Hi, I'm Joshua

I'm a husband. I'm a father. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Hi! I'm Josh. My wife and I live in Southern Nevada. We're the parents of two kids, a son and a daughter, both in elementary school.
I just finished a degree in family and human development so I have a lot more time lately for my interests. I like running, camping, hiking, and riding motorcycles. I'm also learning about working on cars and building things. What I really love, though, is being with my family.

Why I am a Mormon

It is the faith of my fathers. I believe that this is the very church of Jesus Christ, restored on the earth in preparation for His coming. I've inherited the teachings from my family, but I have learned for myself the truthfulness of that statement through studying the scriptures and praying to God. I feel certain that the Holy Ghost has witnessed to me of these truths.

Personal Stories

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

Honestly, I don't know how I would feel about God without the Book of Mormon. The book itself stands as a witness that God lives today and has restored his Church. Within the book we learn about God, too. One time when I was questioning the existence of God, I happened upon a story in the Book of Mormon. A wicked man named Korihor was teaching that there was no God, would be no Christ, and that there was no sin. When Korihor asked a prophet, Alma, for a sign that God exists, Alma answered "Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren , and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator (Alma 30:44). Those words struck me in a way that I knew they are true.

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

Faith is the first principle of the gospel. For me, faith is equivalent to trust. Because I have this faith or trust in Jesus Christ, I have prayed for forgiveness of my sins and through that faith I have felt a calm reassurance that he forgives me.

How I live my faith

I serve a small congregation of Spanish-speakers by helping to organize and direct the church programs here. I teach the youth everyday in religious classes that start at 6:10 in the morning.. and they come! They participate!

Who wrote the Book of Mormon?

Joshua answered...

The simple answer is that a prophet, Mormon, wrote the Book of Mormon. But the question is a kind of like asking "Who wrote the Holy Bible?" We believe that both the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon contain God's word as given to His holy prophets. As Bible deals with prophets and people of the near east, so the Book of Mormon deals with prophets and peoples of the ancient Americas. There were many prophets who contributed to the book spanning over 1,000 years. Mormon was one of the final prophets who was commanded to make an abridgement of the previous records. Mormon entrusted the records to his son Moroni (portrayed atop many of our temples) who added his witness and buried the plates. Because of Mormon's great work with the record, Moroni apparently felt the Book deserved to bear his father's name. You can read the book of Mormon at http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/contents .
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please

Why don’t women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? How do Mormon women lead in the Church?

Cynthia answered...

Family is very important in the church for more reasons than can be explained here. Holding the priesthood is just one of these reasons. Husbands act and bless their family with their priesthood, but wives benefit and honor the priesthood through their husbands. It is a symbiotic relationship. As I have participated in the church in various activities I have come to understand my importance as a woman in the church. There cannot be one without the other.