Elder Keith Smith and Elder Jens Blades, missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called to the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, have been assigned to serve in Hixson.
More than 68,000 missionaries of The Church serve throughout the world in soon to be over 407 missions. All missions are voluntary and missionaries do not receive compensation for their service.
President Russell M. Nelson, prophet of the world and president of the Church said, “All missionaries, younger and older, serve with the sole hope of making life better for other people.”
Missionaries invite all to come unto Christ. “Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world,” Elder Smith states. “Because of Him, we can know joy and happiness.” Elder Smith said he finds great meaning reflecting upon how much our Heavenly Father loves us – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Elder Smith grew up in Sanford, Co., and is one of nine children of a blended family. Following his two-year mission, he plans to study psychology as an undergraduate and afterward attend law school and practice law. He also has a desire to be actively involved in politics. Elder Smith has been out on his mission for six months, previously serving in Cherokee, NC, Bristol, Tn; and Rockwood, Tn.
Elder Blades has been on his mission for three months and served previously in Johnson City. He was born in Montana, but grew up in Utah, and is one of four siblings of a blended family. Prior to his mission, Elder Blades, who plays the trombone, attended Snow College in Ephraim, Ut., majoring in music education. Elder Blade states, “Studying The Book of Mormon brings joy to one’s soul.”
The Book of Mormon confirms the Holy Bible. It makes plain that Jesus Christ is the true and living Son of the true and living God. Joseph Smith, the prophet of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, said of The Book of Mormon that “a man [woman or child] would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (History of The Church, 4:461). Whether from the Bible or The Book of Mormon, both teach that because of Christ we might have joy.
“A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth,” Luke 12:15 teaches. Our greatest happiness comes from accepting and following Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the high priest “of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11).