Overcoming Darkness & Doubt Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Sister Megan Johnson

This episode features Sister Megan Johnson, who discusses powerful principles related to revelation leading to conversion (Principle Two) and dealing with hard things (Principle Six). The podcast aims to help listeners prepare for their missions, find inspiration, and learn tools.

Megan Johnson is a BYU graduate studying mathematics education and is preparing for grad school. She served from March 2020 to October 2021 in the Louisiana Baton Rouge mission, having originally been called to the Spanish-speaking Argentina Resistencia mission.

Dealing with Hard Things (Principle Six)

Megan’s mission was significantly impacted by the "CO thing" (the worldwide pandemic). As a planner, she found the complete disruption of her plans—from going to the Mexico MTC to completing six weeks of online MTC at home learning Spanish for a mission she wouldn't attend—to be difficult. She also dealt with hurricanes while serving. At one point, facing release from her original assignment, she had a panic attack, feeling darkness and depression. During this crisis, she heard a distinct voice in her head saying, "You can do this," which calmed her anxieties.

She found profound peace when a friend texted her 2 Nephi 2:24: "But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things". This revelation, received through the power of the Holy Ghost, helped her trust that God had a plan, even if it differed from her own.

Revelation Leads to Conversion (Principle Two)

Shawn emphasizes that the singular purpose of missionaries is to lead God’s children to Jesus Christ, which is achieved through faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Revelation is the place to start this process. Shawn and Megan teach that scriptures and prayer are the two necessary components for seeking and receiving revelation.

Megan recounts that she initially never wanted to serve a mission. After choosing to pray sincerely about serving, she felt a powerful, "calm and peaceful and warm" confirmation that going on a mission was the right decision, even though it was not the answer she initially sought.

Regarding scripture study, Megan initially read the Book of Mormon like a "checklist," trying to understand "all the things all at once". Her companion wisely advised her to restart and focus on just one thing. Megan chose to focus on the core doctrine of Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, and enduring). By reading with this intent, she found that the book repeatedly preached this singular message, and the scriptures "came alive" for her. She made her study meaningful by applying verses she found daily, leading to immense joy and a stronger testimony.

Navigating Doubt and Mysteries

Megan, a science and math student, faced a faith crisis when confronted with the topic of evolution. Her companion and district leader asserted that believing in evolution and the Church were incompatible. Megan was "rocked" by the difficulty of reconciling scientific evidence with doctrinal understanding.

During a challenging week of searching, she found the scripture Alma 12:10, which speaks of receiving the "greater portion of the word" until one knows the "mysteries of God until he know them in full". This scripture did not provide a definitive answer on evolution, but through the Spirit, she realized that she could move forward with faith, knowing that she would eventually figure out the mysteries. This allowed her to "put her question on a shelf" and have confidence in the foundations of her existing testimony (prayer, Heavenly Father's love, and the truth of the Book of Mormon).

Megan encourages listeners preparing for missions to make their scripture study meaningful and personal, suggesting that they always start with a sincer