Hi, I'm Aaron

I'm a student, a cool guy, and, oh yeah, I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My name is Aaron. I'm in my early twenties, and I'm studying business and music at a major university. I play saxophone and piano, and am a drum major in my school's marching band. I'm a huge fan of the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Diamondbacks. I've been a member of the Church my whole life, and recently returned from serving a two-year mission in Wisconsin.

Why I am a Mormon

My family can trace our membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints back to the early days of its formation. They traveled across the American plains as pioneers, and helped to establish colonies in the southern United States and Mexico. Truly, I have a rich LDS heritage. But this is not why I am a Mormon. I am a Mormon because of a thousand small, seemingly insignificant instances when the Holy Ghost has whispered to my heart and mind, "This is true." I feel this as I have searched the scriptures for guidance, as I have pleaded with my Father in Heaven for comfort and strength, and as I have tried to really live the gospel of Jesus Christ. My prayers have been answered, time and time again. I know that Jesus is the Living Christ, I know that he called Joseph Smith to be a prophet, I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and I know that our prophet today is a man called and authorized by God, as the prophets of old.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by trying to follow the Savior's example of doing his Father's will. Most of the time, this comes in quiet acts of simple service, and in cultivating the daily routines and habits that bring me--and those around me--closer to the Spirit. These routines and habits include daily scripture study, seeking the Lord in prayer, and attending my meetings with a spirit of worship. I love home teaching, which is an assigned monthly visit to a few members of my congregation, in order to fill their needs, spiritually and temporally, and to support them in their efforts to come unto Christ.

Why do Mormons baptize their new members?

Aaron answered...

The Gospel of Jesus Christ consist of roughly five principles: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. To those not of our faith, this can seem like overkill. Faith, surely, would be part of the gospel. Repentance, too, has its obvious place. Baptism, though, is often passed over as simply a nice thing to do, yet wholly unnecessary. But this is not the case. Mormons are a covenant making people. A covenant is a two-way promise, a contract in which God sets the terms, and we choose to accept or decline. When we choose to accept this contract, or covenant, God blesses us according to our obedience. Baptism is one of these covenants. When new members are baptized, they covenant to support those in trial, to stand as witnesses of God, to take upon them the name of Christ (becoming Christians in the fullest sense of the word, doing and being as He does and is) and to keep his commandments. In return, God blesses them with a remission of their sins, the presence of the Holy Ghost, and eventually, if they continue faithful in the gospel, eternal life--the greatest of all the gifts of God.
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Gary T. answered...

We follow the example of Jesus Christ, who was baptized by immersion by John the Baptist. Being baptized is a symbol of faith, as it represents the burying of old sins, old ways and old habits, and taking on the name of Jesus Christ. We are "buried" in the water, which represents the environment of the past, and therefore we must be lifted up in order to survive. That lifting up represents our being lifted up by Christ, out of the past, and into the great promises and blessings of being one with Christ. When we come out of the water, we are symbolically a new person in Christ.

Are Mormons Christians?

Charlotte answered...

Living in a place where Mormons are a small minority, this is probably the question I get asked the most. For me, nothing is more sacred and personal than my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe he was born of Mary and is the Son of God. I believe he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the cross on Calvary so that all of us might be saved by the gift of His atonement. I believe he was resurrected three days later and that he will come again. I absolutely whole-heartedly believe in and love Jesus and am teaching my children to do the same.

Generally though, I've found that when people ask me this question more often they are asking what makes Mormons different from other Christians. There are 3 major differences: 1) We believe that God, the father, Jesus, his son and the Holy Ghost are distinct beings (the first two having a body of flesh and blood, the third being a spirit) that are united in purpose. So, we don't believe in the concept of the "Trinity." 2) We believe in an open cannon, meaning that God still reveals scripture. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God but we have companion scriptures as well that we believe are holy and inspired, most notably "The Book of Mormon." It is another testament of Jesus Christ, in addition to the Bible. 3)We believe that God still talks to man. Revelation didn't stop with the prophets in the Bible. When Christ's church was restored through Joseph Smith, prophets once again returned to the earth. We having a living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, to whom God speaks. In addition, we believe in personal revelation. Rather than telling people they must follow unquestioningly like sheep, Mormons are encouraged to ask God themselves about doctrine, actions and anything else they are concerned about. He answers prayers.