Hi, I'm Jason Whetten

I'm a Newly-wed Psychology Major at Northern Arizona University. I work with disabled children and direct theater. I'm Mormon.

About Me

Im a 25 year old newly married college student studying to be a psychologist professor. I own my own photography buisness and spend a lot of time outdoors hiking and taking pictures. I love working with youth and spend a lot of my time directing children's and youth theater. I work with autistic children part time and I have 4 adopted siblings and a biological brother.

Why I am a Mormon

I have been raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My parents taught me well in how to follow the Savior and I have watched their example. I am now at an age and position in life when it is fully my responsibility to choose whether I will follow God's commandments or an easier path. I continue to follow Him because as I do I feel His love and His hand my life. I am a member of LDS church because I know that because of God's love for us, He has called a prophet to lead us today. I know that becasue of God's love He has given us holy temples accross the earth where we can be sealed together as families. I have been able to be sealed for time and all eternity to my adopted brother and three adopted sisters along with my wife. There is a sweet assurance that comes knowing that no matter what, because of God's love, I can be with my wife for eternity. I know that because of God's love He has given us more scripture to study and learn from along side the Holy Bible. All of these things can only be found in one church, this church, and I have watched it bring happiness and joy not only into my lif, but also the life of my family and many others.

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

As I have grown up I have seen a difference in my home depending on how often my family gathered and prayed together. We would kneel in a circle every night and thank God for our day. Then in the morning we would again kneel and ask Him to help us have a more peaceful home, a happier family and thank Him for letting us be together. This has made all the difference.

Now that I am starting a family of my own, these same principles apply and make the biggest difference in my day. I have noticed that even when my wife and I just kneel quickly or may not give the most eloquent prayers, there is still a big difference in our day.

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

I had the opportunity to serve a mission for the Church in middle Tennessee. I loved the chance to wake up every morning and share my testimony of Jesus Christ with everyone who would listen. Young men and women across the world can serve missions for 18 to 24 months in locations away from home. This service is unpaid and completley voluntary. My mission changed my life. I grew in many ways as I dedicated every second of two years to my Savior. I often reflect back on that time and use it as a well of spirituality that I can draw from in the hard times of my life. I was met with much opposition, but moreso with more joy as I took a message of peace and hope to the people of the south.

How I live my faith

Being newly married in a big city can be pretty scary. I am amazed at how much the Lord ha helped my wife and I feel comfortable here. Being a Psychology major, my belief in God is questioned and mocked on a regular basis, but I find comfort in knowing that He truly does exist and feel his presence when I stand my ground in difficult class situations.

Mormons believe Jesus Christ is their Savior. Why do we need a Savior?

Jason Whetten answered...

God has sent us to earth with a plan in mind. We are not wanderers sent to find our way. A plan has been set up from the beginning. This plan included Adam and Eve coming to the earth as our first parents and partaking of the forbidden fruit. This enabled all of us to come to the earth and fulfill God's plan for each of us. We are able to come to earth, and grow. We make mistakes and learn from them and better ourselves to become more like our Father in Heaven. However, also with this blessing comes the reality that through this growing proccess we become unclean and therefore unable to enter into God's presence. Jesus Christ makes it possible through His own sacrifice for each of us to repent of those mistakes and then continue on growing and learning.
Also, because Jesus loves us, He not only paid the price for us to become clean through Him, but also experienced our every pain and heartache. He then through His Spirit and His disciples knows how to help each of us in our time of need. He is the Savior, and the only way to return to live again with our Father in Heaven and accomplish His plan was to follow His teachings.
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Trisha answered...

There are doctrinal answers to why we believe we need a Savior to redeem us from the Fall of Adam and to return us to our Father in Heaven that you'll probably come across here. But let me tell you why I need a Savior personally and what He does for me. Christ suffered personally for my pains, sorrows, and sins so that if I ask Him too, He can take them from me. I have been the victim of abuse in my life, and yet through Him I have been able to lay it all at His feet, freely forgive, feel peace, find love, and understand how important negative life experiences can be in teaching us humility. Daily He takes my pain and replaces it with pure love so that I am no longer a victim, but a victor. I need a Savior because He knows me, and through him my flaws become strengths and my pain becomes peace.

Why did your church previously practice plural marriage (polygamy)?

David C answered...

Mormons practiced polygamy because the Lord commanded some of them to do so, for purposes known to the Lord. At the time, there were no national laws prohibiting polygamy. When the Supreme Court ruled that later anti-polygamy laws were constitutional, the Lord directed Pres. Woodruff to issue the Manifesto, and the practice ended in the Church.