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Elder Terry’s Mighty Change of Heart
I grew up in Utah, where the expectation for young men to serve a full-time mission is palpable. Yet I was resolute in my decision not to serve a mission, despite the teachings of my faithful parents and the example of my older siblings who both served missions. Fast forward a decade, and here I am, a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, conversing in Spanish in the Dominican Republic. Let me tell you how I, who once adamantly refused, ended up on this path.
A turning point for me came during a deacons quorum class in Spanish Fork, Utah, when I was 12. The lesson was on missionary work, and to me the lesson seemed pointless, because I wasn’t going on a mission. But as I sat there, a clear voice in my head asked, “Travis, what if it’s not just about you?” This simple question shifted my perspective. A mission, I realized, was about what God wanted me to do, not just what I wanted. A mission wasn’t solely about blessings for me, but also about being a blessing to others.
Despite this experience, I fought an internal battle that was continually fueled by commonly asked questions about when I would submit mission papers and what my plans were. The mission decision was constantly on my mind. After graduating in 2021, I knew I had to make a choice, so I prayed, already sensing what the Lord wanted. I wanted a sign to give me a special pardon that I didn’t have to go. I did not expect what happened next.
The next day as usual, I picked up the others on my crew and headed to a jobsite, when a car came flying through a stop sign and crashed into us. Our truck was totaled and the car that hit us flew about 30 yards down the road. We had just pulled out of a gas station before the crash and none of us had put our seat belts yet. Miraculously, none of us were badly injured. Later, talking with the police officers, they told me that my coworker and I sitting in the front seat could easily have been thrown through the windshield without our seat belts on. Things started to settle in for me later that night, when I heard a familiar voice in my head saying “Travis, you could be dead right now. But you’re not.”
This changed my life. I realized I was protected because the Lord had something in store for me. Finally, I knew I truly was called to serve. Months later, I received my mission assignment: the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission.
My mission has brought me a deeper understanding and appreciation for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have grown more than I imagined possible. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that my mission blesses me as much as the people I serve. I thought I would just be helping other people. I didn’t realize how serving others would change me. I now have a stronger relationship with my Father in Heaven than I ever thought possible. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He knows and loves me personally and perfectly. I know this is His restored Church and that Christ himself directs His Church through living prophets and apostles. I know God’s knowledge is so much better than ours, and when we put our trust in Him, He helps us unlock our full potential. If you are considering serving a mission, I invite you to do it. It will be one of the greatest decisions you make and will bless you throughout your life. Remember what Christ said to Peter in John chapter 21, if we love Him, we must feed His sheep. As we do, the gospel of Jesus Christ will change us and the people we teach to become the people that our Heavenly Father wants us to be.