Hi, I'm Jared

I'm a father of 3 boys, and a CPA. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a father of 3 young boys, a CPA, and a beginning runner. I just completed my first 1/2 marathon and look forward to doing more. I am an avid reader and can always be found with 2 or 3 books that I'm in the middle of reading. I love spending time with my kids and watching them grow. I also enjoy cooking and teaching. I keep busy with a full-time job and a couple of part-time jobs as I work to support my family and get out of debt. It's a sacrifice, but well worth it to follow the prophet's counsel.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in the church, but that's not why I am am Mormon. Early in life, I gained my own testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and the Book of Mormon. I faced many health challenges growing up and know that God was mindful of those challenges I faced and strengthened me through them. I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ is real. I have felt the power of it in my life as I have struggled with temptations and challenges and have repented of my sins. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that as we read we can feel nearer to God. I have found direction and guidance in reading the words of the scriptures and the words of the living apostles and prophets. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. He translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. I know that God loves each of us and is mindful of our struggles and challenges and that we can find strength through being a member of His Church. I'm proud to be a Mormon because I know this Church is the true Church of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. But most important is that I know this for myself through the Holy Ghost which has borne witness to me of the truthfulness of these things. I invite you to find out for yourself, as I did, by reading, studying, and praying and I know that if you do, the Holy Ghost will bear witness of the truthfulness of these things.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by attending Church, fulfilling my calling as the Finance Clerk, and by teaching my children the Gospel. While I am far from perfect, I know that Heavenly Father strengthens me as I strive to keep the commandments on a daily basis and follow the teachings of the gospel and ask for the atonement of Jesus Christ to strengthen me. I'm blessed with a wonderful family who supports and uplifts me as I do this and helps me want to be better. I love listening to the words of the modern prophets and apostles as it is real guidance for how we should live our lives today. I love to read and study the scriptures and while, I am not as consistent as I should be, I feel the Spirit as I read and am strengthened. I love attending Church and feeling of the Spirit, partaking of the sacrament, and a reflecting on the atonement each week and am renewed in body and spirit as I do so. I strive to be a good example of a disciple of Christ and to act as He would have me act and do what He would have me do.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Bryant answered...

Grace is the enable power of Christ to be cleansed of our sins. When I think of grace I like to think of a dam. Now the purpose of a dam is to create energy for a city, but how does it do that? The dam holds back the water and creates a huge amount of pressure. A portion of that pressure is released into a very large duct that flows down and spins large turbines. The spinning of these turbines is what creates the energy that we all use every day. Now without that water, could we spin these turbines by ourselves? No, manpower alone is not nearly enough to create the energy needed. There is just no possible way that a human being by themselves could turn those massive turbines. In this analogy Christ is the strong current created by the water from the dam. Without him we would be unable to turn the turbine to cleanse our lives, only he can do it! None the less we do have control of one part of this process, we can interfere. Sometimes in our lives we sin to a point that we have created so much filth to clog up the duct and not allow Christ's flow into our lives. We must be continually watching to make sure that we do not inhibit this process. Thus, "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." see James 15 Turbines without the pressure from the water is completely useless. Our lives without Christ? "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." see Romans 623
Tan. answered...

We believe 100% that we are saved by grace. Absolutely. Period. No person can be saved by his or her works, no matter how great he or she is, and how many good things he or she did. In order to qualify for Christ's grace, however, we must live righteously, repent, and humble ourselves before the Lord.

How are modesty and chastity related? How can parents teach their children to be modest in dress, language and behavior?

Brittney Michelle answered...

Modesty is almost a precursor for chastity. They are the built upon the doctrine of the sanctity of our body. By being modest in our actions and dress we outwardly show our understanding that we, as a soul, are more than just an object to be flaunted. Our body is a gift from God and he has asked us to save intimacy until after we are married. We show respect for him and ourselves if we hold off until marriage and always dress and act modestly. This principle can be taught to children through example, first and foremost, but also by being honest and explaining to them the importance of it and why we are asked to live it. Use the Holy Ghost as your guide as you teach your children.