How The Atonement Works for a Missionary - Sister Mykah Bullard

In this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn and Lauren are joined by Sister Micah Bullard to discuss Principle Two: Revelation Leads to Conversion. The conversation explores how true conversion requires a specific companion attribute: humility. Micah shares her powerful "hero's journey" from self-reliant perfectionism to a deep, joyful reliance on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The Trap of Perfectionism

Micah describes herself as a lifelong perfectionist who initially felt successful on her mission because she was "good at it". However, Shawn and Lauren point out that relying solely on one’s own talents can lead to an "unintentional neglect of the Atonement". This self-reliance is a form of pride where a person chooses to rely on themselves rather than the Savior.

Hitting "Rock Bottom"

Micah’s turning point came just twelve weeks into her mission when she was asked to train a new missionary. Overwhelmed by the pressure not to "mess up," combined with a difficult companion who did not enjoy her presence, Micah hit a spiritual rock bottom. She began to doubt her worthiness and felt that because her "numbers" weren't high, she was failing God. She viewed the Yoke of Christ not as a partnership, but as Christ shaking His head at her for not being "good enough".

The Shift to Humility

Exhausted by her own efforts, Micah finally turned to God in desperate, constant prayer. Through revelation, she was led to the story of the Brother of Jared. She realized that, like the brother of Jared offering small stones to be lighted, her "measly" humble offering was enough because God could touch it and make it perfect.

Lauren shares the Parable of the Bicycle to illustrate this: a child provides the few dollars they have, and the father pays the rest. Similarly, Shawn explains the Yoke of Christ using the analogy of two oxen; Christ is the powerful partner pulling the heavy weight, asking us to simply join Him so the burden becomes light.

Joy Through the Atonement

Once Micah shifted her confidence from herself to Christ, her experience transformed. Even when she was asked to switch to Spanish—a language she had never spoken—and then train in that language shortly after, she felt indescribable joy instead of stress. She realized that using the Atonement is not a burden to Christ, but a gift born of His specific love for her.

Shawn concludes by emphasizing that humility is the vital catalyst for accessing the Atonement and finding the same "overflowing joy" described by Ammon in the scriptures.