Hi, I'm Raymond

My home town is Flora, Indiana. I'm the second Mormon in our family. My younger brother is the first.

About Me

I Grew up in a typical Midwest farming community. I joined the U.S. Army following high school and went to Europe. My last station of duty was Fort Lewis, WA.
I met my wife and daughter during my stay at Ft. Lewis. We were married in Tombstone, AZ. The marriage actually had taken place in the magistrates office next to the O.K. Corral where Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and the Clanton gang had their famous shootout. The magistrates' charge was a fruit tree and we hurried to Kmart and bought a Plumb tree. He took our picture and said he would hang it on the tree in his orchard.
We lived the life of gypsies for many years. I went to Farriers College and am a Master Farrier. I also attended Technical College and studied the Machinist trade for a short time. That led me to becoming a Gunsmith (it's a hobby). I am currently going to nursing school at a community college.
I went to Iraq and drove fuel tankers in support of the military. I was in Iraq from 2003 - 2005 and traveled all over the country delivering gas, diesel and JP8.
I've had a colorful life except for the hole in my heart that is now filled by Jesus Christ. I've been lucky enough to travel and live all over the US and Kuwait, Dubai UAE, Belgium, England, Germany, Canada, and Mexico.
I like: Astronomy, birdwatching, hunting, fishing, hiking, community service, meeting and talking to people, scripture study, speaking in church, and watching documentaries, scifi, old TV shows, and reading.

Why I am a Mormon

I became good friends with a co-worker that is Mormon. He answered any question I had about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was very patient. I originally was just curious but, one day he gave me a Triple Combination (Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price) I knew he was asking for a commitment and I was not sure if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. Through the missionaries and diligent study and prayer my question was answered by the Holy Spirit. I followed advice given to me in two scriptures, James 1:5 which instructs us how to ask for guidance: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.", and also, Moroni 10:4-5: "And when ye shall recieve these things, I would exort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." How powerful these two statements are, one from the King James Version of the Holy Bible and the second from the Book of Mormon. In both scriptures, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are saying, "I will tell you all things." Stop for a moment and ponder that message! That is what changed my life forever. Church members are the most loving followers of Christ I have ever met. I told the missionaries the first time they came over that if I could not develop frienships within the church that I would leave because I had attended other churches and can honestly say that I knew almost no-one in some of those congregations. There is no shortage of love, sharing, and friendship among Latter-day Saints. God Bless them! I testify that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and the church is true, in the name of Jesus I leave these words with you, Amen.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

Through diligent research and scripture study I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God. As I did my research and learned about Joseph Smith and the translation of the Book of Mormon, the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to me. This research was a combination of reading and studying the Book of Mormon, audio/video media, church history, and prayer.
The church history has been well kept, so it is so easy to get information about Joseph Smith. In addition to church history, many Mormons kept diaries, which is a source of direct information. Another source that I consider very credible is his family. Who knows a man better than his own mother, father, brothers, sisters, or wife? These people were closest to Joseph Smith and stand as witnesses to his honesty and integrity. His family had only love, admoration, and respect for him because he was a godly man, true to his faith, and loved his fellow man. Begin your own personal journey to discover the true and full gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, In Jesus name. Amen.

How I live my faith

I participate as much as possible in my ward (church) and community. Activities in my ward include: Sunday School Presidency, teach Sunday School (ages 12-13 and I love them), home teaching and assisting any way I can. In my community: I'm a Free Mason, founder of a gun and archery club, participate in Phi Theta Kappa (honor society for two year colleges), participate in community service and events. I love my ward and my community and feel good when I can contribute and, "By giving service to a few you contribute to the well being all."

Mormons believe Jesus Christ is their Savior. Why do we need a Savior?

Raymond answered...

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only way back to Heavenly Father. We believe in the one and only Jesus Christ, in the New Testament. The Book of Mormon is another testament of the same Jesus Christ, who is in the New Testament.
Jesus Christ was sent down to earth to teach the gospel, set the ultimate example, and die for our sins. What does all that mean? In the Old Testament, Moses was given the Ten Commandments by God. Moses taught and shared those commandments (often referred to as the law or God's law) with the people of his time but, even they could not live perfectly up to those laws. Great men of God, such as King David and Paul admitted to their sins and ask Gods' forgiveness whenever needed. God could see that his people were failing to follow his commandments and gain atonement through animal sacrifice at the temple. So he sent his son Jesus Christ as the ultimate and final sacrifice for our sins.
Now when we sin we can just ask for repentance with a contrite heart and receive forgiveness for our sins. Heavenly Father loves us so much; he wanted to make a failsafe for our return to him, if we choose his path and not our own. I leave these words with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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Trisha answered...

There are doctrinal answers to why we believe we need a Savior to redeem us from the Fall of Adam and to return us to our Father in Heaven that you'll probably come across here. But let me tell you why I need a Savior personally and what He does for me. Christ suffered personally for my pains, sorrows, and sins so that if I ask Him too, He can take them from me. I have been the victim of abuse in my life, and yet through Him I have been able to lay it all at His feet, freely forgive, feel peace, find love, and understand how important negative life experiences can be in teaching us humility. Daily He takes my pain and replaces it with pure love so that I am no longer a victim, but a victor. I need a Savior because He knows me, and through him my flaws become strengths and my pain becomes peace.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Rachel answered...

No. We only worship God. Joseph Smith was not a god. He was a prophet. Just like Moses and Abraham and all of the other prophets in the Bible. He is not a god, we do not worship him, however, as a prophet, God used him as a tool to communicate with us by giving Joseph Smith revelation. God spoke to us through Joseph Smith. Therefore, we accept what Joseph Smith said to be the word of God.