Hi, I'm Jared

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a husband and father. I am many other things in addition, but these two titles are the most important to me. My wife is a lovely, intelligent, strong woman with a passion for education. My children are often hilarious, usually well-behaved, regularly rambunctious and always loved.

I work as a writer, educator and instructional designer. I have taught English as a Second or Foreign Language for about ten years, and have also taught Portuguese. I am working on rewriting my first three novels and am also writing two more!

I recently put the final touches on my MA degree in TESOL/Instructional Design and have begun working full time as an instructional designer.

My hobbies include writing, hiking, playing with family, talking to my wife, gardening, reading, watching movies and more gardening!

I live under the Wasatch Mountains.

Why I am a Mormon

I had a somewhat unusual childhood. I was born and raised in what is best described as a cult. I did not grow up with my family, but instead spent my life with the other twenty children of the group. We were semi-homeschooled and were sheltered from the world.

I left that group when I was seventeen, having decided I could not believe in the God that they had taught me- a God of vengeance and retribution, one that changed and didn't seem to have a plan for His children.

After missionaries worked with me and then offered to return to visit with me when I was ready to make changes in my life, I had an experience during which Father in Heaven reminded me that He was there, He loved me, and that it was time for me to make changes. That experience in all of its sacred wonder has influenced every day of my life.

I joined the Church soon after, feeling certain that it was the right path for me. Since then, I have served a mission in Brazil, returned home and married, had six children and live with extraordinary happiness. Why am I a Mormon?

Because the scriptures, the Spirit of God and my own spirit confirm that this is the true Kingdom of God. Not only that, as if that weren't enough, the fruits of my faith and obedience to the commandments are beyond compare.

I was happy before I became a member of the LDS Church. I am far happier now, and I live with a certainty that God has a plan for me and my family and that I will be even happier as I live according to true principles.

Personal Stories

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

Prayer has been a challenge for me. I didn't grow up praying as a habit at all. This, in truth, was because I didn't believe in God.

So I have had to fight hard to make prayer a strong habit in my life.

Lately I have been praying hard that the Lord will guide me to a job that will support my family and help us move toward our goals. I have asked that doors be opened. My family has joined me in praying regularly that I will get jobs I interview for.

I haven't landed a job yet. However, every time I pray and plead with my Father, He reminds me that He is there and He gives me comfort. A feeling that all will work out, especially as I depend on Him in faith and do my very best, fills me. This is answered prayer.

How has your knowledge of the Plan of Happiness changed/benefited your life?

Finding out that Heavenly Father has a plan for His children that did not constitute destiny or anything that precluded free agency, but instead leads His children to make choices that draw them toward joy, changed my life profoundly.

Because I know that Father in Heaven wants me to be happy, I find that each day is pregnant with potential. And if I live according to the promises I've made to Him, I get to experience the joyful potential of each day. So instead of bringing my work stress home, I shed it as I walk to the door and then get to bask in the happy hugs and smiles of my family. In those moments, I taste the water of pure love that Father prepared for me by making families eternal.

And once you taste that water, nothing can compare. I want to drink of it all the time, so I try hard to notice my mistakes, because I make plenty of them, and then lower my voice, think instead of react, and remember my love for my wife instead of the socks on the floor-- which I probably dropped there anyway.

How I live my faith

I joined the Church when I was about 18 and a half, and since then I have had a wide variety of callings. I taught children Sunday School, served in various groups for young men, and got to serve as Assistant Scoutmaster. I have also been a teacher for adult Sunday School and am currently serving our congregation's men as a coordinator for service.

I love to visit people in their homes and share testimonies and experiences, scriptures and doctrine. In connection with my assignments, I usually visit about five to ten homes each month. This is my favorite aspect of service in the Kingdom of God.

Why is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Mormons or Mormonism?

Jared answered...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses the Bible as scripture, depending on it as the Word of God. The Church also uses the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ as a companion set of scriptures which further illuminate the beautiful truths we find in the Bible.

Because one of the distinctive features of this church is our use of the Book of Mormon, years ago the nickname 'Mormon' was given to early church members. This nickname stuck.

While we do not worship Mormon, who was a prophet who compiled the teachings in the Book of Mormon, we love him and all prophets. It's certainly no insult to be associated with this great man.

With all of that being said, calling members of the Church 'Mormons' is perfectly fine. It's so important to remember, however, that we worship God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We abide by the precepts revealed in scripture and through prophets and we worship no man. Only God.

Why do Mormons perform baptisms for the dead?

Stuart Clark answered...

We believe that baptism is essential for salvation. It is a covenant with God to obey his commandments. Christ taught that we all must be baptized. Some people die without being baptized or knowing about the Church of Jesus Christ. They must also have an opportunity for salvation. Those who have died are taught the gospel in the world of the spirits. But, baptism is an earthly ordinance. So we can perform that ordinance for them by being baptized for them, just as Christ died for us as a proxy for us, we can be baptized for others. This is authorized by Christ in his church to be performed in the temples. The person who died can either receive this gift or reject it. They still have their agency.