Hi, I'm Timothy

Years of a damaging lifestyle made the road hard, but now I have the blessings of an eternal family. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Being raised in the Church was not enough to build my Testimony. My Baptism however was something I always considered sacred and valid. This single strand of faith carried me through many circumstances that have left others behind. Having a knowledge of something greater than myself was something I wanted to instil in my children, and the gospel was the source of that knowledge for me, so I allowed the Missionaries to begin teaching my family. Little did I know at the time that the message they brought would strengthen me as much as I hoped it would my family. It was by no means immediate, as I had several addictions that had to be given in to the will of the Lord, but eventually, line upon line, precept upon precept my conversion was complete. This in tandem with my newly baptised wife, my family now shares the joys and blessings of an eternal family sealed in God's Holy Temple, and for this I am so grateful and satisfied.

Why I am a Mormon

Many creeds can lead to a disciplined lifestyle, and I deeply respect anyone who practices a system of morals...but should one continue the journey of prayerful study and practice they will be led by the Spirit to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
A careful examination of the patterns laid out by our Heavenly Father led me to look for the Church that professed these same teachings. First, that God lives. Secondly, that Jesus Christ was his Son and that the Attonement is valid, should we decide to have faith in his resurrection and lead a lifestyle that allows us to claim the resurrection for ourselves. Next, that God has spoken to the Church as a whole throughout history by the mouths of Prophets, not only contained in the scriptures, but to living men who direct the principles and ordinances of the gospel. If He did this in the past as recorded in the scriptures, who was I to say he could not do that now? I believe he did speak to the boy Prophet Joseph Smith, through which he restored the gospel whereby we can participate in the saving ordinances, including baptism, by those in authority to do so in his name. I believe he speaks to our modern prophets, even Thomas S. Monson, the current President of Church.
I would caution those that dismiss Jesus Christ becuase of a view that is distorted by high pressure dogmatic religionists, or examples of a caustic historic picture by those who have hijacked faith as a means to commit terrible acts. One must only ask God what is true is prayer, study diligently, and seek the Holy Ghost for confirmation.
Did Joseph Smith meet Christ Jesus and His Holy Father? Ask them, they were there.

Personal Stories

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

Above all else...prayer. I cannot stress enought the importance prayer has played in creating a home that is safe and sanctified.

How I live my faith

1: Pray - for the Spirit, for guidance, for comfort, often
2: Study - the Scriptures, personal and family enrichment, personal interests, skills
3: Participate - in Church, in priesthood, in activities
4: Duty - to God, to self, to family, to Church, to work, to community in that order
5: Righteous Living - Golden Rule, charity as pure love and charity as an action, good manners, exemplify
6: Healthy Living - the Word of Wisdom, exersize, proper hygene
7: Financial Health - pay honest tithe, stay educated about finances, budgeting, living within means, food storage

What is the priesthood?

Timothy answered...

The Priesthood is the power and authority of God. Through this power God accomplishes His work and glory. This power is delegated to worthy male members of the Church enabling them to act in his name for the salvation of the human family by preaching the gospel, administering in saving ordinances, and governing his kingdom here on earth.
Coupled with the divine creation and nurturing calling of worthy female members, the plan of salvation the plan of happiness is brought to pass in the most sacred unit of the gospel, the family.
Ethan answered...

I like to approach questions by looking at the words of things

"priest" has reference to either the concept of one who leads, one who is elder, or one who is holy I like to remember that the words 'holy' and 'whole' are linked by a common ancestry. When something is 'holy' it's essentially saying that it's complete, that it's healthy..

And "-hood" makes reference to the state of being, and not just any state of being but a state of being that's worthy or correct for it's placement. That is, that it's done properly.

So one could say the priesthood is leadership or a point of reference that's completely suited to the position in which it's been placed.

Another way to look at it is to say it's God's perfect order. That is, it's God's perfect arrangement.

In our Church we often give a definition of priesthood as being "the authority to act in God's name" and that's exactly what it means to be a part of God's perfect order. If God commands something to be done by you, and you do it, then you are acting under, and with that portion of God's authority that he's permitted you to exercise within his perfect order.

Just as with any instance where someone tries to act in the name of someone else there are bound to be those who try and do so falsely. That's why God has things ordered in such a way that one can know for certain if someone has His God's authority, or not.

Do Mormons only help Mormons?

Taylor answered...

Absolutely not! While we definitely serve the members of our own church, we believe that ALL men and women on this earth are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. Therefore, we are all one in purpose. Mormons serve people throughout the world on a local/personal level as well as on a global level. Members of our church are able to donate money, which is distributed throughout the world to people and nations in need, especially in times of trouble and disaster. It is also common for members of the church to organize activities where materials for humanitarian aid are gathered and distributed.