Hi, I'm Dwight

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I have been a memebr of the church for my whole life. I met my wife 11 years ago and have been married for over 10 years. I have 4 wonderful children who help me learn so much about my Heavanly Father and His love for me. I have had some recent employment troubles that have been a trial. However, I am grateful to have had all the blessings that my familiy has needed. Through all of the economic strife, I have always had the faith to keep a psotive attitude. Even though there have been dark day, I am now on my way back on track with a new job and stronger faith. In my spare time I enjoy serving in my church callings, and family time. I also consider my self to be an avid golfer and love working out and getting back into shape.

Why I am a Mormon

Although I have been a member all my life. I have had to come to a knowledge of the truth on my own. When I was about 18 years old I decided to read the Book of Mormon on my own and pray for the help I needed to gain my own testiomony. Over time I began to feel the testimony come to me. I have never wandered from the gospel since.

Life is a work in progress , I know I have made mistakes and need to do better. But I also have faith in the atonement. Jesus Christ is the center of my testimony. Through him and by him I believe I am cleansed. I love my savior. That is why I am a Mormon.

Personal Stories

Can you think of a specific challenge in your family that Gospel Principles helped overcome?

Because of the recent economic issues that have plauged our nation, I have had a few employment problems. In fact, I have been unemployed for 11 months. This has truly been a trial of a lifetime. And though it has been difficult at times, my wife and I are happy and my family has what we need to survive. The Lord has blessed us to know he loves us. Sometimes, its because someone has been charitable or helpful to us. Other times, it's because we have been blessed to go to the temple and feel close to Heavanly Father. While the challenge is still there we believe he has given us the strength to endure the trial and become a little stronger together.

How I live my faith

I live my faith daily. Each day my wife and family strive to do our best to become like Jesus Christ. We try to know the gospel and live it's precepts. I serve as diligently as I can in my calling as the High Priest Group Leader in my ward. In the past 5 years I have been blessed to have held many leadership callings that have served to enhance my faith and helped my family and I draw closer to Heavanly Father. Through it all I have learned so much and I know I can do more to help others and become the person I so want to be.

What is the priesthood?

Dwight answered...

The priesthood is the authority to act in God's name here on the earth. Many times as a member of the church or some one looking in to the church you may hear "the power of the priesthood". While we believe that there is power in the Priesthood it is necessary to have the authority of the priesthood bestwoed to you by one already having that authority. The power in the priesthood comes from living a life consistant with the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and maintaining worthiness through consistant choices.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Ethan answered...

I like to approach questions by looking at the words of things

"priest" has reference to either the concept of one who leads, one who is elder, or one who is holy I like to remember that the words 'holy' and 'whole' are linked by a common ancestry. When something is 'holy' it's essentially saying that it's complete, that it's healthy..

And "-hood" makes reference to the state of being, and not just any state of being but a state of being that's worthy or correct for it's placement. That is, that it's done properly.

So one could say the priesthood is leadership or a point of reference that's completely suited to the position in which it's been placed.

Another way to look at it is to say it's God's perfect order. That is, it's God's perfect arrangement.

In our Church we often give a definition of priesthood as being "the authority to act in God's name" and that's exactly what it means to be a part of God's perfect order. If God commands something to be done by you, and you do it, then you are acting under, and with that portion of God's authority that he's permitted you to exercise within his perfect order.

Just as with any instance where someone tries to act in the name of someone else there are bound to be those who try and do so falsely. That's why God has things ordered in such a way that one can know for certain if someone has His God's authority, or not.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Scott answered...

Perhaps because they see how close-knit we are as a community, and it can be somewhat hard to understand this support network if you have never been part of something quite like it.

Sometimes we hear that some others may perceive or presume that members are 'brainwashed' with information and forced to conform to some standard. To those I would say that is exactly the opposite of what actually occurs under the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You see, Satan's way is to force people to conform. Study the life of Christ and you'll understand that He never forces, but instead always invites.

Freedom to choose is something that we believe is one of God's greatest gifts to mankind, and is fundamental to our faith. All people (Church member or not) are always free to choose what to believe and how to act (we call this agency) and are encouraged to seek understanding of the reasons for any invitation that Christ or the living Prophet extends to them.