Missionaries are serving in Ringgold. Ringgold is part of the Tennessee Knoxville Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elder Ryan Larsen is from Smithfield, Utah. He has one older sister, a brother and two younger sisters. Elder Larsen has been in the mission field for one month. He will serve 24 months across the geographic area of the Tennessee Knoxville Mission. So far, he says he has learned how important Jesus Christ and His love is for all of us. “It’s something I can’t forget,” Elder Larsen said.
Elder Larsen is currently serving with Elder Noah Farley. Elder Farley was born and grew up in Atlanta. He has one younger sister. Elder Farley has been serving in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission for 21 months. Elder Farley said that one of the most important things he has learned from serving is "how infinite Jesus Christ's Atonement is and why it matters for everyone.”
The Church explains, “To atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God. Jesus Christ was the only one capable of carrying out the Atonement for all mankind. Because of His Atonement, all people will be resurrected, and those who obey His gospel will receive the gift of eternal life with God” (churchofjesuschrist.org).
The purpose of missionaries is to witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Missionaries invite all to come unto Christ and commit to living according to His teachings.
More than 67,000 full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve throughout the world. Most are single young men and single young women between the ages of 18-25. As The Church states, “Missionary work is voluntary. Missionaries fund their own missions – except for their transportation to and from their field of labor – and are not paid for their services.”
After Elder Farley completes his mission, he plans to study Business Management or International Relations, but also said his dream job is to be a Voice Actor. Upon his return home in about two years, Elder Larsen plans to Study Mechanical and/or Electrical Engineering at Utah State University.