Hi, I'm Gary

I love to sing and dance and make yummy food sometimes all at the same time and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I manage resort condos in Park City, UT. I also love to cook food for my family and friends. I teach people to sing in my spare time and conduct a choir at church. One of my all time favorite things to do is to get in my car crank up some good tunes and belt out the songs along with the singer!

I just recently moved back to Utah from Texas to help my brother raise his four kids. It's good to be back in the mountains.

Why I am a Mormon

My parents were members of the church and It's all that I've ever known. I have had so many experiences that have helped me know that I am on the right path. Ever since I was a young boy I have felt the influence of God in my life. Through the covenants I have made with God I know that if I live in a way that is pleasing to him I can return to live with him and my family some day.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

Our congregations are called Wards. For someone like me who doesn't have any family nearby my Ward Family provides a tremendous sense of belonging. It offers me a sense of community. Our doctrine is the same and the lessons taught are the same wherever you go in the world. I can be in Barinitas Venezuela attending a small branch, or in New York City, Omaha, NE, or Salt Lake City, UT and the faces may be different, but the feeling and the love is the same. That really helps someone like me immediately feel at home.

How I live my faith

As a single member of the church I invite other singles to my home each Monday evening for a "family home evening" where we can share in each other's highs and lows of the week. We build up each other and share a spiritual message and yummy treats!

I also am involved in providing music for our local congregations and love it!

What do Mormons believe about the Holy Ghost? Who is the Holy Ghost?

Gary answered...

We believe that the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. His role is to tell us what is true. As we live a life that is in harmony with the Gospel the Holy Ghost can be near to us and help influence us to make right choices. It also can warn us of dangers or evils that we should avoid.

Mostly though the Holy Ghost helps us feel the love of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Why don’t Mormons drink coffee, tea, or alcohol? What is the Mormon Church’s law of health and proper diet?

Braden Scothern answered...

We do not drink coffee, tea, alcohol, use tobacco, or illegal drugs because of a commandment known as the Word of Wisdom.

The Word of Wisdom was a commandment revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. It tells us the importance of keeping care of our bodies because they are temples. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

We know that while from the outside it may seem restrictive it really gives us freedom it blesses us physically and spiritually. The things that we are counseled to stay away from in this law from our loving Heavenly Father help us keep our agency. When you are addicted to something you have given up some of your agency, it controls you. Satan tries to use addictive things to bind us down so we cannot focus on our relationships with the Lord.

In addition to us keeping our agency we are promised these things in the Word of Wisdom: "all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments... shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures... And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." (D&C 89:18-21

So those who keep the commandment are able to be in tune with the Holy Ghost more. That is a great blessing because it is the Spirit that helps us stay on the path to eternal life and teaches us all spiritual truths.