Hi, I'm Taylor

I live for Music. I love rock climbing, rafting, and canyoneering. I'm a missionary, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Hey, I'm Taylor and I am currently serving a two-year mission for the Church in Portland, Oregon. Before my mission I was studying music at a college level. When I wasn't at school you could always find me in the gym, playing basketball and climbing on the rock wall. Whenever the weather permitted I was outside, climbing, hiking, or rafting with my bros. I love to play guitar, it's definitely my favorite instrument. I come from a large family, consisting of my mom and dad and eight kids. I've worked as a machinist, a construction worker, and harvested pie cherries. But most of all, I love the Lord, and I am always striving to do His work.

Why I am a Mormon

I was lucky enough to be raised in a family that was already part of this church. That being said, I still had to find my own testimony of the gospel. I realized, at age 12, that I didn't have a testimony, that I didn't know of myself that the Book of Mormon was true, or that Joseph Smith had restored the church. I didn't even really know if my Savior loved me! So I prayed. I prayed hard, too, I wanted to know if I should continue in the church. I didn't recieve an answer for quite some time. But I perservered, and continued in prayer and studying the Book of Mormon. Then, one morning, as I was preacticing the piano I happened to play one of our church's hymns, Hymn number 2, The Spirit of God. I'd like to share the first verse of that with you

The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!
The latter-day glory begins to come forth
The visions and blessings of old are returning,
And angels are coming to visit the earth.

As I played that hymn, and sang those inspired words, I felt the Spirit of God enter into my heart and testify to me of the truth of the Gospel. Such joy and light filled my heart that I began to cry. At that moment I knew without a doubt the church is true, the Book of Mormon is correct, and Joseph Smith did see our Savior and Heavenly Father. My Savior lives, and I know that He loves and cares for me. I cannot and will not deny this faith.
I have followed the LDS church ever since. Because of the testimony I gained through prayer I'm now serving a mission, sharing the gospel with others. Because of the values that I've been blessed to apply in my life, I am free of addiction and costly mistakes. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ I am free of sins. I am far from perfect, but through this gospel I come closer to Christ everyday. I know that this is the Lord's church on earth again today. Please take the chance to find out for yourself. Follow the example of Christ and pray, ask God, and change your life.

Personal Stories

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?

One of my favorite teachings from the Savior is the story about the 10 lepers. To summarize, Jesus heals 10 lepers, or men with leperousy, a terrible disease that causes the skin to rot. After healing the 10 men, all but one run to the village to be reunited with their families. One single man remains, falls to his kness at Jesus' feet, and thanks Him. I marvel that only one remembered to be grateful! This story touches me, and reminds me that I need to recognize what the Lord has done in my life, for me. I try to focus on gratitude, and always thank the Lord for the blessings that I receive. In my opinion, the worst thing we can do is overlook our Savior. So lets all be like the one instead of the nine, and let us thank or Savior for His many blessings.

How I live my faith

Right now I live my faith by being a missionary. Let me explain what a missionary is and what we do.
Our purpose as missionaries is to invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the Restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. That's the message we share, in simplicity. We invite all people everywhere to come unto Christ, to give up their sins and troubles, and to accept the atonement in their lives. It's a marvelous thing, to be able to be clean of sin, and such good news should and is shared!
As missionaries we give two years of our life to serve God. As a missionary I get the chance to teach alot. This has blessed me and increased my faith immensly! My own testimony grow as I strive to teach others the gospel. Another service I often get to render is that of playing the piano and/or singing. I am blessed to be musicly talented, and what better way to use that talent then to serve the Lord.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Taylor answered...

Quite simply, no. The young men of the church have been strongly encouraged to serve a mission at age 19, and the sisters are able to serve at age 21, but no one is required to serve. We do it because we want to! Who in their right mind would give up two years and pay that's right, missionaries pay their own way to go somewhere they had never been and do all that they do? We serve missions becuase we know that Jesus is the Christ, and we want the happiness that knowledge bring to be available to everyone! So no, Mormons are not required to serve a mission. It's a personal choice to share the happiness and joy they've received from the Gospel.
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Austin. answered...

No. Every worthy young man is expected to serve a mission, though there is no punishment for not doing so. Also, not every young man is physically or mentally capable, so there are circumstances where a young man may be excused from service. Young women may also serve missions, but are not expected to do so.

Serving a mission means a full-time commitment, leaving family and friends to preach the gospel in a place assigned by the Church.

I served my mission in Los Angeles, California.

Why do you have 12 Apostles? They were just meant to be around for the time of Jesus Christ, not to be replaced with new apostles.

Becky answered...

Our church is the same church that Christ instituted while he was here on the earth. It is Christ's church and is called after him. Just as he had 12 Apostles, we have 12 Apostles and, as Peter was President of the Church after Christ ascended into heaven following His ressurection, we have a living prophet. Christ is the head of the church, but the prophet and apostles act for him and in his name. They have the same Priesthood power that Christ gave to Peter and the other apostles at that time. The prophet and apostles today are also called as seers, revelators, and special witnesses of Jesus Christ. Theirs as in the time of Christ is the duty to handle the affairs of the Church, to travel to different countries and bear testimony of and administer in the name of Jesus Christ. We have the opportunity every 6 months in a General Conference of the Church, broadcast over television, radio, and internet all over the world, to hear them speak about Christ, and to teach us how to become more like Him. They are important in their ministry as well as in the organization of our large, worldwide church membership.