Shooting with Lexi Lagan: A Journey of Faith, Joy, and Perseverance

In this week’s episode of Why We Believe, Lexi Lagan, a two-time Olympian, shared her incredible journey from a small-town Nevada girl to an internationally recognized Olympic shooter. Having competed in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, Lexi has risen to prominence in the shooting sports world, but her journey hasn’t been solely about medals and accolades. She speaks candidly about how her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ has guided her through life's trials and triumphs.

Born in Boulder City, Nevada, Lexi came from a close-knit family and pursued a physics and political science degree at the University of Utah. While her academic journey was impressive, her athletic career soon took center stage, leading her to Colorado Springs, where she began training as a professional shooter. But Lexi’s story is not just about athletic prowess—it’s about how faith and perseverance have shaped her into the resilient, driven woman she is today.

This blog post will explore four core areas of Lexi’s faith journey: finding strength in Jesus Christ, leaning on prayer in difficult moments, understanding the role of divine timing, and experiencing joy through adversity. Each section will explore how her faith has intertwined with her Olympic career and personal life, inspiring readers to incorporate faith into their own daily experiences.

1. Finding Strength in Jesus Christ

Lexi’s journey as an Olympic athlete has been deeply intertwined with her faith in Jesus Christ. From a young age, she recognized that her athletic abilities were gifts that needed to be nurtured, not just for personal success, but as a way to glorify God. Through her many achievements, Lexi credits her strength, perseverance, and resilience to her reliance on Jesus Christ.

Throughout her training and competitions, Lexi found that whenever she strengthened her spiritual relationship, her shooting performances would improve as well. She realized that the more she leaned into her faith and sought strength from Jesus, the easier it became to face challenges in her sport. Whether it was a tough training day or a high-pressure competition, she felt an overwhelming sense of peace and capability when she centered her thoughts on Christ.

Her time competing on the world stage wasn’t always smooth sailing. One particularly challenging moment occurred during her trip to New Delhi for a World Cup competition when she was stuck in a potentially dangerous situation due to political unrest. Despite the chaos, Lexi turned to prayer, finding solace in her unshakable belief that God was watching over her. This profound trust in Jesus Christ provided her with the calm and strength to navigate uncertainty with grace.

2. Leaning on Prayer in Difficult Moments

For Lexi, prayer has been an essential part of her daily routine, especially during moments of uncertainty or fear. In her Olympic journey, Lexi frequently encountered situations where the stakes were high, and the pressure was overwhelming. However, she consistently turned to prayer as a way to find peace and connect with God in those critical moments.

One of the most viral moments of her career came from a photograph of her praying before stepping onto the shooting line at the Tokyo Olympics. This image captured the essence of Lexi’s reliance on God—before competing, she doesn’t pray to win, but rather for comfort, guidance, and the reminder that He is always with her, regardless of the outcome. Her prayer was a moment of grounding and reflection, helping her stay focused on what truly mattered: her relationship with Christ.

During the interview, Lexi also recounted a terrifying experience while stranded in New Delhi amidst escalating political tension. Rather than succumbing to fear, she prayed for comfort and protection. Lexi’s faith assured her that she was being watched over and that her Heavenly Father was with her every step of the way. It was through prayer that she found the strength to face each challenge with a calm and steadfast heart.

3. Understanding the Role of Divine Timing

Lexi’s life is a testament to divine timing—how every event, no matter how unexpected, aligns with God’s plan. One of the most significant instances of this was how she met her husband during a simple mini-golf outing with friends. At the time, Lexi had no idea that this casual event would lead her to the love of her life. Yet, as she looked back, she saw that everything happened according to God’s perfect timing.

Even in moments of professional uncertainty, Lexi trusted that God had a plan for her. She shared a story of how her funding was unexpectedly cut just two weeks before Christmas, leaving her with the prospect of homelessness. Instead of despairing, Lexi leaned on her faith, trusting that God would provide. Through the support of friends and her own resourcefulness, she found a way forward, and the experience only strengthened her resolve.

Lexi encourages listeners to trust in the process, even when the road seems difficult. She emphasizes that God’s plan may not always align with our personal expectations, but it is always for our greater good. By focusing on the bigger picture and trusting in divine timing, Lexi was able to turn setbacks into opportunities for growth, both in her personal life and career.

4. Experiencing Joy Through Adversity

A common misconception is that faith in Jesus Christ eliminates the challenges and hardships of life. Lexi’s story shows that while challenges are inevitable, faith offers a path to experience joy even amidst adversity. Despite facing numerous personal and professional struggles, Lexi has always found joy in her relationship with Christ.

Lexi speaks openly about how the church has been a guiding light in her life, teaching her the difference between happiness and joy. While happiness is often fleeting, tied to circumstances, joy is a deep, abiding feeling rooted in faith and the knowledge of God’s love. This joy has carried her through some of the most difficult moments of her life, including the pressures of competing on the world stage, financial struggles, and moments of fear.

Reflecting on her journey, Lexi emphasizes that joy comes from recognizing how deeply God loves each individual. Despite the millions of people on Earth, she feels a personal connection with her Heavenly Father, who knows her by name and has guided her steps every day of her life. This recognition fuels the joy that she carries with her, even during the toughest times.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Lexi Lagan’s story is a powerful reminder of how faith, prayer, and trust in God’s plan can shape a life filled with joy, perseverance, and purpose. Her journey from a small-town girl to an Olympic athlete is not just a tale of athletic achievement but of spiritual growth and reliance on Christ. Lexi’s ability to turn to Jesus in times of triumph and trial has enabled her to navigate life’s challenges with grace, resilience, and unwavering faith.

If you feel inspired by Lexi’s story, consider taking steps to invite Christ into your daily life. Here are some simple ways to start:

Dedicate a few minutes each day to prayer, asking for guidance and strength in your personal journey.
Reflect on moments of hardship and look for how God’s hand has guided you, even when the outcome wasn’t what you expected.
Share your faith with others, just as Lexi did with her husband, and encourage those around you to seek a relationship with Christ.

As Lexi’s story shows, finding strength in Christ can transform every aspect of your life—whether you’re striving for an Olympic gold or simply navigating the challenges of daily life.

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Growing Faith Through Life's Challenges with Cheryl Conner

by Julia Denner
Jun 28, 2024

Growing Faith Through Life's Challenges with Cheryl Conner This week on Why We Believe, I had the privilege of sitting down with Cheryl Conner, a remarkable woman whose experiences are just as inspiring as she is. Cheryl is the founder of SnappConner PR and the author of the Forbes ebook Beyond PR: Communication Like a Champ in the Digital Age. Her expertise in public relations and communications has earned her a spot among the top 20 business influencers to follow, as recognized by Clear Points. Cheryl's story is a testament to the power of faith in overcoming life's challenges and finding purpose in our experiences. From childhood miracles to navigating personal struggles, her life experiences illustrate how faith is a guiding light through both triumphs and tribulations. We'll explore insights on growing faith through repentance, scripture study, and meaningful interactions with others. Growing Faith Through Repentance Repentance is fundamental in our faith, and Cheryl's experiences highlight its transformative power. Understanding the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us the gift of forgiveness. When genuine repentance occurs, the sin is truly forgiven and is not held against the individual. It allows us to move past our sins and overcome them in ways we didn’t think we could. Understanding forgiveness and repentance helps grow our faith. Actively participating in the Atonement can bring so much more peace and happiness than any of us can imagine. It is never our job to be the judge of others, and the Atonement helps anyone come closer to Christ regardless of their past. The Power of Scripture in Strengthening Faith The Bible and the Book of Mormon, demonstrate how the study of scripture can profoundly impact the growth rate of faith. For Cheryl an intensive study allows her to approach each day with new eyes. Each day brings new blessings and new challenges and she is able to face it all when she has scripture and prayer to fall back on. Regular scripture study can provide anyone with strength and perspective during difficult times. It has helped Cheryl maintain focus on her beliefs and values, even when faced with personal and professional challenges. The scriptures became a source of comfort, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment that sustained her faith. Learning Faith Through Others' Examples Interactions with others can significantly influence the growth of our faith. It all comes down to how we choose to react and what we choose to do as we talk to others about our faith and in turn, listen to them and foster communication and understanding. Cheryl's mother, a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has demonstrated unwavering faith throughout her life. Even in the face of losing her husband, Cheryl's mother maintained her faith and chose to see the positive side of things. This example of steadfast faith has been a constant source of inspiration for Cheryl, influencing her own approach to life's challenges. Putting Faith to Action Cheryl's experiences demonstrate that faith is not merely a set of beliefs, but a guide for how to approach different aspects of life. She has found numerous ways to put her faith into action, strengthening it in the process. One of the key ways Cheryl has lived her faith is through service. During particularly challenging times in her life, Cheryl found that as she focused on serving others her own worries dissipated. She discovered that by losing herself in service, she often found the peace and happiness she was seeking. Some ways to work on your faith include: Regular scripture study Serving others, especially during personal challenges Standing firm in your beliefs in all aspects of life Seeking opportunities to share your faith with others Practicing forgiveness and repentance with others and yourself Conclusion: A Call to Action Faith is not static. It grows and deepens through our life experiences, challenges, and interactions with others. Consider how we can apply these lessons to our own lives. Are there opportunities for us to deepen our understanding of forgiveness and repentance? Can we commit to more meaningful engagement with our spiritual texts? How can we learn from the faithful examples of those around us? Let's challenge ourselves to put our faith into action. Whether it's through service, standing firm in our beliefs, or seeking opportunities to share our faith with others, each action we take can strengthen our convictions and potentially impact others. Our words and actions can have far-reaching effects that we may never fully comprehend. By living our faith authentically and courageously, we not only strengthen our own beliefs but also have the potential to positively influence others, creating a ripple effect of faith and goodness in the world. Let us take inspiration from Cheryl's journey and commit to nurturing our faith, not just in times of ease, but especially in the face of challenges. For it is often through these trials that our faith grows strongest, shaping us into individuals of deep conviction and positive influence. Thank you for joining us for this week's episode of Why We Believe! For more stories like this one, you can find more here!

Let the Gospel Guide All Things With Lamont Leavitt

by Julia Denner
Jul 05, 2024

Let the Gospel Guide All Things With Lamont Leavitt I had the chance to speak with LaMont Leavitt this week. Leavitt has carved out a unique path in the business world that intertwines entrepreneurship with strong spiritual convictions. In this post, we'll explore his perspective on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how he's managed to keep faith at the forefront of his business decisions. Leavitt's insights offer valuable lessons on letting God guide your path in both personal and professional spheres. 1. The Power of Divine Partnerships in Business In the world of entrepreneurship, we often hear about the importance of business partners, investors, and mentors. But for Lamont Leavitt, there's one partner that stands above all others: God. Throughout his work in building Lenovi Health, Leavitt has consistently turned to his faith as a source of guidance, strength, and even business strategy. Leavitt's approach to business is deeply rooted in the belief that God is intimately involved in the details of our lives, including our professional endeavors. He views his relationship with God as a true partnership, where he puts in the work and effort while trusting in divine guidance and intervention. This perspective has shaped his decision-making process and given him the courage to take risks that others might shy away from. One example of this divine partnership was when Leavitt's company was facing a tight payroll situation. Instead of panicking or resorting to desperate measures, Leavitt chose to put his faith into practice. He decided to attend to his church responsibilities as a Scout Master, trusting that God would take care of his business while he took care of God's work. By the next day, unexpected online sales had come through, covering the payroll with $25 to spare. This experience reinforced Leavitt's belief that when we prioritize our spiritual commitments, God will help us manage our worldly responsibilities. 2. Faith Inspires Innovation and Growth For many, faith and business might seem like separate realms. Faith can be a powerful catalyst for innovation and growth in the business world. Your spiritual beliefs not only provide comfort during challenging times but also inspire creative solutions and bold business moves. One of the most significant ways Leavitt's faith has influenced his business approach is through his commitment to helping others. His father always taught him to focus on helping the most people rather than chasing money. Leavitt's faith has given him the courage to take calculated risks and venture into uncharted territory. When faced with the decision to leave a stable corporate job to start his own business, his confidence in God’s plan for him helped him take his first steps towards development. This transition was not just a business decision but an opportunity to seek God’s will, trusting that God would guide him through the uncertainties of entrepreneurship. 3. The Atonement and Entrepreneurship The Atonement is not just a religious concept but a powerful force that can be applied to all aspects of life, including entrepreneurship. Leavitt sees it as an infinite source of mercy and strength, capable of balancing out any shortcomings or challenges we might face. This understanding has given him the confidence to persevere through difficult times in his business, knowing that with faith and effort, even seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome. Leavitt's analogy of the Atonement as a "capital A" in a spiritual equation is particularly poignant. Just as in mathematics, where both sides of an equation must balance, Leavitt believes that the Atonement (the capital A) is what makes our spiritual equations balance out, regardless of our imperfections or the challenges we face. This perspective has allowed him to approach business challenges with a sense of hope and resilience, knowing that with faith and hard work, things will ultimately work out. Let Christ Guide Your Path Leavitt's experiences demonstrate that far from being a hindrance to success, faith can be a driving force for innovation, growth, and fulfillment in the business world. As you navigate your own path in business and life, remember Leavitt's example of letting Christ be the guide. Integrating your faith with your professional pursuits may lead to not only success but also a more fulfilling and purposeful life. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader, or simply someone striving to balance faith and career, the lessons from Lamont Leavitt's experiences offer valuable insights. They remind us that success in business doesn't have to come at the expense of our values or spiritual well-being. By aligning our professional endeavors with our faith, we can create a harmonious blend of purpose, prosperity, and personal growth. How might letting Christ guide your path change your approach to work and life? The answers may surprise you, leading to innovations, opportunities, and a sense of fulfillment you never thought possible. When we partner with God in our endeavors, extraordinary things can happen. Thank you for joining us for this week's episode of Why We Believe! For more stories like this one, you can find more here!

5 Lessons of Faith from Down Syndrome Advocate Brady Murray

by Julia Denner
Jun 07, 2024

This week on the Why We Believe show, I had the privilege of interviewing Brady Murray. Brady is an inspiring individual who has dedicated his life to serving others and living his faith. As the founder and president of Rod's Heroes, a non-profit organization that helps special needs kids get adopted, Brady has helped over 100 children with Down syndrome find loving homes. In addition to his work with Rod's Heroes, Brady is also an Ironman triathlete, a three-time Boston Marathon finisher, a certified financial planner, and a chartered special needs consultant. Brady's passion for helping children with Down syndrome stems from his personal experience. His second child, Nash, was born with Down syndrome, and Brady and his wife Andrea have since adopted another child with Down syndrome, Cooper, from China. The Murrays have a total of 11 children, seven of whom are adopted from three different countries. Brady's journey with Down syndrome and fatherhood has been the subject of his podcast, Conquering Your Clownfish, a podcast dedicated to sharing the inspiring stories of parents and caretakers empowering their loved ones to sing the song they were meant to sing. During our interview together, I was fortunate enough to learn some very powerful and important things about faith that I think we all could learn from. So here are 5 powerful lessons I learned from our interview. Lesson 1: Listen to the Promptings of the Spirit Brady's journey of faith began when, despite his inactivity in the Church, his friend Melissa challenged him to pray about serving a mission. Despite his initial reluctance, Brady accepted the challenge and felt the undeniable promptings of the Spirit telling him that God wanted him to serve. This experience taught Brady the importance of listening to the Spirit and acting on its promptings, even when it means making significant changes in our lives. By following the Spirit's guidance, Brady embarked on a life-changing mission to Peru, where he not only learned the gospel of Jesus Christ but also developed a deep love for the Latino culture. This love later influenced his family's decision to later adopt 4 children from Colombia. Lesson 2: Serve the Pain You Know Best When Brady's son Nash was born with Down syndrome, it was a challenging and emotional experience. However, Brady felt in his heart that he was meant to lean into this experience and serve the pain he knew best. Together with his wife Andrea, Brady created Rod's Heroes to inspire families to adopt children with Down syndrome. Through this service, Brady has witnessed the incredible impact that adoption can have on the lives of these children. By giving them a chance to have a family, these children are able to unlock their divine potential and become the superheroes they were meant to be. Lesson 3: Allow Yourself to be Caught Up in a Cause Bigger Than Yourself Brady has learned that when we allow ourselves to be caught up in a cause bigger than ourselves, we witness miracles. His work with Rod's Heroes and his family's adoption journey are testaments to this principle. By dedicating himself to serving others and living his faith, Brady has seen countless miracles unfold in his life and the lives of those around him. When we focus on serving others and living our faith, we open ourselves up to experiences and blessings that we could never have imagined. You can't script it. You can't say if we do X, Y will be the result. Let's go ahead and go do X. You just can't make this stuff up. Lesson 4: Eternal Marriage and Family Are Central to God's Plan Brady's faith in Jesus Christ and His restored church has been the foundation for his life and his family. He knows that when we make and keep sacred covenants in LDS temples, including the covenant of eternal marriage, we are blessed with divine guidance and strength. Through his own eternal marriage to Andrea and their experiences in raising their 11 children, Brady has seen firsthand the importance of family in God's plan. He knows that by putting faith in Christ and striving to live the gospel, families can overcome challenges and grow together in love. Lesson 5: Consecrate Your Life to the Lord For Brady, the law of consecration is a gospel principle that resonates deeply. He believes that everything we have – our time, talents, and resources – are temporary stewardships that we will one day give an accounting for. By consecrating our lives to the Lord and striving to use our blessings to serve others, we can return to Him with a pure heart, knowing we did our best. Brady's life is an example of consecration in action. From his missionary service to his work with Rod's Heroes and his dedication to his family, Brady has consistently put the Lord first and sought to use his blessings to bless the lives of others. Putting Our Faith in the Hands of the Savior Brady Murray's story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. Through his experiences, we learn the importance of listening to the Spirit, serving others, allowing ourselves to be caught up in a cause bigger than ourselves, building eternal families, and consecrating our lives to the Lord. As we strive to follow Brady's example and trust in the path that God has for us, we can be confident that Christ will be our guide. By putting our faith in Him and dedicating ourselves to serving others, we open ourselves up to a life filled with miracles, love, and purpose. Let us all strive to live our faith with the same courage, compassion, and conviction that Brady Murray exemplifies. Key Takeaways: 1. Life often entrusts us with experiences we don't choose, but how we respond to those experiences can dictate the course of our lives. 2. Brady's life has been significantly impacted by two experiences he didn't choose: being adopted and having a child with Down syndrome. 3. A pivotal moment in Brady's faith journey came when he felt prompted to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leading him to put his baseball dreams aside and serve in Peru. 4. Brady gained his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ while serving his mission and teaching others in Spanish. 5. After his son Nash was born with Down syndrome, Brady felt inspired to serve the Down syndrome community, which led to the creation of Rod's Heroes, an organization that helps children with Down syndrome find adoptive families. 6. Brady and his wife Andrea have witnessed miracles as they've opened their hearts to adoption, welcoming 11 children into their family, including a sibling group of four from Colombia. 7. Brady believes that when we allow ourselves to get caught up in a cause bigger than ourselves, we will witness miracles time and time again. 8. The gospel principle of consecration resonates deeply with Brady as he strives to use his time, talents, and resources to serve others and further God's work. Thank you for joining us for this episode. I pray Brady’s message of trusting in God to lead you to experiences that will strengthen your testimony to do the same. If you would like to learn more about the Why We Believe show, please visit WhyWeBelieve.com.

Sacrificing Your Time to Serve the Lord: Lessons from a Collegiate Athlete Turned Missionary

by Julia Denner
Jul 12, 2024

In this week’s episode of Why We Believe, I had the pleasure of speaking with McKinley Willardson, a collegiate basketball player from Brigham Young University who has chosen to put her athletic career on hold to serve an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. McKinley's story is truly inspiring. As a freshman on BYU's women's basketball team during their inaugural season in the Big 12 conference, she had a promising future ahead of her. However, she felt called to serve a mission and made the difficult decision to pause her collegiate athletic career. McKinley's choice to sacrifice her time and talents for the Lord's work is a powerful example of faith in action. In our conversation, we explored the blessings that come from dedicating ourselves to God's service, the challenges of making such a significant decision, and the importance of trusting in the Lord's plan for our lives. McKinley's experiences offer valuable insights for anyone considering how they can best serve the Lord and make a difference in the world.