Hi, I'm John

I'm a college student

About Me

I live on my own and goto school. I'm studying Chinese with a minor in History. I'm taking Air Force ROTC classes and would like to do intelligence work with the Air Force when I graduate. I worked over 80 hours a week this summer so that I could go to school full time and pay all my bills this semester. The Lord was merciful to me in paving a way for me to accomplish all my desires.

Why I am a Mormon

This church and its teachings make me happy. There's a quiet confidence I have about my life as I daily battle the stresses and challenges that are a part of normal day to day life. I love the verse in Galations 5:22. That's what I've used to judge everything about this church and everything in my life for that matter. I've made my share of mistakes in life, just like anyone, but I am so grateful for the feelings of wholeness and cleanliness I get as I live the teachings that are taught every Sunday in church and what I read in the Book of Mormon and Bible. To put it simply, however, the teachings of this church helps me know my Savior Jesus Christ, gives me protection in my daily life, and gives me hope for a better tomorrow no matter what may happen to society, my friends, family or myself.

How I live my faith

Over the summer, I helped my local congressman in his campaign for re-election. I am involved in ROTC and take part in political discussions with all in my spare time. Right now, that isn't very much for I am taking 17 credits at College this semester and have been busy studying. However, I stay involved as much as I can with the activities in Church and other opportunities to socialize. At my Church, I teach a monthly lesson to the men. My lessons are not lecture, but a discussion where everyone comments on their experiences and what they've learned from those experiences. The thing that I've tried to do this year and have been successful is saying a morning and evening prayer and reading in my scriptures every day. It has been a long time since I've done that and I have never felt better about myself since I've started doing it again.

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

John answered...

We want everyone to be able to enter the Temple and feel of the sweet and beautifully peaceful aroma and spirit there. A Temple is a holy and sacred place. Unlike regular church buildings which are also sacred, Temples are specially reserved as places to be separate from worldly influences. Therefore, only those who are living such a life may enter, so as to preserve the Temple's sacredness. But we want everyone to qualify so that they may enter and feel of that spirit. It isn't hard to qualify, but it does take some effort. All that is required is for one to live a Christlike life with a heart that only desires to do good.
Keith Proctor answered...

In the Temple we are taught some pretty powerful truths about who we are, where we came from, and why we are here. It's not the kind of experience you can just walk into and get. There is significant spiritual preparation and learning needed first. It's better to be prepared and enjoy the fullness of the experience than to rush into it too quickly and end up confused. The ordinances in the temple also require that you prepare yourself to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. The best way to prepare for the Temple ordinances is to begin living their teachings consistently before entering the Temple. This is your way of showing Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father that you love them, obey them, and are ready for additional light and knowledge. Without this preparation, any ordinance of the Gospel would be an empty set of rituals. The Temple, in its fullest sense, prepares men and women to return and live with God as His sons and daughters. Anyone in the world can experience the power and beauty of the Temple, but a wise Heavenly Father has set out certain guidelines for their personal preparation first. Those who love Jesus Christ and walk in His ways will find in the Temple a power beyond their comprehension and a closeness to God not possible anywhere else in the world.

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Clayton answered...

No, we don't. People typically mix up Mormons with their reformed break offs. Several of those groups practice polygamy, even though historically the commandment from the Lord to have plural marriages has been repealed.