Hi, I'm Larry Gelwix

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Education: graduated from Del Valle HS in Walnut Creek, CA. Graduated from BYU (Provo) with a BA and MA in Organizational Communications.

Mission: Central States Mission

Church Service: Bishop, High Council, Young Men's President, Elders Quorum presidency, Sunday School teacher, YSA Advisor

Professional: former airline CEO; travel agency owner; on-air syndicated radio talk show host; TV series feature

Family: married with five grown children (two boys, three girls) and three grandchildren. Oldest son served mission to France. Youngest son currently serving a mission in Canada.

Favorite Sports: Rugby and football. Favorite rugby teams: Highland Rugby and New Zealand All-Blacks. Favorite football teams: San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, & Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite movie: "Forever Strong"

Why I am a Mormon

The Gospel of Jesus Christ provides a foundation for a happy family and a successful life. As a rugby and football coach for 36 years, I see the gospel as the perfect “game plan.” The church helps me in my personal life, family, marriage, and professional career. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints centers me in life and helps me overcome challenges. The gospel of Jesus Christ inspires me to be a better husband, father, and friend; to do my best and be my best.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by trying to keep the commandments of God and by looking after the needs of my family, my neighbors, and those less fortunate. If I want to show my love for my Heavenly Father I do to it by loving and serving His children. It’s not a Sunday only thing. It’s 24-7.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Austin. answered...

No. Every worthy young man is expected to serve a mission, though there is no punishment for not doing so. Also, not every young man is physically or mentally capable, so there are circumstances where a young man may be excused from service. Young women may also serve missions, but are not expected to do so.

Serving a mission means a full-time commitment, leaving family and friends to preach the gospel in a place assigned by the Church.

I served my mission in Los Angeles, California.
Nick answered...

"Required" is an interesting word when it comes to faith and religion. In the Mormon Church no one is "required" to serve a mission. Church membership is not revoked for not serving a mission. In this sense, they are not required, yet serving a mission is encouraged at many stages in life and in many different capacities throughout the world.

Missionary service is a tremendous blessing, a challenge, and one of the main focuses of the faith. The life of Jesus Christ was the life of a missionary in many respects. Performing service for one another, preaching the glad message of the gospel, and increasing the faith and dedication of God's children are exemplified in Christ's life and mirrored by those in missionary service.

To dedicate a portion of one's life in service propels those who serve and those who are served into a better life. During my two year mission to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and during my two year service mission with LDS Family Services, I was greatly blessed and strengthened. (I hope those whom I served found some value in my service as well.) That strength has taught me to better navigate this life, has kept my family relations intact, and has been the method of helping others overcome their trials as well.

Spiritually speaking, I don't find value in reflecting on what my life would be like without serving a mission. Instead, I rejoice in knowing that without that time in missionary service my life would be significantly less happy and productive. In my life, serving a mission has taken on many of the characteristics of a "required" act since I can't picture myself progressing very far without having served as a missionary. While not required to be a member of the Mormon church, missionary service has been a critical and welcome part of my life and growth spirituality. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to serve missions, and look forward to serving in many more.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Carlos answered...

There is a passage from the Book of Mormon that can help us understand the doctrine of grace:

"And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free... there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah... he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved"

We fully belive in justification and reconciliation by grace - it is an essential doctrine of the Church, and is found repeatedly throughout the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
Anyone who believes in Christ shall be saved and inherit all that the Father has; however, we need to understand what it means to believe - we need to understand the word "believe" as Christ intended it to be understood.

The prophet Joseph Smith taught that faith is a principle of action. Yes, it's true that all we need to do to be saved is to believe, but believing isn't just a verbal declaration - true belief requires action.
Knowing that the world is full of breathable air isn't enough to live - we actually need to act on that knowledge and breathe in order to keep living. Likewise, having faith in Christ isn't just something that we say we have - we have to act on that belief. I can't honestly claim that I have faith in Christ and know that His path is the path to happiness if I'm not consistantly trying to gain that happiness.

We fully believe in salvation by grace, but it's possible to fall from grace if we lose our faith - and if we are not doing the things that Christ requires of us then we do not have true faith.
All we need to do to attain grace is to develop faith in Jesus Christ, but developing faith unto salvation in Jesus Christ is a lifetime endeavor which requires our absolute best sacrifice.

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As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.

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