Hi, I'm Josh

I'm a husband, father, Marine, political hack, playground pro, law student, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in California where my mom found me a career as a child actor! My family moved several times and ultimately I graduated from High School in Kansas. I served as a missionary in Boston Massachusetts--as for "converts" Boston gained at least one: I came home a Red Sox fan! I served in the United States Marines for 8 years where I was deployed to Fallujah Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Witnessing first hand the troubles facing the people of Iraq made me feel incredibly blessed to live in a land with such prosperity and freedom. I studied Political Science in college which led me to get involved in campaigns and elections. I work for the United States Congress by day and attend Law School by night. I married my college sweetheart on the 6th anniversary of our first date and am the father of two beautiful children. I feel humbled to have enjoyed such a blessed life and have learned much from each life experience. I enjoy spending time with my family; usually at the playground! I play Tennis with my wife when we have time and will water ski no matter the water temperature!

Why I am a Mormon

While my parents raised me as a Mormon, I choose to remain a Mormon because as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I have been blessed with a fullness of God's spirit through the spiritual power that comes from the restored Priesthood authority of God. As a Christian, I learn more about Christ through the additional testament provided by the testimony of ancient prophets in the Americas as recorded in the Book of Mormon; along with the Bible, these provide a strong witness of the centrality of Christ to salvation and the nature of his forgiveness and atonement.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I was taught to go on a mission out of duty--ultimately, I went out of gratitude; I stayed out of love. From a young age young men are strongly encouraged to answer the call of service from their heavenly father to share the blessings of Christ's gospel with the world. I felt the weight of this duty as a young man; however, as I gained a very real relationship with my savior and a testimony of his saving grace through his atonement in my sinful life I felt ungrateful if I didn't share this with others. While on my mission I saw the changes that Christ made in the lives of those I was blessed to touch; I felt lucky to be a tool in the hand of my heavenly father and developed a deep love for those I met. For that reason, I happily remained a missionary for as long as they would let me!

How I live my faith

I try to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ in loving my fellow man. Whether it is my interactions with my wife and children, the way I treat others in my daily life, or even the way I conduct myself on the battlefield, I strive to have empathy and I seek to see others as Christ sees them: as children of God. I am not perfect; it is a daily struggle. I find peace in knowing that God is there to help and is always willing to forgive.

In my congregation, I have been given the assignment of "clerk." I keep records up to date for the congregation and assist in the financial accounting for our congregation. Not many people are privy to the generosity of fellow church members in the contribution of tithes and offerings like a clerk is; I am humbled each week to see the faith of my fellow saints in sharing their means to help the work of God and bless the lives of others. I aspire to be more like the examples I see each week.

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

Josh answered...

I am a self confessing political hack! Despite my own partisan leaning, I know better than most that the mission of my church is not the mission of a partisan political party. However, personal faith and religious organizations can inform the values of each citizen and ought to help guide one to developing an informed opinion on government policy. Individuals and churches have the right to freedom of association and the right to speak out on matters important to their values especially when they become political questions. However, our Church remains strictly neutral as far as partisan political affiliation is concerned. I know great members of my church from every political party and I enjoy the diverse political opinions of my fellow saints with whom I share values and spiritual conviction. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in the business of saving souls by preaching the gospel of Christ the Redeemer not electing candidates for office in the halls of earthly government. Saints should feel strongly about participating in both but should not let the partisan issues of the day overshadow the daily issues of eternal significance.
Josh answered...

No. The church advocates principles and doctrine but does not endorse a certain political party or candidate. If you look in the United States Congress, you'll see members of the Mormon church sitting on both sides of the aisle from the current Senate Majority Leader to a 2008 presidential candidate.

However, the church is involved in the public arena when political initiatives intersect with principles of Christ's gospel. When this happens, the church will release a statement advocating certain principles and encouraging members to uphold these principles. This type of action often leads to confusion. Church support for an initiative for religious reasons should not be taken to imply support for a particular political party. These are two distinctly separate activities.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Todd answered...

No. There have never been any race-related restrictions on who joins the church. People of all races and colors have been baptized from the beginning.

However, for a period of time priesthood ordinations in the Church were restricted - This policy was officially changed in 1978 when Official Declaration declared that “every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.”