Mission Stories

He Had Me in His Mind: The Personal Power of Gethsemane – Sister Mackenzie Pyatt

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2508974/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Shawn sits down with Sister Mackenzie Pyatt, who is currently in the home MTC preparing to serve in the Calgary, Canada Mission. Her story is a powerful testament to the transition from a passive, cultural "lukewarm" faith to a consecrated, "hot" discipleship rooted in personal revelation and a mighty change of heart. Mackenzie candidly shares how she moved from being "acted upon" by the pressures of high school and social media to becoming a woman who proactively chooses to build her identity on the rock of her Redeemer. The Poverty of a Lukewarm Life Growing up in a faithful home with "G.O.A.T." parents, Mackenzie initially lived a life of passive participation. While she avoided "sins of commission" like drinking or smoking, she realized she was struggling with "sins of omission"—going years without a personal prayer or opening the scriptures. By age 16, this lack of spiritual anchoring left her vulnerable to an identity crisis. She found herself seeking validation through social media and the fickle approval of friends, eventually hitting what she calls "rock bottom" after being targeted by a mean-spirited text that left her feeling entirely alone and a disappointment to God. The Turning Point at the Beach The pivotal transformation occurred when Mackenzie took a California burrito and a Book of Mormon to the beach and made a deliberate choice to exercise her agency. In a moment of brokenhearted humility, she offered her first sincere, vocal prayer in six years. She didn’t just pray; she began to "seek and knock," leading her to the words of 2 Nephi 33:6: "I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell". The phrase "my Jesus" pierced her, and the Holy Ghost provided a discernable, visceral witness that defied description—a "hug in her heart" that replaced her loneliness with the presence of God. A Personal Atonement Through this "mighty change of heart," Mackenzie received a profound insight into the personal nature of the Savior’s suffering. She realized that when Christ sat in the Garden of Gethsemane, he didn't just feel the collective sins of the world; he had a specific image of a crying, 16-year-old Mackenzie in His mind. This revelation shifted her identity from being a "son of man" focused on social status to a "daughter of God" who knows she is graven on the palms of the Savior’s hands. Closing: The Joy of Careful Discipleship Mackenzie concludes that the source of her current joy—which is "night and day" different from her previous misery—is the result of living a "careful" rather than "casual" life. She highlights that when we intentionally bring our questions to God through prayer and scripture, we move beyond the "lukewarm" state and find a firm foundation that carries us through the storms of life. Her story serves as a heartfelt invitation to every listener to move from the sand of cultural habit to the rock of a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.

I Only Have Two Years: Finding the Fire for the Work – Elder AJ Luekenga

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2508974/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Mission Stories, Shawn is joined by AJ Luekenga, who served in the Bolivia Cochabamba Mission. The conversation centers on a powerful mental shift required for every missionary: graduating from the passive feeling of "I have two years to sacrifice" to the urgent, active realization of "I only have two years to sprint". AJ shares how moving from a cultural commitment to an intentional, desire-based choice transforms a missionary into a "little a apostle" who works with apostolic fire and focus. The Path from Passive to Active Discipleship AJ emphasizes that true missionary work begins with personal conversion and an intentional choice to follow the Savior before ever stepping into the field. He recounts how experimenting with the word and taking "baby steps" of faith allowed him to access the peace and joy of the Atonement for himself. Shawn reinforces this principle of active choice by sharing his own formative experience attending the temple every other day for three months with a mentor named Ed Jesperson. This deliberate sacrifice turned Shawn's lukewarm desire into a burning passion, teaching that while serving for personal growth is a "better" reason, the "best" reason to serve is out of a pure love for others and a desperate desire to bring them the same joy found in Christ. Mastering the Work with Members A significant portion of the episode focuses on a refined and practical approach to Principle Three: An Open Mouth Finds Listeners. AJ details a specific, four-step method for effective member missionary work designed to build genuine trust and avoid wasting the Lord's time. These steps include: Establishing a strong personal testimony with the ward immediately to signal your purpose. Maintaining strict efficiency and setting clear expectations during visits to control the timeline. Consistently and deliberately asking for referrals during every interaction. Utilizing "quick visits"—five-minute pop-ins to catch up and pray—to stay visible and helpful in the community. This level of intentionality signals to members that the missionaries are consecrated servants who can be trusted with the souls of their friends and neighbors. Miracles of Trust and Light The fruits of these principles are illustrated through the stories of Joel and Himea. Joel, a 17-year-old with a rough home life, felt the Spirit in a member's home and was eventually taught and baptized through a communal effort where the members themselves took the lead in testifying. He later served his own mission in Peru, illustrating how one intentional choice creates a ripple effect of conversion. Himea, a single mother seeking peace amidst intense personal struggles, was introduced to the missionaries at a stake conference. Through the support of faithful members and the simple truth of God's love, her "whole being" was transformed from darkness to light within a single month. Conclusion and Invitation Shawn and AJ conclude with a call to move away from "lukewarm" or "passive" discipleship. They invite listeners to stop being "acted upon" by cultural expectations and instead choose to be "hot" in their commitment to the Savior. By seeking even a "particle of desire" and acting with intentionality, any missionary can become a powerful instrument in the Lord's hands, finding pure joy in the service of others.

You’re a Son of God and I Have a Work for You: The Refiner’s Fire in North Dakota – Elder Carson Brown

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2508974/fan_mail/new] In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn welcomes Carson Brown, a recently returned missionary who served in the North Dakota Bismarck Mission. Carson shares a powerful, vulnerable account of his journey from a cultural, passive "lukewarm" faith to a consecrated, "hot" discipleship forged in what he calls the "refiner’s fire". Through his experiences with difficult companions, lax mission cultures, and a lack of conventional success, Carson illustrates how owning your agency and identity as a son of God changes everything. From Passive Tradition to Active Choice Carson candidly admits that his initial decision to serve was a "no-brainer" based on family tradition and cultural expectations rather than a deep, personal witness. He categorizes this as a "good" reason to serve, but not the "best". The true transformation began when his bishop invited him to fill his life with the Spirit, prompting Carson to exercise his agency by choosing to read the Book of Mormon daily—a decision that planted the seed for his conversion. The Shock of the Field and the Danger of Lukewarmness After experiencing a high level of obedience in the MTC, Carson was shocked to find a "lax" and permissive culture in his first mission area, where disobedience had few immediate consequences. He describes the temptation to become "lukewarm"—passively following the "wind of doctrine" set by less-committed companions—and how this apathy began to erode his spiritual happiness. A pivotal turning point occurred when Carson decided to move from being "tossed to and fro" to actively advocating for mission standards, even when it was socially uncomfortable. The Refiner’s Fire and a New Identity The heart of Carson’s story is the "refiner’s fire" of serving in North Dakota, where traditional "success" in the form of baptisms was rare. Facing 60-degree windchills and the discouragement of being ignored, Carson struggled with an identity based on numbers and success. However, he experienced a profound spiritual shift from a "son of man" focused on his own failures to a "son of God" focused on fulfilling the Father's will. He realized that being exactly where God wanted him to be was enough, and that the trials he faced were not obstacles but a process of purification intended to bring out godlike characteristics in his soul. Conclusion: The Choice to Be Refined Carson concludes that the "fire" of his mission was painful but necessary, as it burned away the dross of passivity and selfishness. He reinforces the principle that when the fire gets too hot to stand, we must get on our knees and turn to God. His story serves as an invitation to all preparing missionaries to graduate from a cultural duty to an intentional, "hot" commitment to the Savior, trusting that the refiner’s fire will eventually allow them to reflect the image of the Father.

The Spirit of Truth in the Slums: Edification and Joy in São Paulo - Elder Sam Warner

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2508974/fan_mail/new] Sam Warner, a musician and skater from Encinitas, California, joins Shawn to reflect on the spiritual stretching he experienced while serving in the slums and favelas of São Paulo, Brazil. The core theme of this episode explores the transition from a "lukewarm" or "casual" faith to a "careful," intentional life of discipleship that invites constant revelation. Sam shares how he learned to set aside his "personal charisma" and the "arm of flesh" to rely entirely on the power of the Holy Ghost and the Savior's Atonement. Through stories of unexpected encounters and miraculous dreams, Sam illustrates that when a missionary works with a "fire in their heart," the Lord provides the "substance and evidence" needed for true conversion. Sam recounts the powerful transformation of Gustavo, a man who reached out for a Book of Mormon and was soon receiving "one-on-one tutoring sessions" from an angel in his dreams. This spiritual "snowball effect" was triggered by Gustavo’s willingness to keep simple commitments, pray with intent, and feast on the scriptures. In contrast, Sam shares the heartbreaking story of Lordis, who felt the Holy Ghost during lessons but failed to "practice" gospel habits independently. Her experience serves as a sobering reminder that feeling the Spirit is only the beginning; one must actively access the Atonement through "incremental" acts of faith to overcome deep-seated struggles. Finally, Sam describes meeting 14-year-old Felipe on a street corner, a "sweet kid" who immediately began highlighting entire pages of the Book of Mormon at school. Despite living in the "sketchy part" of a favela, Felipe’s relentless desire to feast on the word led to a rapid conversion and baptism within weeks. These stories highlight Principle Two: Revelation Leads to Conversion, and Principle Three: An Open Mouth Finds Listeners. Sam and Shawn discuss how the Holy Ghost is the "Spirit of Truth" that edifies both the preacher and the seeker, creating a light that grows "brighter and brighter until the perfect day". They teach that repentance is not a shameful burden but a "mighty change" that involves including God in every detail of planning and preparation. The episode reinforces the takeaway that God is intimately involved in the work and often uses weak instruments to perform His greatest miracles. Sam invites those on the fence to "just do it" and follow the first spiritual thought they receive, promising that God will provide a broader perspective and a joyous heart. The episode serves as a witness that the greatest privilege of a mission is sitting back and watching the Savior's Atonement take hold of a soul to bring them closer to God.

Finding a Family of Four: Specific Prayer and Miracles in Mexico City – Sister Anna Gray

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2508974/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Mission Stories, Shawn is joined by Sister Anna Gray, who recently returned from serving in the Mexico City North Mission. Anna shares how a mission transformed her from a "routine" churchgoer into a disciple who is truly "on fire" for the gospel. The conversation centers on the profound power of the sacrament and the reality of the Atonement in everyday life. Opening Anna arrives home with a palpable joy that Shawn likens to the experience of Enos in the Book of Mormon—a transition from a secular or "lukewarm" life to one that hungers for God. The core transformation discussed is the move from "casual" to "careful" discipleship, specifically regarding how one approaches the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Anna teaches that the primary goal of missionary work isn't just to "get people to church," but to lead them to a covenant encounter with Jesus Christ through the sacrament. Body Meeting Jesus at the Altar The turning point for Anna’s own conversion occurred when her mission president challenged her to study the Doctrine of Christ and the sacrament with new intensity. She moved from a "routine" participation to a state where she felt she was truly "meeting" and "communing" with the Savior each week. Anna shares that when she sits in the pew, she imagines Jesus Christ is right next to her, thanking her for showing up. Wendy and the "Home" Feeling Anna recounts the story of Wendy, a woman who stopped the missionaries on the street and was desperate to have her family baptized. Despite a motorcycle accident on the way to their first church meeting in years, Wendy’s family arrived bloody and bruised because she understood that she was there to "see Jesus". Wendy’s young son perfectly described the feeling of the Spirit at church as "going home". Through Wendy’s long process of repentance, Anna witnessed the sacrament serving as a purifying "hug" and a way to "unpack a backpack of heavy rocks". The Skater Kid and the Font During church tours, Anna would lead people straight to the sacrament table and the baptismal font, explaining that these are not just symbols, but manifestations of the power of godliness. She shares the story of Herardo, a 17-year-old skater who was initially quiet and reserved. After seeing a video of the Savior’s baptism and standing by the open font, the Spirit "penetrated" his heart, leaving him in awe and ready to commit to baptism himself. The Specific Miracle: A Family of Four Perhaps the most striking story is Anna’s month-long quest to find a "family of four". After dropping to her knees and making a specific request to the Lord, she and her companion fasted, prayed, and worked tirelessly in an area where no one had previously been taught. After the entire ward joined in a fast, they found exactly what they had asked for in the very last house of a "hopeless" street. Anna testifies that this was a direct answer to a specific prayer, teaching her that God is truly a God of miracles. Closing The episode concludes with an invitation to move away from "lukewarm" or "casual" religious habits and instead live an "intentional" and "careful" life. Anna encourages listeners to "meet Jesus" at the altar every week, recognizing the sacrament as a sacred communion rather than a box to be checked. Shawn reinforces that the joy Anna exudes is the natural result of a life built on the foundation of the Atonement and a "mighty change of heart".