Hi, I'm Jett

I am the son of a career Air Force officer (jet test pilot!), do IT Computing Strategy work, love to travel and I'm a Mormon!

About Me

I have a family of all girls which I absolutely love. I also have two excellent son-in-laws who are great choices by my daughters. I work for a large aerospace company in the Information Technology area doing strategy and planning.

I love travelling, sports and am a "news junkie" meaning I love to read the newspaper, web, blogs, etc.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born in to a mormon family, but I have had so many hundreds and thousands of experiences of my own throughout my life that have built my faith and hope in Jesus Christ. Be they small or large these experiences have witnessed to my soul that Jesus lives, that Heavenly Father loves me, that I am loved, and that His gospel has been restored again to the earth. What an incredible feeling it is to have the knowledge of these things and to know that I can live with my Heavenly Father forever. Many people might think being a Mormon is difficult and onerous. Actually it is quite the opposite. I receive such peace and strength in living God's commandments that it makes my life full of purpose, joy, and peace. What a great feeling it is to feel of God's love on a very regular basis.

Personal Stories

What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?

We have chosen not to have full, unlimited cable tv in our home. Plus we are very careful about what music and reading material we have. I have put a filter on our internet to screen out unwanted things (suggestion: opendns.com is a great, free filter for computers and routers). We have family meals together every night. We have fun, family vacations together. We try not to over-schedule our kids so that we have some quiet time in our house together. Plus my wife does a great job with our home and family. We chose many years ago that my wife would be a stay-at-home mom. It has been a financial sacrifice and we haven't been able to have lots of material things, but the sacrifice has been well worth it in helping create a loving, peaceful, less-stressed environment in our home. Plus we read scriptures together and have family prayer together most nights.

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

I feel it is important to serve and help others. That is one of the main reasons that I try to do my best in the tasks and responsibilities I am asked to do in my church callings.

In my church service I have done many things. For 5 years I taught an early morning religion class for high school age student. This class met every school day at 6am. It was very challenging and time-consuming, but very worthwhile.

For another 5 years I served voluntarily - and without any monetary compensation - as a Mormon Bishop. A bishop is similar to a pastor. I was responsible for all the members (420+) in my congregation (aka ward). This included counseling, staffing, budget oversight, organizing and running all aspects of the ward. This also was very challenging, time-consuming (anywhere from 20-30 hours per week), but very gratifying in being able to be of service. I married several couples, conducted many funerals, and was constantly busy and helping those in need. I did all of this without any kind of financial compensation of any kind and I also had a fulltime job with 4 daughters that we (thank goodness for my good wife) raised.

In addition I like to share my knowledge with others. As a result I have my own blog. Plus I like to help others understand about the church so I run a website where people can ask questions about the church and I try and answer them.

How I live my faith

My life is pretty much dedicated to the gospel and living its principles as best I can. I have done many things in service and sacrifice for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I served a 2-year mission in Denmark that I and my family paid for the entire time. I taught an early morning religion class to teenagers every school day. I served in our stake organization (a stake is made up of several congregations). I helped organize stake activities like: sports activities (basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, etc.), music events, (Messiah Sing-along), community nativity display at christmastime with almost 700 nativities, service activities, youth events, dances, dance festivals, etc, etc. I love to teach gospel classes esp to teenagers and adults.
I served as a Bishop (i.e. Pastor) for 5 years. Serving as a Bishop voluntarily and without pay was one of the most difficult yet most rewarding things I have ever done. As a Bishop I was responsible for a congregation (aka Ward) of 400+ members. While serving as a Bishop I performed several marriages, officiated many funeral services, oversaw weekly church meetings, counseled with individuals/couples/children/teenagers/adults/etc., oversaw our budget, gave talks/sermons, etc, etc. I usually spent 15-25 hours a week serving the ward and ward members. This was on top of my full-time job. Although it was very stressful and time-consuming at times it was also very rewarding in being able to help and comfort others.

To what do you attribute the growth of the Church?

Jett answered...

Because millions have people have felt and come to know with a surety of knowledge that the restored truth is on the earth. And they continue to be fed spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. It is not just a one time feeling. It keeps getting reinforced. Plus to be able to feel the love of the savior and an absolutely complete free conscience and peace of mind is worth everything it takes to feel it.
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Angela answered...

I think the Church is growing because people see that there can be a better way to live, that they don't have to be bound by the chains of addiction, pornography, dysfunction and broken homes. We know that the most important thing in this world is the family and the future of this world is found in the lives of the children and teenagers we see on the street, in our malls and schools. The best thing we can do is teach them to be honest, upright and moral citizens who can contribute to the betterment of society. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the family is incredibly significant--so significant that God wants us to be families forever, even when we die. This is huge for many people in the world who realize that their children can really be with them forever. There is tremendous comfort in that, and I think this is why so many people are drawn to this Church. It provides hope and peace.

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Cody answered...

We certainly do not. As a Mormon I've constantly been taught about the importance of family and how to strengthen those bonds. My mother and father exemplify the ideal of loving parents and I am so grateful for that loving bond my 5 siblings and I share with our mom and dad. Our faith does not teach, condone, accept, or defend polygamy in any way.