Send us Fan Mail Shawn sits down with Ammon Hiatt (Elder Hiatt), who recently returned from serving in the Salt Lake City Mission (covering Sugar House, Bountiful, and Big Piney, Wyoming). Having attended Shawn’s mission prep class through multiple sessions prior to his call, Ammon shares his journey from a self-focused, lukewarm mindset to experiencing a mighty change of heart through consecrated service and outward love. The Transformation from Self-Focus to Outward Love Ammon reflects on the stark contrast between his pre-mission life and the mature disciple he became. He candidly shares that early in his preparation, his life revolved around himself and his own pursuits. However, turning his focus entirely toward loving, serving, and sharing the gospel with others changed everything. He defines a mighty change of heart not as flawless perfection, but as an overwhelming, permanent desire to turn back to Jesus Christ. By choosing to lose himself in the Lord's work, Ammon discovered that true joy and maturity come when we stop focusing on ourselves and start seeking the welfare of Heavenly Father's children. An Open Mouth in Big Piney and the Miracle in Sugar House The body of the episode highlights Principle Three: An Open Mouth Finds Listeners and Principle Six: You Can't Bring Me Down. Ammon recounts visiting an Elders Quorum President in Big Piney, Wyoming, whose non-member son-in-law, Braden Anderson, was nearby stripping copper. Rather than keeping the visit strictly casual, Ammon and his companion chose to open their mouths and share a scripture. Braden stopped working, listened intently, and within days requested baptism so he could be sealed to his wife and ten-month-old daughter forever—a promise fulfilled a year later when Ammon attended their temple sealing. Ammon also details a intense trial of faith in Sugar House, Salt Lake City—an area densely populated with members that had not seen a convert baptism in eight years. After six weeks of biking in the winter cold and teaching zero people, Ammon felt ready to give up. A conversation with his father re-framed the trial, reminding him that God sends valiant servants to hard areas because He loves those children deeply. Encouraged by his companion to give "one more day" of total effort, a call came at 10:25 p.m. that very night. A teenage girl called asking the elders to teach her friend Taylor Bray, a non-member who had been quietly attending seminary for three years. Taylor accepted the gospel immediately, sparking a spiritual culture shift that led to six convert baptisms in the area the following year. Lessons in Sacrifice from Tonga The episode also highlights Ammon’s companion, Elder Taufa from Tonga. Elder Taufa faced severe family opposition and physical discipline for choosing baptism, and received no financial support for his mission. Despite speaking limited English and lacking formal training, Elder Taufa’s quiet, soft-spoken testimony brought the Holy Ghost into every room. His fiery commitment taught Ammon that genuine conversion requires stepping away from lukewarm passivity and giving everything to the Savior. Closing: An Invitation to Serve Ammon concludes by testifying that serving a mission was the greatest decision of his life, providing a joy that no earthly pursuit or job could ever match. He testifies that Heavenly Father loves us through our faults and that Christ is ready to change anyone who chooses to turn to Him. Listeners are invited to stop hesitating, exercise their agency to serve with all their heart, might, mind, and strength, and allow the Lord to use them as instruments to gather His elect.
