Hi, I'm Jeff

I live in Spokane, WA. I work as a Human Resources Executive. I'm a father. neighbor, and friend. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in California and moved with my parents to Washington in High School. There is where I met my wife and love of my life. We married and I finished a business degree. We have welcomed 5 children into our family – two girls, and three boys, the last of whom are twins! I work as a Human Resource executive in health care and enjoy the opportunities of helping people develop their careers and find jobs. I enjoy camping, reading, spending time with my family, traveling, and playing board games. My favorite thing to do is gourmet cooking – which makes me wish I enjoyed exercise more! I have always been actively involved in the communities where I live for non-profit organizations, business development groups, and networking groups. Our family lives a fairly normal life trying to balance all the things that compete for our time – and we have best found that balance when I place my priorities in this order: 1. God 2. Family 3. Career.

Why I am a Mormon

I have found through countless individual experiences that what the Gospel teaches is true: that I have a Heavenly Father who knows and loves me and that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for the world’s sins, including mine; that he has a plan for me which involves this mortal life being an opportunity to come unto him and find joy and happiness by living his commandments.

I find that my conviction that he is real and that he has this great plan is reinforced every time I pray or read from the scriptures. I have come to know that living his commandments is the only true path to happiness on Earth and to obtain a hope of his rewards after this life. All the truths that constitute this plan and has the answers to all my questions have been found in the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

More than this, I have asked for myself and received an answer directly from God that I cannot deny, that this church is true! By extension, I have come to accept and know for myself by the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith was called to be a modern day prophet and to restore all these truths into Christ’s church. That part of his mission was to translate the ancient American people’s history and dealings with God known as the Book of Mormon. As I have studied this book, and the prophet’s teachings, I have continued to receive witness after witness of there veracity. This is why I am a Mormon – through and through.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by accepting that I am not perfect and then striving every day to build a life that adheres to the Savior’s teachings. I truly believe that he will make up the difference as I give dedicated and careful diligence to obey his commandments. To do this, I try to live worthily to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost – the comforter that he promised to his ancient apostles, whose mission it is to teach and guide us in all of our decisions and trials. I do this by constantly striving to keep my mind and body clean from the traps of Satan. I avoid immoral media, mind-captivating drugs and substances, addiction in all its forms, and keep my speech, dress, and thoughts pure and wholesome. I try to serve those around me whether they be of my faith or not. I try to share what I know because it brings me happiness to share what has made me so happy. I study the scriptures and I pray – every day! I lead out in my family so that they will do the same.

Then, I submit to the experiences and trials that my Father in Heaven sees that I am in need of and try to learn the lessons contained therein. It sometimes seems almost unperceivable, but in hind sight, I can see that with each passing day, I am becoming more like my Savior. The end of this road is a long way off, but I will continue trying every day and rely on the help from above.

Why is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Mormons or Mormonism?

Jeff answered...

We are called Mormons because we believe in the Book of Mormon which is a book of scripture similar to the Bible, but that originates from the ancient inhabitants of the American continent. Mormon, was one of many prophets who lives during this time and was its primary author and abridger. From the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, many associated us with this book of scripture and began calling the church "Mormons" or "Mormonism" however, we prefer to be called by our official name because it emphasizes our belief in, and discipleship of, the Savior Jesus Christ - who is central to our doctrines, beliefs, and who we believe leads our church.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

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.