Elders Ludlow, Burk Serving Missions In Hixson

  • Sunday, July 26, 2020

 

Two young missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are serving in the Hixson area. They have been called to serve 24-month missions.  Elder Ludlow was called to serve his entire time in the Tennessee Knoxville mission, which includes the greater Chattanooga area, while Elder Burk was called to serve in the Chile Santiago West Mission prior to being sent home for two months during the COVID crisis and later reassigned to Tennessee.

They are volunteers who leave behind family, home, and friends to “declare the good news of Jesus Christ with all who are seeking to know more about the Son of God and Savior and Redeemer of the world."

Elder Ludlow is from Sandy, Utah, and is one of five children in his family - three of whom have similarly served missions in Charlotte, N.C.; Cusco, Peru; and Sacramento, Calif.  Elder Ludlow has previously served in Cleveland, Tn.; Cherokee, N.C.; and now in Hixson for 3+ months.  When Elder Ludlow returns home, he plans to enroll in Salt Lake Community College, then later transfer to Utah Valley University as an undergraduate. At some point, he plans to attend dental school in pursuit of becoming an orthodontist.

In the course of serving his mission, Elder Ludlow often draws upon the scripture found in 1 Nephi 18:3 in the Book of Mormon (another testament of Jesus Christ):

“And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.”

"This verse helped me to gain a testimony of the power of prayer,” Elder Ludlow said.  “It teaches that God is there and that He hears and answers our prayers.  While on my mission, I learned that the Book of Mormon – (a companion to not a replacement for the Holy Bible) – truly is the word of God and has the power to change lives for the good.  The following statement from the introduction is very true. ‘I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book’  (Introduction Paragraph 6).  I have seen it in my life and have seen it firsthand in the lives of others,” as the Book of Mormon stands as another witness of Jesus Christ.  

Elder Burk is from Herriman, Utah, and one of three children, having two younger sisters. After previously serving in Chile, he has been in Hixson for a little over a month.  After completing his mission, Elder Burk plans on returning home and continuing EMT training, and teaching KungFu.  His college plans include enrolling in Salt Lake Community College for a period of time, then transferring to a university to finish his undergraduate degree, which is still undecided.

Elder Burk likes to reflect upon Mosiah 4:9 in the Book of Mormon:

“Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.”

“I love how this verse plainly states the omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence of God in such a simple way,” Elder Burk said.  “In my mission, I have learned that miracles are real, and that God is just as involved today as he was in scriptural times."

Church
"Son, I'll Go All The Way With You" Is Sermon Topic At Middle Valley Church Of God
  • 3/26/2024

Middle Valley Church of God, at 1703 Thrasher Pike in Hixson, announced that Pastor Mitch McClure will be preaching on Sunday, in the 10:30 a.m. service. Mr. McClure will be preaching on the ... more

Refuge Assembly To Host Amazing Bible Discoveries Presentation March 31
Refuge Assembly To Host Amazing Bible Discoveries Presentation March 31
  • 3/25/2024

Refuge Assembly, 194 Depot St. in Soddy Daisy, will host Kevin Fisher, son-in-law of the late explorer Ron Wyatt, with Amazing Bible Discoveries this Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Lunch will ... more

Bob Tamasy: Taking A Brief Look At Life’s Brevity
Bob Tamasy: Taking A Brief Look At Life’s Brevity
  • 3/25/2024

One of the wonders of the English language is how a single word can take on a variety of meanings. Take the word love for example: We can love a spouse, child, friend, job, sports team, a vacation ... more