Hi, I'm Jonathan

I'm a Former Marine, currently a Soldier, a musician, a father of four, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am the youngest of three children and an Eagle Scout. I enjoy studying, playing, and listening to music from all over the world, though I am especially fond of 80's, Christian Pop/Rock, Jazz, and 'ethnic' tunes. I also enjoy Racquetball, spending time with my family, making balloon animals, bicycling, playing Wii, working with computers, and studying English.

Why I am a Mormon

Throughout my travels as a service member, I have visited many different churches, searching for the complete truth. I felt like each church had a large collection of puzzle pieces, most fitting together, but not the whole picture. It wasn’t until I found the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Latter-Day Saints did everything make perfect sense. And, for the first time in my life, I could confidently answer life's three “big" questions - WHO I am, WHY I am here, and WHERE I’m going after this life.

Personal Stories

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

My wife and I were first married in the Presbyterian Church "until death do us part." Since accepting the Gospel of Jesus Christ, My wife and I have been married in the Mormon Temple for all time and eternity. Our family is also sealed together forever and ever - beyond the restraints of mortal life. Just knowing that we are a forever family has given new meaning and purpose to our relationships with each other.

How has your knowledge of the Plan of Happiness changed/benefited your life?

For the first time in my life, I understand that I am truly a child of a Heavenly Father, that Jesus is my Elder Brother who loves me dearly and advocates on my behalf, that I am a SPIRIT undergoing a MORTAL experience and not the opposite, and I now fully understand the true nature of Heaven.

How I live my faith

I have worked with the Boy Scouts as a leader trainer and merit badge counselor. I have also led the music at Church from time to time. I love teaching Sunday School to the youth and accompany the missionaries whenever I can. Most of all, I make sure our kids understand what the LORD wants for them and that they are loved very much.

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Jonathan answered...

Families are the bricks in the great wall of human civilization. Knowing this, Satan will always try to weaken these bricks until they crumble away, leaving holes. If he crumbles enough families apart, our very fabric of society disppears. Most importantly, Heavenly Father has entrusted us to care for and nuture our little ones because they are His little ones, too.
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Greg answered...

After I joined the Mormon Church I learned about the importance of families. Not long after that I realized that if I was going to follow this teaching I needed to tell my father that I loved him. That was very difficult for me since my dad and I argued so much. I spent the better part of 2 weeks trying to determine how I could do this. When the time came I found that the words came more easily than I had thought. From that point to the time he died, about 22 years later, he and I had an entirely different relationship. We were now friends. And I found how much I regretted all our arguments while growing up. And now I find that I miss him and more fully understand how important our families are.

What does Mormonism teach regarding baptism?

Jerad answered...

For us, baptism is a two way promise or covenant with our father in Heaven. We promise to obey his commandments, take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and to always remember him ((D&C 20:77-78) and he promises to give us a remission, or forgiveness for our sins and his spirit to guide us (3 Nephi 27:19-20). However, we must keep our promise to maintain the blessings offered by our Heavenly Father. Baptism is preceeded by faith in Jesus Christ and then repentance. Once we repent of our sins and change our lives, we enter into the waters of baptism. We believe in being baptized by immersion, by someone holding the authority of God (3 Nephi 11:19-27), and at an age of responsibility, when we can recognize the difference between right and wrong (the age of eight is set as when we can do this) (D&C 68:27). There is symbolism in baptism by immersion in the death and resurrection of Christ and also the death of our past lives and a rebirth where we are cleansed from sin (Romans 6:3-6). Baptism must also be followed by receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (Acts 19:1-6).The Gift of the Holy Ghost is a second baptism by fire and completes the baptism by water (Matthew 3:11 and John 3:5).