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Meet the Liberty Ward Bishopric
Meet the leaders who were called this spring
Norma King, Media Director (Rush Creek Ward)
Bishop James Ransom
Childhood & Spouse
I was raised out in the country on 33 acres in Grain Valley, MO. Samantha and I met in Columbia, MO on Halloween at a Single’s Dance in 1999. We were married 4 years later in 2003 at the Saint Louis, MO temple.
Mission
I did not serve a mission. Wish I had. Biggest regret of my life.
Education & Employment
I have three degrees. Associates from the Metropolitan Community College, an undergrad degree in Accounting from Park University, and then an MBA from Park University. I came to be in the Liberty, MO Stake because we had friends who lived over in this area, and thought it would be nice to live here. So we moved here in 2012. We then moved away in 2014, but felt drawn back to Liberty in 2017 so we moved back and have lived here ever since.
Children
Five children. None are serving missions yet, but all of them are preparing to go!
Experience that Shaped Your Testimony
Hearing the Holy Ghost speak to me, answering prayers, when I wasn’t even expecting it. I still remember the first time I felt the Holy Ghost, and I will never forget it. Also, seeing the Gospel bless so many lives around me helps keep my testimony strong.
Hobbies
I play with my children. We ride bikes, play soccer in the yard, play board games, watch movies together… They are my favorite people.
Life-changing Experiences
Having children changed my life completely. I feel like I understand Heavenly Father so much better now that I’ve been a father myself and can see my children from a perspective I’ve never seen a soul from before.
Also, dealing with the death of family members and close friends. This kind of thing hits different when you realize you will never see them again during this mortal experience we are in.
Favorite Calling
I think being a Stake Auditor was my favorite calling before I became a bishop. Being bishop is the best calling ever. I get to help so many people, on so many levels. It’s really pretty spectacular.
Ways to Focus on the Savior
Prayer and scripture study. Going to the temple and visiting with the Lord in his house. I can feel the Spirit there so strongly when I sit and listen.
Counsel or Encouragement for Your Ward
Help those around them feel loved. Reach out and support each other. Don’t give up. The Lord loves them and listens to their prayers and wants them to be happy.
Nate Thorne, First Counselor
Childhood & Spouse
I hail originally from the land of Salt Lake City Utah, but I was raised in Kearney Missouri. I loved growing up in a small town and thought one day I would love to live in a city, but after moving near the Plaza in KC, I quickly changed my mind and realized it’s smaller towns for me for life. My wife’s name is Tessa and we met in the Liberty YSA Ward as co-activity chairs. We ran all the YSA FHE’s and Mutli-day retreats. We dated for 2 years before deciding to get married. We were married on May 7th, 2021 towards the end of covid in the Kansas City Missouri Temple. We threw a rager party in Independence which we loved.
Mission
I was called to the the Mesa, Arizona mission but six months in our mission split and I was moved to the Scottsdale Arizona mission. All of my areas were located in the Scottsdale mission, so I claim that one. I served 2012-2014. It was a wild experience, but one I’m grateful for.
Education & Employment
I graduated with a B.S. in Computer Information Technology from BYU-Idaho. I loved Rexburg and all the outdoor adventures near by. I went snowboarding almost every weekend and hit Yellowstone and river floating everyday in the summer. My plan was never to come back to Missouri, but I had a strong spiritual prompting I needed to move back. I was devastated because I loved the mountains. I let a couple job offers go in Utah and moved back, then a couple days later that’s when Tessa and I met. I was employed at Cerner a couple months after returning and now I work at a marketing agency called Paradigm.
Children
I have one child so far, Beckham Thorne and he is turning two in November. He is currently serving a mission of testing his parent’s patience and teaching us how to love more than we ever have before.
Experience that Shaped Your Testimony
Oh this is a hard one, I don’t necessarily feel like I have one memory or moment that helped but a collection of events. For me it’s a constant journey to build and strengthen, break down, reconstruct, start over, build again, learn more and serve to strengthen my testimony of Jesus.
Hobbies
We are crazy busy but I’m a big believer in work hard play hard. We love going to the lake and surfing. Watching as many movies as we can! I love traveling and visiting new places. One of my current favorite things is Cook Book Club! It’s one of my favorite times of the month where we get to spend time with close friends and share a new meal and grow closer together and serve each other.
Life-changing Experiences
Oh wow, that’s a tough question. I have a number of very sacred personal events that have changed the way I see the world. I think in the past 4-6 years one of the biggest things that has shaped who I am is my marriage to Tess and the creation of our little family. I also have taken a deep dive into Church history topics that present questions for me that have helped build my faith.
Favorite Calling
Ohhhh hmmm uh, I would say Choir Pianist. I was terrible but I really enjoyed getting to play piano more and it gave me a lot of time to meditate while I practiced. I got to meet a ton of people quickly in that calling and enjoyed being a part of a group.
Ways to Focus on the Savior
One of the biggest things that has helped me is serving. Serving at the times when you feel like it’s the last thing you could possibly want to do. I find Christ closer in those moments and it gives me the strength to return to His word and find comfort and healing in Him.
Counsel or Encouragement for Your Ward
President Lee once said “Much of what we do organizationally . . . is scaffolding, as we seek to build the individual, and we must not mistake the scaffolding for the soul.” I believe we are here to work together to the best of our ability to bring every soul back home to the God who gave us life. The Gospel principles may be simple, but your life will take twists, turns and tie temporal knots of frustrations. I think God teaches us through paradox to force us to mediate, wrestle and hold ideas that bring us closer to Him. “…He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” No matter what our earthly faculties present us with, we are loved by a God who gave his Son so that we can be saved. During the times you feel lost, scared, frustrated, lonely, annoyed, angry…Don’t give up! Remember that God gives us weakness to make us whole, transform us and bring us unto Him. The church is our guide, but your transformation comes from God.
Aissac Aiono, Second Counselor
Childhood & Spouse
I was raised in Compton, California. I have four brothers and three sisters. I met Hannah at BYU and were married in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Mission
I served in Asuncion, Paraguay 1998-2000.
Education & Employment
I earned a BS from BYU in psychology. I earned a JD from Washburn.
Children
We have three children. Aile 22, daughter, served in Pocatello, ID. Attends BYU-H. Aisha 20, daughter attends KU. Aisaiah 18, son, currently serving in Brazil Vitoria Mission.
Experience that Shaped Your Testimony
The first time I received an answer to a prayer, it solidified my faith and trust in my Savior. It was a profound moment.
Hobbies
I do not have spare time.
Life-changing Experiences
Every day is a blessing and an experience with the Lord. My goal is to see Him in all I do.
Favorite Calling
I cherish every call to serve. Each time I am called to serve, it is my favorite calling.
Ways to Focus on the Savior
Gratitude. Giving thanks for “All” His blessings helps me see things holistically.
Counsel or Encouragement for Your Ward
God loves you. He hears you. He wants you to “Come Home.”