Hi, I'm Ethan

I am a full-time student. I love politics. I am British. I am a Mormon!

About Me

I am 21 years old and I am British. I love travelling, working, learning, teaching, serving, helping and becoming better at what I do everyday. I served as a full-time missionary and representative of Jesus Christ in northern Italy. I loved every minute! I am now studying politics, Italian and Spanish at university. I would like to be the Prime Minister for the United Kingdom!

Why I am a Mormon

I was brought up in the Church and I loved Primary and I attended the first few years of Youth. I became lazy in following the teachings that I had been taught by my parents and my leaders and to be honest I just wanted to be a normal boy who did normal things. I didn't want to follow all of the rules and restrictions; I thought I would be happier not living the Gospel. I wanted to feel free! I did this for a few years and I did enjoy myself! I got to the end of sixth-form and I had to make some major decisions about my future. I had been thinking about serving a mission and going back to Church for a while. I didn't go to university and I decided to travel for a bit then work full-time. I finally found my way back to the Church and went through the process of repentance and experience the wonders of the Atonement. I am now fully-active and I love living the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is true. I am prepared to give up things that I used to do to show my love for Him, so that one day I can return to live with him again. I have to keep reminding myself of how I felt; lonely and confused when I was away from the light, in order to remain focussed on my goals. It's never going to be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

The experiences I had taught me that the only way way to be free is to follow God's commandments. It may seem like an oxymoron and to be quite honest it still baffles me slightly to this day, but by choosing to follow God's commandments, you can become free. Following Him and being obedient is the ONLY way to be free! Choosing His way is the best way.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I have a very powerful testimony of Joseph Smith. He either received divine revelation from God or he didn't. He was either visited by the Angel Moroni or he wasn't. He either translated the Book of Mormon through by the power of God or he didn't. I know he did and saw these things. I know that Joseph Smith was a man called of God to restore the fullness of the Gospel to the earth. I know he lived and I know he accomplished the greatest work of mankind, save only Jesus Christ. Why else would Joseph Smith travel thousands of miles relocating due to persecutions from mobs, invest his own time and money in such a cause if it were not for the sake of the truth, and then finally give his life for said cause?

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I served a full-time mission in Northern Italy. I used to teach the Restored Gospel in the Italian language! I had never been to Italy and I didn't speak a word of Italian! We go on missions to invite others to come unto Christ and give them the opportunity to be a member in Christ's true Church. We provide service to those in need of help and help others become better people. We have the truth and light, it would be selfish of us to keep it to ourselves. I know that I have been blessed for sacrificing a small portion of my life for the Lord and I saw so many miracles and lives changed. Including my own!

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

Happiness. Peace. Hope. Joy. These are some of the words that come to mind upon seeing that question. Faith is a principle of power and action. The blessings have come because I have exercised that faith in Jesus Christ. I made the first step to hope and believe. After that step, the other steps were easier and provided even more of the first results of happiness, peace, hope and joy. Sometimes one does go backward, but the Gospel is all about moving forward. When we do go backward, we can stop, evaluate, repent, change and move forward; increasing our faith from the increased knowledge we have acquired. Faith brings that hope that all of us need in a world full of so much turmoil.

How I live my faith

I think the best way to keep yourself a worthy, active member of the Church is to fully integrate yourself as much as possible into the Church and make every facet of your life compatible with its teachings. Each week I go to Church on a Sunday, have a Family Home Evening (FHE) on a Monday night, Institute (a lesson specifically for 18-30 year olds) on a Tuesday followed by an activity, I am a councillor in the Young Men's organisation (a weekly youth group for boys aged 12-18), a YSA (Young Single Adults) activity on Thursday evening and I try to go out with the full-time missionaries at least once a month. It keeps me busy and sometimes I struggle to find a balance, but I try and fill my time with as many worthwhile activities as I can! I am conscious daily of how my actions, words and activities portray me as a person and ultimately as a representative of Jesus Christ. I try and emulate His example as much as I can, to those who know who I am and those who don't. I would never want anyone to think that I am not trying my hardest to follow Him and His example.

Do you really believe there is a prophet like Moses alive today?

Ethan answered...

Yes! There is a prophet on the earth today who leads and guides the Church of Jesus Christ. He is a righteous man who is chosen of God to lead His children in the ways of righteousness. The current prophet of the Church is President Thomas S. Monson. This man is literally God's mouthpiece on the earth today. His representative. His spokesman. He receives guidance and revelation to lead us toward happiness and eventually back into the presence of our Heavenly Father. I have never personally met the prophet (although I have seen him in person!), but I don't need to meet him to know he is a prophet. I can read and listen to his words and then apply his counsel into my life and I literally see his promises being fulfilled before my very eyes!
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Justin answered...

Believing in Christ is believing in his perfection. Being perfect he will always do what is in the best interests of his people. In times past man has needed the assistance of great men to help them in their journey home. That need has never changed. In fact, there has never been a greater need of a prophet to guide the people than there is right now.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Jenny answered...

My father is gay and I have many friends who are gay. Though we have some differing opinions and beliefs, we have a great relationship - each respecting the other's right to choose their own way. Its no secret that the Church does not support gay marriage. We believe that God's plan for the family is, always has been and always will be a man and a woman and their children. However, the perception that the church is anti-gay is inaccurate. We support the rights of all men and woman to exercise their free agency and be entitled to the same legal rights as anyone, as long as they don't erode the principles on which our country was founded - freedom of religion. The scriptures affirm that homosexual behaviors are a sin, but I believe Christ understands the extreme difficulty that a gay person would experience refusing to act upon their same-sex attraction. I also believe that through Him, all things are possible and that no person is unworthy or undeserving of His love and the benefits of His atonement.