Hi, I'm John

I'm in the Air Force. I write and tell stories. I play the saxophone and the banjo. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I've been in the Air Force more than 16 years and have been back and forth across the US and around the world. I lead and mentor other Airmen to help them move forward with their careers and lives.

I write speeches and stories and love to share them. I have won several speaking contests but haven't published my children's stories (yet). I'm working on a new book for military professional development and I also have several screenplays in the works.

I started playing the saxophone when I was in the 6th grade and though I don't play every day, I bring it out every year around Christmas time. I started playing the banjo a couple of years ago and find it challenging (since I've never played a string instrument before) but relaxing and enjoyable.

I'm very married to my high school sweetheart and we have four outstanding sons and a great daughter. We do our best to raise them to be honest, productive members of society and we look forward to seeing what they will decide to do with their lives.

Why I am a Mormon

I was skeptical of many churches for several years. When my wife encouraged me to start going to church with her (she was raised as a Mormon), I discovered a unique sense of belonging there I hadn't perceived anywhere else, though I had visited many other churches.

When I met with the missionaries and learned more about the Gospel, I fasted and prayed for many days for a testimony - to know for myself whether it was true. When that gift came, I felt it in my heart and chose to be baptised.

People sometimes say I joined "for my wife." I correct them and say that I joined because when I was presented with an undeniable truth, I couldn't remain neutral about it. I had to decide to accept that truth or reject it.

I accepted it. I embrace it. And I am much happier with the knowledge and truth I find as a Mormon than with any truth I thought I found before.

Personal Stories

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

I had great anxiety about accepting a new position in the Air Force. I felt unprepared for the challenges the new position would bring and I was resistant to the change. During a military training conference I attended, other Air Force leaders spoke about my future assignment and the necessity of the work to be done there. At that moment, the Holy Ghost changed my heart and took away all my anxiety! Since then, I have been inspired to lead my Airmen in new directions and demonstrate leadership in innovative ways that have made a substantial impact on their daily lives. I've very grateful for the Holy Ghost and that God still cares about and speaks to His children today.

How I live my faith

I do my best to serve as a good example of my church in my community and profession. I am honest in my dealings with others and I try to show kindness and patience with others. I am dedicated to my wife and children and keep them as a priority in all I do.

Though I've served in various volunteer roles in my church over the years, I am currently the Troop Committee Chair for the Boy Scout Troop my ward sponsors as well as the Ward Music Chair.

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

John answered...

No. The LDS Church encourages all people to be active, responsible, involved members of the societies in which we live. In a democratic society such as ours in the United States, the Church urges us to vote according to our own consciences. Members of nearly all political parties are also Latter-day Saints, so that injunction to be politically involved will mean different things to different people. Even when there are Latter-day Saints running for offices no one should assume an automatic endorsement by individual members of the Church.

The LDS Church may support certain social causes but this is still left up to individual members to choose how to act. This support for a cause doesn't extend to any one candidate or party at any level of election or campaign.
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Steven answered...

No, but we are instructed to be involved and to seek spiritual guidance in all political matters.

We believe that the leaders of a nation, state, and community can have a great influence for good or for evil and we need to ensure that they are represent our values and beliefs.

What are some things that tell to you there is a God?

Scott answered...

Everything in nature tells me that there is a God. The universe is so ordered, so perfectly in harmony. If you really study our wonderful little planet, you'll learn that it is so amazingly unique to be able to sustain life, that there is just no way the earth and its inhabitants were merely created by chance.
The most important reason I know there is a God, though, is because I have felt his presence in my life. Through prayer, I have built a relationship with him, and as such, I love him and know that he loves me.