Hi, I'm Jordan!

I'm a hummer. I'm a stress baker. I quote movies...a lot. I'm pretty good at smiling and laughing. And I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm getting ready to finish up the Special Education program to become a teacher after a brief exodus to serve a mission in New England! I quote movies and burst into song with no warning. I tend to bake when stressed. I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures of awkward and hilarious moments. I'm pretty good at smiling and laughing. My family means everything to me.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a Mormon because living the gospel has brought me happiness that can last. I'm a Mormon because questions about why I'm here and where I'm going are answered. I'm a Mormon because living the commandments gives me freedom. I'm a Mormon because my family can and will be together forever. I'm a Mormon because it gives me enough perspective to get through the road bumps along my path. I'm a Mormon because it all makes sense. I'm a Mormon because I prayed to find out and He answered my prayers, and continues to do so. I'm a Mormon because without the gospel, I would be lost.

Personal Stories

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

Growing up, my family wasn't always in perfect harmony. I don't think anyone's ever is. But I can say that we saw more and more harmony in our home as each of us did our best to live the way we knew God wanted us to. It wasn't easy. It's still not easy.

I remember a time when I carried around a huge burden by not forgiving one of my siblings. I carried it for two years. I prayed all through that time that I'd be able to let it go, that I'd be able to forgive this sibling. I prayed for her to come back to the family so that I could see her. Well, two years after the initial incident happened, I got a surprise by this sibling reaching out to ME because she wanted to come back. I was so grateful that for those two years I'd prayed to be able to forgive her, because the second she reached out, my burden was lifted. I was just so incredibly happy and filled with love for this sibling, I forgot all the pain I'd felt. I was able to fully let go of everything and welcome her back with my whole heart. We have a wonderful relationship and I know it's because the Lord helped me to be prepared when the moment came.

That harmony comes when I do my best to live the gospel. I can't blame anyone else, I can't make excuses. I just have to do the best I can and leave it in the Lord's hands. There is so much love and peace in the home when we're all doing our best and looking out for each other.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

There have been so many instances in my life when I have recognized the Holy Ghost in my life. One very poignant experience that sticks out to me is when I was in seventh grade. That age is awkward and hard enough, but on top of that, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was confused and heartbroken with all the possible outcomes I'd heard about. She was so young and cancer wasn't supposed to come until you get older.

My family recognized the need to pray and to put our faith in our Heavenly Father. We needed the attitude of "Thy will be done," more than anything else. We did pray and were blessed with the comfort of the Holy Ghost that no matter what the outcome would be for this specific trial, we, as a family, would be ok. That the Lord would protect and support us. Of course, we hoped that that would mean my mom would survive, but the Holy Ghost provided that assurance that wouldn't have come through any other means. I am grateful that my mom did survive and has now been in remission for almost 10 years, but I am also grateful that the Holy Ghost attended each member of my family during such a difficult time in our lives.

How I live my faith

I spent 18 months as a missionary for the Church, inviting others to come closer to Christ and to bring more happiness to themselves and their families. I've spent time serving in the community after several natural disasters and with other churches and organizations. In the past, I've had the chance to teach young children in the church, to tutor children in music and school work, to teach the women in the congregation I was attending, and to spend time with people who have special needs. I've spent a lot of time working with the young women in the church, helping them achieve goals and have meaningful, spiritual experiences. Most of all, I do my best to live the gospel's teachings, to love and serve other people in whatever situation I'm in. I do what I can to bring sunshine into the lives of others and to help them feel more of Christ's love through my actions.

How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ?

Jordan! answered...

The only way that I've seen my faith grow is when it's tested. I can pray all I want to for increased faith, especially in a specific principle of the gospel, but unless I act, I won't see the results. I think specifically of commandments we're given that have promises attached. We can pray to know if it's really a commandment, but we won't have firm faith if we don't actually follow the commandment. When we follow, we see God's promises fulfilled. When we see that God does His part when we do ours, that's when our faith in Him increases. Unless we're willing to follow in His footsteps and take that first step, we're not going to get any closer to Him!
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Brian answered...

Faith in Jesus Christ doesn't just happen. You have to work for it. I discovered my faith increasing when I decided to study the scriptures for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Doing so has allowed me to understand the doctrines of the gospel on a deeper level. Scripture study coupled with daily personal prayer where I really try to converse with my Father in heaven, and seek to know His will concerning me, rather than give him a list of my wants and needs and ask him to grant them as if he was my personal butler. The best way I have found is to seek to do as Jesus did. Be friendly with everyone I meet. Go the extra mile and help people beyond what is expected. Avoid judging people and try to find the good in people, rather than dwell on their weaknesses. I've found that seeking to do God's will and striving to live like Jesus Christ taught us to live, has not deprived me of anything, rather by doing things Heavenly Father's way has freed me and brought me more happiness than trying to do it my own way.

Why don’t Mormons drink coffee, tea, or alcohol? What is the Mormon Church’s law of health and proper diet?

Braden Scothern answered...

We do not drink coffee, tea, alcohol, use tobacco, or illegal drugs because of a commandment known as the Word of Wisdom.

The Word of Wisdom was a commandment revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. It tells us the importance of keeping care of our bodies because they are temples. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

We know that while from the outside it may seem restrictive it really gives us freedom it blesses us physically and spiritually. The things that we are counseled to stay away from in this law from our loving Heavenly Father help us keep our agency. When you are addicted to something you have given up some of your agency, it controls you. Satan tries to use addictive things to bind us down so we cannot focus on our relationships with the Lord.

In addition to us keeping our agency we are promised these things in the Word of Wisdom: "all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments... shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures... And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." (D&C 89:18-21

So those who keep the commandment are able to be in tune with the Holy Ghost more. That is a great blessing because it is the Spirit that helps us stay on the path to eternal life and teaches us all spiritual truths.