Hi, I'm Rhodes

Natural Texan, Technology-geek, Motorcyclist, Big-Brother, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I've been born and raised in Texas by the two best parents in the world! They have provided for all my needs, and enabled me to gain an education that will help me for the rest of my life. My best area of expertise is computers. I suppose you could even say that I am a nerd. But computers are the only things I'm good at; I am an instinctive handy-man. I'm always anxious to fix anything that's broken, especially if it's something I've never quite done before. Experiences I can work on with my own hands bring so much satisfaction.

I am very energetic and active. I just like to be moving or doing something. Whether mowing someones lawn, washing my friends car or fixing someones computer, I love to serve others. The longest lasting satisfaction I've found in my life has always come from helping someone other than myself. The “Love your neighbor” way of life that Jesus taught was among the best of the lessons I have learned from His examples.

Although I enjoy video games like any average “nerd”, I love the outdoors! I love camping, hiking, fishing, bicycling, cliff jumping, swimming, dirt-biking and even motorcycling. The open country road gives way to many man made trails to explore.

Why I am a Mormon

I was blessed to born into the church to wonderful parents. Growing up with them as my examples has definitely helped to keep me out of trouble in this troubled world. They have taught me to be kind to others, and understanding. They have done their very best to be like Jesus, and that example was well demonstrated to me throughout my childhood.

Everybody faces struggles in their lives. That's just how life goes. I sure know that I’ve had struggles and difficulties, and I have definitely had trials. The only times I've successfully pulled through these kinds of things, is when I depended on Faith. I have learned from my experiences, that faith and trusting in God is what brings true happiness, lasting happiness. Alone, we do not have the power to endure life happily. I know we have a Father in Heaven who loves us, and desires to bless us to be happy. Blessings can only be given to us if we are obedient, and it is very much up to Us to be worthy. As we read in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." and in return he gives us promise in verse 18, "I will not leave you comfortless..." These are two of the many verses that have brought me hope in my life, and a desire to be better. That’s what being a “Mormon” is all about anyway. Trying the best we can. I have only ever accomplished this through doing what God wants me to do.

I have found more happiness in life by living Gods gospel, and keeping all the commandments of God, than I have found in anything else or anywhere else. What makes me the very happiest in life is helping others. To have charity to uplift those around me to hopefully make their struggles in life easier for them to cope with. This is just what Jesus Christ did when he came to this earth. He loved people, he served them. And I do my best to be like him, and follow in his example. This world would be such a happier place, If only everyone followed the examples of Jesus Christ our ultimate role model. You too can find this same happiness.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

I’m fairly savvy in computers. I can build them, I can repair them, I can find good deals online for computers and parts, I can find good deals on software; I’m just good all around at finding deals and helping people find what they need. I’ve built several complete computer systems for friends and family. The deed I enjoy the most is my close friends around my home. Many of kids today play video game, or enjoy playing them at the least. Such is true for my friends and I. The only problem, not many people today have the money to buy new computers, or the time to find parts to make one that works. This was the case for my friends. Most of my friends had little money, but wanted a computer. Mostly so we could all play video games together, but a computer has many more uses than just video games. With my ability to quickly navigate online stores, and my knowledge of computers, I have been able to find enough parts to make computers for my friends at ridiculously low prices. It has been a great help as well that I can program them too. So when they break, I can easily go to their house, diagnose what’s wrong with it, and get it back into working order in no time. Then we can enjoy our time working together in our video games to defeat or ‘enemies’ or accomplish whatever goal is at hand. This has both brought us together as friends and brothers, and allowed my friends the possibility to use internet resources to help with research for school projects, ect. The experience I’ve gained through doing these simple things for friends has helped prepare me to venture into college to further my education in computers, and perhaps improve the computers and technology of today!

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

I am currently serving one! Serving a mission is hard work, but Jesus commanded it of us, and thus he promises to bless us in our service, and guide is by his grace. We do many different things to serve. We knock doors to spread the message of the Restoration of the true gospel, we strengthen the church members around where we serve. We serve the community in which we reside. Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored gospel by applying faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of their sins and changing their ways that may not be in harmony with Jesus teaching, helping them to receive baptism by immersion by one holding the proper authority to do so, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and to endure to the end of their lives on this earth, looking unto Jesus as their perfect example to follow. We help them to better understand the gospel, and the scriptures, as well as the teachings of the Prophets of our church in these days. It is a humble blessing to serve, and there's nothing more I'd rather do that share the gospel with a friend. I have found so much joy in the gospel, and so much happiness in following Jesus teachings, that I want everyone I meet to feel this same joy and happiness everyday in their lives.

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I can still remember when I was 14, and I pondered on the story of Joseph Smith and his prayer at 14. Wondering how I would react if God and Jesus appeared to me. Would I be strong enough to endure harsh and sometimes violent persecution for baring my testimony that I had seen God? Sometimes I thought I wouldn't be, and other times it gave me strength to think of the courage Joseph Smith had to have, and the faith to endure all the God saw him fit to experience. I have prayed to know the truth of Joseph Smith's experience. In fact, I have asked God more than once to reveal it to me, and I have received again and again a witness from the spirit that Joseph Smith was God's prophet in these modern days, who was appointed to restore God's Church back to the earth. The remarkable thing is, anyone can obtain this same testimony, and greater! if they just humble themselves and ask God in faith, sincerely wanting to know, and willing to act upon the answer they receive to follow God in righteousness and truth!

How I live my faith

I am currently serving a mission, sharing my love for God and his gospel to my neighbors of this world and bringing greater happiness into their lives. Serving a mission is not something I was forced to do. It was completely my choice to do so. This is really how such a decision should be.

With my experiences and trials before being sent out on my mission, God was truly preparing me for the adventures I would face here in the “mission field.” One thing I love about teaching is that I learn so much more than I teach! It’s quite an oxymoron. Having open discussions with others about gospel topics greatly broadens my knowledge and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and helps me to grow closer to my brothers and sisters all over this world!

In my teen years I was very involved with the youth group in my local congregation, namely Boy Scouts. I am an Eagle Scout myself, which is the highest "rank" a young man can achieve in the Boy Scouts of America program. It was an exciting and thrilling experience. I have many cherished memories growing up with the church’s youth program, which helped shape me to become the MAN I now endeavour to be.

I do my best to be kind to everyone, to be happy and positive, and to keep Gods commandments, as well as the laws of where I live. I strive each and every day to follow the council of the Prophets of God. We all struggle at times, but trial and hardship or heartache is a part of life. What doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger, if You allow it to. I humbly believe that God gives us weaknesses to help us be humble. And as we look to him for strength, he will bless us with what we need to live a happy life. "Be Positive" is my ultimate life motto.

Are Mormons Christians?

Rhodes answered...

The official name of the "Mormon church" is the 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.' All my life in this church I have been raised to know and love the name of Jesus Christ as my savoir and redeemer. Each morning and night I pray to begin and end the day, it is always in the name of Christ. Some of the scripture passages that have personal meaning to me consist of the words Jesus spoke in the New Testament and The Book of Mormon. We are Christians in every way of the definition of the word. Christ was not just a great example to us, he was and is the Son of God. He pleaded for the sake of my sins and the sins of the world in the Garden of Gethsemane, as well as on the Cross at Calvary, and rose the third day from the Tomb. Jesus Christ is the greatest source I have for hope of salvation and good things to come.
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Chad answered...

In the truest sense of the word, most certainly yes!
The main belief of the mormon church is that of Christ and His Atonement for mankind. We believe that anybody who wants to can be saved through Christ's Sacrifice for us.
Without Christ, our church would be meaningless, void, and pointless. He is the core of this church. In fact, He is the leader and head of this church.
Some people say we don't believe in Christ, but I wholeheartedly disagree; Christ is everything to us - He rescues us from sin and fear, He is the reason for our being.
We celebrate and rejoice in His life and works and know that He lives today! Christ is risen and is ready to help us in our lives.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Kevin answered...

Mormons believe that grace is a vital part of the atonement of Jesus Christ. We believe that it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do. The good works of an individual coupled with the grace of Christ can lead us to salvation. The grace of Jesus Christ is also an "enabling power" that gives us the strength to bear up under the burdens and trials of life. I have found great strength by relying upon the grace of Christ at times in my life when there was nothing else to provide it. Many times, I have been enabled to perform daily tasks, church assignments, responsibilities as a father and husband that were well beyond my personal abilities. I know that this was the enabling power of the grace of Jesus Christ. Grace is Christ's power to save me after this life and His power to help me while still here on the earth. I must always do my part through faith repentance and good works, but I know that in the end, it will be His grace that will save me.