Hi, I'm Michael Johnston

I am a college student, I am a clarinetist and a singer. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am currently a college student just working on general requirements, however I also play clarinet for local musical productions, and when needed I substitute teach for my high school choir director. I love to spend time with my family, friends and I enjoy exercising. I am currently preparing to serve a mission for the Lord. After my mission I plan on attending Brigham Young University or Southern Virginia University to receive a degree in music, from there I plan on pursuing a graduate degree.

Why I am a Mormon

When my father died when I was 11, I began looking for God. I went to other churches and couldn't find Him. Heavenly Father didn't feel personal. However, when a Mormon family from Utah moved into my area I got to know them. A couple years later, they arranged a trip for my school's choir to go see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (I go to school with some of their kids). As we left, I got really interested in the church, so I looked up "Mormon Church" on google. Needless to say, I got a bunch of nasty rumors and was pushed away from the church for a few months.

Well, after a few months I got interested again after we visited this family's house to go Christmas caroling. I then realized I was being called by God to learn. At that point, I went to mormon.org and began having online chats with Elder Bryan Sabin about the church. Everything I learned felt familiar and I realized it was all stuff my dad had taught me before his death. Then I decided to speak with the missionaries at the local LDS church, after the second discussion with the local missionaries I decided to make the decision to be baptized. I was baptized and confirmed on January 17, 2010. Best decision of my life. I finally know my Heavenly Father, and because of that I will be leaving to serve a mission in the summer of 2012.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

When I heard the First Vision for the first time, my heart burnt within me. I felt at peace and I broke into tears. Not tears of sorrow, but tears of extreme joy. I knew in my heart that Heavenly Father loved all of his children, and so when I found out that there is still a prophet today to guide us, it definitely made perfect sense to me.

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

I didn't participate in a mission, but I was involved with the Referral Center Mission, because Elder Bryan Sabin was the missionary who first taught me about the church. This summer, I took a trip with a local Mormon family to Utah to attend their son's wedding festivities, and while in Utah I received the opportunity to meet Elder Sabin. What a blessing, and exciting opportunity to meet and personally thank the man who brought this Gospel to me! He is the missionary in my profile picture!

It was so cool, I hope I can be like Elder Sabin on my mission. Sincere, loving, and friendly.

How I live my faith

I try to spread the gospel at every chance I get, for instance, my friend Allyson came to my baptism and got very interested because of the peaceful Spirit. Two months later (March 14th, 2010) she decided to be baptized and confirmed ( I got to perform the baptism).

I am currently the organist for my student ward ( a ward is what we call our congregations). It is such a blessing to be able to uplift others and draw nearer to my Father in Heaven and Savior. I am also a ward missionary, and each week I get to help the sister missionaries in spreading the Gospel, which I love so much.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Michael Johnston answered...

Nobody in the church is required to serve a mission, but it is encouraged, especially for males who hold the priesthood. We are encouraged because it is our priesthood duty. It is a way to serve our fellow man, and through our faithfulness, bless those around us, and bless our families. However, if one does not choose to serve a mission, he or she is still allowed to come to church, and is still allowed the blessings of the Gospel that come with being a regular church member.

Although there is no penalty for not serving a mission, I can't think of why you wouldn't when you have such an amazing gift to share with the world. I think about the Gospel day and night. It brings me so much joy, and because of that I want to serve a mission.
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Nick answered...

"Required" is an interesting word when it comes to faith and religion. In the Mormon Church no one is "required" to serve a mission. Church membership is not revoked for not serving a mission. In this sense, they are not required, yet serving a mission is encouraged at many stages in life and in many different capacities throughout the world.

Missionary service is a tremendous blessing, a challenge, and one of the main focuses of the faith. The life of Jesus Christ was the life of a missionary in many respects. Performing service for one another, preaching the glad message of the gospel, and increasing the faith and dedication of God's children are exemplified in Christ's life and mirrored by those in missionary service.

To dedicate a portion of one's life in service propels those who serve and those who are served into a better life. During my two year mission to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and during my two year service mission with LDS Family Services, I was greatly blessed and strengthened. (I hope those whom I served found some value in my service as well.) That strength has taught me to better navigate this life, has kept my family relations intact, and has been the method of helping others overcome their trials as well.

Spiritually speaking, I don't find value in reflecting on what my life would be like without serving a mission. Instead, I rejoice in knowing that without that time in missionary service my life would be significantly less happy and productive. In my life, serving a mission has taken on many of the characteristics of a "required" act since I can't picture myself progressing very far without having served as a missionary. While not required to be a member of the Mormon church, missionary service has been a critical and welcome part of my life and growth spirituality. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to serve missions, and look forward to serving in many more.

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

Keith Proctor answered...

In the Temple we are taught some pretty powerful truths about who we are, where we came from, and why we are here. It's not the kind of experience you can just walk into and get. There is significant spiritual preparation and learning needed first. It's better to be prepared and enjoy the fullness of the experience than to rush into it too quickly and end up confused. The ordinances in the temple also require that you prepare yourself to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. The best way to prepare for the Temple ordinances is to begin living their teachings consistently before entering the Temple. This is your way of showing Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father that you love them, obey them, and are ready for additional light and knowledge. Without this preparation, any ordinance of the Gospel would be an empty set of rituals. The Temple, in its fullest sense, prepares men and women to return and live with God as His sons and daughters. Anyone in the world can experience the power and beauty of the Temple, but a wise Heavenly Father has set out certain guidelines for their personal preparation first. Those who love Jesus Christ and walk in His ways will find in the Temple a power beyond their comprehension and a closeness to God not possible anywhere else in the world.