Hi, I'm Jared

I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

About Me

I'm a husband, a father, a friend, a neuroscientist, a student, a blogger, and I'm a Mormon.

Why I am a Mormon

I am a Mormon because I have received a witnesses of the truthfulness of Christ's restored church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - through the Holy Ghost.

I was born to parents who are members of the LDS Church. Their parents were members and theirs before them. Some of my ancestors joined the Church shortly after it was organized in 1830. It is partially upon this heritage of faith that I build. But I am not a Mormon simply because of tradition, I am a Mormon because it is Truth. I am a Mormon because I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He called prophets in modern times starting with Joseph Smith to restore and lead and guide His church. I am a Mormon because I have prayed to know if this church is true and God let me know that it is true, that Joseph Smith really did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and restored Christ's church to the earth. I am a Mormon because I know that Jesus died and was resurrected for me.

I am a Mormon because it is a path that brings me peace, comfort, knowledge, opportunity, responsibility, faith, and joy. I've watched a lot of other people - friends and strangers - suffer because of choices they made that were in conflict with the commandments of God. There is still suffering for followers of Christ but it is tempered by hope in Christ. I've found that true happiness only comes to me when I am living the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why I am a Mormon.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I have always believed Joseph Smith was a prophet of God but there is one experience I had that sticks out to me where I received a particularly strong witness from God that indeed, Joseph Smith was a true prophet.

When I was serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I had the opportunity to teach a young woman about the LDS Church. She initially was quite antagonistic towards the Church; she wanted nothing to do with the Church or the missionaries. Gradually her attitudes softened towards us and she decided to at least give us an opportunity to explain about the Church and the gospel.

As I was teaching her about Joseph Smith and relating his experience of seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ in vision, I received a strong witness - a burning within my heart and a surety in my mind that what I was teaching was true.

I already knew Joseph Smith was called as God's prophet and was called to restore Christ's church to the earth but that was one particular experience of many I've had that I will never forget.

The beauty of the gospel is that we all can know in a similar manner of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we take time to study it, and read the scriptures, and then ask God in prayer with a sincere heart, He will let us know what is true. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God and that he was a prophet.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by striving to follow Christ's example. I try to be kind to everyone; I strive to be honest in all my dealings with others. I try to be the husband and father the Savior would have me be. I live my faith by striving to have a personal relationship with God. I attend church services weekly and try not to perform my church responsibilities weakly.

I work with the youth at church. I teach them on Sundays and have activities with them during the week. I try to help instill in them a love of their Savior and a desire to serve Him throughout their lives. I've been so greatly blessed by God and I want them to recognize and receive similar blessings in their own lives.

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

Jared answered...

Yes, they can be if they are married in an LDS temple and if they are faithful to each other and the Lord. This is one of the greatest blessings we can receive from God - to live together with our families forever.

I know that families can be together forever. Death is not the end of our existence. We all will be resurrected some day because of Christ's sacrifice for us. This is one of the most comforting doctrines to me. I've had a number of friends and family members die. I know that I will see them again. This is why, as hard as the deaths of loved ones is to deal with, death is rarely tragic. It is part of our life here on earth, it is part of God's plan for us. Without death we could not return to live with Him.

This is why we as members of the church spend so much effort with family history and temple work - we want to provide opportunities for everyone who ever lived on the earth to be able to return to live with God and to live together as families forever.
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Mark answered...

This is more than just instinct. We are indeed eternal beings whose origin is before the creation of the earth. And one of the things we come to earth to do is to find a companion, not only for this mortal existence, but for eternity as well. God has provided the place, the Temple of the Lord, and the authority, the power to seal things on earth and in heaven. So that eternal relationships can be established here and enjoyed after this life is done. Do I believe it? I feel certain that these principles are true. The Holy Ghost confirms that to my spirit.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Michael Johnston answered...

Because we believe in continuing revelation through Prophets as in the days of old, i.e. Moses, Abraham, this is uncomfortable for some people because media has made our Prophets seem like evil men leading people astray, when they are just trying to teach us correct principles so that one day we all may return to live with our Father in Heaven.

Another reason is because we believe in the sacred nature of temples, meaning only worthy members may enter the Temple so people think that evil rituals are performed. However, in reality the nature of the temple is uplifting and beautiful and gives us clarity to what the purpose of life is, the plan of salvation, and other topics such as life, death, and the atonement of Christ. The temple is not "secret, but it is sacred. However, we encourage all to live so that they may one day enter the temple.

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