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This episode of the Mission Stories podcast features Shawn hosting two "Gen Z" guests, Izzi (16) and Lara (17), who have attended his mission prep classes for several years. Shawn affectionately labels them "punk rockers" because they rebel against the Southern California cultural norms of partying and vanity. Instead, they choose to read the Book of Mormon and hold "righteous raves" (pizza and preaching), demonstrating true independence by bucking the system to follow God.

The discussion centers on Principle Two: Revelation Leads to Conversion, specifically focusing on the "pattern" God provides to discern truth and avoid deception. Shawn cites D&C 52:14, arguing that the only reliable pattern for knowing truth is through the Holy Ghost.

Distinguishing Events from the Spirit

Izzi shares a story about praying on a jetty while recovering from a surfing injury. Feeling low, she asked God to help her know Him. She immediately felt calm and peace, after which a rogue wave crashed over her. Shawn challenges Izzi to recognize that the revelation was the peace she felt before the event, not the dramatic wave itself. He teaches that reliance on physical signs rather than spiritual feelings can lead to deception.

To illustrate this, Shawn recounts a story from his mission in Russia. A woman claimed she saw the prophet Moses in her bedroom and touched his cloak. However, she reported feeling "scared to death" and full of fear. Shawn explains that this violated God's pattern; true revelation is accompanied by peace, joy, and comfort, not darkness or fear.

Listening vs. Hearkening

Lara shares an experience at a funeral where she felt she should sit by a lonely woman but didn't. She identified this as a spiritual prompting rather than her own thought because the feeling "dwelt" in her heart and "lingered" with her.

The group discusses the difference between hearing and hearkening. Izzi and Shawn define hearkening as "listening with the intent to act". They agree that one cannot passively wait for revelation; one must have a desire and dive into the scriptures with the intent to share and do.

Retrospective Revelation

Shawn shares a pivotal MTC moment where a teacher, Sister Wrencher, helped him identify the Holy Ghost. She asked the class to close their eyes and feel the words of 3 Nephi 11. Shawn realized the feeling he had was the same feeling he had as a child at Disneyland with his family—a feeling of pure joy. This taught him that the Spirit often manifests as joy and love, and we can look back at our lives to see where God was present.

Izzi shares a similar childhood memory of being swept out to sea in first grade. She heard a voice say, "Put your feet down," and felt a sensation of floating, which she identifies as a core memory of the Spirit protecting her.

Advice for Youth

The episode concludes with advice for aspiring missionaries:

• Izzi: You must "knock" to receive. You will find God's mercies only if you are actively looking for them.

• Lara: Stop waiting to be "ready." Act immediately on promptings that invite you to do good (Moroni 7:13) rather than doubting if it is truly the Spirit.

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In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn and co-host Lauren welcome Carson Campbell, a returned missionary who served in the England Birmingham mission. The conversation focuses on Principle Two: Revelation Leads to Conversion, with a specific emphasis on how to define and recognize the Holy Ghost.

The "Brick" of Revelation

The episode centers on Carson’s unique description of the Spirit hitting him "like a brick",. Shawn notes that while we often use mortal words like "peace," "comfort," or "clarity" to describe spiritual experiences, these descriptions are ultimately inadequate for divine communication,. He compares Carson’s "brick" to Joseph Smith’s description of "brightness and glory," noting that Joseph himself admitted these things "defied description",,. Shawn argues that the "substance" and "evidence" of things not seen mentioned in Hebrews 11:1 is actually the Holy Ghost itself, providing a spiritual confirmation that transcends physical sight,.

Carson’s Conversion and Witnesses

Carson shares two pivotal moments of revelation:

• Confirming Prophets: While already serving on his mission, Carson realized he lacked a deep personal witness that the apostles and President Russell M. Nelson were truly authorized servants of God,. During General Conference, while watching Elder Holland, he received a spiritual confirmation so powerful it felt like a brick, convincing him of their divine calling,.

• The Mission Call: Before serving, Carson prayed specifically to be sent somewhere he could be "effective immediately" and serves to his best capacity. When he opened his call to Birmingham, he received an immediate spiritual witness—another "brick"—that God had heard his specific request and knew where he needed to be,.

Practical Insights on Seeking Wisdom

The group discusses how to cultivate a life of revelation:

• Ask Liberally: Drawing on James 1:5, Shawn emphasizes that God wants us to ask questions and will not "upbraid" or mock us for lacking wisdom, regardless of how many questions we have,.

• Holding Your Peace: Lauren shares her personal struggle with recognizing the Spirit due to health challenges. She highlights the importance of "holding your peace"—humbly submitting and being still—while diligently studying the word of God,.

• Spiritual Work: Carson advises future missionaries to prioritize spiritual work—prayer and scripture study—over social distractions, noting that these habits provide a "centerstone" for life,,.

Shawn concludes by reminding listeners that the singular purpose of a missionary is to lead souls to Christ through the gospel path of faith, repentance, and covenants, all of which are fueled by the convincing power of revelation,,. He invites listeners to "feast upon the words of Christ" for two weeks with real intent, promising that they, too, will receive revelation for their specific questions.

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Sister Kirra Eddington shares her conversion story that led to her amazing Missionary service.