Hi, I'm Wilbert

I grew up in sunny southern California on sandy beaches and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in that care free beach-going lifestyle - with plenty of weekend trips for fishing, boating, motorcycle riding, and all the fun recreational pursuits a young man could want. After marriage I pursued a career in aerospace, becoming the 3rd generation of my family to do so. I love classic cars and presently own a 1941 Cadillac. I usually do most of my own restoration when time permits. I still enjoy motorcycles and recently enjoyed a road trip on a motorcycle through Canada, Montana, Idaho and Washington. I love being a grandfather and playing with my grandchildren. My family is one of the greatest blessings of my life and more important to me than all those "fun" things I already mentioned.

Why I am a Mormon

Though I had this great idyllic life of sun and fun, there was always a nagging question in my mind that surely life meant more than play, work, getting older and then disappearing from the earth at death. I used to imagine in my bed at night that the ceiling would open to the heavens and some being could hear me and know of my concerns. I especially hoped that my grandfather who had passed away was somewhere that I could go see him someday. Always though there was a feeling of wandering in the darkness and being unable to know my true purpose in life, or if life even continued past death. I was a teenager when the missionaries came to our family one day. They taught our family about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and invited our family to come to a church meeting. We said "why not!?". My brother and I were the first to attend and I will never forget the day I walked into the chapel. It was as though a very bright light went on in my mind and a warm feeling of complete comfort came over me. I now felt "home" and not lost anymore. As we were taught more I came to feel my grandfathers presence again and knew that family relationships were actually eternal!! I also learned of my Savior Jesus Christ and what the stories I had heard about him as a child were really about. How he has redeemed us from death and sin. I know all these things to be true - I cannot deny those spiritual impressions that came to me that day I entered a sacred chapel and have been confirmed to me over again and again in many ways the last 40 years since then. That is my witness and solemn testimony to all.

How I live my faith

I still love arriving at a chapel as the special spirit of love is always there. I have been busy with many opportunties to serve over the years in the church. As a non-paid clergy, we are expected to fill church duties from among the congregation members on a volunteer basis. Over the years I have been privileged to serve a mission in a foreign country (learned French!) as a young man. I have taught sunday school classes, given prayers at all types of church activities, visited people in their homes and at hospitals, even served the local congregation as the leader or "Bishop". We have built fences, painted houses, mowed lawns, moved furniture and collected food for the needy. I continue to this and much more, counting it a blessing to give of my efforts to the Lord for bringing such great blessings and knowledge of his purposes in my life. My greatest privilege has been teaching my children and grandchildren the love Jesus Christ has for all of us and that we may all join together as families with him in God's kingdom as we strive to live his teachings and follow his example

How is the Book of Mormon different from the Bible? How did Joseph Smith obtain the “golden plates” or Book of Mormon?

Wilbert answered...

God has always looked after his children in all ages and generations. His dealings and teachings were certainly recorded among people living in many lands during the ages - not just the events surrounding Israel. Joseph Smith was led through revelation to a sacred buried record of a people that lived on the American continents. The record is mostly a religious history and testifies that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God and actually came to the americas to visit this people anciently, shortly after his resurrection. I know it is an actual book of divine scripture and could only have been translated from ancient languages through the power of God. It follows hand in hand with biblical truths - showing that our Father in Heaven loves all his children wherever they may be born on earth and that Jesus Christ has redeemed all of his children. My life has been touched and changed forever by the wonderful messages in the Book of Mormon

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Daniel. answered...

No. I've never even met the man.

One night I was on the front row of a concert. A big star came to the edge of the stage and held out his hand. EVERYONE rushed forward, climbing over each other, pushing and wedging themselves along, just to touch him. I almost got caught up in that too, and was about to rush ahead when a little voice kicked in "He's just a man. What's the big deal?" At that moment I vowed to never adulate anything less than deity. I will not go to my knees for anyone but a Loving God.

I respect Joseph Smith like I respect any man who tries his best to live according to his conscience. I hope maybe one day I'll get to chat with him over lunch--or over whatever kind of meal they offer in the life beyond. But I cannot worship a man, for why should I place and value one person any higher than another?