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.

Related Blog

Constructing a Life Closer to Christ

by Julia Denner
Aug 01, 2024

This week, on the Why We Believe show, I had the amazing opportunity to speak with Anurat Kaeocha. Anurat was the architect in charge of constructing the Bangkok Thailand Temple. He was able to share his story with us as he told us about his experience converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout the whole experience, he witnessed various miracles and times when God really made Himself known as a presence in Anurat’s life. Today we will be going over the most important parts of what it is like to come closer to Christ and to really let Him into our lives. Through having faith, choosing to repent, deciding to get baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and continuing in faith as you embrace the gospel in your life. Faith in Christ Choosing to have faith in Christ is the first step in constructing a Christ-centered life because He is the foundation of all we do in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Not only is it His church, but following His example will help us as we choose to invite Him into our lives. To have faith is more than just something you say. It is shown and utilized through our actions. When you have faith that the weatherman was right and that it is going to rain tomorrow, you take an umbrella. Likewise, when you hear the teachings of Christ and choose to have faith in Him, you make changes in your life that align with what He teaches. This could look like anything from stopping smoking, choosing to do the dishes for your spouse, or taking the time to study your scriptures every day or more often than you had the day before. Christ teaches us a higher law that we can live by. He holds His followers to a higher standard. As a result, we can choose to rise to the occasion and live our lives in a way that exemplifies a follower of Jesus Christ. The Process of Repentance The scriptures teach that repentance is asking forgiveness from God for our sins. Because of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we can have this divine gift as an active part of our lives. Christ suffered for our sins on the cross and in the Garden of Gethsemane. In doing so, we can become clean and free from our sins. Repentance is both an act of faith and something God, through His holy prophets, has commanded us to do. It all starts with understanding what you have done is wrong and asking God to be forgiven. After that, you work in doing everything within your power to make reparations and not to do those things again. One of the most beautiful things about repentance is that you can always try again. We are all human and, thus, prone to failure and accidents. Christ, as the one who has already suffered and atoned for our sins, understands exactly how hard or how long it takes for us to overcome these things. So, no matter what, he completely understands who you are, where you’re at, what you can do, and how you can grow. The Choice to be Baptized As you read, study, ponder, and apply Christ's teachings as you live your life and actively choose to follow Him, the decision to be baptized as a member of His church helps us build our spiritual foundation on Him. When you choose to be baptized, you choose to take upon yourself the name of Christ, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end. When you are baptized, all your sins are washed away. You are cleansed from all your past sins. As we live life, we continue to make mistakes and slip up sometimes, but each week, as we take the sacrament, we can renew our covenants and try to do better than the week before. As we continue on our path to discipleship, you may only get baptized once, but the covenant you make will last your whole life and beyond. The Gift of the Holy Ghost After we have been baptized, we are blessed to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to be with us as our constant companion, guide, comforter, and protector. The Holy Ghost is a guide who will never lead us astray. He communicates with us through a still, small voice, and it is up to us to choose to follow it or not. We also need to learn for ourselves what actions we take to invite the Holy Ghost or drive him away. As you choose to live in a way that invites the Holy Ghost, you will feel peace and joy. Life will still be hard and, at times, complicated. People in your life will still pass away, and people will still get sick. But your life experiences are for you. No one else can live your life or progress in life for you. And having the Holy Ghost by your side can make all the difference in the world when you choose to let him be your guide. Don't Stop There Coming closer to Christ and constructing your foundation in Him is only the beginning. Whatever you do, always start with faith in Christ, look for ways you can improve, and choose to let Christ lead you and understand how His Atonement works for you in your life. This week, I invite you to ponder ways you can revisit these four principles. See what the Spirit is trying to communicate with you and act on it. Nothing can bring you closer to Christ than actively choosing to reach out to Him because He is reaching right back. Thank you for listening to this week’s episode of Why We Believe. If you are interested in more like this, you can check out our other blogs and episodes here.

Working Out Our Exaltation With Jade Koyle

by Julia Denner
Aug 09, 2024

This week on Why We Believe, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jade Koyle, a remarkable farmer and close friend from Eastern Idaho who's making significant strides in his industry. Jade shares his testament to the power of faith, hard work, and family unity through Christ. His path of faith is marked by personal trials, missionary experiences, and the miracles that come from working together as a family. His story provides valuable insights into overcoming addiction, the power of repentance, and finding strength through life's challenges. On the show, Jade opened up about how his experiences have shaped his understanding of God's love and the importance of choosing to turn towards God in all aspects of life. In this blog post, we'll explore Jade's journey and the lessons we can learn about finding faith in Christ one experience at a time. Family and Scripture Study Growing up on a farm in Idaho, Jade's faith journey began with the strong foundation laid by his parents. The Koyle family's dedication to daily scripture study, particularly focusing on the Book of Mormon, played a crucial role in shaping Jade's early beliefs. This consistent practice of coming together as a family to read and discuss the scriptures created a powerful spiritual atmosphere in their home. Jade recalls how his parents would lead the family in reading the scriptures every morning, even before early morning seminary. This commitment to spiritual education alongside their homeschooling and farm work demonstrated the priority the Koyle family placed on their faith. The impact of this daily ritual was profound, as it allowed Jade to witness firsthand the application of gospel principles in daily life. One particularly poignant memory Jade shared was of marking missionary verses in the scriptures with his family when he was 16. This experience not only prepared him for his future mission but also deepened his understanding of the scriptures and their relevance to his life. The combination of working together on the farm and studying the gospel together created a unique environment where faith and practical living were seamlessly integrated. Finding God's Love in Difficult Times At the age of 14 Jade lost his older sister in a car accident and that hard time helped him learn more about the importance of the fellowship of the people in his congregation. Valuable lessons about God's love and the importance of community support during times of grief. In the aftermath of this loss, Jade found himself wanting to isolate from others due to the pain. However, it was through the simple acts of love from family and friends that he began to feel hope. Choosing to show our love for our fellow man, especially in hard times is a part of God’s commandment to love one another. When we act on that commandment it allows God to use us for good. These experiences during a time of deep sorrow helped shape Jade's understanding of God's love. God works through the kindness and support of others to bring comfort and healing. Strengthening Faith through Service Jade's mission to West Virginia not only took him out of his comfort zone but also challenged and strengthened his beliefs in different ways. Serving in three different states within his first three months as a missionary exposed Jade to diverse perspectives and challenges to his faith. One of the most significant challenges Jade faced was encountering opposition to his beliefs, from those who questioned the Christian nature of his faith. Through this struggle Jade learned to rely more deeply on his personal testimony and the witness of the Holy Ghost. Satan wants nothing more than to keep you doubting your faith. As we choose to rely on what we know is true and the experiences we have had for ourselves, we can come to a stronger belief and understanding of our divine heritage as children of God and the witness of Christ we can receive as we ask God for truth. By focusing on the peace he felt when reading the Book of Mormon with his family, Jade could combat the negative feelings brought on by others' criticisms. This allowed him to approach his missionary work with renewed confidence and love for those he served. Jade learned to share his message of God's love regardless of how it was received, knowing that he was doing God's work. Working Together in Faith Jade's journey of faith continued as he entered marriage and began building a life with his wife, Julie. In his marriage, Jade learned about the importance of open communication and working together towards common goals and including God in your marriage. Jade learned about the value of actively choosing to address issues in marriage rather than avoiding them. He came to understand that building a strong marriage requires continuous effort, open communication, and a willingness to grow together. Seeing marriage as a partnership in faith, where both individuals work together towards shared spiritual goals, is crucial in strengthening any relationship and family life. Actions Will Always Speak Louder Than Words Jade Koyle's story offers valuable lessons for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ. From the foundations laid in childhood to the challenges of missionary work and marriage, Jade's experiences demonstrate that faith is built one experience at a time. I encourage you to take a moment to consider how you can apply these lessons in your own life. Perhaps it's starting a daily scripture study habit, reaching out to someone in need, or having an open conversation with your spouse about your shared spiritual goals. Whatever step you choose to take, remember that like Jade, you too can find faith in Christ through the everyday experiences of life. By actively choosing to seek God in all aspects of our lives, we can build a faith that withstands trials, strengthens relationships, and brings lasting peace and joy. Thank you for listening to this week’s episode of Why We Believe. If you are interested in more like this, you can check out our other blogs and episodes here.

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!

Having the Faith to Go, See, and Change with Sean Luangrath

by Julia Denner
Jun 21, 2024

Having the Faith to Go, See, and Change with Sean Luangrath In this week's episode of the Why We Believe show, we are joined by Sean Luangrath. Sean is the CEO of a portable solar generator company. Sean and his family came to the United States as refugees from Laos when he was just six years old. Growing up, Buddhism was their family's religion and cultural tradition. However, while in refugee camps, Sean's parents were introduced to Christianity and were baptized. Later, after settling in California, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began teaching Sean's family, leading to powerful experiences that would shape the course of Sean's life. Sean's story beautifully illustrates the profound impact the gospel can have when individuals and families embrace its teachings. His experiences demonstrate the transformative power of faith, not only in his own life but in the lives of all who earnestly seek truth. In the rest of this post, we'll explore four key parts of Sean's journey and the powerful lessons we can learn as a result of acting in faith. The Gospel Brings Love Sean shared that one of his earliest testimonies of the gospel came from witnessing the changes in his own family, especially his father after they joined the Church. Sean's dad, who was previously not very expressive or affectionate, quit smoking and drinking and became a more loving, involved father and husband as he lived gospel principles. Through the Church, Sean's parents learned more ways to teach and guide their children. Rather than cultural traditions of harsh discipline, they began showing increased love and using positive reinforcement. Sean felt that the gospel helped his father become a better man because it helped him choose to be a better man. These changes had a profound impact on young Sean. Seeing the love the gospel fostered in his family was his first powerful witness that the Church was a good influence and that living its teachings led to peace and joy. Transforming his home environment through gospel living became fundamental to Sean's faith. The Gospel is Meant to be Shared At age 19, was called to the Australia Melbourne Mission Mandarin-speaking. Sean was assigned to work with the Chinese community there, largely made up of immigrants and refugees. As a missionary, Sean focused on helping people come to Christ. Coming from a Buddhist background, Sean could relate to those who believed differently. He found joy in teaching, and as he did so, he recognized God’s love and felt the peace the gospel brought. Daily sharing his beliefs as a missionary strengthened Sean's own testimony. Teaching others inspired Sean to ponder how he knew God was there and that Jesus Christ was his Savior. Sean's mission gave him spiritual experiences that solidified his witness of gospel truths. The Gospel Teaches the Atonement Recently, Sean had the opportunity to serve in the leadership of a young single adult ward. As Sean served, he had powerful spiritual witnesses of God's love for His children and the reality of Christ's Atonement. In counseling with ward members going through challenges, Sean often felt he was a conduit for Heavenly Father's love to these young adults. He was sometimes overcome with emotion as he experienced God's care for them. Sean's heart expanded as he conveyed God's love and saw it uplift and heal others. He developed an unshakable testimony of the power of the Savior's Atonement as he saw it transform people’s lives. Working with individuals striving to change and come unto Christ, Sean witnessed the complete "180-degree" turnarounds people could make through repentance and coming to feel God's love and forgiveness. Come and See Sean's experiences show us that a testimony of the gospel is built line upon line as we live its teachings and open our hearts to God's love. Whether we see the impact of gospel principles on our families, share our beliefs with others, rely on the Lord in trials, or witness His love and the Atonement's power, each of us can come to know the joy and peace the gospel brings. As Sean points out, all people are children of God, regardless of their background or circumstances. God wants us each to feel His love and experience the happiness that comes from living the gospel. Sean's invitation to "come and see" and learn of Christ is extended to all. How have your experiences with “come and see” inspired your own testimony? And how could your experiences maybe help others? Take a moment to ponder and perhaps write down some of these faith-building moments in your life. Consider sharing them with a family member or friend to lift them up and strengthen your own testimony. As we each live and share our faith, we will gain a deeper understanding of the power of the gospel and the impact it can make in our lives. 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!