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.