Hi, I'm James

I'm from Washington state, married with 3 children, a dog, 2 cats, a lizard, fish and a boat. I'm an engineer and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I've been happily married for 18 years to a loving, caring wife and blessed with 3 wonderful children. My life consists of whatever it takes to support and sustain my family's needs and I wouldn't have it any other way. Fortuately besides paying the bills, yard work and fixing things, my family's needs include camping, boating, snow skiing, playing fiddle, singing karaoke (sober), laughing at dumb jokes, watching good movies and spending time with friends & extended family.

I graduated from a local university in mechanical engineering and have worked in a variety of technical fields such as process control and aerospace. I have always been a deep thinker, scientific minded, interested in the cosmos and the mysteries of life. Even though growing up I was not very religious per se, my parents taught me to live with honesty, integrity and moral common sense, for which I am grateful. As a young adult I arrived at my own convictions about God's truths and His plan of salvation. I served a 2 year mission and later married in the House of the Lord. Ever since coming to that knowledge and personal testimony of Jesus Christ, I've always thought, if God never did another thing for me, my heart would still overflow with gratitude for the rest of my life.

Why I am a Mormon

I always knew about the Mormon church because part of my family has a long history of membership. I really didn't take it or any other religion very seriously. I was more logical and tended toward scientific explanations rather than faith-based convictions. To me, the Mormons and other churches seemed stuck in the ancient past; it appeared as though all of God's dealings were long ago and whatever He did back then was not to be expected today. It didn't make sense to me if that was the case. Unless God was here for us today and I could experience His power, I would not accept that He was ever there at all.

Then my first year at college I was befriended by some fellow students and invited to study the bible with them. I accepted hesitantly, but later came to enjoy learning about Jesus' life in the New Testament. In time I became interested in knowing more about the Mormon church as well. I began to realize that there was a truth to be found and that God does live and Jesus Christ truly was the Savior of the world. I compared doctrines among the faiths that I studied and prayed fervently to know the truth so that I could follow it - whatever it ended up being. As my understanding grew, I received the undeniable witness of the Holy Ghost that God is there today just like in ancient times and that His Gospel had been restored to the earth with prophets and apostles, and all of the same gifts and blessings that were had anciently were available today.

So, why am I a Mormon? Only one reason - because I know that it is true and that I can be together forever with my family in the eternities.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

When I knew for myself that Mormonism was true, I was almost 20 years old and in my second year of college preparing to qualify for a degree program in engineering. I knew that most young adults in the church served 2 year missions paid for by their own resources, and I wanted to go too, but I felt it was too late and I had not prepared well enough ahead of time. I could not justify breaking up my 4 year degree program for a mission and I had no way of financing it. It seemed well enough that I had found the true Gospel so I figured I would do what I could at school to share the message with my friends.

During the fall quarter one evening I was alone in my dorm room studying chemistry, and the thoughts about serving a mission would not leave me undistracted. I eventually went and knelt in prayer to try and find some peace, and after some struggling in the spirit, I finally exclaimed in utter surrender, "OK, I will go! I will do whatever it takes to go and all else I will leave in Thy Hands". The overwhelming peace that followed seemed nearly to elevate me above the floor. I had received my answer.

I finished my sophomore year of college, spent the summer working and entered the mission field the next fall. It was one of the hardest and best 2 years of my life, of which I have no regrets. Everything I thought I might have sacrificed was returned in greater measure in the end. Blessed be the name of the Lord for taking fools like me and calling them to His great work!

How I live my faith

In everything I undertake I seek to know and do the will of Him who ransomed my soul with his Atoning blood, even Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I wish I was perfect at it. I think over time though I am growing closer to Him. Of course we attend church, fulfill assignments, and enjoy fellowship with the members of the church. I have taught youth, been a scout leader and helped to administer the affairs the ward (congregation). However I try to remember that Jesus said the greatest commandments were to love God and love your neighbor. One of our greatest priviliges as church members is to be a home teacher, where we visit a couple of families once a month or so to check on them and let them know we care. Some may be very devoted church attendees, some may not be. It stretches me to have to think of others and not just of myself, and brings me closer to the Lord. I know that God is no respecter of persons. I hold a deep respect for all people of integrity and faith no matter what church they pertain to, or even none at all. I know He is mindful of them and all people as He is of me and I try to live by that understanding. My desire would be for all people to come and see and know for themselves the joy and peace the Gospel can bring them.

How can I know Mormonism is true?

James answered...

There was a time in my life I would have never thought it possible to know with certainty that God lives, without having seen Him. I would hear people testify in church that they know Jesus is the Savior, etc. and I would doubt that they really did. We tend to think that the only way to know something is to have it right before our face. What I learned is that God has a way of communicating truth that is so personal and powerful, that one cannot deny it anymore than they can deny their own existence.

The way God teaches us the truth is by the whisperings of His Spirit and the power of the Holy Ghost. The seemingly small impressions of what is good and not good that we all receive can lead us to more and more truth, if we allow ourselves to follow them. These are the whisperings of His Spirit and are given to all people as a gift from Jesus Christ. Following what seems right to us is the beginning of faith in Jesus Christ. Coming to know the truth about Mormonism is just a continuation of that faith, seeking to do right by learning and obeying God's commandments, and sincerely desiring and asking to know if it is true, through prayer and pondering (like deep thinking). Anyone who does those things will receive a witness of the Holy Ghost that Mormonism is true.
Sean answered...

Before I was baptized, a missionary told me that I could read the Book of Mormon and find out for myself if it was true. I liked that idea. I've always been a person who wanted to know the truth for myself. After the missionary had suggested I read it, I decided to try. It was a big step of faith to pick up a book and read it without knowing for sure. Over time, I developed a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true.

The same goes for knowing if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Christ once again established on this earth. A simple prayer to your Heavenly Father can open so many doors of truth.

The real way that I know it is true is how it has helped my life. Without the Church, I'd be lost. I am grateful for it, and for the knowledge I have that it is true.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Nadja answered...

How could we ever hope for anything if it weren't for the grace offered by our Saviour Jesus Christ?

God is just - which means His laws are just. They are eternal. This means that His dealings towards us will always be just, but it also means that He exacts justice from us, His children. Regardless of the commandment or law, justice demands a recompense for obedience, but also a punishment (or consequence) for disobedience.

Jesus Christ has paid for these trespasses, and He willingly extends that payment to each one who earns or deserves it. This grace is awarded based on our repentance, a change of heart so profound, we abandon the desire to repeat the offense.

That is grace: forgiveness (meaning: not having to suffer ourselves for our own mistakes and disobedience) which follows sincere repentance. What an incredible gift!