Hi, I'm Phylip

I'm an artist, I love my family, and I love to make people laugh! I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm an 18 year old student and artist. Full time worker and always busy. Trying to balance lifes up's and downs may sometimes be difficult, but it always works out in the end. The only way i survive in my hectic life is through art, and scripture study. I love them both, and neither one will ever leave my life. I've been a creative person ever since i can remember, and being blessed with talents i've loved to expand them and glorify my Father in Heaven. As i make pieces of art that depict my Savior, his life, mission, and love, not only does my testimony of Him grow but so does my love for Him.

Why I am a Mormon

In a world where evil is called "cool" and good is called "naive or dumb", theres been many times where i've been asked, why i am a Mormon. Well, growing up in a 5th generation faithful LDS family, being the youngest of 7 also faithful siblings, and living in a seemingly perfect suburb community, it may seem that being a mormon is easy and natural. It's not. I have chosen to stay faithful to my religion, because i know it is true. It brings me true happiness, and i know that there is nothing else in this world that can compare. The gospel of Jesus Christ is engraven in my heart and will never leave, ever since i've been little i've known that i am a child of God and that I have a brother and savior Jesus Chris, and that through Him, all things are possible.

I've come to know through study of the scriptures, sincere prayer, and faith that I am a member of the true church of Jesus Christ. I know that my savior Jesus Christ, did atone for my sins, was crucified and was ressurected. I know that through His atonement, anyone can be washed clean from their sins and feel the love and peace of the Savior. I've felt the cleansing power of the atonment in my life, and i have seen it work miracles in the lives of others. I also know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that he truly restored the gospel, translated the Book of Mormon, and really did see God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's prophet on the earth today. I know that he recieves revalation for all of God's children, and that through him and his apostles, we can be led back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. My testimony is simple, and strong, and that is the ultimate reason of why i am a Mormon.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

For me personally, i'm immensely grateful for the talents that God has given me. I've been able to throughout my life so far, share my talents with others around me. I love to draw, paint, and play the piano. It has been a blessing to draw and paint pictures of the Savior, and his creations, because it helps me draw nearer to Him. I can also see the effect my artwork has on the lives of people who view it. I loved creating pieces of the savior, while i was in highschool and having them displayed in the hallways. I wasn't happy that people got to see my talents, but i was happy because i was able to bring the spirit and peace into buildings that are normally stained with cheating, sin, and other horrible things. I could watch everyday, kids walking through the halls and suddenly stop and gaze at my picture of the Savior, and watch their countenance change. This brought joy to my heart, and this is why i desire to continue expanding my artistic talents, so i continue to change places, and people's hearts for the better.

How I live my faith

Everyday i strive to live my faith in the workplace, and in my church callings where i teach sweet little 4 and 5 year olds.

I recently graduated highschool and what an effort it was to stand as a witness, be an example of righteousness and to cast aside the temptations that are so easily accepted. Through my art and music, i also try to convey my personal testimony of this gospel, by painting and drawing pictures of my Savior and playing hymns and songs that invite the spirit of the Holy Ghost. All in all, my life motto is to "Trust in the Lord with all [my] heart" (Proverbs 3:5-6), and to always try to put my faith in Him, with a knowledge that God is in control, everything happens for a reason, and most importantly, God loves all of us.

I've recently been called to serve as a missionary for my church, in the country of Colombia! I'll be leaving in July 2012. Words cannot express my excitement and gratitude for this amazing oppurtunity to serve the lord and preach His gospel. Some people may think that serving a mission is a two-year trial. But i know that serving a mission is a two-year blessing. A blessing that will help change me into a better person, and change the lives of the people of Colombia. I have a testimony of this gospel that burns in my heart and i cannot wait to share it with every person i meet!

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Michael answered...

We don't worship Joseph Smith. Although we recognize that our faith hinges on whether or not he was a prophet of God, we only worship God, the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. We honor and respect Joseph Smith in the same way we do Moses, Abraham, or any of the ancient prophets.
Jim answered...

Mormons see Joseph Smith in the same way Jews see Moses - while we respect and honor their lives and their contributions, we understand that they are real people, worthy of our veneration but not our worship. We understand that they were selected for important duties that God called them to complete and we respect the work that they performed. Joseph does occupy a unique place in Mormon theology because so many doctrines of the re-established church can be traced to revelations that were given to him. The scriptures tell that it is "by their fruits" that an individual will be able to determine if someone is acting on God's behalf, and this is one of the central messages of the re-established church, we invite all men everywhere to read and pray about the Book of Mormon since it a tangible fruit of the prophet Joseph Smith's calling as a prophet and restorer of Christ's church. It is my witness that if you do so you will know that the book is true, Joseph is a prophet and the church he founded is true.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Andy answered...

It is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. Grace is the only way that we can have eternal happiness. To acess that grace, we need to do the things that He has asked us to do: have faith in Him, repent, be baptized by someone holding His authority, recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost, and follow Him and keep His commandments throughout our lives.