Editor’s note: This article briefly mentions mental health challenges. It first appeared in the January/February issue of LDS Living magazine. The theme for the issue was teaching and learning the gospel, especially in the home.
Sierra Larson’s conversion to Jesus Christ started with receiving personal counsel from an Apostle.
In her early 20s, Sierra had a testimony but felt she wasn’t ready to fully commit to living the gospel. “Just because I knew it was true didn’t mean that I really wanted to change as a person,” she explains.
But everything shifted one night when she attended a fireside with Elder David A. Bednar in St. Louis, Missouri.
Elder Bednar’s Inspired Counsel
During a question-and-answer session with the Apostle, Sierra raised her hand and said, “Our generation has been told that we are going to do this great work—amazing things—but where or how do we start?”1
Elder Bednar’s response pierced her soul. She remembers him saying: “Sierra, what I am about to tell you, you already know—you need to be a good girl.”2
Sierra believes this sentence was exactly what she needed to hear in that moment.
Elder Bednar went on to share counsel that matched her patriarchal blessing almost verbatim, and his inspired words ignited Sierra’s determination to devote her life to discipleship.
Sierra feels this experience was God’s way of showing He was in “relentless pursuit” of her—as He is of all His children.3 This realization sparked her own desire to join God in His work of intentional, personal ministry, ultimately preparing her to be among the first female military chaplains formally endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Her story reminds us that the Lord guides each of our paths, molding our hearts and allowing us the privilege to serve as His hands on the earth—if we are willing.
The First Calls to Serve
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Sierra decided to serve a mission. She was called to serve in the Dominican Republic Santiago area.
“My mission was amazing because even after the Elder Bednar experience, I didn’t realize how much I looked to the world for this happiness, joy, and peace that only comes from Christ,” she says. “It was the first time that it was just me, Christ, and His work, and I loved it.”
After she returned, Sierra received a master’s degree in social work from Aurora University in Illinois. While there, she met Joseph Larson, and the two were married and sealed in the St. Louis Missouri Temple in 2017.
A year later, Sierra delivered their first child, just one week after her graduation.
From her mission and a master’s program to marriage and motherhood, Sierra learned unique lessons about the Lord’s willingness to magnify her efforts—principles she would need to apply even more in her next life chapter.
Becoming a Chaplain for Christ
As a young adult, one of Sierra’s friends, who was a US Army veteran, died by suicide, and the loss deeply impacted Sierra. So, wanting to help, she signed up for the US Air Force Reserves.
But at the time, there were no job openings for social workers in the reserves. There were, however, openings for chaplains.
While formal Latter-day Saint chaplain roles were traditionally associated with men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, Sierra kept having a feeling to explore the opportunity. Around that time, in 2022, the Church endorsed Jenna Carson as its first female military chaplain.4
Realizing the timing of her prompting wasn’t a coincidence, Sierra decided to pursue chaplaincy and started the candidate program two months later.
Balancing All of Life’s Roles
As part of her training, Sierra was sworn in as a second lieutenant. In this new rank, she studied under a supervisor for two years and earned a second master’s degree in divinity.
This was no simple feat. She delivered her third child just one day after receiving her diploma. At the time, she also served as the ward Relief Society president, later accepting a calling as the stake Relief Society president.
Even though her days were busy, things seemed to fall into place. “It was a lot at once, but the Lord increased my capacity to serve,” she says.
The Lord’s path for Sierra brought her full circle to meeting another Apostle—but this time, she was in a much different place spiritually.
A Second Apostolic Assurance
During her first Chaplain Training Seminar for the Church, Sierra had the chance to meet President Henry B. Eyring.
She remembers feeling loved and comforted as she shook his hand, knowing God was proud of her service.
“It was humbling to know I wasn’t the same person as I was before,” she says.5 “I had the reassurance that Christ changes hearts and souls.”
Almost two years later, Sierra was sworn in as a first lieutenant and chaplain in the US Air Force Reserve.
Ask, Go, and Do
Throughout her spiritual journey, Sierra has learned God expands our time and capabilities when we show we’re willing to be His hands.
“If the Lord puts us on His errand, He’s going to give us anything we need,” she says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re on the stand, it doesn’t matter if you’re in the pew. If you feel led to do something good by the Spirit, go and do it.
“And if you don’t have everything you need to go and do that, then ask for it. The Lord is ready and willing to bless you with it so that you can serve His children.”
Notes
1. Trent Toone, “Latter-Day Saint Woman Promoted to Chaplain in Air Force Reserve,” Church News, August 31, 2024.
2. Sierra Larson and Jenna Carson, co-hosts, Guiding Light Podcast, season 1, episode 3, “Sierra’s Story,” YouTube, posted September 11, 2024, 19:49.
3. Patrick Kearon, “God’s Intent Is to Bring You Home,” April 2024.
4. The Church has recently endorsed a growing number of Latter-day Saint women as chaplains. Before centralized endorsement, women like Emmeline B. Wells, Zina D.H. Young, of Maud May Babcock performed chaplain-related duties as early as the nineteenth century. For more information, see Trent Toone, “1st Day of 2023 Chaplain Training Seminar Celebrates History of Female Chaplains,” Church News, October 3, 2023.
5. Trent Toone, “Latter-Day Saint Woman Promoted to Chaplain in Air Force Reserve,” Church News, August 31, 2024.
For more inspiring stories of faith, check out the articles below:
▶ Retired Navy commander shares how a priesthood blessing as a new member completely changed his life
▶ What Pres. Oaks said to his daughter that shaped her faith and life decisions
▶ 4 beautiful miracles after a mother’s 30-foot fall while rock climbing
