Hi, I'm Aaron

I'm a husband, a father, a singer, a trumpet player, a UNIX geek, an aspiring baker, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was born and raised in the Wasatch mountains of Utah County, but now I count myself a proud, naturalized Texan. I'm husband to a wonderful woman who always makes me feel like I'm royalty. We have seven children together who are the delight of our lives. I live for my wife & family.

My career currently has me working as a UNIX and Java application administrator. Even for those who know me well, this is at once a perfect fit and a seemingly glaring contradiction. You see, I've been trained as both a troubleshooting repair specialist and as a musician for my whole life. I spent years repairing cordless phones, stereo equipment, cars & motorcycles (and of course computers!) while at the same time studying and performing trumpet and music. I even planned on getting a degree in music composition.

I took a chance on voice when I returned from serving a mission to Japan and fell in love with singing. Initially I was classically trained, but have since studied musical theater styles as well. It is a dream for me to form and participate in an a cappella group!

Most recently I have been training my children in voice and music. Some are taking interest in the trumpet as well. We sing together, morning and night as part of our daily worship.

Lately I've also taken up bread baking and discovered that I love doing it!

Singing, and fixing & troubleshooting things are my passions and I get to live them both!

Why I am a Mormon

I was born to parents who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While it would be easy to assume I am a "mormon" because I was born one, I have come to have my own testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel through personal revelation, after much prayer and study. I do not idly believe, I am an active participant in my faith and in working out my own salvation. I honestly believe that Jesus died for me and is my Savior.

How I live my faith

Every part of my life is affected by my faith. From the moment I arise in the morning until the moment I turn out the lights, I try my hardest to live up to the principles I believe in.

I teach the scriptures to high-school aged youth in my area. They come to my home every day that school is in session at 7 AM. Class runs until 7:45 AM. We call this "Early Morning Seminary." I've been teaching this class for the past year and love doing it!

I teach my children to sing, and we sing as a family. We love to sing songs of praise and worship, though we also enjoy singing other genres as well. We sing as a family morning and night as part of our daily worship.

I attend church every week for a three hour block on Sundays. This is similar to other Christian denomination's weekly worship services in that we sing hymns, hear sermons and partake of the sacramental bread and water. These services are in our chapels, which are open to the public.

As I am able, which is usually about once a month, my wife and I endeavor to worship in one of the many temples in operation. The closest one currently is in San Antonio, about an hour and forty-five minute drive away. Temple worship is a very important part of my beliefs and distinguishes us from other Christian denominations. Only members in good standing can enter to worship in the temples. While some might see this as secretive, it is more appropriately termed, "sacred." We enter into sacred covenants with God to keep his commandments and live righteous lives and serve others. We also perform marriages and other sacred rites there which bind families together not only for this life but also for all eternity. This is one of the reasons my family is so important to me: I want to be with them forever, not just for the short time we'll be together in our mortal lives.

What is the Word of Wisdom that Mormons talk about?

Aaron answered...

The Word of Wisdom is a guide to living both a healthier and more spiritually in-tune life. By both abstaining from harmful and addictive substances, and eating more healthily we can more fully enjoy the blessings that life has to offer. I hope to be active and able to keep up with my grandchildren some day.

While some may suggest that in moderation coffee, tea and alcohol are not harmful to the body, I believe that God has revealed that this is not true. God created the human body. I imagine He knows a thing or two about its upkeep. He doesn't give us commandments like this to limit us, but like a loving parent teaching a child He gives us commandments as a framework. If we work within that safe framework, we will lead the happiest possible life.

I don't mind abstaining from coffee, tea, alcohol or other harmful or addictive substances. The blessings I receive in return are health, and an increased sensitivity to the things of the Spirit.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Mark answered...

The word of wisdom is the Lord's law of health. We abstain from drugs, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and tea, and are encouraged to eat wholesome food and grains, and not eat excessive meat. I am asked all of the time by my fellow residents at the hospital why I don't drink coffee, and how I can stay awake all night on call without it. I don't consider it a sacrifice, though, and am as awake and perform as well as any. It is true that the body will be more healthy when following the word of wisdom, the but the main benefit is spiritual. The knowledge that you are in line with the the Lord's teaching is the most important thing.

What is the role of the husband and the wife in the family?

Katie answered...

Husband and wife in a marriage are meant to be equal, partners. The husband is the head of the household and is responsible for the temporal welfare of his family. His role is to support his wife. The wife is also to support her husband and to nurture her family both spiritually and emotionally. Husband and wife are meant to work side by side in providing a safe haven from the world for their family. Their roles are different, but equally important and essential to building the family and the community.