Hi, I'm Trenton Russell

I'm a Mormon and proud of it!

About Me

I was raised in a Methodist family, while also attending Catholic school. Naturally as a child I raised many concerns with the conflicting doctrine. Nobody could explain the wonders of the world clearly or tell me conclusively who God really is. During my adolescence I became very active in competitive swimming, and swam in college becoming an NCAA Division I Swimmer and held a MAAC conference title. An injury ended my swimming career and helped me pursue a career in acting. While performing in several off broadway plays, thru a friend I was introduced to the church. Now at this time I raised to believe the LDS church was more of a cult than a religious church of God. I went to church on Christmas with much curiosity and hesitation. To my surprise it was nothing like what I expected, I could feel the love and power of the gospel. Later I befriended a member and decided to take the missionary discussions, after 3 weeks I was baptized. It was everything I was looking for and more, every question I could possibly have had a definitive answer. It blew me away that I was so close to this gospel all along, yet out of reach. The gospel instantly made sense and I totally embraced it as my own. Later I decided to serve a mission and give to people what I had been blessed with finding. I served in the Italy Catania mission in Sicily. It was an amazing experience full of countless miracles that only solidified my testimony even more.

Why I am a Mormon

Because no other religion or faith comes close in offering what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has. The gospel is so clear, in that it answers everything. The biggest reason aside from the conformation of the Holy Spirit I received when I took the missionary discussions, was the countless miracles I saw on my mission. The priesthood of Christ is real and only exists in the LDS church. The things in the movies that are fantasy to some are real, but the good news is the bad can be overcome with the good. It was experiences like these that solidified my testimony and giving me a irrefutable knowledge of God and his plan for me.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.

The gospel is real and I have just started to understand the iceberg that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has the true priesthood and authority to lead God's church. I know that with an honest heart and an honest intent, Joseph Smith did ask of God what was the true church to follow. It only makes sense to me with my numerous experiences with other faiths and denominations that our church is the true and only church of God. One thing that has always stuck out to me about the church is the fact that any question be it about religion or science or whatever, the gospel of the Church can answer it! I know with a absolute certainty that God has restored a living prophet on this earth today, his name is Thomas S. Monson. President Monson leads this church under the will of Jesus Christ and is our direct connection to him and our heavenly father. I know from the short time I have been a member that nothing can deter me from my membership in this gospel. I would invite all those who are struggling in life with it's questions to at least investigate for yourself what the church is about. Don't take someone's word for it or what the internet has to say, simply go and find out. The church is not secretive about anything!!!! It's all there for anyone to see, but some of it is sacred and must be viewed with the proper information and context. But none the less, God's church is here and it has all the answers one would want to know.

How I live my faith

With the temptations that are ever present in the world, it is always a struggle in finding the right path. But that is what is so amazing about the gospel, there is always a crystal clear answer. I find it vital to study the scriptures daily and always call upon the spirit of God. The gospel has changed my perspective to an eternal one, and has blessed me with realizing my potential in all things.

How is the Book of Mormon different from the Bible? How did Joseph Smith obtain the “golden plates” or Book of Mormon?

Trenton Russell answered...

Joseph Smith through his faithfulness was blessed with the knowledge and nature of God's plans. He was chosen to lead the restoration of the gospel, part of which was transcribing the ancient record of the Book of Mormon. The book of Mormon differs from the Bible in that there is only on translation of it, the Bible though has lost it's first intentions and translations given by God and replaced by man's intuition.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Matt Gibson answered...

We believe in grace 100 percent . No one can be saved, except by grace. There is nothing we ourselves can do to earn eternal life. But, we do believe that we will NOT receive grace unless we live our lives in accordance with what Christ has taught. When Christ ransomed us, became the author of our salvation, and also the perscriber of the conditions of repentance. He's told us that we need to have faith in him, repent, and be baptized for the remissions of sins, so that we may be sanctified by the Holy Ghost. He also told us that we need to endure to the end, meaning continue to strive to live by his teachings, otherwise we cannot be saved by grace. There are many today who teach that baptism is not necessary because it is a "work". We know that Christ set the example to make it perfectly clear. He also said in John chapter 3 verse 5, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
You might be thinking now, "what about those who never got a chance to be baptized?", well Heavenly Father is perfectly fair, and that opportunity will be provided for everyone to make that decision, whether in this life or in the next. The point of Baptism is making covenants. Without making these covenants Christ cannot give us grace.
Hence the doctrine of grace, and doctrine of works, coinside with each other. One cannot be without the other.