Hi, I'm Greg

I am a retired Army paratrooper and a professional entertainer. I am also a Mormon.

About Me

After living my first seven years of life in Randolph, Vermont, I relocated to Alabama with my mother and siblings in 1946 and, in 1954, I moved to Detroit, Michigan.

After high school graduation I joined the U.S. Army in 1960. While stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in 1965 I joined the Church along with my first wife. She and I remained married until 1976 upon my return home from my second tour in Korea.

I married my current wife (a non-member) in 1978 and she helped immensely in the loving care of my two sons. Shortly after my retirement from the Army in 1980, we moved to Tucson, Arizona, staying there a little over 11 years. Other relocations to Breckinridge, Texas, upon my Postal retirement, and then to Little Rock, Arkansas, to work in the banking industry had almost became my last move.

We moved to Louisiana in August 2002 to be near her eldest daughter. In November 2004, I returned to full activity in the Church with my home ward in West Monroe, Louisiana. I was called as a Monroe stake high councilor in July 2007.

Aside from delivering monthly talks in my assigned unit of Farmerville, Louisiana, I enjoy guitar playing, singing, and writing. I have become busier than ever in my full retirement between Church, family, and entertaining.

Why I am a Mormon

I joined the Church in 1965 knowing that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. A question long unanswered for me became real while reading 1 Nephi 13 wherein it elaborates why the American Indian had become scattered and subjugated by the Gentiles. The scripture also, and most important, conveys to me the divine mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and explains many truths long lost that was once contained in the Holy Bible.

The Book of Mormon had fascinated me by foretelling important events long before they occurred, such as the sailing of Columbus, the Pilgrims and the Puritans coming to America, but the compelling part of this scripture is found within 3 Nephi where it tells us of the coming of Jesus Christ to the peoples of ancient America--teaching the Gospel and ordaining to the priesthood holy disciples who are charged to take forth His teachings to all.

The writings in 3 Nephi are my strongest reasons for joining His Church.

I am happy to take upon me the unofficial name of Mormon as I know without doubt that this Church is the true restored Church of Jesus Christ. It is my strong desire to always set the example for others and become instrumental for others to also learn of the truths as I know them in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Personal Stories

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

There have been countless blessings that came to me through my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and one of them is nothing short of a miracle. My wife of 33 years had decided to be baptized into the Church on 4 December 2010--an event of great joy for both of us.

For many years I had prayed that she would come to know the truths as I had learned them about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Finally, the Holy Ghost had whispered gentle promptings to her which she could not block. Later, she confessed that baptism and confirmation into the Church had filled the empty gap she had felt for years.

How I live my faith

I try earnestly to read and study the scriptures daily, sharing what I know with others on the Internet message boards and in personal contacts with inactive members, and pay a full tithe. I regularly attend all meetings that are necessary for my calling as a high councilor and membership in the Church and try everyday to be a loving, patient, and humble servant of Christ in my dealings with others.

I view my monthly hometeaching assignments as crucial to my continued worthiness and attempt monthly visits to the Baton Rouge Temple to participate in sacred ordinances for my ancestors. And with it all, I try to work on my many weaknesses through prayer to my Heavenly Father.

Can husband and wife be together forever? Do you believe that families will live together in heaven?

Greg answered...

Yes, husbands and wives may be sealed together in the holy temples of the Lord, provided they meet the requisite worthiness in full standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Those sealed within our holy temples as man and wife with children of that covenant will live eternally within the realms of the highest kingdom of God--provided sacred promises made are not broken by any party.
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Matt answered...

The Lord would not command us to love each other so much during our lives only to tear us apart in the next life. We are one flesh just as the Lord is one with his church. The scriptures say that we are not to be put asunder.
Christ gave his apostles special revelations on this subject:
Matthew, Chapter 16:
Jesus said to his apostles:
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

What else would his apostles bind, and what else could the Savior mean, if not marriages? Christ put no limit on their binding power to bind relationships and covenants. Their power extends into heaven.
And he continued by saying:
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
– because some things are kept sacred until later times when the world is ready to receive them.
Temple sealing and eternal marriage are primarily the subject of modern revelation through prophets in our time.

In the latter days, according to prophecy, Elijah has returned to join families together. Malachi 4:5-6. We believe that prophets in each age bring new revelation from God. Amos 3:7.
This latter day revelation has finally made clear how families are kept together in heaven—something people have wondered about throughout the ages. (Ephesians 5:32, wherein it says that the subject of marriage in Biblical times was “a great mystery”). In our time, the purpose of marriage and family is clear: ordinances are being performed to unite the whole human family throughout all dispensations of time. It is a unique work for the latter days. These modern revelations free human kind from the depressing, and divorce-promoting idea that the family becomes meaningless in the life hereafter. The Lord would not put us in a world so alien to our heavenly home. In heaven, families are the eternal organizational unit in his kingdom.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Michele answered...

Sometimes if people know I am Mormon, they believe that I will not be friendly and accepting to those who practice a different lifestyle than mine. The truth is MOST of my dear friends do not share my lifestyle. I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke, I don't watch R rated movies.

And, I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.

Does that mean that I don't want to be friends or on a committee with someone who is gay or lesbian? Not any more than I would avoid a person who smokes or drinks or watches R rated movies. While I don't choose to participate in those activities, I have many friends that I cherish dearly, including friends who are gay and lesbian, who view political and religious issues differently than me. I don't "tolerate" them. I adore them. And, thankfully, for me, they don't tolerate me either. We respectfully disagree on various political and religious issues, but there are so many other important things that bring us together as friends and community members. One of my most cherished friends, who identifies as a lesbian, told me the other day, "Michele, before you, I had a stigma about Mormons. You have changed that. I cherish you." Her remark is dear to my heart. It says she knows I love her, but even more, it says something about her that she gave me a chance when others told her not to. I am grateful she was willing to give me a chance because I gained a very special friend - a sister of my heart.