In this heartfelt episode of Unlocking Divinity, Madison Roney, a BYU history major from Virginia who served a French-speaking mission, traces her desire to serve back to a formative visit to the Boston Temple at age 14, where a day filled with sister missionaries lit a spark that stayed with her through high school and college.

The pandemic complicated plans, and she focused on accelerating her studies—until a distinct spiritual prompting while walking home from finals cut through her doubts: Why hadn’t she served yet? Maddie describes the Lord’s voice as direct, familiar, and encouraging—never harsh—an impression that made the decision to serve feel both urgent and deeply right.

At the MTC, she and host Emma Gwilliam found themselves in a district full of people who “weren’t supposed to be there,” a reminder to Madison that God works in the details.

Her relationship with God has always been anchored in a steady sense of His love, and she most often recognizes it through small acts of service—“ministering angels”—that she records as daily miracles.

Returning home, though, felt like stepping off a high-speed bullet train. The pace, purpose, and constant revelation she experienced on the mission were suddenly different. She struggled to know when and how to ask for help again. Gradually, daily scripture study, sincere prayer, attending church, and showing up in her callings rebuilt the rhythm of revelation.

An invitation to speak at a girls camp nudged her to focus on anchoring in Jesus Christ and feeling God’s love when it feels distant—an emphasis she now carries as a BYU RA supporting 60 freshmen.

Maddie’s central message is simple and transformative: focus on Jesus Christ. Seek His character and His love in scripture and in the people around you. He is the embodiment of God’s love. When we truly feel that love, sharing it becomes natural—almost inevitable.