Hi, I'm Jonathan

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a father of four. I love singing in choirs, but right now being home with my small children takes precedence (I sing with my wife when I get the chance). I am a professional Nerd and work as a software developer for a small life insurance company. I recently completed my Masters in Software Engineering. I'm pretty cheap - I drive an old beat-up car...but it's paid in full. My wife drives a not-quite-as-old, not-quite-as-beat-up van, but it's paid in full. We are trying to save our money to pay off our remaining debts while still providing opportunities and creating fun memories for our children. My suits do get cleaned on occasion, but it's usually a matter of minutes before one of my children has drooled on me, wiped their nose on me, cried on my shoulder or who knows what else...but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm a Father, and I love it. I've heard it said that "it takes a man to be a dad." I'm trying to be that man.

Why I am a Mormon

I value the calm assurance and confidence I get from understanding God's plan. I rely on the spiritual strength and guidance that comes from trying my best to be obedient, study the scriptures and apply the lessons I learn. Growing up I always found confidence and assurance in the standards of the church and I'm thankful for the safety that came (and still comes) from living high standards. Now that I'm raising my own children, I value even more the teachings of Jesus Christ and the counsel of His Prophet. The Gospel of Jesus Christ provides a clear yardstick against which one can measure decisions in life. Do I marry or postpone marriage? Do we have children or postpone our family? Tough questions like these are easily answered because of my understanding of why my Heavenly Father has sent me to Earth and to what end I am working.
Just as Moses or Abraham spoke with God and directed the people, there is a Prophet called in our day to lead us through modern challenges. Thankfully, I don't have to only rely on the written word of past prophets (just as the Israelites in Jeremiah's time didn't have to only rely on the written word of Moses, or the Israelites in Moses' time have to only rely on the written word of Abraham, etc) but that there is a living Prophet that speaks in the name of the Lord. To me, that is priceless.

Personal Stories

How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?

Some of the Prophets that lived in Ancient America taught about our Heavenly Father's plan - His purpose behind creating the Earth and sending all of us here. They teach that before we came to this earth we lived and grew with our Father in Heaven, but just like children at home there comes a point where in order to continue maturing we had to "leave the nest" and head out on our own and see just how we'll really live our lives. The Book of Mormon has taught me that through repentance I can be forgiven and receive help from my Savior to pick myself up and try again. It also teaches me that after this life I will be resurrected and have to answer for each of the choices that I've made...good and bad. Thankfully, the Book of Mormon also teaches that our Savior suffered for all of our sins and made it possible for us to overcome the effects of sin.

How I live my faith

Living my faith isn't something that just happens for a few hours on Sundays. Every morning our family gathers together to read from the Book of Mormon, and we kneel together in Family Prayer. Every evening we gather together to read from a children's version of the New Testament and again kneel in Family Prayer. We practice memorizing the Articles of Faith, so topics such as repentance, revelation, scripture and the Atonement are all part of regular household conversation. My wife and I try our best to give service in and worship in the Temple each week. My wife and I both hold callings in our local congregation - I help keep our Bishop's schedule organized and my wife helps plan the music used in our various worship services. We both appreciate the opportunity to serve and the happiness that comes from helping others. It's a joy and a pleasure to think that we are, in some small way, helping to prepare the Earth for the Savior to come and reign again.

What is the First Vision?

Jonathan answered...

Joseph Smith was a young teenager like many others he wanted to know which of the many churches of the day was "true" (the differences between all the churches confused him). He had been studying the issue and came across a passage in James that directed him to go ask ask God. He found a quiet place on a nearby grove of trees and knelt to pray - asking which of the churches of the day was right. He was answered with a visitation from God the Father as well has His Son Jesus Christ. They told him that none of the churches of the day had the full and complete Gospel. None of them had the authority to perform necessary ordinances (like Baptism). That vision was the beginning of a long process of restoring lost truths, restoring lost authority, re-organizing the same church that Christ organized when He was on the earth. That experience is what we are referring to when we say "the First Vision".

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

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.