Hi, I'm Ethan

I'm A Mormon alright!

About Me

I was born in the South East part of the United States.
I love aviation, technology, sailing........ My mom and dad raised me up on hiking and cross country traveling!!! sounds fun??!!! I feel that I had rather a unorthodox upbringing compared to others.

Why I am a Mormon

Well!
I was raised into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I would have to say that I am a rather normal Mormon. My parents were letter of the law people. I always tried to do my best to follow their example. As I grew up into my early teenage years, I just assumed that what I was being taught was right. Went through the motions if you know what I mean. I was relying on the faith of my parents. about a year before I left on my mission I realized that I had to find out for myself if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was true! So I started from the beginning and went back to basics. I started reading the Book of Mormon! I prayed about it and I was willing to live the principles it teaches. As I read, I was able to relate the things written to my life. I applied them and I was able to see good things come from it!
That is how you know something is true. If it leads you to do something and the fruit of it good. If it makes you want to know more!

How I live my faith

I have a strong testimony of the power of acting on our faith! I try my best to show my faith to God by my works. I believe that you don't need to do something wrong to know it is wrong! As a teen, I actively participated with the church youth program. It is great to be able to support one another. I would have to say that me going on a 2 year proselyting mission for the church is one of the best ways I could live my faith. I love being called on a mission. Being able to share how I personally feel about God, Jesus Christ and His Church is a uplifting experience. I used to be kind-of shy talking about the church but now.... I love it! I love the hope in the peoples eyes when they realize that they can be with their family again, that they can be forgiven, that Jesus Christ did suffer and die for us!

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Ethan answered...

I wasn't required to go on a mission. My family encouraged me but to the nitty gritty, It was my choice. Not everyone who is a Mormon goes on a mission. Men 19-25 are encouraged to go. Women 21-25 are also encouraged. I know that me being on a mission has helped me really know who I am. I feel that It has helped me become a better person, and most of all, have a greater testimony of this church I have come to love and care for. This is THE true church! I know it! It is not a statement of opinion. It is a statement of knowledge. You can know it as well if you give faith a try. I promise if you do try with a sincere heart, real intent, having faith in Christ, you will know for yourself.
Trisha answered...

Serving a mission is a priesthood responsibility, and young men are asked to sacrifice two years in order to serve others, gain experience as followers of Christ, and grow in their faith. However, that is a choice each individual has to make on their own and deciding not to go does not affect a person's standing in the Church. But those who do go, men and women alike, usually find that two years is not enough time and wish they could stay longer. Service creates bonds of love for the people you serve. I was unable to go in my young adult years, but I still yearn for the opportunity and look forward to a time when I can serve as a missionary.

Why did your church previously practice plural marriage (polygamy)?

James Bowen answered...

At various times, the Lord has commanded His people to practice plural marriage. For example, He gave this command to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon (Doctrine and Covenants 132:1). At other times the Lord has given other instructions. In the Book of Mormon, the Lord told the prophet Jacob “for there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife: and concubines he shall have none... for if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things” (Jacob 2:27-30).

In this dispensation, the Lord commanded some of the early Saints to practice plural marriage. The Prophet Joseph Smith and those closest to him, including Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, were challenged by this command, but they obeyed it. Church leaders regulated the practice. Those entering into it had to be authorized to do so, and the marriages had to be performed through the sealing power of the priesthood. In 1890, President Wilford Woodruff received a revelation that the leaders of the Church should cease teaching the practice of plural marriage (Official Declaration 1).

The Lord’s law of marriage is monogamy unless he commands otherwise to help establish the House of Israel (see Encyclopedia of Mormonism Vol. 3, pp. 1091-1095).