Hi, I'm Jerry.

I am a husband, a father of six, an engineer, a salesman, a business owner and I am a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in South Carolina and was the seventh child in a family with twelve children, six boys and six girls! I remember my father being asked by a friend following the birth of one of my siblings how many kids he planned to have. He responded that he had always heard that things were cheaper by the dozen so he guessed he would stop at twelve. Sure enough, that is what my parents did but I don't think the "cheaper" part worked out as expected.
My family didn't really practice any religion. We were poor, like everyone else we knew, and I guess it took all of my parents time just trying to feed us and keep us in clothing. However, when I was 12 years old, I met the Scout Master of the local Mormon sponsored Boy Scout troop and he asked if I would like to join the troop. I was very excited to do so and quickly grew to love the scouting experience and the boys and leaders I met with.
When I was going on fourteen years old I took the missionary discussions, gained a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and was baptized. I still remember my baptism very clearly, forty years later. It was and is a very important day in my life.
I went on to serve a mission in San Diego, California where I had the priviledge of sharing the gospel with many wonderful people. Following my mission I attended BYU where I met my wonderful wife and 30 years later she is still trying to make something good out of me! We now have six children of our own and live in the great state of Georgia. As the old saying goes, "Life is good!"

Why I am a Mormon

The answer to "Why I am a Mormon?" is simple. I believe with all my heart that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. When I took the missionary discussions forty years ago the Holy Spirit bore a powerful witness to me that the things the missionaries were teaching were true. Since then I have had it reconfirmed to me again and again through sacred spiritual experiences.
I know that I have a Father in Heaven that loves me regardless of the mistakes I have made or will make in the future. His love is truly unconditional. And I know that I have an elder brother, Jesus Christ, who paid the price for my sins so that I could be forgiven. All that is required of me is a "broken heart and a contrite spirit" and a daily commitment to live my life as He would have me live.
I have learned that my greatest happiness comes through living as my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have taught.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

I have learned that the most important thing I do each day is get on my knees and pray. Nothing else benefits me as much. It is when I have my personal, private prayer, when I speak with my Heavenly Father and tell him about my wants and needs, my joys and sorrows, my challenges and triumphs, that I draw closest to Him. I have learned that it is at this time, when no one else is around, that I am completely honest about myself and who I am. And this is also when I feel that I learn the most about myself. I have learned through my prayers that my Heavenly Father does love me and that he truly hears every word that I speak. And I am grateful that I have been commanded by Him to pray always.

How I live my faith

One of my greatest joys is sharing the gospel with others. And the best way I have found to share the gospel is by living the teachings of Jesus Christ every day the best I can. As Christ said, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven." This I try to do. Sure, I have made my share of mistakes and probably will in the future. But I am trying to do what is right each day and I think that is what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ wants each of us to do.
I also love to spend time with my family and the older I get the more I enjoy it. My life is too busy, too full, most days and that makes it hard to do everything I want to do. But spending time with my wife and kids has become my favorite past time.
In my local congregation I am currently serving as an adviser to the young men aged 16 - 18. What a great joy that is for me. I love these young men and I am constantly amazed by their strength of character and their love for their Savior. I look forward to working with them every week because I benefit so much from the experience.

What is the priesthood?

Jerry. answered...

Priesthood is the name that we call the power of God. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ use their power, their priesthood, to create worlds, heal the sick, perform miracles, etc. Heavenly Father allows faithful men to receive and use the priesthood, His power, to serve His children here on earth. When Heavenly Father gives a man His priesthood He is also giving that man permission, or authority, to represent Him. It is through the power and authority of the priesthood that we teach the gospel, perform baptisms, give blessings, conduct church meetings, etc. In fact, every thing we do in the church is under the authority of the priesthood. Without that authority we are not authorized to represent Him.
Ethan answered...

I like to approach questions by looking at the words of things

"priest" has reference to either the concept of one who leads, one who is elder, or one who is holy I like to remember that the words 'holy' and 'whole' are linked by a common ancestry. When something is 'holy' it's essentially saying that it's complete, that it's healthy..

And "-hood" makes reference to the state of being, and not just any state of being but a state of being that's worthy or correct for it's placement. That is, that it's done properly.

So one could say the priesthood is leadership or a point of reference that's completely suited to the position in which it's been placed.

Another way to look at it is to say it's God's perfect order. That is, it's God's perfect arrangement.

In our Church we often give a definition of priesthood as being "the authority to act in God's name" and that's exactly what it means to be a part of God's perfect order. If God commands something to be done by you, and you do it, then you are acting under, and with that portion of God's authority that he's permitted you to exercise within his perfect order.

Just as with any instance where someone tries to act in the name of someone else there are bound to be those who try and do so falsely. That's why God has things ordered in such a way that one can know for certain if someone has His God's authority, or not.

Can husband and wife be together forever? Do you believe that families will live together in heaven?

Mark answered...

This is more than just instinct. We are indeed eternal beings whose origin is before the creation of the earth. And one of the things we come to earth to do is to find a companion, not only for this mortal existence, but for eternity as well. God has provided the place, the Temple of the Lord, and the authority, the power to seal things on earth and in heaven. So that eternal relationships can be established here and enjoyed after this life is done. Do I believe it? I feel certain that these principles are true. The Holy Ghost confirms that to my spirit.