Hi, I'm Ian

I'm a Buckeye, a baritone, a soccer official, and "I'm a Mormon."

About Me

I'm a "baby boomer" whose family and friends have always been the most important influence and focus of my life so far. I love vigorous physical activity, especially golf and officiating soccer. I'm blessed with a loving, tolerant wife and 3 smart, funny kids.

Why I am a Mormon

Our oldest son took an interest in the church's seminary program when he began high school. That led to our family's "investigation" and eventual baptisms. While we are all imperfect, I have recognized the goodness and strength of other church members, valuing and learning from their examples. The importance of music in our worship, more than anything else, helps me to feel the spirit of our loving Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.

Personal Stories

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

I went to visit the Sacred Grove, where we believe Joseph Smith was visited by God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. I did not have a vision, but have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life. I am grateful to have found the church, and recognize the goodness in other imperfect souls, both in and outside of the church, who, like me, seek after that which is "of good report, or praiseworthy." It's all about striving to improve.

How I live my faith

More than anything else, I try to be honest with and considerate of my brothers and sisters since we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. I recognize that I am a "work in progress," and that this life is our opportunity to improve ourselves based on the example of our Savior, who lives, knows, and loves me.

What are Mormon Temples used for?

Ian answered...

In 1st Corintians, Paul makes mention of baptism for the dead. Many people come to know the church through the tremendous contributions it has made to family history research. A loving Heavenly Father has a way for those who have gone before us to accept the gospel in the next life, but there are certain ordinances that can only be done on the earth, such as baptism. See Malachi 4, verses 5 and 6 - the last 2 verses of the Old Testament. My heart has been "turned to my fathers."
Corey answered...

A temple is a house of the Lord, a place where we may worship our Heavenly Father and feel of His presence. It is a sacred place where no unclean thing can enter. Because of the importance and sacredness of the temple, a temple recommend is required and is received based on individual worthiness within the church in order to enter its holy walls.

The temple is where I go to find answers, to find peace, and to feel the Spirit. We are encouraged to go as often as possible and to attend seeking Spiritual guidance. Inside we perform sacred ordinances for ourselves and more often for others, those who are deceased. God requires that all to make covenants in order to return to His presence and many died without the opportunity to make these covenants. In the temple we perform the ordinances for them in their name giving them the opportunity to reject or accept the ordinance and thus enter into the presence of the Father. The temple is a very sacred and holy place.

Why was a Restoration of the Gospel needed? Haven’t we always had the Bible?

Daniel answered...

When Jesus was on the earth he established his church. To guide it, 12 apostles were called by God and had priesthood authority to act in his name. When an apostle died, he was to be replaced so that there would always be 12 “special witnesses” of Christ (this is shown by the calling of Mathias as a member of the 12 in Acts:1)
The early years were troublesome times for Christians. The greatest antagonist to the church was the Roman Empire. During this era of persecution, apostles were killed and priesthood authority was lost. Centuries after Christ was crucified Rome pulled a 180 and adopted its own form of “Christianity” as the mandated state religion. To conform to previously held pagan traditions, ordinances like baptism were changed and creeds of faith, not found in the bible, were established.
Recognizing the discrepancies between this church and New Testament Christianity, righteous people protested and many of their followers formed new churches. This era of protestant reformation was critical in advancing religious liberty. But simply recognizing the errors of a church, does not give one God's priesthood authority (see Hebrews 5:4) Even those with the best intentions of following Christ’s teachings need proper priesthood authority to be baptized. The world needed a Restoration of Christ’s original church, not a reformation of an apostate version of it. And as soon as a nation was established with the religious freedom to allow it, the Lord did restore his church!

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Joseph Smith

As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.

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