Hi, I'm Gary

I was born and raised in Idaho. I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was 20 years old.

About Me

I am married to my best friend, Marcia. We have been married 50 years. We have had 6 children (1 girl, 5 boys). Four boys are still living, having lost our girl and oldest boy in automobile accidents. I don't know how we would have made it through those losses without the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. We have been on a 30-month full-time mission for the church and also served 18 months as part-time missionaries working in the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was raised in Jerome, Idaho, the oldest of 3 boys and 1 girl. I am the only member of the Church in my family. I worked at Thiokol Chemical Corporation in Brigham City, Utah where I met my wife, Marcia. I worked for IBM for 28 1/2 years as system engineer. I have worked and lived in Houston, Texas at the Manned Spacecraft Center; Pasadena, California at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Springfield, Illinois; Billings, Montana; Helena, Montana retiring from IBM and starting my own consulting business. I later returned to the workforce working for the Student Association Foundation 5 years before retiring a second time to go on a mission with my wife and lifelong companion. I have spent the last 4 1/2 years caring for my parents both 96 years old.
Hobbies are camping, visiting grandchildren, and spending time with my wife. I love to be on my computer and help others with their computer problems. I love just helping other people where ever and when ever I can.

Why I am a Mormon

I became a Mormon after attending church a few times with my wife-to-be. We had an agreement that we would go to her church one week and mine the next. She was already a Mormon and I was a non-practicing Methodist. Soon we were only going to the Mormon church because what I was hearing taught was what I believed. I decided I had to find out what I was SUPPOSED to believe as a Methodist. I met with the local minister and asked what was it that I believed as a Methodist. As he unfolded the Methodist doctrine and belief to me, I sat there thinking ...I don't believe that. I decided that I had to find out what the Mormons believed. I arranged a meeting with the missionaries unknown to my sweetheart and wife-to-be. I went out and bought a quadruple combination (Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) prior to my first meeting with the missionaries. They were flabbergasted and asked why did I buy scriptures without even knowing I would join the church? I said if I were taking a class at the University, which I was, I would buy the text book prior to the class. It made perfect sense to me. As I took the lessons the Holy Spirit bore testimony to my soul that what I was being taught was true. I arranged to be baptized. I called up my sweetheart and asked if she would like to attend a baptism with me. She asked, "Who do you know that is getting baptized?" I told her that I was and she was very surprised, even to tears. I am a Mormon because I was touched by the Holy Ghost and knew in my heart that the doctrine was true.

How I live my faith

I am active in church. I have served in the youth programs as both a leader and teacher. I have been a Bishop and loved serving the people. I try to treat people as I would want to be treated. I help my neighbors. I keep the commandments and follow the Prophet because he is God's spokes person here on earth for our time as was Moses or Isaiah were for their time.

Are Mormons Christians?

Gary answered...

We worship Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. I think that qualifies Mormons as Christians. We also follow our Prophet just as followers of Christ have always done. I am blessed to live on the earth in a dispensation of time when the Gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth and we also have a living Prophet. I am grateful to be a Christian and a Mormon.
Rob answered...

Christ said that his followers would be defined by their adherence to his teachings. Growing up as a member of the Church, I learned that Christ is The literal son of God and that through His Atonement we can somehow be forgiven of our sin and allowed to enter back into the presence of God, if that is what we want. Everything I ever learned at church or in my home was centered on the life and ministry of Christ.

Several years ago, we moved to the Southeastern United States and encountered the idea that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints are not Christians. Although I don't understand the need to define certain groups in or out of Christianity, especially given The Lord's frequent admonitions not to judge the faith of others, I understand this idea is rooted in some esoteric academic objections to certain gospel principles such as our belief that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate individuals united in purpose and power. My experience has been that this idea is often passed on among those who have not met or do not have close relationships with members of the church.

Once people get to know what we teach and believe and how we live, they come to understand that we are Christians. While, The Lord has asked us to let our light shine so that others can see it and take strength from it, I believe that ultimately Christ, will judge our Christianity as individuals based on the thoughts and intents or our hearts.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Alan answered...

No. "Worship" is reserved for members of the Godhead: Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Worship means giving absolute devotion, adoration, and submission to someone, and only God is worthy of receiving true worship. God said "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)" So what do we think about Joseph Smith? He was a mortal man called by God to serve as a prophet, and he was a great prophet. We love Joseph Smith, we study his teachings, and we are grateful for the work he did. But we do not worship him any more than we worship Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Peter, or any other prophet. We worship God.