Hi, I'm Tom Horsley

I'm a Mormon. I grew up in West Valley City Utah. I was a Missionary in Hiroshima Japan. I'm currently a Massage Therapist.

About Me

Im a father of three kids. I have been married for 16 years to my wife who is the 3rd of nine yup thats a big family. I have two older brothers. I enjoy woodworking, fly fishing, working in my yard, and movies. Growing up I was pretty shy but going to Boy Scouts and getting my Eagle along with being a missionary in Japan and learning to speak to other people in a language I didn't understand that well sure helped me come out of my shell. I guess you could also add going thought basic training and the schooling in the Army Reserve didn't hurt. I am currently a Massage Therapist at a Hot Spring in Colorado and have done that for 13 years. I have done massage the longest but I have also tried my hand in quite a few other occupations. I have been a Bank Teller done construction, stocked grocery store shelves, worked on an assembly line making car air bags, worked in fast food, been an undercover security guard at grocery stores looking for shop lifters, and even delivered caskets among other things. Whatever it takes to "bring home the bacon". I really enjoy doing massage and helping others I am a people person.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in the LDS church but I think for everyone there is always a time to question what you really believe. I think my testimony came when I was quite young. I have always loved my Savior Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. Yes I do happen to believe that the "Godhead consists of the separate and distinct beings, God the Father, his son Jesus Christ, both with physical perfect bodies, and the Holy Ghost. As a missionary in Japan I was able get a much stronger testimony of this as the Japanese people a wonderful people who as a majority are Buddhist and Shinto and have different idea's about deity. I sure loved being a missionary there. I know many people think that the Mormon church is a strict religion but I do not find it strict at all. I find it very freeing to know what is expected of us by our example Jesus Christ and to have rules and guidelines is very freeing. I always enjoy talking with others about my own and their religion. I would much rather find common beliefs to relate to than argue over differences. I know that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us very much and know and are concerned with the tiniest details of our lives.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

The greatest thing about talents is that everyone has them. I think our perception of them needs to change though. I knew a wonderful Japanese man who told me that someone may have a talent for smiling at others and bringing them joy. Another may notice things about what someone wears and make comments about them that are pleasing. Talents are also obviously things like beautiful musical abilities, art , dancing and so on but they are so many more little things. But the thing we must not forget is that they are all gifts from God.

How has attending Church services helped you?

I can best relate it by comparing it to a car running low on gas in need of an oil change. It refuels you and makes things run so much more smoothly. There will still be bumps in the road but you will have what you need to get you there.

How I live my faith

One of the things I love about being Mormon is that family is very key and important to the LDS church. That includes gospel centered discussions not only on sunday but having personal, meal time, and family prayers.We also do family home evening which is a time, usually monday evenings, to get together as a family unit and do something spiritual and fun. We have an opening prayer a little lesson, this can be taught by any of the family members, and then a game or fun activity and end off with a treat or snack. Although there are times we miss this monday activity it is a great thing to do to bring the family closer together. I also enjoy helping in the community with service. There are opportunities in the Rocky Mountains to cut stack and spit firewood for firewood. I live in a resort area and also have had many experiences to help others move into and out of the area. My son has just become a Boy Scout and I am looking forward to helping him understand what service can mean to others and also the joy that can be found there. I am often asked if I still do missionary work, other than the two years of full time service. I guess I don't think of it that way but service and just having a religious conversation with others would sure be considered missionary work. But I prefer to just try and remember the love that our Savior Jesus Christ has for each of us and hopefully find opportunities to pass that along. I'm sure there are and know there are times that I fall short and could do better but this life is a time for us to be tested and to get back up and try again.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Tom Horsley answered...

I think one of the main reasons that others think we are a cult is that everyone has a fear of the unknown. If others understood that we are not that dissimilar to other christian religions with Christ as our center and our view of Prophets and Apostles I think this view would change.
Michael Johnston answered...

Because we believe in continuing revelation through Prophets as in the days of old, i.e. Moses, Abraham, this is uncomfortable for some people because media has made our Prophets seem like evil men leading people astray, when they are just trying to teach us correct principles so that one day we all may return to live with our Father in Heaven.

Another reason is because we believe in the sacred nature of temples, meaning only worthy members may enter the Temple so people think that evil rituals are performed. However, in reality the nature of the temple is uplifting and beautiful and gives us clarity to what the purpose of life is, the plan of salvation, and other topics such as life, death, and the atonement of Christ. The temple is not "secret, but it is sacred. However, we encourage all to live so that they may one day enter the temple.

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