Hi, I'm John

I grew up in Idaho. I reside in Washington. I am a musician and love to play the organ at church. I am a Mormon.

About Me

I was married in the Idaho Falls Temple. I am the proud father of 4 children. I am a musician who has played in church since the age of 12 and that has been for over 37 years. I served a mission in Columbus, Ohio. I teach private piano and voice lessons in my home studio. I have been in the church since 3 years old. My parent joined the church in 1965 after they had watched general conference on television and were deeply moved by what they saw and heard. My mother told a friend who was a member, they liked what they saw. This friend sent the missionaries out to the farm, which was 50 miles from town and they taught my parents. Dad was converted after the first lesson. I was baptized at 8 years old by my father.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in the church, but really hadn't received my true personal knowledge that it was the right church to belong to until I was 19. When the knowledge came with such force, I could not deny it. I have chosen to raise my children in the church and I am happy to see how it blesses their lives. My life has been enriched and blessed with many things through the church. I enjoy the chances I receive to share the gospel with those I meet. My grandfather, who was not a member, would offer to give us money if we would quit the church and deny it. I never took his money for I know it is the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

Talents are given to each of us. It is our choice in how to use them. I have chosen to use my talents to bless the lives of others with music. I have chosen in life to perform music that is good and wholesome. I have raised my four children in a home with good music. It fills my heart with joy and happiness to see them as musicians following in the same way. The Lord gave us talents to help one another through service.

How I live my faith

When my family lived in Nashville, Tennessee, I was blessed with the opportunity to play the organ and piano in our home ward and in the Spanish Branch. I played the music for 6 hours on Sunday. I currently get to play for the meetings occasionally. I serve as the Emergency Response Communication Specialist. I and other church members attend a Faith Community meeting for Emergency Preparedness with other churches in our community. We are able to share with other churches what we have learned in preparing for a disaster.

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.

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.
Mark answered...

The principle of a perpetuating body of twelve special witnesses of Christ comes in ancient times from the fact that the eleven survivors of the death of the Savior chose a twelfth to replace Judas Iscariot (see Acts of the Apostles 1:15-26) Two were considered worthy to take his place, but only one was chosen. When the apostles cast their lots, the inspired choice fell upon Matthias.

In modern times, the Church's organization has been one of gradual building. As the needs of the Church have continued to grow, the prophet of the Lord has been directed to add not only the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, but other supporting quorums of the Seventy as well. The structure of the local organization of wards and stakes has been given by revelation to complete it. But as the needs of the Church continue to evolve so will the structure which supports it. Christ remains the chief cornerstone and the Apostles as the foundation with Him. (see Ephesians 2:19-20 also Ephesians 4:11-14)

What is faith?

Zen answered...

Of all the definitions of faith I have read or heard, I add the simplest and most complete to me, which is the Love of Christ. I cannot think of a better way to describe faith. Love of Christ is the substance of hope in something evident we can not see with earthly eyes. It is the faith in Christ or the love of Christ that enabled Able to make a more perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 11:4). That love is why we believe in Christ, it is why we have grace, it is why we have works, it is why we have belief, it is why we have hope, it is why we have charity, it is the very essence of faith, and faith is the very essence of the Love of Christ

Perfect knowledge is worthless without faith. For instance, most of us have perfect knowledge that applying a pointed pencil to paper will cause a mark. That knowledge will not make a mark if we do not exercise the elements of faith called works (picking up the pencil, applying it to the paper, and making a mark), belief (that doing so will make a mark), and hope (that it actually will make a mark). It is my desire that you would exercise works to find out about Christ and study Him, that you would believe on His words and His life and His sacrifice, and that you would hope that He would have an effect in your life. If you exercise this faith, you will truly come unto Him.

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Joseph Smith

As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.

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