Hi, I'm G. Jefferson

I'm an artist, a writer, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am the Ward Executive Secretary in my ward. I graduate from college in 2008 with a BA in International Relations. I am writing a series of novels that I hope to publish someday. I am waiting to move to Canada to my wife's hometown.

Why I am a Mormon

A week after my baptism I was still trying to get an answer to my prayers. I came home after Church and offered a prayer. I was reading scriptures relative to faith because I felt that is what I lacked. During this time, while studying, I thought to myself, “You already know the Bible is true. It is the Book of Mormon that you have questions about.”

The real question became clear. Either the Book of Mormon is the words of Christ or they were not. I grabbed the Book of Mormon the elders had given me out of the top of my dresser and knelt in prayer again. I earnestly asked the Lord to let me know as I read the book whether it was true or not. I then looked up scriptures on faith in the Book of Mormon and as I read I thought to myself, “This makes sense.” I knew the words were true that I read in the Book of Mormon.

I am reminded of what the Lord says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me.” That day as I read in the Book of Mormon the words became very powerful to me. I had truly received the Holy Ghost and can say I have heard the voice of the Lord. I knew the Book of Mormon were the words of Christ. I also knew that Joseph Smith is the Lord’s chosen Prophet.

Joseph Smith was once asked who he was. And this was his reply, “Noah came before the flood. I come before the fire.” In Amos 3:7 it states, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing save He revealeth His secret unto His servants the Prophets.” What is the Christian world waiting for today? They are waiting for the Lord’s Second Coming. What needs to happen before that day will come? The Lord must reveal His secrets unto His servants the Prophets. Joseph Smith was that chosen Prophet to restore truth to the earth and prepare the world for the Lord’s Second Coming.

Personal Stories

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

In the New Testament, John 17:3 states that "this is life eternal to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ..." Jesus has also stated, ""For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?" (Mosiah 5:13.) The Book of Mormon teaches us how to serve God and become like Him through His Atoning Sacrifice. By becoming more like Him through faith, repentance and all the ordinances of the Gospel...in this way I draw closer to Him.

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith the Prophet was an extraordinary figure. I know by the Power of the Holy Ghost that He was a Prophet of God. I have studied parts of his life and am amazed by his willingness to suffer so much to do the will of the Lord. He is a great example to me of what it takes to know the Savior. He spent his whole life seeking the Lord and leading others to drink from the living waters.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Because it blesses others lives and we know we are engaged in a great cause. The cause of Christ! I served a mission because I have no doubt this Church is the Lord's true Church on the earth. I also went because I knew that is what the Lord expected of me.

How I live my faith

Everything I do is based on what I know to be true. Because I know there is a Prophet of God on the earth, along with living Apostles-I seek, study, and ponder their counsel and then go to the Lord in prayer to guide me in my daily life. It is a great comfort to know that the Lord's church is on the earth, and as I do my part, He will be there to give answers to my prayers and bless me with the things I stand in need of in this life.

Why don't Mormons drink coffee, tea, or alcohol? What is the Mormon Church's law of health and proper diet?

G. Jefferson answered...

Because it is a commandment from the Lord. He has established a law of health to not only bless us physically, but spiritually as well. To put it simply we are to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and harmful drugs. In addition we are counseled to eat fruits, vegetables, grains, and other wholesome foods-we should stay away from things that are harmful to our bodies.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Molly answered...

God gave us the ability to choose. There are substances in coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco and other harmful drugs that limit our ability to choose. The intent of the law of health we follow is to preserve our ability to make good choices. This law of health is called the “Word of Wisdom”. It not only guides us regarding the substances to avoid, but also those to include in our diet. We are told to eat fruits and vegetables in their season, include grains, and eat meat sparingly. We are promised that if we follow these guidelines we will be healthy, able to learn and accomplish all that is required of us by our various roles in life. I am grateful for the blessings I receive from following the Word of Wisdom.

As a Dietitian I especially love this law of health because as I’ve seen the US guidelines for nutrition develop they are now aligning with what the Lord told us many years before. I believe that the guidelines set forth in our law of health are the minimum requirements for good health. It may be necessary for some people to avoid certain foods or eat a lower fat diet, or avoid caffeine entirely, but these specifics are not mentioned in the law of health and are to be determined by each individual.

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Sterling answered...

Today, Mormons are commonly associated with polygamy, even though the practice was discontinued in the Mormon Church in 1890 - over 120 years ago!
Today there are still some who claim to be Mormon and who practice polygamy, but it should be recognized that they are not part of our Church - anyone belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints today who practices polygamy is excommunicated and their names are removed from our rosters.
In modern revelation, we learn that we are never supposed to practice this unless specifically told to by the Lord (through the prophet) as was the case with Solomon and David in the Old Testament.

Know that we do not want to practice polygamy. I don't know any Mormons who do. We know that if we were asked to, the Lord would help us to understand why, as He will with any commandment. However, until that day (which we do not expect to ever come), we will neither practice it nor look forward to doing so.