Meet Irad Garcia Martinez, a recently returned missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Benin, Cotonou mission in West Africa, where he faced language barriers, cultural adjustments, and new environments. Despite these challenges, Irad learned English and French (and 2 local dialects), and adapted to his mission field with great faith and perseverance. Throughout the discussion, Irad reflects on his conversion at age 14, his family's struggles and blessings, and how trusting in the Lord brought solutions to many of his and others' problems. Irad emphasizes the importance of keeping faith, studying scriptures, praying sincerely, and serving others to overcome adversity and maintain joy. Key themes include letting the Lord prevail, the power of prayer, and the gift of tongues.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:56 Mission Call to West Africa

01:41 Learning Languages on the Mission

03:19 Challenges and Trusting in the Lord

08:29 Conversion Story and Family Background

16:44 Spiritual Experiences and Scriptures

21:33 Leadership and Overcoming Difficulties

22:37 The Joy of Sharing the Gospel

23:34 Maintaining Joy in Hard Times

26:18 Returning Home: New Challenges

27:41 Life After Mission: Continuing the Work

31:26 Family and Personal Growth

33:15 Habits for Spiritual Growth

35:46 Receiving and Recognizing Revelation

38:59 Final Thoughts and Testimony

Meet Katie Cherrington, a recently returned missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Bentonville, Arkansas mission from June 2023 through November 2024, and shares her experiences of learning to trust God, overcoming fear, and embracing discomfort for growth. Katie discusses her outdoor-loving family, her passion for tennis, and her deep connection to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through stories of her mission, including the dedication of the Bentonville Temple and learning to work with companions, Katie illustrates the importance of faith, repentance, and charity. Scripture references such as Alma 32:21 and Helaman 5:41-47 highlight her journey from fear to trust, ultimately finding joy and purpose in her faith.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:22 Katie's Background and Hobbies

01:54 Mission Experience in Bentonville, Arkansas

02:45 Temple Dedication and Miracles

05:08 Lessons from Tennis and Companionships

07:26 Trusting God and Overcoming Doubts

09:32 Prompting to Serve a Mission

12:23 Scriptures and Personal Growth

18:20 Understanding God's Love

22:44 Embracing Trust Over Fear

24:06 Overcoming Fear: A Personal Journey

26:18 Influence of Mission Leaders

27:18 Lessons from Mission Presidents

28:12 The Power of Charity

29:50 Embracing Eternal Discomfort

34:01 Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause

38:00 Maintaining Spiritual Practices

41:39 The Role of Priesthood Blessings

42:53 Final Testimony and Reflections

Cade Goodwin served in the Texas Houston South Mission as a Spanish speaker from early 2023 to November 2024. Cade shared his experiences from his time as a mechanic before his mission and how it helped him in his service. He emphasized the importance of understanding and problem-solving, which he applied to both fixing cars and helping people spiritually.

Cade shared his personal experience of how his mission changed his perspective on relying on the Lord. He realized that the Lord is interested in the small things and cares about what matters to him.

Cade emphasized the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and trusting the process, which led to significant personal growth. Cade identified the largest personal changes he experienced from his mission as his ability to adapt, his understanding of others, and his willingness to take on challenges.

Verses of Scripture referenced in this episode:

Isaiah 22:23-24

James 1:5

Mark 10:27

Alma 7:11-12

If you or someone you know and love has very recently returned from their mission and would like to record a similar conversation, please send an email to alma526rm@gmail.com and we will line it up.

If you find value in this project and would like to support its growth, please consider contributing anything you can. Venmo: @Justin-Barton-33 last 4 of phone is 8541