Hi, I'm Troy

There is hope

About Me

I'm a Senior at a large Southwestern University. I love to play volleyball and I love to coach it as well. I am blessed to be able to coach at a local high school here.. I also enjoy hiking, running, most sports and hanging out with friends.

Why I am a Mormon

I've come to the conclusion in my life that there are two things that are more important to me then anything else. Happiness and Hope. I try and live my life in such a way that I can be truly happy. The world is also very tough, and I seek after things that give me hope.

Not a Sunday goes by, where the message from speakers and from teachers doesn't penetrate my very soul and lift me up, and give me hope and happiness. I live my life by faith and am never disappointed. I am just a young guy, trying to figure out this crazy world and know that I couldn't do it without Jesus Christ.

Christ lives and I know that without a shadow of doubt. As someone who is born again in the Light of Christ through baptism, I feel His love and the love of God the Father every day in my life. I know that through Christ I can find true happiness. I know that through Christ I have hope. That is why I am a member of His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Jesus died for me on the cross half a world away and hundreds of years ago. As a member of this church I was blessed with the opportunity to serve a mission to Northern Illinois. I loved it beyond any other experience in life, up to this point. It was a tough two years, but nothing beats kneeling down with someone and hearing them pray for the first time. Nothing beats seeing someone give up addictions and bad habits to come unto Christ. Nothing beats seeing someone understand that there is a God and that He loves them so much. Nothing beats the opportunity to give freely of my time, money, and talents to do as the Saviors and be his disciple, by teaching all nations and people.

I think about my two year mission every day. I met some of the coolest people ever - some of whom converted, some of whom did not. Honestly it was hard coming home. I remember saying to a congregation as I was ending my two years that it didn't' feel like I was going home, but more like I was leaving it. It was a sacred experience.

How I live my faith

Being of a member of the Christ's Church has really opened many doors to me. I was able to grow up going to boy scouts and earn my eagle scout award. I was able to serve a volunteer two year mission to my brothers and sisters in Chicago. Now I am blessed with the chance to make a difference in some of my fellow guys lives in our congregation as a leader. It seems like every few years that I get a different assignment to serve in and grow. I love the opportunities - they've changed my life and helped me to become who I am today. I've never seen anything so organized and yet so amazing at the same time as this church is.

What are Mormon church services like? Are visitors allowed at church meetings? Can I attend church?

Troy answered...

Church is one the coolest things ever. It's broken up into three different segments, which are each an hour long.

First we have Sacrament Meeting. This is, by far, the best part of church. It's the moment where the Holy Ghost can sanctify your soul and buoy you up. We sign hymns, have a few prayers and partake of the bread and water to remember the Lord's sacrifice for us. Then we have speakers, who are asked to speak on a certain subject a few weeks earlier speak to us. These speakers are just like you and I. Everyone get's a chance to teach from the pulpit.

Second we go to Sunday School. For the kids this means going to a primary where they learn the basics of the gospel. For teenagers they split up by age group for a lesson about the gospel. Adults meet together.

Third is Priesthood or Relief Society. Priesthood is for the men and Relief Society for the women. Here we get a chance to have the same lesson around those of our same gender. The teenagers also split by like this in their age groups.

As far as visitors go, anyone and everyone is welcome to visit. We have nothing to hide. In fact, we send missionaries out to invite people to check it out. Mormon.org has a link on it that can help you to locate the nearest church building to where you live.
Brad answered...

Our fundamental religious service is what we call our Sacrament meeting. Anyone is welcome to join us in Sacrament meeting as well as our other Sunday meetings at any of our buildings. Sacrament is a time when we ponder and reflect on Jesus Christ's atonement for our sins, for He is the path by which we can repent of our wrongdoings and begin anew on a correct path with additional guidance from our Heavenly Father. Furthermore, on Sunday we have general Sunday School meetings where we talk more in-depth about the various doctrine of the gospel as well as meetings where we meet in groups of similarly-aged individuals to learn and discuss gospel topics more focused to each particular age group. We welcome anybody and everybody and would love to see you in our congregation spiritually connecting with your loving Heavenly Father and drawing nearer to him and his son, Jesus Christ.

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

John Odell answered...

Of course the Church does not endorse political parties. Political parties do not represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But all the members of the Church are encouraged to participate in the political system and many have and do. We will be held responsible for our actions in the political arena just as we are in every other activity of our lives. I feel strongly that we have an obligation to support the Constitution of this land and that the Lord had a lot to do in its founding and in the freedoms that we receive from adhering to its principles. The Founding Fathers were inspired by God and we should be inspired by them. There are many criteria that we can use to choose political candidates but none are of more value than that recommended by modern scripture, namely, to search after honest and good men. I love our American Republic and our Constitution and try to support men or women who support the ideas and principles found in that document. According to the Declaration of Independence we receive our rights from our creator and must be ever aware that we do not turn our rights to the whims of men, however well meaning they may be. I am not a fan of political parties and consider myself a Constitutional conservative and very independent.