Hi, I'm B. George

I grew up in the South, a non-Mormon. We had very little material possessions, but we had "Love at Home" . I am a Mormon

About Me

I have worked in the Human Resources, Management and Information Technology Disciplines, Nationally and Internationally and have been employed primarily in the HealthCare and Financial Services Industries; while, most recently has been actively engaged in the Food Services Industry.

My formal education consists of a Bachelor of Science (with honors) with a CO OP option in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. I graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate in ROTC, served two years in the U.S. Army, primarily at Ft. Hood, Texas, and was released from active duty as a 1st Lieutenant.

I also attended Hamburger University (McDonald’s Corporation) OakBrook, IL, the Executive Education Program in Information Resources at Harvard Graduate School of Business, graduated 2nd in a class of 350 from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Mr. Saloom earned a Banking Certificate from the American Institute of Banking as well as having been certified with a Certificate of Data Processing (CDP) from the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals.

My employers have been Regions Financial Corporation in Birmingham, AL; Zions Bancorporation, First Security Corporation and First Health in Salt Lake City, UT; The Bank of Kuwait and The Middle East in Kuwait; the American Embassy in Kuwait; COGENSYS Corporation and Home Federal Bank in San Diego, CA; First Wachovia Corporation, Atlanta, GA; First National Bank of Denver, Denver, CO; and Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, PA in Information Technology. Also I worked for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Marietta, GA as a cooperative student while attending Georgia Tech.

Some of my business and community affiliations are the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Chapter of DPMA, the Executive Advisory Council for Curriculum of the Devry Institute of Technology, the Executive Advisory Council for Curriculum at Grossmont College and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the American School of Kuwait.

Other assocations/organizations that I have been affiliated with are the American Institute of Banking, the American Banking Association, the Georgia Tech Executive Roundtable, and the Society of Information Management, the Executive Roundtable for Information Services Executives, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Due to my involvement (as a Human Shield) and efforts during the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait, specifically from August 1990 thru December 1990, he was awarded the Meritorious Honor Award (in May 1991) by the State Department of the United States of America.

I enjoy all sports, especially squash, racquetball and softball, has been active in Boy Scouts of America (both his oldest son and he are Eagle Scouts), is married, has two sons and four grandchildren.

Why I am a Mormon

ALTHOUGH I WAS BAPTIZED AND CONFIRMED A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS ON 5 JUNE 1976, I WAS NOT REALLY CONVERTED TO THE GOSPEL WITH A STRONG TESTIMONY UNTIL 9 MONTHS LATER.

I HAD BEEN RAISED AS A MEMBER OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BEING VERY ACTIVE IN ALL ASPECTS OF THAT RELIGION.

MY WIFE, BEING BORN, RAISED AND QUITE ACTIVE IN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, AND I WERE MARRIED IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ON 7 AUGUST 1971. WE CONTINUED, AS A FAMILY, OUR ACTIVITY IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BUT HAD QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PRINCIPLES BEING TAUGHT (AND NOT BEING TAUGHT), ESPECIALLY THAT OF "THE TRINITY", A 3 IN 1 GODHEAD.

AFTER BEING TAUGHT IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA BY TWO YOUNG ELDERS FROM JANUARY THRU MAY 1976, I CONSENTED TO BE BAPTIZED WITH MY WIFE. I AGREED TO BE BAPTIZED PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF MY LOVE FOR MY WIFE; RECOGNIZING THAT SHE WANTED VERY MUCH TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. MY PERSONAL RECONCILIATION/ JUSTIFICATION FOR MY CHOICE WAS MY FEELING THAT MEMBERSHIP IN THIS CHURCH COULDN'T BE ANY WORSE THAN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND MY WIFE WOULD BE HAPPIER. I RECOGNIZED THAT MY WIFE WAS VERY UNHAPPY IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BUT DIDN'T REALIZE HOW UNHAPPY OR REALLY UNFULFILLED I WAS WITH THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF WHO I WAS, WHERE DID I COME FROM AND WHERE I COULD GO, FROM A SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE, WITHOUT TEACHINGS AND THE KNOWLEDGE FROM AND OBEDIENCE OF THE TRUE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.

ALTHOUGH I WAS VERY ACTIVE IN THE CHURCH SINCE BAPTISM, I WAS VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS VERSUS THE SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF THE GOSPEL. I HAD NOT REALLY EITHER SOUGHT OR OBTAINED A TESTIMONY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON, JOSEPH SMITH AND HENCE, THE GOSPEL (OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS TRUE CHURCH ON THIS EARTH)!

BECAUSE GENERAL CONFERENCE WAS SCHEDULED FOR 3 APRIL 1977, OUR WARD, THE WASHINGTON WARD, PITTSBURGH, PA. STAKE, CONDUCTED OUR FAST AND TESTIMONY MEETING ON 27 MARCH 1977.

ON 26 MARCH 1977, OUR FAMILY HAD OUR DINNER MEAL AROUND 5:00 PM. I DEDICATED MY FAST TO AN INCREASE IN MY TESTIMONY OF THE BOOK OF MORMON. I FASTED COMPLETELY WITH NO DRINK OR FOOD UNTIL 4:30 PM, 27 MARCH 1977.

UPON RETIRING TO BED AT 10:00 PM THAT NIGHT, I PRAYED FERVENTLY TO HEAVENLY FATHER THAT, AS I HAD FASTED, I MAY RECEIVE A WITNESS FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT OF THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON, AND HENCE OF JOSEPH SMITH.

AROUND 3:30 AM, 28 MARCH 1977, I SUDDENLY AWOKE AND HAD A STRONG INCLINATION TO GO DOWNSTAIRS. I WENT DOWNSTAIRS AND KNELT IN PRAYER, ASKING THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LET ME KNOW IF THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE AND, LIKEWISE, THAT JOSEPH SMITH WAS A PROPHET OF GOD, THAT THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS WAS THE ONLY CHURCH WITH THE TOTAL TRUTHS AND THAT SPENCER W. KIMBALL IS INDEED A PROPHET, AS JOSEPH SMITH WAS. MY BOSOM WAS FILLED WITH A BURNING SENSATION! THE BURNING SENSATION WAS SO STRONG AND POWERFUL, I FELT LIKE MY ENTIRE BODY WAS BEING LIFTED OFF THE FLOOR AND WAS AFRAID TO OPEN MY EYES. IN ORDER TO FULLY INSURE THAT I WAS NOT MISTAKEN IN MY EXPERIENCE, I ASKED THE HOLY SPIRIT TO WITHDRAW FROM MY PRESENCE. MY BODY SEEMED TO RELAX AND THAT BURNING SENSATION LEFT. AS I ASKED THE SPIRIT TO AGAIN TESTIFY TO ME OF THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON, OF JOSEPH SMITH, OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS AND OF SPENCER W. KIMBALL, I AGAIN RECEIVED A BURNING SENSATION FILLING MY BODY AND BOSOM WITH EXCITEMENT AND JOY.

THROUGH THIS SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE, I KNOW THAT THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE AND THAT JOSEPH SMITH WAS (AND IS) A PROPHET OF GOD. I ALSO TESTIFY THAT I KNOW THAT THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS IS THE ONLY TRUE AND LIVING CHURCH WITH ALL OF TRUTHS, PRIESTHOOD AUTHORITY AND KEYS ON THIS EARTH AND THAT IT IS LED BY JESUS CHRIST THROUGH HIS PROPHET, WHO AT THAT TIME WAS SPENCER W. KIMBALL.

I KNOW THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, OUR SAVIOR, EVEN JESUS CHRIST, AND THE HOLY GHOST LOVE US BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION. BECAUSE OF THAT LOVE, I KNOW THAT IN THIS LAST DISPENSATION OF THE FULLNESS OF TIME, WE WILL ALWAYS BE LED BY A PROPHET OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER (AND OF THE SAVIOR) AND WE WILL NEVER BE LED ASTRAY BY THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN CALLED AND SET APART AS THE PROPHET AND PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

I BEAR THIS WITNESS TO YOU IN THE SACRED NAME OF ONE WHO HAS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO RETURN TO OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. OBTAIN EXALTATION AND LIVE WITH THOSE THAT WE LOVE. EVEN JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.

B. GEORGE SALOOM

Personal Stories

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

On 2 August 1990, I landed , with my wife and eldest son in Kuwait City, Kuwait to assume responsibility as the EDP Division Head for the Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East (BKME).

We landed in Kuwait at 4:30 AM, on British Airways Flight # 149, as the Iraqi Army was invading Kuwait.

Initially, my wife, son and I were able to get to a hotel in Kuwait City and hide out for about 2 weeks.

We then escaped to the American Embassy where my wife and son were eventually evacuated to the United States by Reverend Jesse Jackson in a Humanitarian Effort.

I had to stay in the American Embassy and eventually was taken to Baghdad, Iraq and placed as a Human Shield in a purportedly chemical plant.

I was release on 7 December 1990 with the remaining "guests" of Saddam Hussein.

When my wife and son left Kuwait, in September 1990, I did not know if I would ever see them again in this mortal life.

I did know because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, manifested in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and because of the "sealing ordinances" of the Gospel, that if I continued to live (no longer how short or how long) my life in such a manner to be a true Disciple of Jesus Christ and to be worthy to enter his Holy House, the Temples of the Lord (dedicated by one in Authority in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), that I would not only "see" them again but would be reunited for all eternity.

This knowledge is truly the basis for inner and eternal peace and happiness

This I testify to you in the Holy and Sacred Name of our Savior, even Jesus Christ.

B. George Saloom

How I live my faith

I HAVE SERVED IN MULTIPLE POSITIONS AND CAPACITIES IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS AND WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE IN WHATEVER POSITION/ASSIGNMENT I WILL BE ASKED BY A ONE WHO IS ACTING UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE LORD, OR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.

I DO NOT SERVE BECAUSE OF DUTY BUT BECAUSE OF THE TREMENDOUS LOVE THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, OUR SAVIOR, EVEN JESUS CHRIST, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS FOR US.

WE ARE STEWARDS ON THIS EARTH OF WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE CAN BECOME. ALL THAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE CAN BECOME ARE BLESSINGS FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. ALL THAT IS GOOD ON THIS EARTH, OUR MORTAL PROBATION, ARE BECAUSE OF THE LOVE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND OUR SAVIOUR, EVEN JESUS CHRIST.

MY PHILOSOPHY(IES) IN LIFE AND LIVING ARE:

1. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (Note: 99 % is Small) . . . Don’t Worry About Things you have NO Control Over !
2. Where YOU are is . . . . Where you ARE
3. All YOU can do is . . . . . ALL you can DO
4. If you always do what you always have . . . You will always get what you have always gotten (“Insanity” is always doing the same thing and EXPECTING to get different results !).
5. People may not remember exactly what you DID or what you SAID; but .... they will ALWAYS remember how you made them feel.
6. No Regrets. Live and be the best you can each/every day.

We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, know how and FOLLOW the Spirit

What do Mormons believe about “eternal life?”

B. George answered...

We know that our Heavenly Father and his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ desirest for all of of us (His Sons and Daughters ,Brothers and Sisters (of our Savior)) to return and live with them.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ stated, "This is my work and glory, to bring to pass the immortaity and eternal life of man". Our Savior, even Jesus Christ, under the Guidance and Direction of His Father, Our Heavenly Father, through his Resurrection, has already provided to us Immortality. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, manifested in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with the Grace of our Heavenly Father and through the Advocacy and Mediation of our Savior, even Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to return and live with both of Them for eternity (thus eternal life/eternal happiness).

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Clayton answered...

No, we don't. People typically mix up Mormons with their reformed break offs. Several of those groups practice polygamy, even though historically the commandment from the Lord to have plural marriages has been repealed.