Sister Laycie Carter (Kellybrook Ward) recently returned from an 18-month mission in Billings Montana. Sis Carter was excited to share what she learned and her testimony of Jesus Christ. 

At the end of her mission Sis Carter exhibited extraordinary faith in the Lord and finding those who would be receptive to the gospel.

“We went to a very inspiriting zone conference and talked about how goal setting and hard work brought forth miracles,” Sis Carter said. “We were like, ‘we can baptize two people in two weeks,’ even though it’s normal to only baptise two people during your whole mission.”

Despite the odds, Sis Carter learned that faith brings forth miracles. And within the week, they had two baptisms.

“We knew we could do it. It was humbling to see how God orchestrated everything. [Having two baptism in my last week] could not have happened without God. If you sacrifice enough, you can be put in the right place at the right time.”

But her entire mission wasn’t as easy. Sis Carter said one Christ-like attribute she learned on her mission was humility.

“You’ll be humbled on your mission. I could have spared heartache if I chose to be humbled, but there were times I had to be compelled. God has a divine plan for us and it’s hard not to be humble if you know that. You cannot do the work without his spirit, and you have be humble to have it.”

Sis Carter admits she wished she had known how to develop relationships better before her mission.

“So much of that is relationship-based: social skills, patience and charity and learning how to use those Christ-like attributes. I missed opportunities when I was younger. I should have gone out with the missionaries,  shadowing them. I should have taken that missionary prep class.”

Through her missionary efforts, though, the Lord has taught her to learn and grow.

“I have learned a lot about the priesthood. It’s so essential and I watched it work miracles. I’ve learned about the spirit, how to invite it and how essential it is. A lot of our life should be trying to learn by the spirit. 

I have also learned a lot about faith in the Father and Jesus Christ. Watching god work in people’s life was really incredible, and ultimately I testify that the Savior lives and performed the atonement bringing hope and peace.”

Following her mission, Sis Carter will be attending BYU in Provo.