Hi, I'm Jason

I'm a Mormon who grew up and currently lives in Central California. I enjoy the outdoors and spending time with family.

About Me

I'm a married, college graduate with four children who enjoys doing outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, shooting, scuba diving, surfing and fishing although these days with a job and family I don't get to do all that fun stuff nearly as often as I would like. I also enjoy reading, collecting rocks, studying military history, and doing scouting. I started in cub scouts when I was 8 years old and stayed in it until I was 18, eventually becoming an Eagle Scout. I've been a cubmaster but now serve on the committee for a local cub scout troop and enjoy it greatly. My family has been in California since the late 1850s. I am part owner of a small business selling farm and construction equipment with my brother and father. I'm also a soldier in the California State Military Reserve serving in the California Center for Military History. I really enjoy being able to serve the state of California along side my National Guard brothers and sisters.

Why I am a Mormon

My mother joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Mormons when I was a boy. I essentially grew up in the faith from that point on attending the church's Sunday programs for kids and teens. My father is not a member of the faith but has been supportive of my siblings and me because of the good things the gospel has done in helping us to become who we are today.

Even growing up from a young age in the faith, there came a point in my life where I had to make a decision to find out for myself if this was what I wanted and if the gospel of Jesus Christ was really found in this church. Like many of my peers, I struggled in High School with all the various challenges, problems, and temptations.

Towards my late teens I found that no matter how appealing the things my friends were doing seemed to be, they just left me feeling empty and lost. One of my friends died in a car accident three days before graduation which should have been a wake up call but I just became even more self destructive. The choices I was making did not make me happy.

I didn't do anything criminally wrong that would put me in jail but the decisions I was making were in contrast to the teachings I had received from my faith. I knew I had been happy before but now I was not. It was a tough time in my life. Things seemed so hopeless and I felt like I had no purpose.

I finally got my life together when I was reminded of how I used to feel and how I saw the world when I was an active member of the church. I threw myself into the faith I had been raised in, found out for myself that the Savior of the world was real, that He loved me, and that there was a plan. No longer was I just going through the motions but I became a part of it and it became a part of me. I found real purpose and meaning in my life. I knew who I was, why I was here, and what I could become. I knew that God loved and had a plan for me.

Personal Stories

How has your knowledge of the Plan of Happiness changed/benefited your life?

We live in a world of uncertainty. There is so much going on that it can seem overwhelming at times. There are wars, natural disasters, horrible crimes, corruption, broken families, and so many other bad things that sometimes it is easy to get depressed when watching the news or seeing what is going on in our own neighborhoods. Sometimes life just seems so pointless at best. It is easy to ask yourself why I even matter or is life even worth living.

The Plan of Happiness reminds me of my purpose in life. Because of the Plan of Happiness I know who I am, why I am here on this earth, why God seems to allow bad things to happen, where I am going, and who I can become.

Life without the Plan is like being lost on a tiny boat on a stormy ocean without a way to steer. When we have the Plan of Happiness it’s as if someone suddenly gives us an objective, a map, compass, sails, and a rudder. Now instead of just being thrown around I know where I’m headed, have a means to get there, and the tools needed to make that journey. And I have those tools not just for me but for my family as well.

Life isn’t easy but with the tools that the Plan of Happiness brings to my life I know what to do. I know who I am, that I’m a son of my Heavenly Father, and I know my purpose in life. I know where I’m going and how to get there. With those tools, all the bad things in the world become noise and distractions. While there are still challenges to overcome having those tools makes doing that so much easier.

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

There are so many distractions in life. Television, the internet, MP3 players, and other media are competing for our attention. These things can have a good purpose, too often they isolate us from the most important things in our lives such as our relationships with our families and also with God.

Is it no wonder then that when we do have interactions with members of our family we sometimes don’t do them very well. When our conversations with our children and spouse become lists of chores, harping about behavior, assignments to do more activities, and criticism for things that don’t meet our expectations between television commercials, the results are tension and discord. Spouses and children need more from us they need our time and our attention. They need to feel loved and safe in our homes. They need to feel connected to us and to each other. Mormons believe that the family is central to our Heavenly Father’s plan and that we can be together forever thus there is a tremendous emphasis in our faith in building these relationships.

The programs of the church are designed around the family and are created to support it. There are no church activities on Mondays to allow families to spend time together. Families are encouraged to use this time to learn about the gospel, play games, and do other family activities. We are encouraged to pray and read from the scriptures together every day. As families, we attend church on Sunday and other religious activities. Church activities that exclude family or compete with precious family time are rare and often discouraged by church leaders.

When we spend time together, we can build relationships with each other that will help increase the peace and harmony in our home. Home is more than a place to eat and sleep, it is a place where families can come together to grow and love one another. But we have to spend that time together getting to know each other. It’s not easy but it makes all the difference.

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

My day begins early each morning by reading from the scriptures including the Book of Mormon. Currently I am also reading from the King James Version of the Old Testament. The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and his role as my Savior. By reading the words of the Book of Mormon I feel like I understand better the Savior and His role in my life. It reminds me that God loves all of his children and that he has a plan for all of us.

I am also reminded by reading the Book of Mormon that true happiness is found in obedience to God's laws and commandments. When we choose the path of righteousness it does not mean that our life will suddenly be trouble free. The challenges in life though are easier to face when we are in harmony with God because we do not face them alone. Understanding God's plan, his love for me, and how I can be happier are what I have gained from reading the Book of Mormon.

How I live my faith

One of the things that I learned when I became an adult and found out for myself about the Savior Jesus Christ was that it wasn't enough to just go to church on Sunday. Real change and faith require action. I had to live my beliefs in order for them to really work in my life and make me a better person. I couldn't just be a Mormon on Sunday and be someone else the rest of the week.

The gospel of Jesus Christ gives me a chance to help be a part of this great work. I have had the wonderful experience and opportunity to serve in various jobs or what is referred to as "callings" in the church. I have taught children and teens Sunday School, served as a leader in the church's men's organization for our congregation, served as a member of the faith's Priesthood in religious worship and ceremonies, and many other capacities.

Members of our faith do not get paid for the time spent serving in the various jobs or callings in the congregation although at times it can seem like a second job. I also have a regular job in my family's farm equipment business and farming operation. There have been times I have been faced with ethical dilemmas where making the right decision was not easy but guided by the principles of my faith, I made the right decisions. I have told the people that worked for me to always be honest in their dealings, even though sometimes this has cost our business money and lost sales on occasion. I know that it is not worth it to gain the whole world but lose my soul in the process.

Members of our faith generally also do other activities outside of our normal church service. For me the guiding principles of being a Mormon lead me to a greater desire to be involved in my community. I am a soldier in the California State Military Reserve serving along side the National Guard.

I believe that by actively living the teachings of Jesus Christ we show our love and devotion for the Savior of the world. Serving in my church and community are ways I do this.

Why is self-reliance important to Mormons? Why do Mormons talk about emergency preparedness?

Jason answered...

Bad things can happen in life. Earthquakes, floods, fire, tornados, and hurricanes cause extensive damage and disrupt lives. Job loss or under employment can strike without warning. Self reliance and emergency preparedness are simply tools to help individuals and families weather the storms of life. Not being under a heavy debt burden places less stress on marriages and families. Living within our means teaches our children good skills they will need when they leave home. Having the skills and education for sufficient employment to support ourselves and our families is a blessing.

Being prepared and self reliant also allows us to serve others. If our own needs and the needs of our family are taken care of, then we can serve others more easily. When we have enough food to feed ourselves and our children then we can help feed others. If we are in bad shape after an event such a disaster or job loss because we did not plan ahead, it becomes much more difficult to be able to serve. By being prepared and self reliant we can become greater instruments in God's hands to assist others in times of need.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please

Why do you have 12 Apostles? They were just meant to be around for the time of Jesus Christ, not to be replaced with new apostles.

Scott Jackson answered...

When Jesus Christ was on the Earth, He established an organization of prophets, apostles, teachers, and other leaders to lead and guide the members of His church (the body of Christ, as it is referred to in the New Testament). When Judas died, and Jesus had left the Earth, the first order of business for the other 11 apostles was to fill the vacancy. They did so by praying and seeking out revelation. They eventually decided on Matthias. This example shows us that apostles were not only to be used for when Christ was on the Earth, but that God wanted Apostles to lead His children at all times. Unfortunately, apostasy stirred within the early church, and the apostles were killed one by one. The world was left without Priesthood leadership, until the time of the Restoration, when this same authority was given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery from the very same Peter, James and John (as resurrected beings). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints has 12 apostles, just like in New Testament times. These special witnesses of Christ bear solemn witness that Jesus is the Christ. They help the Prophet and President of the Church to share the Gospel message to the four corners of the Earth.