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In this episode, Shawn sits down with the "giddy" Thacker Jackson, who is eagerly preparing for his mission to the Georgia Atlanta North Mission, Spanish speaking, commencing in October. This conversation delves deep into the journey of mission preparation, highlighting the pivotal role of revelation leading to conversion.

◦ Consistent Gospel Study: He became an active participant in a seven-week mission prep course, attending it "eight, nine, 10 times" over four years, totaling around 70 classes. Thacker emphasizes that he felt the Spirit every time, learning new things and engaging in uplifting discussions that kept him "on fire".

◦ Impact of Mission Stories: A crucial part of his preparation involved listening to the mission stories of others, including his father's bedtime stories, the host's experiences, and those shared by ward leaders. These stories inspired him, showing him the "light," "power," and "joy" that came from serving a mission.

◦ Line Upon Line, Precept Upon Precept: Thacker highlights the principle from 2 Nephi 28:30, explaining that his spiritual growth and convictions were not a single grand event but a steady accumulation of smaller spiritual experiences. These "line upon line" moments built a strong spiritual foundation.

◦ Service and the Holy Ghost: He recalls feeling the Holy Ghost during acts of service, such as "heart attacking" (leaving paper hearts with kind messages and treats for others) and administering the sacrament to the elderly. These experiences taught him that "service is good and it makes you feel good".

• Shawn's Mission Preparation Story:

    ◦ Seeking Conviction: Shawn describes his initial "lukewarm" approach to the Church and his desire to move beyond passive belief to truly know if the gospel was true.

    ◦ The Mountain Motif: He recounts his intentional journey up a mountain, symbolizing effort, seclusion, and seeking a "higher, pure perspective". There, he prayed for answers to four specific questions: if God lives, if Jesus Christ lives, if Joseph Smith was a prophet, and if the scriptures were true.

    ◦ Revelation Through Desire and Action: Initially, he received "nothing" on the mountain. However, an overwhelming desire to read the scriptures "stirred" within him – an answer from God to "go learn of me". This led to months of diligent scripture study and prayer.

    ◦ Confirmations in Sacred Spaces: Shawn received a powerful confirmation of Jesus Christ's existence in the celestial room of the Salt Lake Temple, connecting back to his earlier mountain prayer. Later, in his mission field in Ukraine, while walking among literal "mountains" of dirt from coal mines, he received a clear revelation of God's existence.

• Thacker's Powerful Culminating Experience:

    ◦ Witnessing Under Pressure: Just two weeks before this podcast, while out cliff jumping at night with friends (to evade police, as it's not illegal but deemed unsafe), Thacker found himself in two spiritual discussions. First, with a drunk woman who asked if they were Christian, and later with a friend who had drifted from the church and questioned its doctrines.

    ◦ Bearing Testimony, Gaining Knowledge: Despite feeling unprepared to answer complex doctrinal questions, Thacker bore his simple testimony: "I know God the Father lives. I know Jesus Christ lives and was resurrected. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and I know the Book of Mormon is true".

◦ Profound Revelation: In that very moment of declaring these truths, Thacker experienced a profound, undeniable spiritual confirmation. He states, "I know without a doubt in my mind that this is true... I believe it with all my heart". He couldn't stop smil