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Hi, I'm James

I'm a scientist, historian, photographer, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

A computer geek with an interest in Ancient Near Eastern languages and religion.

I have a PhD in Computer Science, and a minor in Ancient Near Eastern History.

I served a mission in Florida Ft. Lauderdale.

I was a part time instructor of religion in the Ancient Scripture department at BYU, and I am now an image analyst at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

I have a fascination and love of photography. Perhaps this is related to my job in image analysis. If you are interested, you can check out my photos on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlcarroll/ (all are modest and clean).

Why I am a Mormon

Science and religion do not have to conflict. Science tells me how the world works, while my Mormon faith tells me why the world works.

My faith provides purpose behind the clinical facts provided by science.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

One of my favorite aspects of the gospel involves family history work. My life has been greatly blessed through the process of getting to know my ancestors.

Recently I collected photographs of as many of my ancestors as I could find, and organized them into a large chart of ancestors. It was fascinating to see my face in theirs... here is my nose, there is my chin.

By coming to know them, I have come to know myself, and where I came from, and who I am.

How I live my faith

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)

Why is authority to perform a baptism important?

James answered...

When we are baptized we enter a covenant (or contract) with God.

It can be helpful to compare this to how an earthly contract between two people is made. Just as with an earthly contract, both parties must sign the contract, and it must be witnessed in order to be binding.

When we allow ourselves to be placed under the water and drawn up out of the water, we are essentially signing the contract. The person baptizing signs the contract for God, and the witnesses of the baptism serve the same purpose as the witnesses in an earthly contract.

In order for the priesthood holder to sign God's name upon the contract, they have to have God's "power of attorney," or the right and power to act in God's name. We call this power the priesthood. Without it, the contract is not fully binding.
Cary answered...

If baptism is the gateway to Heaven, then the baptizer is a border agent. Would you want any old person who claims to know how it's done to just start letting whoever wants to into your country? Why do you insist they carry a badge and wear a uniform, and have an ID which proves they are legitimate representatives of the government? It's the same way with God's rituals. All over the scriptures, whenever there's a ritual performed it was performed by a duly authorized representative. Doesn't it just make sense that if something essential for our salvation would be required, that it should need to be done God's way, by God's authorized representatives? Acts 19:1-6 even shows a time when the authority of the baptizer was in doubt, and Paul re-did the baptisms for good measure. With all the confusion that comes from competing people claiming to speak for God, or claiming to know His will in this matter or that, I'm glad Mormons teach about authority. There's so much more clarity about who we should listen to, and who might be perfectly well-intentioned, but who really shouldn't be listened to because they're not authorized.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Blake answered...

There are absolutely no race or color restrictions in the church. When Jesus was here in the earth, he said that he came here to save the sinners. The last time I checked, all the people in the world, it doesn't matter color or race, are sinners. The church is a place where people can come closer to Christ. There are no restrictions to who can come in. Anybody that has a desire to come closer to Christ, has the right to come closer to Him.

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Joseph Smith

As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.