In the fall of 2004, my son JJ was born. Just two months later my sister had twin boys, Cooper and Colby. We all lived in Lehi, Utah, at the time and our little boys spent their early years playing together nearly daily. The family started referring to them as “the three amigos.”
When JJ was eight years old, our family moved cross-country to Georgia. But the bond JJ had made with his cousins stayed incredibly tight.
When our family visited Utah for holidays and special events, the boys didn’t skip a beat. They would pick up where they left off and make as many memories as they could cram into a one or two-week trip. As the years passed, many in our family would comment on a seemingly invisible connection that neither time nor distance could break.
As high school graduation approached, and big decisions needed to be made, the cousins talked often to each other about their futures. All three decided to follow President Russell M. Nelson when he said, “For Latter-day Saint young men, missionary service is a priesthood responsibility. You young men have been reserved for this time when the promised gathering of Israel is taking place.”
The three of them started mission application paperwork within weeks of each other.
JJ was the first to receive his call. He was assigned to the Peru Arequipa Mission starting August 7, 2023, reporting to the Provo MTC. Two weeks later both Cooper and Colby had mission calls waiting in their inboxes. Cooper was called to the Peru Cusco Mission starting August 14, 2023, reporting to the Provo MTC. And finally, Colby’s call: Peru Piura Mission starting August 14, 2023, also to the Provo MTC.
Our whole family couldn’t believe it. With 450 missions worldwide, our three amigos would all be learning Spanish to serve in the same country, starting within a week of each other.
“Ever since we were little, we did everything together, so it didn't surprise me when we found out we were all coming to Perú!” says Elder Colby Felix. “Knowing that my brother and my cousin are also in the same country blessing the lives of these people gives me motivation! Like when we were in the MTC and we were all adjusting to being away from family and trying to learn as much Spanish in five weeks as possible, the thought that I wasn't alone made it so much better!! Knowing that as the same little boys that would run around playing in the dirt, we are now here sharing the gospel of Christ is such a blessing for me!”
My son and his cousins have now been serving for a year in their Peruvian missions. They have been able to communicate via email and voice memos about what they are all learning, adjusting to, and celebrating.
“Serving the Lord with my cousins so close has helped me bring other families closer to Christ through sacred covenants we make with Him,” says Elder JJ Beal.
From language to food, living conditions to weather changes, desert to jungle life, they are serving with the knowledge that they have a Heavenly Father who knows them and loves them, a Savior who sees who and where they are. Each young man is leaning on the Holy Ghost to help them fulfill their call to gather Israel.
“I love being able to serve my Savior and to know my two best friends are right here with me as ‘instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, the knowledge of their Redeemer,’” says Elder Cooper Felix, referring to (Mosiah 27:36).
Find more stories about missionary work in the links below:
▶ Identical twins called to serve in neighboring missions: “It was better than we could’ve hoped for”
▶ Watch: This missionary giving Post Malone a Book of Mormon in the airport will make your day
▶ 3 scriptures to bolster a missionary (that they might’ve not heard before)
▶Does your missionary struggle to feel successful? This idea in Steve Young’s new book will help
