Hi, I'm Robert

I'm a Mormon, who before being so was brought up in the slums of Birmingham, England. Family came to Australia in 1967.

About Me

I was born in the slums of central England on the 13th of December 1930. The Great Depression was still in full swing, so you can imagine that things were pretty hard for my father when trying to find work, however something always turned up for him. Like most in our class we had to live where the government placed us, but that did not mean that we were unhappy. Never a religious family we still enjoyed the festive seasons. I married in 1954.
My wife told me late one afternoon after my coming home from work that she had invited two “Mormon Missionaries” to come and visit with us. My first words to her were “Well wife, you invited them you deal with them”. They called and she invited them into the front parlour. Not wanting to upset her I sat down with my dinner plate on my lap and a cup of tea on the arm of my chair. An hour later, my dinner untouched and my tea cold I listened for a full hour to what they had to tell us. I was taken aback when the two young men asked me to pray when my wife and I retired for the night. Never in my life had I prayed unless forced to do so at school. As promised we knelt at the side of the bed and I was voice. I asked God, in a half hearted way, to have the missionary’s message confirmed to us. As soon as I asked a tingling sensation came up from my loins and filled my chest. I gasped to my wife “It’s true, all of it” For over forty years I have been able to proudly say “I AM A MORMON”

Why I am a Mormon

I suppose I could say that the reason I am a Mormon is that the church is true,or I think that the church has something which all other churches lack. I could say that it has given me something to live for and to look forward to. Maybe it is because the Lord gave me the opportunity to serve in different callings within the church, the the meaning of life was explained to me. I could say these things and they would all be true, but when it all boils down to answering the question Why I am a Mormon my answer would have to be because the Lord called me. He knew that I needed Him in my life and that I had something to offer Him and His sons and daughters who were crying out for some kind of help in understanding the age old question "Why". The LORD knew that I would not be slow in giving some comfort to these lost souls through the modern technology that would be available in the future. Now that future is here as is the technology, and I serve a new mission with my fingers and the knowledge I now have. This is why I am a Mormon.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

If I do not hide them under a bushel, but have them in full view and by sharing them with others, there will always be someone who will benefit by what I have to offer. Because I give them freely, without charge or favour the gifts that I give become more precious, more appreciated by the recipient. Both of us are blessed, the giver and the receiver.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

Not all of my prayers have been answered, for I know that the Lord has given me the wisdom to find the answers I seek. Yet many times I have received a undeniably feeling deep within my bosom that what I seek an answer to has been confirmed by the Holy Spirit. Many times I have risen from off my knees disappointed that I have had no such feeling, then the thought comes to me that the Lord is far wiser than me. I then know that that which I enquire about is not what the Lord would have me do or say.
Often the answer will come through another person, or some happening which alters the course that I wished to take. I give an example of my prayers not being answered right away.Some years ago my wife and I had a desire to return to our home country of England. We knelt in prayer to ask the Lord if we should make the journey.We received no answer until twelve months had passed when the Lord told us through the Spirit that it was time to go.
We had not seen our mothers for ten years. Two weeks after we arrived home my mother died. I was able to conduct her funeral and bid my last farewell to her. I thank the Lord for holding us back all those months.

How I live my faith

Since joining the church I have served on six Bishopric's as counsellor to each Bishop. Held many callings in the church. Served on the Temple Presidency for three years at the Sydney Temple. Been active in Family History as Family History Director. I use the Internet and log on to Wiki or Yahoo Answers every day so that I might give answers to religious questions. At present I am Sunday School President in my Ward. I serve once a week in the Brisbane temple as a worker, and go once a week as a patron. I live at a Mobile Home Park and most families know that I am a Mormon. As a side line I help folk on the park with their computers encouraging them to do their family history. Oh, I write poetry in my spare time and sing in the Ward choir.

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.

Robert answered...

Would you be satisfied with a copy of an antique vase or painting. How many times would you have to say to friends "I wish I could find the original. It would take its pride of place where now stands hangs a copy". Finding a copy of a church which resembles the original can be found in any suburb in any town or city. But what if you were able to find a church that was the same as the original church with Christ at its head. This church assisted by 12 apostles who held the same authority as did the original church. Supposing the vase or picture had a twin, both done by the original artist but lost until found again. Would they take pride of place in your lounge room. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not a twin of the original church, the original was buried deep within the bogus churches which grew up from the original. Yet the treasure was not lost to the artist he being the living Christ, who held it within his bosom until it was ready to be brought back into the light. When men would appreciate its full worth and beauty, to give all that they had to obtain it. Neither would it be hung on some wall and coveted in secret by those who obtained it, but shared with all of mankind as a free gift from a grateful finder.
Scott Jackson answered...

When Jesus Christ was on the Earth, He established an organization of prophets, apostles, teachers, and other leaders to lead and guide the members of His church (the body of Christ, as it is referred to in the New Testament). When Judas died, and Jesus had left the Earth, the first order of business for the other 11 apostles was to fill the vacancy. They did so by praying and seeking out revelation. They eventually decided on Matthias. This example shows us that apostles were not only to be used for when Christ was on the Earth, but that God wanted Apostles to lead His children at all times. Unfortunately, apostasy stirred within the early church, and the apostles were killed one by one. The world was left without Priesthood leadership, until the time of the Restoration, when this same authority was given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery from the very same Peter, James and John (as resurrected beings). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints has 12 apostles, just like in New Testament times. These special witnesses of Christ bear solemn witness that Jesus is the Christ. They help the Prophet and President of the Church to share the Gospel message to the four corners of the Earth.

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Shannon answered...

No, Mormons or members of The Church of Jesus Christ do not practice polygamy. The church has nothing whatsoever to do with the practice of polygamy. People who practice polygamy are not Mormons or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If any members of the church are found practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, which is the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church.