Hi, I'm Josh

I'm a tennis player. I'm a student. I'm a husband. I'm a Mormon

About Me

I am a college student studying Communications. I have lived in Illinois, Arizona, Washington and Utah. I enjoy being outdoors with my wife. I love to play tennis, basketball and just about any other sport.

Why I am a Mormon

In today's world, it is easy to worry or fear what the future holds. What will my children have to grow up being exposed to? What kind of lives will they live? How can I raise a family that will stay together amidst the tide of immorality, infidelity and dishonesty? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a number of unique teachings that have helped me have peace and confidence in the future.

The scriptures teach that this life is an opportunity to learn, gain knowledge and to prepare to meet our Heavenly Father after we die. In this life, we will face opposition, heartache and make mistakes. Mormons believe that after we die, we will be judged of our works and desires. If we have accepted Christ and tried to live His teachings, we can be forgiven through His infinite grace. What makes us unique is that we believe that we can live together with our families forever. Marriage need not end with this life. As my wife and I try to live like Christ, we can have peace that we can live together in God's presence forever. Many consider this extreme or ridiculous. But to me, I can't really imagine a heaven without my wife being there with me. She is my best friend. I know that our Heavenly Father who loves us perfectly would not separate us from our loved ones after death. His work is to enable our happiness.

This doctrine gives me faith as a future parent as well. If I teach my children the truth and they simply try their best each day to live like Christ, we can all be together again. I think this resonates with anyone who has a family or is part of a family.

Personal Stories

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

Whenever I feel that I am living as best I can and trying to improve my life, I can feel a certain peace and perspective that comes from the Holy Ghost. While making important decisions, I have been able to see more clearly the path before me. When I allow myself to doubt, to fear or to worry, the decision becomes more cloudy and uncertain. Christ taught that the Holy Ghost will "teach you all things that you should do" (John 14:26) and I have gained a knowledge that this teaching is true.

I invite the Holy Ghost into my life by reading the Bible, the Book of Mormon or other scriptures. Reading and pondering God's word is a powerful tool when trying to make the right decision. With this precious gift of the Holy Ghost, quiet feelings or simple thoughts come to my mind and I feel completely at peace. This feeling is a great blessing in my life as I face hard times, big decisions or have deep questions.

How I live my faith

I am still pretty young and have much of my life ahead of me. My wife and I have found that as we live the best we can, we are blessed with peace and joy. We both feel that the early season of our marriage will set the tone for how we live for the remainder of our lives. For this reason, I try to study the life of Jesus Christ and live as best I can in the way that He did. Loving God, loving my neighbor, caring and praying for those who struggle, avoiding selfishness and pride. These are some of the attributes of Christ that I am trying to develop.

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Josh answered...

One of the fundamental doctrines of Mormonism is the eternal nature of families. We believe that God created this earth and placed Adam and Eve there to start the human family. God's intention in creating an earth with family units was to allow us to learn and grow together. We believe that husbands and wives can be literally sealed to their family and live together after death. For this reason, you may have noticed that much of the church's programs are centered around learning Christ's gospel within the family.

On a personal note, I find this doctrine very comforting. I gives me peace to know that I can live with my wife after we die. Our marriage inside the temple in Mesa, Arizona sealed us together for eternity, rather than "till death do you part". I love my wife and couldn't imagine a heaven without her being there with me.
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Daniel answered...

When married by earthly power and the authority of man, our vows are "Until death do you part."

We believe that families can be together forever as part of our Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness. His Work and His Glory is to bring to pass the exaltation and eternal life of man. He wants us to be even as He is and to return home to live with Him again.

Through the ordinances of his Holy Temples, God's son's and daughter's are able to make covenants. Through the power of His Holy Priesthood, be sealed together for all of time and eternity as Husband and Wife, parents and children.

Families were designed and instituted by God with the intent that they be forever. The love we feel in this life does not need to be cut off when we die. Those who have already died are not lost us forever. God has mercifully made a way by which all who would accept these saving ordinances can do so, living or dead.

We perform these ordinances for those who have in the past died so that they may have the opportunity of accepting them on the other side if they so choose to do so.

Who founded Mormonism and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

Jordan answered...

Jesus Christ. The name of our curch is the Curch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When Christ was on the earth He started a church and it was organized by apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers. Of course the organization that he set up later fell because people didn't want to hear from them. So later on, in the 1800s, Christ and Heavenly Father found it to be the right time to bring that same organization back to the earth. And they then called another prophet, the same way Christ did when he was on the earth. And that Prophet's name was Joseph Smith.