From Sandy Foundation to Sure Rock: Elder Burrop's Conversion & Mission Prep Story

In this episode, we feature Elder Carter Burrop, who shares his powerful journey of repentance, conversion and preparation for his mission, highlighting crucial scriptural and spiritual principles that apply to all.

Key Scriptural and Spiritual Principles:

The Choice to Follow God: The episode emphasizes the critical decision to actively choose God's path, referencing Elijah's challenge: "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, then follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). It also draws on Revelation, where the Lord desires us to be "hot or cold," not "lukewarm," because being in between "tears us apart". Carter's personal crossroads story exemplifies this decision, where he told his sister, "I'm either going to be really, really good or really, really bad".

A Desire to Know for Oneself: Inspired by his parents' faithful example, Carter began his journey by desiring to "find out for myself" if the gospel was true. This parallels Nephi's desire to "see and hear and know of these things by the power of the Holy Ghost for myself" (1 Nephi 10), and Enos's soul hunger that led him to pray. This personal quest for truth is essential for genuine conversion.

Feasting Upon the Words of Christ: The podcast stresses that the only way to "come to Christ" is by learning of Him, primarily by "feasting upon his words". The promise from Moroni 10 is highlighted: reading with real intent and a sincere heart will bring revelation through the Holy Ghost, enabling one to "know the truth of all things". Carter's intense scripture study (six to eight hours a day) resulted in a "love for learning more" and a profound "change of heart".

Revelation and the Holy Ghost Lead to Joy: When one truly feasts on the words of Christ, the Holy Ghost becomes "abundant in your soul," leading to "pure joy". This joy is described as a "fruit of the Holy Ghost" and the "absolute result of faith, repentance, and covenants". Carter's experience of profound happiness, even when losing friends and enduring external hardships, illustrates that inner peace and joy are gifts of the Spirit.

Repentance as Consistency and a Broken Heart: Repentance is taught not as a one-time event, but as "consistency" and "sincerity," which "takes time". It involves developing a "broken heart and a contrite spirit," a condition of soul that God requires instead of ancient animal sacrifices. Carter's own extended period of repentance allowed him to become "on the same wavelength" and a better missionary.

Building on the Rock of Christ: Drawing from Helaman 5:12, the discussion emphasizes building one's "foundation" upon "the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ," so that "when the devil shall send forth his mighty whirlwinds... it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe". Revelation, obtained through consistent spiritual practices, is the "rock".

Conversion as a Lifelong Process: The episode clarifies that the goal of missionary work is not just baptism, but helping individuals become "lifelong converts" and "disciples". Baptism is an entry gate to a "lifelong commitment to keep working towards". The ultimate "biggest convert" on a mission, though it sounds "cheesy," is often oneself.

The Call to Act Now: Carter passionately urges listeners, particularly those in high school, to "decide right now. Like stop. You can't procrastinate your repentance any longer. It's just it's literally going to kill you". He testifies that acting now, even at the "hardest moment," will lead to "pure joy" and be "worth it 100%".

This episode powerfully testifies that true preparation for a mission and for life involves deeply understanding our divine identity, embracing Christ's Atonement, consistently feasting on His words, and en