Hi, I'm Matthew Jacob

I grew up in Utah, am now a pharmacist in Ohio, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm living in Cleveland Ohio with my wife and two sons. I work at an area hospital as a pharmacist and love the opportunity to work with other people who care for those who are sick and need help.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in the Church. Sometimes that felt like it was something that I needed to apologize for. But it's my belief that no matter what church you grow up in, there comes a moment when you start asking questions of yourself, and your own beliefs. When I was a teenager I thought about that periodically, maybe a couple times a year. When I was in my first year of college I started asking myself that question a lot more frequently.
I felt very firmly that there was a God, and that He would want me to understand what my purpose was, and what His purpose for me was. I decided that I knew some things about many religions, but I had never really studied my own in a way that could either discount it, or show me that it was teaching what God had shown his children. I'd like to say that my answer came quickly. It didn't. Although, I did notice that as I read the Book of Mormon, prayed, and tried to live the things I was reading about I became a happier person. I was easier to get along with, and I got along with many more people.
One night after hearing a Church leader speak, many of the things that had been talked about suddenly made sense. As I walked home that night in the winter cold I almost felt that my feet didn't touch the ground. I had been given an answer to my prayers, and although I didn't know everything, I knew that what I was learning was exactly what my Father in Heaven wanted me to be learning.
It was after that day that I was truly grateful to be born into a Church that teaches that prophets are here right now, teaching us all to look to Christ for our salvation. I'm a Mormon still because after you know what God expects you to be doing, it's just not right to do something else. I have plenty of things that I could be doing better, but I'm confident that the path I'm walking is the path that leads back to Christ.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

Why we do it is because we were specifically asked to do it by our Heavenly Father. I think maybe a more interesting question is, "How can we all participate in doing family history work?" Until very recently I felt that all of the family history work had been done, and there was no sense in me getting involved. With recent advances in access to family history records online I've found that anyone with a home computer and a faint interest can contribute meaningfully to the family history work that can be done with your family.
Because I've taken some time to look at my family history I feel closer to my parents and grandparents. I feel like it helps me to remember who I am and what struggles have been overcome to get me to where I am now.

How I live my faith

Currently I'm serving as one of the leaders of our congregation. It's a lot of responsibility and work for someone with a young family and many work responsibilities. However, it's been a great chance to see how many people can pull together and meet the needs of those around them. I get the chance to work with the young men in our congregation. I've taught them before in gospel instruction classes and now working with them as one of their leaders is a real great way to follow their successes. They are faced with many of the same challenges that I faced when I was their age. All of the work is worth it when they ask a question that you can tell means something to them, that they've thought about, and then they pay attention for an answer.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Matthew Jacob answered...

No. Although it might be good to think about the word required. When I prayed for, and received an answer to the question, "Is this God's Church on earth?" I knew that I needed to share that information with other people. At least to be someone that would raise the question with other people. I felt required to serve because of the great personal knowledge that had been given to me.
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Nick answered...

"Required" is an interesting word when it comes to faith and religion. In the Mormon Church no one is "required" to serve a mission. Church membership is not revoked for not serving a mission. In this sense, they are not required, yet serving a mission is encouraged at many stages in life and in many different capacities throughout the world.

Missionary service is a tremendous blessing, a challenge, and one of the main focuses of the faith. The life of Jesus Christ was the life of a missionary in many respects. Performing service for one another, preaching the glad message of the gospel, and increasing the faith and dedication of God's children are exemplified in Christ's life and mirrored by those in missionary service.

To dedicate a portion of one's life in service propels those who serve and those who are served into a better life. During my two year mission to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and during my two year service mission with LDS Family Services, I was greatly blessed and strengthened. (I hope those whom I served found some value in my service as well.) That strength has taught me to better navigate this life, has kept my family relations intact, and has been the method of helping others overcome their trials as well.

Spiritually speaking, I don't find value in reflecting on what my life would be like without serving a mission. Instead, I rejoice in knowing that without that time in missionary service my life would be significantly less happy and productive. In my life, serving a mission has taken on many of the characteristics of a "required" act since I can't picture myself progressing very far without having served as a missionary. While not required to be a member of the Mormon church, missionary service has been a critical and welcome part of my life and growth spirituality. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to serve missions, and look forward to serving in many more.

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

Dennis answered...

I grew up in California and was in the middle of the same-sex marriage debate. The Church believes that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that children have the right to be brought into the world with a mother and father who love and honor each other and their marital vows. I agree with this doctrine, so I, along with others of my faith, supported Prop. 8 in 2009. Any time I spoke with someone, I explained that we all, regardless of our side on this issue, are motivated by love. Love of mankind, of God, of society, etc. So much of the debate turned to hatred, but it's important to remember that love is always our initial motivation. I know people, good friends, who live a homosexual lifestyle. They've shown love to me, and I love them, but I believe their lifestyles are contrary to the will of God. That doesn't mean that I can prevent them from doing what I think is wrong, but their liberty does not translate into license. Liberty in America has never been about license to do whatever we choose. When we, as a people, believe something is wrong, it is our democratic right to enact laws against such things. Likewise, if we believe something is divinely inspired, like the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, it is not only our right but our duty to stand up for it. If we don't, I'm afraid that America will lose the protective hand of God that has embraced us for so many years.