Discerning God's voice on a Mission - Elder Carson Campbell

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Mission Stories podcast, Shawn and co-host Lauren welcome Carson Campbell, a returned missionary who served in the England Birmingham mission. The conversation focuses on Principle Two: Revelation Leads to Conversion, with a specific emphasis on how to define and recognize the Holy Ghost.The "Brick" of RevelationThe episode centers on Carson’s unique description of the Spirit hitting him "like a brick",. Shawn notes that while we often use mortal words like "peace," "comfort," or "clarity" to describe spiritual experiences, these descriptions are ultimately inadequate for divine communication,. He compares Carson’s "brick" to Joseph Smith’s description of "brightness and glory," noting that Joseph himself admitted these things "defied description",,. Shawn argues that the "substance" and "evidence" of things not seen mentioned in Hebrews 11:1 is actually the Holy Ghost itself, providing a spiritual confirmation that transcends physical sight,.Carson’s Conversion and WitnessesCarson shares two pivotal moments of revelation:• Confirming Prophets: While already serving on his mission, Carson realized he lacked a deep personal witness that the apostles and President Russell M. Nelson were truly authorized servants of God,. During General Conference, while watching Elder Holland, he received a spiritual confirmation so powerful it felt like a brick, convincing him of their divine calling,.• The Mission Call: Before serving, Carson prayed specifically to be sent somewhere he could be "effective immediately" and serves to his best capacity. When he opened his call to Birmingham, he received an immediate spiritual witness—another "brick"—that God had heard his specific request and knew where he needed to be,.Practical Insights on Seeking WisdomThe group discusses how to cultivate a life of revelation:• Ask Liberally: Drawing on James 1:5, Shawn emphasizes that God wants us to ask questions and will not "upbraid" or mock us for lacking wisdom, regardless of how many questions we have,.• Holding Your Peace: Lauren shares her personal struggle with recognizing the Spirit due to health challenges. She highlights the importance of "holding your peace"—humbly submitting and being still—while diligently studying the word of God,.• Spiritual Work: Carson advises future missionaries to prioritize spiritual work—prayer and scripture study—over social distractions, noting that these habits provide a "centerstone" for life,,.Shawn concludes by reminding listeners that the singular purpose of a missionary is to lead souls to Christ through the gospel path of faith, repentance, and covenants, all of which are fueled by the convincing power of revelation,,. He invites listeners to "feast upon the words of Christ" for two weeks with real intent, promising that they, too, will receive revelation for their specific questions.