Trust The Lord, Not Yourself - Sister Katelyn Sommers and Elder Evan Record

This episode features Shawn interviewing return missionaries Caitlyn Sommers and his son, Evan Record, about the theme of shifting from trusting in oneself to putting trust in the Lord. The episode addresses the common missionary experience of realizing that personal talent and hard work are insufficient for gospel success.

Shawn posits that many missionaries have not truly needed to rely on God out of "true humility and brokenness and desperation". This self-reliance represents living the "law of works," which focuses on accomplishing goals independently, subconsciously rejecting the need for a Savior.

Caitlyn’s Experience: Caitlyn, who served in Santiago, Chile, realized nine months into her mission that she could not force people to be baptized, despite her history of achieving success through hard work (grades, sports, piano). After praying to learn how to trust the Lord, she was sent to a remote area with a companion who could not walk due to a physical illness. This forced Caitlyn, who preferred to "run everywhere," to stop relying on her speed and efforts.

Caitlyn learned that unity and love within the companionship, even with a struggling companion, brings the Spirit and leads to success and "miracle after miracle". She recounted a time when a lesson devolved into "bashing" and she felt powerless to stop it; she chose instead to offer a fervent, silent prayer. She realized that the Lord "can do it," and this experience solidified her identity as God’s daughter.

She shared the powerful story of Samuel, a quiet young man from a part-member family. After a sincere prayer, Samuel received an answer through a dream, confirming God's reality. He later told the missionaries that he was experiencing unprecedented happiness because he was keeping the commandments. After Samuel's baptism (which his anti-church mother attended), his family continued progressing, with both his father and mother eventually getting baptized a year later. Caitlyn concluded that true humility is confidence "in the Lord".

Evan’s Experience: Evan, an accomplished athlete and hard worker, also recognized he relied on his "own understanding". His moment came three months into his mission when he was called to be a trainer, despite feeling unprepared and not speaking Portuguese well. Facing a situation "out of [his] control," he turned to the Lord. He found direction in Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding". Evan explains that the missionary purpose is to invite people to link their identity with Christ, making a covenant where one becomes a "new creature". This new confidence allows him to continue working, even if success isn't immediately visible, because he trusts the Lord.

They urge listeners to develop the habit of "daily humble, brokenhearted turning to God and asking for him to guide us" to attain the fullness of joy that comes from having a relationship with Him.