This episode of the Mission Stories podcast features Shawn and guest Sister Kirra Eddington, who recently returned from serving in the Dallas, Texas mission. The conversation focuses on Principle Two: Revelation leads to conversion, specifically highlighting repentance not as a shameful burden, but as the "greatest gift" and a source of pure joy.
The "Lukewarm" Trap and Rock Bottom
Kirra describes her journey from being "blissfully unaware" and apathetic in high school to reaching a spiritual low during her freshman year at BYU. She slipped into a "lukewarm" state of indifference, eventually stopping church attendance and failing her classes. She describes this period as feeling "starved" and "miserable," as if she had no soul and no direction. Shawn notes that this passivity is dangerous because it leaves one being "acted upon" by the world rather than choosing to act.
The Turning Point: A "Train" of Revelation
While sitting in a basement at BYU trying to cram for a Book of Mormon class, Kirra read Alma 34:32-33, which warns: "do not procrastinate the day of your repentance". She felt hit by a "train"—a crushing spiritual realization that she was not prepared to meet God. This moment of revelation led her to immediately text her ward secretary to schedule a meeting with her bishop.
Redefining Repentance
Shawn and Kirra address common misconceptions about repentance:
• It is Not Shameful: While people may feel ashamed of their actions, the act of repenting itself is joyous and fulfilling.
• Commission vs. Omission: Repentance isn't just for "big sins" (commission); it is equally for the "sins of omission"—the good things we leave undone, such as failing to pray or seek God.
• A State of Being: It is a daily determination to change and work with the Savior, not a one-time event.
• The Bishop’s Role: Kirra emphasizes that her bishop did not judge her; instead, he offered love and a "weight-lifting" confirmation that the Savior loved her.
Conversion and the Call to Serve
The result of Kirra's repentance was a dramatic shift from a "4" to a "10" on the joy scale. This personal conversion through the Atonement of Jesus Christ created a deep sense of gratitude, which became the primary driver for her decision to serve a mission. She explains that she wanted others to feel the "exquisite joy" that replaced her pain.
Shawn concludes that the best way to prepare for a mission is to learn how to repent daily. He testifies that when a missionary understands how to fall on their knees and plead for the Lord's help, they gain the tools necessary to fulfill their singular purpose: leading other souls to Christ.
