of the Lord's time as perfectly as possible, and working hard.
9. The entire organization of the Church is centered around the ONE. Even the busiest of church leaders take time for the one because that is the way the Savior led people.
10. Communication is absolutely essential in loving companionship relationships. Selflessly serve, compromise often, and communicate openly. Love will abound.
11. We are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is a message of happiness. If we are not happy, we are a walking contradiction.
12. Create a vision, prayerfully set goals, then make specific and timely plans and you will live up to your potential.
13. Do not doubt and expect mighty miracles.
14. Never judge. The outward appearance is most likely NOT reality.
15. The Lord looks on weakness different than He looks on rebellion. He looks at weakness with mercy and rebellion with justice.
16. Accountability is an eternal principle. We perform better when we are accountable for our actions.
17. Our goals guide our decisions and the way we use our time. When we don't have goals, we flail around wasting time. When we do have goals, we excel and come closer to God.
18. The enabling and redeeming power of the Atonement is REAL.
19. Personal spiritual preparation is key to personal revelation.
20. Information precedes revelation; it doesn't just drop out of the clear blue sky.
21. There is no secret know-all answer: we are all trying our very best and don't have things quite figured out. Leaders aren't perfect.
22. We help people most when they feel our love.
23. Striving to be completely consecrated to the Lord is one of my most treasured blessings. I LOVE wearing the Savior's name and being able to publicly represent Him!
24. Preparing throughout the week to take the sacrament is essential because that ordinance is so important.
25. Daily repentance and accountability to the Lord through audible prayer are crucial.
26. Discouragement and pride are two of Satan's most powerful tools.
27. Choose to do tough things first and love them and you will be happy.
28. Gratitude is not a list, it is an attitude. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude! It is a conscious choice.
29. How you look and what you wear does not matter - it's what is in your heart and the light that is in your eyes.
30. We are given weaknesses to be humble and they can be made strengths through the Atonement of Christ.
31. Write in your journal every day no matter what.
32. Telling people the answers to their questions is not as valuable as guiding them and letting them answer their own questions.
33. It is when we decide to put the needs of others above our own that we truly learn to love them.
34. It is okay not to be perfect. Mistakes are a part of the learning and growing process.
35. Without hard things, we would not progress and grow. God loves us enough to give us trials.
36. Nothing can be done without God. It isn't our own efforts that accomplish anything, it is God using our efforts to further His work.
37. Faith leads to action.
38. The central message of the Book of Mormon is to repent and come unto Christ.
39. Take every opportunity to testify. Fear and faith cannot coexist.
40. Being lovingly bold is forever better than being simply loving.
41. Verbal encouragement is essential.
42.  Agency is a central part of God's plan for us. As hard as it is to let people you love make their own choices, God loves us infinitely more and He lets us make our own decisions. We need to step back and let other people make their own choices too.
43. When we are faced with moments of overwhelm and testimony-shaking experiences, it is up to us to choose to rely on the Savior and deepen our own conversion.
44. Testimony is knowing the truth of a principle; conversion is living it every day.
45. Service overcomes selfishness.
46. Seek to understand, then to be understood.
47. A consecrated missionary gives every drop of passion to the Lord's work.
48. We progress by continually striving to do things that are uncomforable. If we are not progressing, we are not happy. Choose to do one new thing each day.
49. Talk to everyone. Every interaction can be turned into a missionary opportunity.
50. The Savior's Atonement is real and personal. Because of Him, ALL things are possible.

I have treasured each moment of my mission and I look forward to many, many more wonderful opportunities to serve the Lord here in Florida. There is absolutely nothing better than serving as one of the Lord's missionaries. Even the hardest of times have taught me life lessons that I wouldn't trade for anything. Each experience or culmination of experiences has helped me to learn things that have helped me become more compassionate, kind, and loving. I LOVE being a missionary and I treasure each moment that I have in the Lord's service. There is nothing better in the whole, wide world than being a full-time representative of Jesus Christ and being able to consecrate every moment and thought to Him. I love being a missionary. I never could have dreamed one year ago of the things that the Lord would require of me or the experiences that I would have, yet I know without a doubt that the Lord prepares us to perform miracles for Him. We are only tiny small hands in His work, but a pair of consecrated and dedicated hands are powerful instruments in the work of God.