Hi, I'm Rick

I'm a Mormon. I come from fourth generation Mormon Pioneers who crossed the plains into Salt Lake and then onto Arizona

About Me

I am the father of six wonderful children and nine fantastic grandchildren. I have worked in the computer industry with a specific emphasis on the automotive industry for over forty years. I love to ranch and farm. We grow hay and plant gardens. I love to cook food for large groups. I also love the out doors and anything to do with camping, hunting and fishing.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised from my youth in a divided LDS family. My father was not a strong participant in the faith. I spent most of my youth conflicted in my own faith. I was lucky to have some great friends and together we kept each other strong and going in a positive direction. When I was about sixteen or seventeen I decided to find out for myself if the teachings I had heard were true or not. I studied the Bible and the Book of Mormon and prayed to my Heavenly Father. God truly does answer prayers and he answered mine with a strong feeling of love and gratitude towards him. I came to know that Jesus Christ is my savior and I cannot express strongly enough my love for him. I know Jesus died and was resurrected for all mankind. That by following him I can one day return and live with Heavenly Father and Jesus again in their heavenly kingdom. I love my family, my wife and children and our many sons and daughters in law and our grand children and one day if we are true followers of Jesus we can be together as a family in God's kingdom.

Personal Stories

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is looking to the future and having dreams. I hope for a life of happiness and joy. I hope to someday return and live with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in their kingdom. I hope to have my family with me in Heaven. I hope that there are no empty seats, with missing family members, in Heaven.

How I live my faith

I serve with my wife in our ward in various capacities. I serve in the young men's program with scouting, campouts, merit badge counselor and missionary. I also home teach various members of our ward and we have become great friends as we look out for and serve one another. We have many widows in our area and I use my tractor and some equipment to take care of their yards and pastures. The key is service to any and all of Heavenly Father's children. Our family looks for opportunities to serve and do our best.

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

Rick answered...

For me the Book of Mormon is a second witness along with the Bible of the reality of Jesus Christ as my Savior and Redeemer. It like the Bible contains writings of ancient prophets that testify of Jesus Christ and his teachings. The writings or these prophets were handed down from one generation to the next for over a thousand years. These writings were buried to come forth at some future date of Gods choosing. in 1923 Joseph Smith was visited by an angel of god to bring these records to the world. Today we have this sacred scripture to enrich and testify of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Todd answered...

No. There have never been any race-related restrictions on who joins the church. People of all races and colors have been baptized from the beginning.

However, for a period of time priesthood ordinations in the Church were restricted - This policy was officially changed in 1978 when Official Declaration declared that “every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.”