Hi, I'm Paul

I'm a 6th gen member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, therefore I'm a Mormon

About Me

I am the husband of an extraordinary woman 23 yrs, father of four 3 beautiful D's, 1 excellent S, & Grandpa of 1 D of oldest D & Son-in-Law. I am retired from the United States Air Force Survival Instructor & work as a civilian on a military base in Georgia. I have earned 5 college degrees AAS 2, AA, BA, MS. In my spare time I enjoy any type of physical activity. Favs triathlons swim, bike, & run, ultra marathons 26.2 mi+, and fishing.

Why I am a Mormon

My ancestors baptized into the Church in 1840 were converted to the Gospel by Elder Wilford Woodruff an early Apostle of the Church in England. My parents and Grandparents on both sides were members of the Church. I was taught the saving truths of the Gospel as a child, accepted them as a teen, and have come to know and cherish them deeply myself as an adult. I am not an active member of the Church today because of the influence of my ancestors. As a conscientious, inquisitive, and every now and then deep-thinking individual I have come to know some things about this Church and Gospel that are very special to me. The Holy Ghost has taught me things and manifested divine truth to my heart and soul. Of these things I am certain. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints offers the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world! You too can know this for yourself! You'll come to know just as I did, by the Holy Ghost.

Personal Stories

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

All of them! It would be very difficult (if not impossible) to list a single teaching or even a small group of teachings. I believe, accept, embrace, & strive to live ALL of the Saviors teachings. I am particularly fond of the accounts found in 3rd Nephi chapters 11-28 (Book of Mormon) wherein the visit of Jesus to His followers on this continent is recounted. That would have been amazing to be present & witness the Savior's love & teachings firsthand. A favorite motivational verse for me is Luke 9:62: "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the aplough, and blooking back, is fit for the kingdom of God".

How has attending Church services helped you?

Attending Church with my fellow Saints provides encouragement & motivation as well as provides me with many opportunities to serve others. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that the “same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there in the eternal world”. What a nice thought that is! Latter-Day Saints enjoy one another greatly and I am one of those folks who greatly enjoy the social aspect of the Church. Gaining spiritual strength is another blessing regular Church attendance will yield. I am built up spiritually each week as well. There are a number of other reasons attending has helped as well including: teachings, assignments, character, virtues, singing, praying, & countless others. I don't miss Church because I find it entirely too beneficial to go without.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

I was given the gift of the Holy Ghost by my father on my 8th birthday. He laid his hands on my head & through the power of the priesthood said "receive the Holy Ghost". This was a very powerful spiritual experience for me. It has also turned out to be the best birthday present I have received in my life. As I live my life in compliance with God's commandments I am blessed by the companionship of the third member of the Godhead (God the Father & Jesus Christ are the other two). I have many times felt the quiet promptings of the Holy Ghost. All members of the Church receive the Holy Ghost at the time of their baptism & allowed to enjoy his companionship throughout their lives as they faithfully learn, live, & apply the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Could you talk about your baptism?

I was baptized on my 8th birthday in a small branch (smallest congregation size in the Church usually 100 people) in Winnsboro South Carolina by my father. There were a number of people there to witness my baptism. The baptismal font was recessed under the floorboards of the stage in the front of the chapel area. I felt very special on that day. There was also a potluck dinner afterwards which was great. I have never for a moment regretted my decision to join the Church through the waters of baptism

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

Conscientious effort! We take a group approach as a family inasmuch as it is so easy to be critical, argumentative, and disagreeable. We make a real effort to eradicate sarcasm and biting comments. Each Monday night at Family Home Evening we sing the same opening song: "Love at Home" (we've done this for years). We find that as we do these things along with eating together as a family each evening and praying together we are making some serious headway!

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

My family & I read the scriptures & pray together each day. These are great bonding activities are provide us spiritual strength & insight into God's plans for us!

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

All of the blessings of my life are tied to my faith in Jesus Christ! In fact my ability to recognize (& feel gratitude for) my blessings is greatly enhanced because of my faith (faith is a verb by the way). As I act on what I know about my Savior (& his expectations of me) I receive even more blessings. For example as I obey the word of wisdom (the Lord’s law of health found in Doctrine & Covenants Section 89) I am free to enjoy the blessings of enhanced health and vitality. As I pay my tithing (10% of my gross income) I enjoy the promised blessings from Malachi chapter 3 verses 8-10 which include the “opening of the windows of heaven” and more blessings “than there is room enough to receive”.

Now that’s what I’m talking about!

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

Everyone has the right (& should have the opportunity too) to examine the truths of the Gospel (good news) for themselves. I strive to conduct myself in such a manner that as others come to know me they come to see/understand that I am a follower of Christ and that His image is in my countenance & life. It doesn't take long to see that I am different but it's a good kind of different I enjoy telling others about.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is faith in practice or the exercising of faith. Mormon (the Prophet after whom the "Mormon" nickname derives) taught his son Moroni that faith & hope are intertwined and inseparable. He said in Moroni 7:42 (Book of Mormon) "Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope". I have faith in a loving & living God & His infinitely compassionate & helpful Son who has ransomed me from death & hell as I follow His appointed way. I HOPE that my submission to His will & desire to make & keep sacred covenants will allow Him to ransom me from my sins as I repent and seek to do His will. I HOPE to live in the presence of the Father & the Son FOREVER with my wife & family. That's what I HOPE for! Nothing else.

Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.

The restoration of the Gospel provided the earth with the full light of the Gospel for one last time. Unlike previous dispensations (period of time when the Gospel was on the earth) this time it will not be removed from the earth or decrease in influence. It will in fact roll forth & fill the whole earth as the prophet Daniel (Daniel 2:44) prophesied. I feel grateful to live in a time when all of the truths, doctrines, covenants, & ordinances necessary for salvation & exaltation are available to my wife & I and to our posterity. There is no greater blessing & opportunity given to mankind.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer is a key part of my daily routine. I talk with Father every day. He listens to my prayers and answers them in many different ways.

How I live my faith

I serve with a small body of men to direct the spiritual and administrative affairs of the Church in the region in which I live. I usually attend Church in my local congregation (ward) abt once a month. The other Sundays I visit other congregations where I work with their leaders to strengthen the members in that area. I visit 10 families each month in my ward to see to their spiritual & temporal welfare. My son is my partner & we enjoy visiting our fellow members. I have served 2X as a Bishop of the Church (previously) & I enjoyed this opportunity immensely. Service in the Church is an unpaid labor of love. I derive great personal satisfaction & blessings from faithful Church service. This type of service freely given by so many members (on such a broad scale) sets the Church apart from any other religious organization on the earth today.

In whom should we have faith?

Paul answered...

Jesus Christ PERIOD. We are reminded in the Bible (John 14:6) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." A modern Apostle has said "Jesus knows the way because He IS the way". If we place our faith in any other being or system our eternal salvation lies in the balance. Only those who accept the Savior & His terms will receive a fullness of the blessings God intends for all of His children to have.
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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?

Brooke answered...

Nope, “every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.”