Hi, I'm Josh

I believe in Jesus Christ.

About Me

I am 7 years married. I am a student, musician, writer, entrepreneur and a winner of a pinewood derby competition, not necessarily in that order.

Why I am a Mormon

If it weren't for my testimony I would be agnostic. But I took the challenge and read the Book of Mormon. I read the title page, the introduction, the testimony of the three and eight witnesses, the testimony of the prophet, Joseph Smith, the brief explanation (all of these can be found here: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/contents) and then the rest of the book. I remember thinking that the testimony of the witnesses sounded a bit fantastic. But as I read the book I felt the Holy Spirit. And when I prayed the Holy Ghost showed me that it is true. I am a mormon because I know that Jesus Christ is the shepherd of this church, literally. Members of the church aren't perfect. Sometimes we hurt one another's feelings. We make mistakes. One thing that unites us is the awareness that we each have need of the atonement in our lives. Because I feel that the doctrine is true, and because I feel that the church has a fulness of the truth, I am a mormon.

Personal Stories

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

Before my conversion I was very lost in my life. I felt like nothing mattered, I felt empty. I found excitement and friendship in my associations, but they all seemed temporary and lacking. It was after I became a "student" of the scriptures (Bible, Book of Mormon, etc...) that I began to feel purpose in life. When I learned that this life is but a short "phase" of our eternal existence, and that we are all members of God's eternal family, I gained perspective and understanding. Life matters now. My choices matter. And that makes all the difference.

How I live my faith

It is simple. I go to church on Sunday to renew my baptismal covenant by taking the sacrament in remembrance of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I do my best to live the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the scriptures as revealed by the prophets. When I err, I repent and trust in Jesus Christ. I believe in Him. I try to live "after the manner of happiness," which means that I try to do those things that bring happiness in life: Family, wholesome recreation, honest work, leaving a legacy, philanthropy, etc...

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

Josh answered...

No. The mormon church endorses moral values. The church does, however, encourage its members to be active in the political process and to choose candidates for office who represent their values, regardless of race, religion, or other demographic.
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John Odell answered...

Of course the Church does not endorse political parties. Political parties do not represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But all the members of the Church are encouraged to participate in the political system and many have and do. We will be held responsible for our actions in the political arena just as we are in every other activity of our lives. I feel strongly that we have an obligation to support the Constitution of this land and that the Lord had a lot to do in its founding and in the freedoms that we receive from adhering to its principles. The Founding Fathers were inspired by God and we should be inspired by them. There are many criteria that we can use to choose political candidates but none are of more value than that recommended by modern scripture, namely, to search after honest and good men. I love our American Republic and our Constitution and try to support men or women who support the ideas and principles found in that document. According to the Declaration of Independence we receive our rights from our creator and must be ever aware that we do not turn our rights to the whims of men, however well meaning they may be. I am not a fan of political parties and consider myself a Constitutional conservative and very independent.

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

David answered...

Part of our purpose here on earth is to form eternal families. A husband and his wife possess the God-given abilities to procreate. Together they are two halves of a whole. Each possess gifts and abilities necessary to the creating and rearing of children. God has ordained it such, and any lifestyle that inhibits the progression towards forming eternal families is not in accord with God's plan and purpose for life. "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:11)