Hi, I'm Trey

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, but I moved when I was 3 years old, so I only really remember California. I finished high school and am about to go to college. I completed everything for my Eagle Scout, and passed my Board of Review. I have learned how to play piano, sing in my high school's choir which is one of the best in the nation, and am planning on learning how to play the violin. I want to grow up to be a doctor because I want to help people and make a difference, so I'm going to college to major in Biology to do just that.

Why I am a Mormon

I have always been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, since my family has been born into it for generations. But for me, that isn't enough to continue in a certain faith. Sure, I relied on my parents testimony for a good chunk of my life, but over the past few years, I have really been learning exactly how much I know the Gospel is true. I've kind of HAD to, because high school can really change how you view life and religion. Luckily, in my case, I had one experience that set my own testimony down and has served as the pillar of my belief when I needed it. When I was at EFY during the summer of 2010, at Redlands, CA, all the guys in my group were having a very serious discussion about deep doctrines in the Gospel. Some of the guys admitted that they were having a very hard time believing that it was true. While we were talking about the many different questions many people raised, and not being able to give satisfactory answers to every one of them, several of us felt the need to pray. During the prayer, each of us felt the Spirit touch us incredibly strongly and let us know that it would be ok. The next day, the session director gave a lesson, and during the lesson, each question we asked each other was answered, and what he didn't cover himself was asked by someone in the audience and answered to the best of his ability. We went up to talk to the session director afterwards to let him know, and he said that he changed his lesson plans THE NIGHT BEFORE. That experience taught each of us how much our Heavenly Father loves each individual, to answer questions a bunch of teenage boys had about His Gospel. I am sure that this story still affects all of the members of that group, and I know that because of what I felt, I can never deny the power and reality of my God and the truthfulness of His church.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

We go on missions because we see how it affects our lives so much, we can't help but want to share it with everyone we can. It would seem strange to say that it has changed my life since I was born into the Church, but it has grown steadily more prominent in my life, and I can see improvements in my attitude, behavior, outlook on life, and a great many other things. I myself am looking forward to the chance I will have to do nothing for two years but see how the Church improves lives, and to assist in that endeavor as much as I possibly can.
Another reason we go on missions is because the Prophets have always said we should. I have personally sustained the First Presidency of the Church, all the 12 Apostles, and all the General Authorities in their callings, and have agreed to listen to their counsel. If I have agreed to follow their teachings, which come directly from God, how can I think to not go on a mission?

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

I try to share the gospel with my friends any way I can. The one that I do most often, though, is by example. I show, by how I act and what I say, exactly what I believe. This is the way my friends will likely remember me, and therefore they will remember the Church and what it stands for. I also absolutely love to just sit down and talk with my friends about the gospel. I love to say why and how I do something, and I love to explain concepts I understand (and some I can't fully understand). I try not to make it all about me, though. I also love to learn about what they believe, what they take to be true. In doing this, I realize just how strange my religion may seem to be to them. And whenever we have conflicting beliefs about something, I don't say "That's wrong." I just explain what I believe, and try to make everything I say as understandable and applicable to them as possible. Honestly, it's incredibly fun to me to share my beliefs in this church in as many ways as possible

How I live my faith

I do whatever I can do to participate in the Church. I go on different outings aimed at the youth. I attend Youth Group meetings (commonly known as Mutual). I do my best to fulfill my calling in the Church as a Priest by blessing the Sacrament, taking the Sacrament to those who are unable to attend Church, going on Home Teaching assignments with my dad and occasionally giving the lessons, and whatever else I am needed and able to do. Just recently, I had the opportunity to be on the committee for a campout for the young men in our area, Camp Helaman, which helps prepare the young men for their missions. I helped figure out where we went, what we ate, who was paired with who as a companion, wether we had a t-shirt distributed to everybody, and I even gave a lesson to each of the boys about the Holy Ghost. I also have, just this summer, been on a handcart trek with all the youth and many of the adults in my area, and been on several hikes with the youth and leaders in my own ward. While these trips are fun, I try to make a point of doing everything I can to help out in the ward at every opportunity, not just take the fun stuff.

What do Mormons believe about "eternal life?"

Trey answered...

The terms "eternal life" and "immortal life" can often get confusing. Most people use them interchangeably. However, many times in scripture, the Lord makes a point of separating the two. For instance, in Moses 1:39, "For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man". Immortal life is simple enough to understand: never ending life. We exist and are alive forever, which to us is incomprehensible at this time. Eternal life, on the other hand, is to live with God, to be with our families for all of our immortal life. Eternal life is the reason we came to this earth. Eternal life is why we follow the "strict rules" set down by our leaders and previous prophets. Eternal life is our goal, and we hope to make it the goal for everyone else, otherwise it might get really lonely in the highest degree of heaven, and the life of those we didn't help will be almost for naught. And Heavenly Father doesn't want to make it as hard as he can for us to be with Him again. On the contrary, according to the verse I quoted above, He's trying to help us achieve eternal life.
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What is the Book of Mormon?

Ben answered...

We believe in a loving Father in Heaven who desires all of his children to have His precious word. "Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?" (2 Nephi 29:7).

Of course, with any thing concerning God, it is important to find out, personally, if the work is true. What better source can we trust than God Himself? Through prayer we can know, independently of anyone else, where the truth lies concerning any matter.

In the introduction to the Book of Mormon we read: "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost." I testify that this pattern of revelation is true. If we take the time to study it out in our minds, ponder upon the truth and ask God, in faith with desire to act upon our answer, that we will receive. He has answered me, and He will answer you when you ask in faith.