Morgan Jones Pearson discusses what it means to be “all in” the gospel of Jesus Christ on her Latter-day Saint Living podcast, “All In.” For her, she has seen this idea of being all in play a major role throughout her life.
Growing up in North Carolina, Pearson said she did not have many examples of those who lived the gospel of Jesus Christ besides her mother and father, although this is something she craved. She felt a strong desire to feel connected with her faith.
Even in high school, Pearson remembered reading a quote from Mother Teresa, which tells of being a pencil in God’s hands. She said, “And I think that in a very literal way, God knew the desires of my heart and the fact that I just wanted to help other people feel that same feeling … so that I could feel connected to my faith.”
Pearson felt this connection as she had opportunities to help others feel close to their faith during her internship with Church Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., and the Brigham Young University Athletic Department.
Because of the “All In” podcast, Pearson has been able to continue to satisfy this craving. She speaks with individuals around the world, which she said allows for a greater sense of inclusivity in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The purpose of the podcast, to Pearson, was to allow people to feel less lonely in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. The two main topics the host discussed on “All In” include:
1. Faith, as it relates to whatever it is that is being talked about.
2. What does it mean to you to be all in the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Pearson expected to receive a repeated answer to the question. On the contrary, she said she continues to be amazed and inspired by the responses. She recognized that being all in varies for different individuals.
Her passion for talking to others and hearing their stories makes her feel incredibly lucky to conduct “All In.” However, Pearson also reflected on a major struggle she faced upon returning home from a Church mission at 24 years old.
Pearson felt troubled as she grew older and had not yet met her spouse. She was connected to and became roommates with Annie Hanks Langeland, who was also single and 40 years old. Langeland’s example stood out to Pearson, because she was truly happy.
The reasoning for this, Pearson soon discovered, was because Langeland was so service-oriented.
“That period of time helped me see happiness, it shouldn’t ever be dependent on another person,” Pearson said. “It’s living a life of discipleship and seeking for opportunities to get outside of yourself and serve other people.”
This idea that happiness will not come from someone else, whether married or not, was influential for Pearson. When she was roughly 29 years old and celebrating Christmas at home with her 13-year-old sister, she recalled how difficult it was, because she felt like the “biggest loser.”
She noted the temptation to give up and throw in the towel along her journey, but she was grateful she continued to move forward with hope, because she said that blessings are right around the corner.
Eventually, both Langeland and Pearson met and married spouses. Pearson and her husband are expecting their first child, a girl, come May. Looking back, Pearson understands how God had His hand in her life and just how important it is to be all in with covenant keeping, ignoring distractions that may seem attractive.
Pearson added that when it does not feel like Heavenly Father is as aware, if one looks, then they will find Him. “If you let the gospel of Jesus Christ play a role in your life and let God know the desires of your heart, you will never question that He’s aware of you,” she said.
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