Hi, I'm ej

I have joy. I have truth. I have love... because I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I love the energy of college basketball games. I try to garden and live holistically--which is often negated by my deep and abiding love for chicken wings. There is no end to education in all of it's contexts. I hug plants and have no idea why. I have worked closely with abating organized crime, spreading the gospel to the poor and lowly, spray painting, playing volleyball in international tournaments and am attempting to become a hound on the harmonica. I have no kids but am in awe at the calling and look forward to the blessing of having my own one day. I strive to love what I hate (vacuuming and clutter are still winning that war.) My guilty pleasure is the odd platform video game. Nature is my nurturing. Gustav is a ball python I rescued as a part of my "love what you hate" ambition, and he brings a joy, joy, joy deep down in my heart. I am domestic. And international :) I thought the Book of Mormon/YouTube Challenge would be a fun thing to do in my spare time, so I started it.

Why I am a Mormon

In my late teens/early 20's a deep and lasting sorrow as a result of poor decisions I had made in my life compelled me to seek for peace and a lifting of the burden of those mistakes. I sought out many different faiths, many different proclaimed method's of fixing it, but in the end it was the faith of my fathers (my parents converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints prior to my birth) that offered that relief. Since having that miraculous experience--as the moment of forgiveness truly was a miracle--it has been my mission to bring that peace and knowledge of the true and lasting remission of sin into the lives of others. Revelation from God through the Holy Ghost is real and quickening and I am grateful to have that gift in my life. Assurance comes from knowing that God is unchanging and calls a living prophet to oversee His household on the earth today. The greatest understanding of my Savior, Jesus Christ, has come through studying not only the testament of Him as found in the Holy Bible, but as well through the testimony of the ancient Native Americans that saw Him, felt the prints in His hands and heard His words and took upon themselves the arduous task of recording it that we might have that second witness that broadens our understanding of and relationship with the Messiah. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ gives me a perfect knowledge of who I am, where I came from, what the heck I am doing on this planet, and where myself and all others go after this life. I am a Mormon because I am a Child of God and it is through being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that I am truly able to understand my divinity and know how to behave and excel and honor Him as His daughter. No greater peace comes than knowing and applying this truth.

How I live my faith

I am a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, having served half of my mission in Georgia and have now started in South Carolina for the last half. I am currently on medical leave but spend my days living the missionary schedule (demanding!) and building the kingdom where I currently reside until I can return (say a little pray for the beast inhabiting my body right now, will ya?) I read scriptures and pray daily--drinking deeply from them--with the sole intent of using that practice to save souls from the darkness, from the searching state even, that they are in. I love the great calling and charge given to me to be a saviour (small "s") to these souls and am humbled that the Lord entrusts these souls to me. How great is my calling!

Who is the Mormon prophet today?

Mark answered...

God through out the ages has spoken to His children through living prophets. We have a prophet today, named Thomas S. Monson. He is a prophet just like Moses, Abraham or Peter. My wife and I, were blessed to be personally called by President Monson to serve a mission. For 2 hours we sat in his office as he taught us. We felt his spirit and his love. I know that he is a prophet. This is the Savior’s church and He leads this church just as he did anciently through a living prophet. As we follow President Monson’s teaching and example we will be blessed to draw nearer to the Savior.
David Child answered...

The president of the church today is the prophet of the world. His name is Thomas S. Monson. I know he is lead by God and leads God's church.

What is done with the tithing that Mormons pay?

Lot answered...

The money received from members in the form of tithing goes directly to the headquarters of the church where a council decides what will be done with the money. Here are some ways in which the tithing funds are used:
1. Build, maintain, and operate temples, meetinghouses, and other buildings.
2. Provide operating funds for stakes, wards, and other units of the Church. (These units use the funds to carry out the ecclesiastical programs of the Church, which include teaching the gospel and conducting social activities.)
3. Help the missionary program.
4. Educate young people in Church schools, seminaries, and institutes.
5. Print and distribute lesson materials.
6. Help in family history and temple work.

*It is important to note that tithing funds are not used to pay leaders of the church. All leaders of the church are volunteers and receive no form of pay.