Hi, I'm Loren B.

I am a journalist, a DJ for a school radio show and a student. I am a Mormon.

About Me

Well, I am a political science/ journalism major at Utah State University. I come from a family of four. I've competed in debate, and participated in art programs all through high school. Right now, I have a political talk show on the school radio and a music radio show. I also write for a student-run university magazine. I currently paying for college by working at the cafe at the university library.

Why I am a Mormon

Well, I grew up in the Church. But my family encouraged me to get my own testimony. They let me figure out what I believed, though they did encourage me to go to church and to read and pray, they also let me search out what I believed. I went to other churches and search the bible and Book of Mormon. It took a while to gain my own testimony. It took long prayers and on occasion, some repentance. But slowly, through the power of God, I began to realize my testimony.

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

By living the gospel and placing other's wants and needs before our own. Also by serving one another. Also by focusing on our Savior, Jesus. Prayer is also a great help because it bring in the spirit.

Could you talk about your baptism?

I don't remember much, other then the ward missionaries (not the full-time), taught me and the bishop asked me if I wanted to be baptized of my own choose. It was. My parents told me it was up to me. I thing my dad asked me if I wanted to be baptized. It was a Saturday. Most of my family was there. They were excited. I remember being baptized twice. (My foot floated up.) I remember feeling clean and warm. My grandfather then laid his hands on my head and gave me the gift of the holy Ghost and I believe I felt warm. Even though it was really cold that day.

How does making right choices help us make more right choices?

though, it's not easy at first, because you are not sure if it will ever make a difference, making right choices will help us make more. You start to feel more confident in yourself, that you can make the right decision and God's power enfolds you more and it become a catalyst and a shield to you as you continue.

How has attending Church services helped you?

Well, I reaffirm my faith with those who feel the same way, I feel the spirit and God's love. Esp. when I take the sacrament, I feel that my sins are forgiven and I am closer to God. It helps me understand the scriptures better. It helps me be humble.

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

Every time I read that book, I realize that God loved us so much that he sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins so we could come back to Him. That he really does love us. I see that I need to pray and follow his sons so I can come closer to Him and continue to feel his love.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

I started to realize that we needed to be a bit better and be a light, so to speak, to others. It's helped me be more positive and endure life when life gets tough. It's help me realize that I can change and be better. It's helped me be more strong in what I know to be true and helped me be more loving and I hope more and enjoy life.

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

we pray as a family in the morning and at night. We also study the scriptures both the bible and the book of Mormon. Family home evening and family counsel has given us chance to be more united. We also like to take walks with each other. There we talk about our feelings. We try and help each other out and mainly just try and sty connected.

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

I have purpose. I know that I can be better. That I am not my mistakes. That every relationship I have can be forever esp. my family. It helps me feel at peace and know that I am loved. That God cares about me.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is a belief that something good will eventually come to you and your family. I hope to one day with my family be with my Father in heaven. I hope that someday I will be clean from sin and be happy in the presence of God.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

In the most surprising ways, actually. It usually is just what I need (not really per say what I wanted.) There has been comfort given, the warm feelings of peace in my heart. Sometimes he answers my prayers through others. Sometimes, He sends ideas and thoughts into my head. Sometimes, everything just becomes clear and works out right.

This is the most shocking for me. I was counting up the cash register after work. It hadn't been touched the whole day. It should have been easy. right! well when I began to count the register. I noticed that ten dollars was missing. I had been the only one who had touched it. This amount was too high to not get me fired. I search frantically for it. Nothing. In pure desperation I said a short prayer. Suddenly, I felt as though my head had pulled down to the cuffs of my pants. there was the money. Shocked, I put it back in the register. It wasn't there before, and I couldn't explain what had just happened. But my prayer had been answered.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I went because I didn't feel my plans to go to college were right. I thought it wouldn't matter if I went but I received a father's blessing because I was so uneasy about my plans to go to college, my father said through inspiration that God was willing to do what it takes to get me on a mission. I knew then that my heavenly father wanted me to go. So I began to make plans to go.

Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.

It's amazing to me the order and timing of God. I know that without a doubt he loves us and the restoration is a testimony to that. He has stopped caring nor has he not stopped talking to us. He just waited until we were ready. I mean as ready in his terms not our. I makes me happy that God called upon Joseph Smith to sacrifice and to struggle for the glory of God by being his prophet for the restoration. I am grateful for and know that God restored all authority, doctrine and powers to the earth through Joseph Smith. I am glad that God restored the truth for us. I know he did. It's hard to explain how I know but it feels good and right.

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

There have been times in my life. When I was off the path so to speak or depressed and confused. I could have give up and fallen deeper into sadness and loneliness but I realized that Christ is my personal savior and if i but believe in him he would comfort me and guide me.

I have become stronger. I have avoided things that would have destroyed my life. I ultimately have received the blessing of hope. A hope that I will be saved and be with my family forever.

I know without my faith in Jesus Christ. I wouldn't have good friends or good relationships with my family.

Jesus has become a firm foundation in my life. Because of my faith in him, I can endure and enjoy life.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?

I think forgiveness is the one that has influenced me the most. When I was younger, I had problems with bullies and such. Thus I became an angry little kid. I would blow up and get in a lot of fights because of my emotional outbursts. It took two things to help me realize that my anger against those that had hurt me was hurting me not them and I needed to feel the power of forgiveness.
One came from my father, he told me once that one of the bullies could have been put in jail had he and my mother chose to press charges but they didn't. He told me how would that kid repent if I held what he did against him. I learned that I need forgive so my fellow could repent.
The second time was on my mission. I learned that I am not the center of the universe and to forgive is divine. I felt I could heal anything with a bit of empathy and forgiveness. And I did.

How I live my faith

I am currently the Sunday school president in my singles ward. I help the teachers in the congregation teach and occasionally teach myself. I also try to help index records for genealogy so everyone can read the records of the census and immigration records of their ancestors. I also home teach, which is teaching and helping members of the congregation.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Loren B. answered...

It's a commandment from God, but as with all commandments, our obedience to it is up to us. No one will force a person to serve. Hence missionaries are all volunteers. Some people can't serve, for reasons out of their control, therefore they are honorable excused.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Austin. answered...

No. Every worthy young man is expected to serve a mission, though there is no punishment for not doing so. Also, not every young man is physically or mentally capable, so there are circumstances where a young man may be excused from service. Young women may also serve missions, but are not expected to do so.

Serving a mission means a full-time commitment, leaving family and friends to preach the gospel in a place assigned by the Church.

I served my mission in Los Angeles, California.

What is a ward/stake/branch?

Michael answered...

For purposes of organization, a Ward or Branch is the group you meet with for church, based on where you live. They vary in size, branches are slightly smaller than wards, and wards vary in the various 100's of members. Wards and branches are then organized into stakes, containing several wards/branches.