Hi, I'm Terry

I'm a Mormon. I am eternally grateful to Christ for his grace and loving kindness.

About Me

I am a computer programmer. I also love science especially physics and botany. My favorite TV shows are about science and animals. We have a good garden as a hobby and we enjoy the fresh produce. I used to teach a class on edible and medicinal plants of the Rockies and we would go out and munch on weeds and such. My wife and I have 4 children and 10 grands. We visit them or do a web chat as often as we can. I can speak French, from my mission, but also get along in Spanish, Portuguese and German. My ancestors are mostly Portuguese, Jewish, English and German. I love doing family history research and have become quite good at if, if you need some help. I ride my bike to work and love the outdoors. But most of my spare time is spent doing genealogy and have traced some lines back to the Norman invasion of England.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born in Idaho. My mom was LDS, but from an early age I had a strong desire to attend church, often without my family. I love to study ancient religious texts and the more I know, the stronger my belief in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. But first and foremost I am a Mormon because the Holy Spirit has witnessed to me many many times that the LDS church is true.

Personal Stories

What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?

First, do not allow TV channels with R rated movies into your house. There are many family packages available. Second, put your computers in open places easily and often accessible to everyone in the family. No TVs or computers in children's bedrooms.

But you must also replace bad influences with good such as daily family prayer and scripture study.

How I live my faith

I teach the 10 year old boys in church on Sunday and am their Boy Scout leader also. My wife and I both serve in the St. Louis Temple. I love to study the scriptures and do so daily along with prayer and try to find others to help and serve.

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?

Terry answered...

Jesus Christ only ordained men to the priesthood, as did his apostles and other church leaders for hundreds of years. Since we believe in following Christ's teachings and example, we do the same. You don't have to be a man to receive inspiration and revelation from God. The women in the LDS church are usually more spiritual than a lot of the men.
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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.

Are Mormons Christians?

Rob answered...

Christ said that his followers would be defined by their adherence to his teachings. Growing up as a member of the Church, I learned that Christ is The literal son of God and that through His Atonement we can somehow be forgiven of our sin and allowed to enter back into the presence of God, if that is what we want. Everything I ever learned at church or in my home was centered on the life and ministry of Christ.

Several years ago, we moved to the Southeastern United States and encountered the idea that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints are not Christians. Although I don't understand the need to define certain groups in or out of Christianity, especially given The Lord's frequent admonitions not to judge the faith of others, I understand this idea is rooted in some esoteric academic objections to certain gospel principles such as our belief that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate individuals united in purpose and power. My experience has been that this idea is often passed on among those who have not met or do not have close relationships with members of the church.

Once people get to know what we teach and believe and how we live, they come to understand that we are Christians. While, The Lord has asked us to let our light shine so that others can see it and take strength from it, I believe that ultimately Christ, will judge our Christianity as individuals based on the thoughts and intents or our hearts.