Hi, I'm John

I grew up a Methodist joined the choir in fourth grade and started looking for God's church after high school. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was the kid voted most likely to become a minister; I started roller skating, snow skiing and other adventurous activities like sailing after I started college. I did not know who I was or what I wanted out of life. Today I am a black belt in American style karate and have been a ranked fighter. I haven't been to a tournament in a few years but I still enjoy watching a good martial arts flick and look for the holes in their defense.
I love to read, Science Fiction is my favorite but I read a lot of fantasy too. I enjoy a good yarn regardless and have even read romance just to see why my wife liked it. For a long time we picked out a book read it and discussed why we liked or hated it. I am a people person who happens to be a good professional in the information technology field.

Why I am a Mormon

I contemplated becoming a minister because I felt called to preach, but after the interview I was told that they hoped my first congregation would be too poor to pay me a full time salary so at least at the beginning of my ministry I would be able to preach what I felt God wanted his people to hear versus having to choose from the topics the members wanted. After the meeting even though I was told that I had passed the final test I chose not to follow that course and started looking for God's true church. I went to every revival, attended many different churches joined several but something was always missing. I came to the conclusion that we were still in the apostasy Paul talked about. I joined the US Air Force and during my last week in boot camp I was invited to attend church with someone I had befriended. I had a choice seeing as I had already gone to church that Sunday; I could go again or return to the barracks and participate in our final GI party or go find out about another church. I chose to go back to church, where I found what I had been searching for for the past several years. Thirteen days later I entered the waters of Baptism and much to my parents surprise I am still a member some thirty-six years later.

Personal Stories

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

There so many things I could answer this with but I will keep it simple. My third daughter was born with cyanosis (blue-baby) her heart had not closed and a scan was performed which indicated that neo-natal open heart surgery would be required. My wife and I prayed mightily and our faith was rewarded. When she was taken up for surgery the next morning the doctor took a look at her and sent the nurses back to the nursery for the correct child. She did not need the surgery. About 25 minutes after the surgery was scheduled he came into the room and told us that a miracle had taken place and her heart had healed itself she did not need surgery. My daughter served a mission for the church in Japan 21 years later.

How I live my faith

I have been involved with Boy Scouts since my oldest son now 33 was a Cub Scout, I have been a Cub Master, A Scout Master an Assistant Scout Master Merit Badge counselor, a teacher of youth, and a Sunday School President a position I now hold. I still work with scouts helping them with merit badges and encouraging them to complete their Eagle.
I love the gospel and what it has done for me, the changes it encouraged, and the person I have become. I am not the same person who became a Mormon over thirty years ago I know how to show my family that I love them, how to tell them and have tried to help them become the people they can become. While I know I have a long way to go until I am perfect I feel that I am on the right path because it is easier for me today to follow Jesus Christ than it was in times past.
It all started when I asked my Father in Heaven, "Which church on this Earth today is your church."
I started looking and every church I found had good things about them, many of them were christian churches, a few of them were oriental. They all had good things about them good faithful members, most taught moral standards, but they seemed to be missing something until I became a Mormon.

Do you really believe there is a prophet like Moses alive today?

John answered...

One of the reasons I became a Mormon was because I felt that, if people thousands of years ago needed a prophet, today, with all of the things going on we need a real living prophet.
I firmly believe and even know that we have a living prophet receiving directions from God the Father, through his son Jesus Christ. I testify that there is a living prophet on the Earth today.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Ryan X Allred answered...

Absolutely. If God loved his children in ancient times enough to send them, does He love us any less?

Prophets serve at least 2 purposes.

In the past, Christ Jesus personally called prophets, apostles, evangelists, teachers, deacons, etc, according to the Apostle Paul. He uses such leaders to help move His great work forward, because it is through selfless service that we develop Christ-like qualities and allow us to be one with Him so that we may be One with the Father. Having a living prophet allows the Father to teach hitherto new principles or doctrine to all His children. We can always interpret scripture to meet our intimate needs through personal revelation via prayer and communion with the Holy Ghost. But the greatest acts of service are always done through the synergistic power of communities, whether they are a family or a nation. Our Father in Heaven understands this and he communes with his living prophet, Thomas S Monson, in order to bless the lives of all His children regardless of their circumstances or creeds.

What is a “testimony” that Mormons speak of?

Jen answered...

The word "testimony" is used frequently by members of The Church. When they use this, what they mean is they have knowledge that a certain principle or doctrine is true because they have studied it, and received a witness of it from the Holy Ghost. For example, to gain a 'testimony' of the Book of Mormon, you read it, study it, and ask Heavenly Father if it is true. He will typically respond with a feeling of peace or happiness. This feeling is the witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. Once you receive this witness, you have built a testimony of the Book Of Mormon. This process can be applied to any aspect of The Church, or your life.