Katherine Ward, 2015 graduate of Girls Preparatory School (GPS), has completed a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Katherine served in Thailand for 18 months, and returned to Chattanooga on April 6, 2018.
Of her mission, Katherine said, “Voluntarily leaving home to live in a foreign country for 18 months, learn a new language, be surrounded by a new culture and people, might sound like an impossible feat. But, with God, all things are possible.”
“When I first received my call to serve in a place and among a people I knew little about, I felt intimidated. I wondered how I would fit into a culture that was unlike anything I knew. 18 months later, I can say with confidence that Thailand is my second home, the Thai people are my family, and my experiences in Thailand – the land of smiles – changed my life forever.”
“As a missionary, I had the incredible opportunity to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to our fellow brothers and sisters in Thailand,” Katherine continued. “Thailand is a country with rich, Buddhist heritage that influences every aspect of daily life for Thai people. Because of this Buddhist heritage, the majority of people have never heard of Jesus Christ. So, to be able to introduce the Savior of the world to these people for the first time was absolutely amazing. Many people were receptive to our message, and I was able to witness the change and happiness that came into the lives of those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.”
“I also gained stronger convictions about Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ knows each one of us personally. When He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary, He suffered for you and me. Because He suffered for us individually, He knows exactly how to help us when we are feeling down or when we are sad or alone. One of my favorite scriptures about Jesus Christ is found in the Book of Mormon, a companion to, not a replacement for, the Holy Bible. In the book of Alma, Chapter 7, verse 12, we read:
”And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people, and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
“Jesus Christ is merciful unto each of us. He knows each of us perfectly. And, if we but come unto Him and allow His grace to change us, our lives will be better because of Him – and we will find true happiness in Him. This is the witness I bear as a returned missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
“I am proud to be a Chattanoogan, and proud to call Thailand my second home. I look forward to returning to Brigham Young University this June to complete my education, where I hope to incorporate the Thai language in my studies and work, and future missionary service.”
Katherine has three brothers – Tyler, Jared and Alex – who also served LDS missions in Asia – including Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan, respectively. Katherine’s sister – Anna Ward – is attending Dixie State in Utah on a swimming scholarship. Her sister, Lauren, is married with two children. Lauren and Nate live on Signal Mountain. Katherine is the daughter of Deseret and Steve Ward, and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phil and Gloria Smartt.