Hi, I'm Robert Wayne

About Me

I was born in an industrial city in the midwest almost 70 years ago in My Mother and I joined the church at when I was 11. My parents had saved up until they could buy a farm and we moved when I was 12. We were many miles from the nearest branch of the Church and for my entire youth, we didn't attend. When I joined the military, our Branch President was a military dentist and checked all of the dental records looking for LDS members. When he found me, he sent the Sunday School President (a full Colonel) who more or less ordered me back into activity. I have been active ever since. We have five children 3 girls and 2 boys. The boys served missions in Argentina and Hungary. I have played guitar and sang in bands since I was a teenager, mostly Celtic and American Folk music. I am an avid genealogist. I am retired from both the Air Force and Education. I taught Business and History in high school and worked in administration at the state level. We have retired in Florida and love to travel, especially since our children and grandchildren live in the Ohio and in Provo, Utah. Both my wife and I are cancer survivors.

Why I am a Mormon

Because I have long been a student of religion and have studied the history of Christianity. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only Christian denomination that matches the Church as established by Jesus Christ and the original apostles. The Holy Spirit has testified to me of the truthfulness of the Church. I could never belong to another. I respect all other religions and Christian denominations and know that there is some truth in all, and most are sincere. But sincerity does not mean truth. I have a firm testimony of the truthfulness of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is here that I find peace and contentment and a knowledge of how to survive in these perilous times.

Personal Stories

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

Because I was not raised attending Church, a mission wasn't in my plans. I joined the military at age 18. Soon after, I was reactivated and my wife joined the Church. We were stationed in England, and were called to the Mission Board of the Central British Mission as coordinators for genealogical work and scheduling for the London Temple. I feel that we served a mission. We traveled throughout central England and all of Wales, speaking at conferences, visiting branches, and published a monthly newsletter about genealogy. We were so young and inexperienced. On the title page of the first issue of the newsletter, I spelled genealogy as geneology! What a start!
But we made sure our sons could serve full-time missions. Our Eldest Son served in Argentina in a Spanish and Welsh-speaking area of Patagonia. The lessons he learned as he traveled over 1000 miles across the mission from the Andes to Tierra Del Fuego, have served him well. He speaks over 6 languages and is a professor at Brigham Young University where he is a Bishop's Counselor. He and his wife travel the world presenting conferences and seminars in his field. His mission besides being a tremendous spiritual experience has brought continued blessings. Our youngest son served his mission in Hungary. Besides teaching the gospel, he also was in charge of obtaining visas and lodging for all missionaries in the country. This involved extensive travel in Hungary, finding housing and preparing leases and getting permits from local authorities. This experience has served him well in the field of business. He owns his own company and is an expert in web-development.

How does making right choices help us make more right choices?

For 35 years, my wife and I served in Scouting and Campfire. We were on the Council Board of Campfire in charge of camping facilities. In the Boy Scouts, I served in almost every capacity imaginable, from Scoutmaster, to Round Table Commissioner to Assistant District Commissioner. One of the things that really bothered me was that Merit Badge training at camps often continued on the Sabbath. I lobbied heavily to terminate training of boys on Saturday night, leaving Sunday for worship services and breaking of camp and travel home. I met resistance at the council level, but persisted and finally prevailed, pointing out that the LDS Church was the largest supporter of Scouting in the U.S. What was interesting was that several ministers of Protestant churches approached me later and thanked me, saying they had always felt the same way, but didn't want to fight the establishment. Living right choices helps us gain the strength to fight for the right.

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

Each of us have different gifts and talents. My family was particular blessed to be musical (I think it must be the Welsh heritage!) "To be born Welsh is not to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth, but with music in your blood and poetry in your soul." (Old Welsh saying) Besides playing at festivals, we are often asked to sing in church choirs, to perform at wedding receptions, funerals, etc. My daughter has a wonderful LDS gospel CD and performs often. We have developed a repertoire of gospel-oriented music. Once a month, my wife and I host a sing-a-long at our house. We have a circle of both friends that play and sing and always invite non-members. We always include gospel music along with oldies. This has been a great missionary tool.

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. I had 6 tumors doubling in size every two weeks. Without immediate surgery, my life expectancy would have been in weeks. Even with surgery my chances of recovery were less than 7%. The doctor, even though not LDS, was very spiritual and before the surgery, we prayed together. After the surgery, the doctor came into my room with tears in his eyes. I though "Oh, Oh, bad news." He asked "Do you believe in miracles?" I replied "Of course." He then told me that in over 20 years of practice he had never seen cancer act that way before. It had not spread beyond the boundaries of the tumors themselves. Removal was 100% successful, chemotherapy wasn't necessary and I fully recovered. The Lord still has work for me. I know that this was a direct result of my faith and the Priesthood Blessing and the prayers of the Church and my family. God answers prayer. Faith precedes miracles.

How I live my faith

Faithful attendance every Sunday, Family Home Evening, daily prayers. Sharing my testimony with my neighbors. My wife and I always carry pass-along cards when we travel. We listen to Church Music frequently and watch the BYU Channel on TV. We never watch an R-Rated Movie and taught our children to do the same.

What is the Word of Wisdom that Mormons talk about?

Robert Wayne answered...

A health code. When Joseph Smith received the revelation in the 1830's, the concepts were considered radical, even bizarre. Since then medical and nutritional research has proved the validity of the revelation. It is also interesting to find that even in the Church that the guessed reasons for the various health observances change as new medical findings occur. The abstaining from the use of tobacco, alcohol, coffee, certain teas, eating fruits and vegetables and meat in reduced quantity and exercise has been scientifically proven to be beneficial. It also proves that the Lord knows what is best. It also strengthens the roll of the prophet in our lives as the mouthpiece of God.
Mark answered...

The word of wisdom is the Lord's law of health. We abstain from drugs, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and tea, and are encouraged to eat wholesome food and grains, and not eat excessive meat. I am asked all of the time by my fellow residents at the hospital why I don't drink coffee, and how I can stay awake all night on call without it. I don't consider it a sacrifice, though, and am as awake and perform as well as any. It is true that the body will be more healthy when following the word of wisdom, the but the main benefit is spiritual. The knowledge that you are in line with the the Lord's teaching is the most important thing.

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

John answered...

This is one of the hardest subjects because in today's world the only accepted dialog is love or hate. We firmly decree that homosexual behavior is sinful. This does not speak to the individual, who they are or the feelings they have. Each of us face feelings and desires, some of which are contrary to the will of the Lord. This is one of them.

Our Heavenly Father does not judge us on these feelings, but how we act on them. If feelings are converted to behavior, then sin has been committed.

We believe that marriage is a sacred institution, one that God has intended to be shared between man and woman. We do not believe it is for us to redefine it, and as such would not support a change that would legitimize behavior believed to be sinful.

We love all of God's children. I have several friends who identify themselves as homosexuals. I consider them friends even though my beliefs hurt and frustrate them. I try to help them understand that I can love them and care about them while maintaining these beliefs. Likewise, I would always defend them against discrimination and bullying.