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Hi I'm Forest
About Me
Forest was born and raised in central Indiana. He was baptized into the Church in 1967 and served a mission to New York. He attended various universities and earned a BS, an M.Ed, and a Doctorate of Education emphasis in Counseling Psychology - Marriage and Family. He has served in five 5 branches of the United States Military. Currently he works at a non-profit employment agency and does job search training and resource development , plus serves part-time as a Chaplain in a VA Hospital for a total of over 30 years of military service. He is an educator, trainer and counselor by profession. He is married and they take great pleasure in ten grandchildren.
Why I am a Mormon
I have always believed and have faith in Jesus Christ. I was born and raised in central Indiana into a good Protestant family and attended the Presbyterian Church. While in the military I was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and given a copy of the Book of Mormon. Since I believed in and read the Bible, I was interested in "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." As I diligently read and sincerely prayed to find if this new witness was true, I came to know by the witness of the Holy Ghost and through faithful study that indeed it was and is true. I know the Prophets and people in the Book of Mormon from the western hemisphere were telling the truth and believed in Jesus Christ, just as Moses, Job, Isaiah, Peter, James, John and Paul did. In this process of change I also came to know that the Church is true, the Priesthood was restored, and that there are living prophets on the earth today, including President Thomas S. Monson. I know more deeply than ever that my Father in Heaven lives and loves me that Jesus Christ is my Savior who atoned for my sins and is the Head of this/His Church. I am humbly and sincerely grateful for this witness, blessing, and change in my life.
Personal Stories
How has the Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?
When my friend gave me a copy of the Book of Mormon, I was serving in the military, a long way from home, feeling lonely and challenged. I began to wonder: who am I? Where am I going? Why am I here? What do I want in life? I began to read and research and question. I read the Book of Mormon and the Bible with more intent and sincerely. I had always believed in Jesus Christ and the Bible, but I began to feel a stronger and deeper faith in my Lord as I read and studied the Book of Mormon. My first reference was in the book of Alma chapter 32 – faith and the seed. It really began to “taste” and feel good and better. It began to grow in my heart and mind – I began to mature and develop. It began to provide a purpose and direction for me, my life, and my goals. I began to understand who I really am – a child of God. I embraced the important things of life. I felt a desire and motivation to change and to do something more with my life. I gradually saved and served a mission then returned to pursue my education and obtained degrees. I married in the Temple and we have four children and ten grand-children. After serving in five different branches of the military, my wife and I are now preparing to serve another mission. I feel greatly blessed and thankful to my Father in Heaven and His Son and to my wife and our entire immediate and extended family – forever.
How I live my faith
Our family motto is "Do my best! That's my test and my quest - to do my best!" I work and serve at home with my wife. Our children are married and working. I serve my community at a non-profit employment resource service, and my country at a VA Hospital, and my church while teaching and serving others. We love the Lord, Jesus Christ, and strive to follow His example and keep the Commandments.
