Can You Feel So Now, Elizabeth Carey?

Can You Feel So Now, Elizabeth Carey?

In the latest episode of the "Can You Feel So Now?" podcast, host Justin Barton sits down with Elizabeth Carey, a dynamic and insightful young woman with a compelling story of faith and personal growth. Elizabeth shares her unique experiences growing up in a Navy family, her transformative mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New York, Syracuse Mission, and the profound lessons she learned along the way. This conversation is an inspiring testament to resilience, choice, and the ongoing journey of faith.

**Meeting Elizabeth Carey**

Elizabeth begins by introducing herself—hailing from Spokane, Washington, after many relocations inherent to her Navy family background. Despite such moves, her experiences in San Diego left a significant impact, particularly during high school. Elizabeth highlights how staying in one place during those formative years helped solidify her faith and connections, particularly through seminary, where she found mentors who inspired her spiritual journey.

**Discovering Faith and Agency**

A critical turning point for Elizabeth was realizing the importance of her personal agency in developing her faith. From a young age, her older sister’s dedication to serving a mission inspired her, but it was at the age of 15, upon receiving her patriarchal blessing, that Elizabeth felt a deep personal calling to serve. This pivotal moment painted the path of choice, a theme that would resonate throughout her life and mission.

**Lessons from the Mission Field**

Elizabeth’s mission offered profound lessons on obedience and spiritual growth. She shares how her mission evolved with a shift in mission presidents—from a focus on exact obedience to embracing the spirit of the law. These experiences broadened her understanding of God’s teachings and deepened her personal commitment to live by faith’s spirit rather than its letter alone.

A memorable lesson occurred during a service project where she broke protocol by riding an ATV, prioritizing immediate needs over strict rules. The experience, with the reassurance of her mission president, reinforced the principle of serving God’s children while exercising sound judgment and listening to the Spirit.

**Embracing Lifelong Discipleship**

For Elizabeth, lifelong discipleship means choosing daily to serve, learn, and grow in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Her experiences on the mission field, especially during testing times, cemented her dedication to faith, emphasizing the principle of trust in God and the power of consistent effort.

She cites crucial experiences where her testimony was tested, including deep questions about her understanding of Jesus Christ and how it impacted her mission. Through prayer and rigorous study, Elizabeth solidified her why—living the gospel because of love, a love that extends from Heavenly Father to each of His children.

**A Journey Anchored in Love**

Elizabeth’s journey underscores the transformative power of love, both received and given. Her heartfelt testimony, punctuated by poignant personal experiences, speaks to the enduring nature of God’s love and the sustaining strength it offers. Journaling became a therapeutic haven, allowing her to reflect on and remember the divine light she encountered throughout her life and mission.

**Conclusion**

The conversation with Elizabeth Carey invites us to reflect on the individual paths we traverse in faith, the agency we exercise, and how personal experiences shape our journey. Her story is a profound reminder that the journey of faith is both deeply personal and inherently communal—woven together by shared principles of love, service, and eternal growth. Through her eyes, we see the beauty of choice, the strength found in faith, and the unwavering love of a Heavenly Father who knows each of us by name.