Hi, I'm Tim

I'm part American, part Canadian, and all Oklahoman — and yes, a Mormon too! How cool is that?

About Me

I was born and raised both as a Catholic, and a troublemaker of sorts whose incessant questioning about the nature of God led me to the waters of baptism where at age 12, I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Asking questions has always been a part of my life. Sometimes that has caused difficulty both in my personal life, as well as in my career. However, I have long lived the belief that “one need never apologize for the truth, for it will always stand on its own.”

I live an exciting, meaningful life that has solid direction and meaning, and which runs on two speeds... FAST and STOP. I don’t relax as much as I should and I know I need to slow down on occasion, but the life I have now is one I wouldn’t trade for the world!

I'm part American, part Canadian, and all Oklahoman. I’m a husband, father, friend, empty nester, nerd, and political analyst. I believe the Constitution of the United States was inspired of God, that freedom of religion means freedom for all religions. My name is Tim, and I’m proud to be a Mormon!

Why I am a Mormon

1. Because it answers life's critical questions Who am I, Why am I here and Where am I going.
2. Because through faithful living I am able to enjoy family relationships beyond mortality.
3. Because adherence to Gospel Principles brings me Peace and Joy.
4. Because I have come to know for myself that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
5. Because through Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith was chosen to bring about the restoration of Christ's Gospel in its fulness and His Everlasting Plan of Happiness.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

There are many people who think that 'going to church' is a great way to kill an hour; I, however, am not one of those. I find attending weekly church services strengthens me in my own desire to be a better person. It can and often both motivates and inspires me to reach for greater heights in my relationships with God, my family, and within myself.

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

By being nicer, speaking kinder, and being gentler on ourselves. By learning to leave the cares of the outside world outside when we walk in the front door. There are enough problems out in the world as it is we should be able to have a 'safe zone' to walk into when we come home. When we live by these rules, we gain an appreciation for what 'Love at Home' really means.

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

To the intellectutal mind, one would add up this equation: 14-year-old farm boy with a 2nd-grade education talking with God and angels; compiling a book of scripture (Book of Mormon) that was translated by the gift and power of God) and enduring constant persecution for almost 25 years, culminating in his assassination/martyrdom, and think it's impossible storytelling, if not a an outright crock of fantasy.

On the other hand, to those who have read the Book of Mormon and asked of God for themselves - independent of their feelings for anybody else - as we are told in Moroni 10:3-5, there can be no other answer: YES, IT IS TRUE, and can have come form no other source, but the God of Heaven, with its truth ratified by the Holy Ghost. Once you have received that witness for yourself, your life is forever changed, and it will never be (nor has been) the same again.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (Matthew 13:34 KJV) That one teaching of Jesus Christ sums it up best, don't you think? It sure sums it up for me...

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

In large measure, one shares their talents and gifts with others to the extent directed by the spirit. It is through one-on-one time in discussions with friends where you share ideas one with another that your talents and skills increase and improve. Friendships strengthen in the process, and the talents and gifts of all around you increase in the process.

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

Throughout my life, whether in the public sector, the private sector, and especially in the military, I have often found myself asked questions about my beliefs. Many good, sincere people who know me have on occasion, expressed a desire to know exactly what it is that I believe.

I answer their questions to the best of my ability, while keeping the answer simple, relaxed and informative. In doing this, I show respect for the person asking the question, while showing myself respect by keeping the focus on both the question and the person who asked it.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer is - for me anyway - a means of communicating with God and seeking to know what His will is for me and how I can best live my life in accordance with His will. It is not enough merely to belive in God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ; each of us needs to live our lives TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY in accordance with what has been taught both in scripture, the best example being what was taught in Amos 3:7 (KJV): "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

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

Making right choices creates additional opportunities for more right choices. Human nature allows each of us to rise or fall to the level of those with whom we associate. It is for this reason - more than most - that we choose among our friends - only those who bring out the best and finest qualities in us. These experiences are what make for the most lasting friendships of the highest quality, and friends of the highest quality encourage us in the making of even wiser and better choices not only for us individually, but also for our friends and families as well..

How I live my faith

To the best of my ability. Please do not construe that to mean that I am in any way perfect. There are some - if not many - days where I am nowhere near perfect. Ask anyone who knows me, and they'll reassure you in a heartbeat that I'm not.

However, I do seek to follow the advice given by among others legendary NFL Coach Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers, when he said: "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."

My faith helps keep me grounded and reminds me that I need not be perfect just working towards it one step at a time, as best I can.

Some days are better than others that makes me no different than anyone else. But what makes me and my fellow Church members different is that our faith and/or religion however it's described is much more than a weekly sermon it's a way of life, and a key to that involves an ongoing commitment to follow Christ, and be "doers of the word and not hearers only." James 1:22, KJV

As you come to know members of the Church who do live their faith, you'll see this one consistent thread in all of them. And while a commitment to live the Gospel and to follow Christ is a key to success in Gospel living, be sure to enjoy the lighter moments of life as they occur. Live joyfully, laugh often, and remember that it is through Jesus Christ that all things are possible, especially the ones most worth having.

How are the activities of the Mormon missionaries funded?

Tim answered...

Missionary activity is funded primarily self-funded through either the missionary's personal savings the family's contributions, or contributions from friends and members of the ward or congregation.
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What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ? Do Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Jonathan answered...

We absolutely believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believe that He was the God of the Old Testament. Under the direction of the Father, He created the earth. He spoke to the Old Testament prophets such as Noah, Abraham and Moses. He was born to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem. He walked among the people of Palestine, working many mighty miracles. He suffered and died for our sins. He rose from the grave and ascended to Heaven to stand on the right hand of the Father. We believe that He appeared alongside the Father to the prophet Joseph Smith. Today, He is at the head of our church and leads it through the prophet and twelve apostles. He will come again to reign upon the earth with all those who have faith in Him. Through Him, and Him alone, we can be forgiven for our sins and receive eternal live in the Kingdom of God.