07/03/2026
My name is Michael Cato. Growing up, I always knew Jesus Christ was my Lord and Savior because of my father. His life changed completely after reading the Bible, and he became a better man. He taught my sister and me the gospel and encouraged us to have faith in Christ. But as I grew older, I carried a lot of anger and pain, and it was hard for me to fully receive what he was teaching. One day, someone close to me told me to let go of my burdens and accept Jesus Christ, and I had a dream where I broke down and released all my pain. In that moment, I felt a love and comfort I had never experienced before in my life.
Years later, while at McDonald’s, I spoke with two sister missionaries who invited me to church. I went, was welcomed warmly, and later attended a dinner with a member’s family and the missionaries. I began attending the Young Single Adult ward, met with the elders, and started learning more about Jesus Christ, prayer, and the Book of Mormon. As I prayed and learned, I began to feel that same peace and love I had felt in my dream. That feeling confirmed something in my heart, and I chose to be baptized and become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since then, I’ve been attending church and institute regularly and trying to become more like Christ. I’ve been studying the scriptures and working to apply what I learn in my daily life. Slowly, I’ve seen real change in myself the anger and heaviness I used to carry has started to fade, and I’ve felt more peace than I thought was possible. It hasn’t been perfect or easy, but it has been real growth, and I feel like I’m becoming someone new through Christ.