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Hi, I'm Jerad

I grew up in a small city. I am a twin. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a high school graduate and currently serving as a full time missionary for the Church in the Mexico Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mission. Some of my hobbies are playing videos games, watching tv, eating, and playing basketball with my friends. Right now as a missionary, my hobbies include reading the scriptures, learning Spanish, inviting others to come unto Christ, and still eating. I played football in high school and loved it. I also enjoy sending time with my family and simple things that bring joy.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born in the faith but was inactive most of my life. I had forgotten the joy that was brought by going to church and learning about the gospel. After graduating from high school, my brother and I had plans to attend college, but we did not fill in the information for dormitories, so we got delayed first one, then two quarters. My mother suggests that we instead might think about preparing for our missions (a mission being a sacred duty in the church where we leave behind our homes, families, and lives for two years (or eighteen months for women) to help others accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. We go and teach people about how they can have this happiness in their lives through this message, a happiness that never has to end), so we began attending church again and finished all the preparations to go on our missions. I am currently in the mission field as well as my brother and I feel better than I have in years. My mission has blessed me temporally and spiritually, in that I am a lot more healthy and my mind has been enlightened to be able to learn more and more from the scriptures. One day while in church for a ward activity, I realized how much more I like being within this community that out of it. I lost a lot of time within the church and because of that my spiritual knowledge was minimal, but now I feel my understanding expand everyday and I know way more than I ever had before this point. I am learning how to help others, be humble, selfless, and also willing to accept help (I have always been kind of a lone wolf). Now, my happiness feels much greater than ever before.

Personal Stories

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

One all of the great teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the one that has probably influenced me the most is that of prayer. First, he taught us that when we pray, we should avoid repetitions and pray privately (Matthew 6:5-8). He also told us that we should give thanks to God and ask for forgiveness for our sins and also for blessings we need (Matthew 6:9-13). He also taught us to pray in his name (John 14:13-14). He also taught us that God the Father will answer our prayers and help us always because he is a perfect father that loves us (Matthew 7:9-11). Prayer has helped me a lot. The were times when I´d just pray to pray and didn´t really care, but I learned that prayer is the way we can communicate with our Father in Heaven, we can talk to him openly and honestly and he will listen, and he will answer us, and I began to apply this in my life. Through prayer, I have received comfort whenever I am down and relief from any burdens. God lightens our load and helps us to bare our troubles (Mosiah 24:10-15). Back before the mission, I began to pray more like unto the manner of which we should, and there was a great difference. I felt my testimony of the divinity of Christ and that this is his church grow and I also began to feel better in all things. Right now, I feel closer to God than I ever have and I can feel his Spirit with me and everything is easier now. When I first arrived in the mission field, everything seemed overwhelming (being away from home with only weekly communication, having to find people to teach, working all day, and learning a new language), but with time and intense prayer, my burdens have been lightened and I see how God puts those who are ready in our path. Prayer has helped me not only to trust God more, but other people as well and learn that sometimes we can´t do things alone. I love my Father in Heaven and I know he exists because I´ve felt his presence and his love in my life through prayer.

How has The Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?

The Book of Mormon has helped me in many ways to understand the purpose of life. It teaches us that we are here to have joy (2 Nephi 2:25), and that this joy can only come through Jesus Christ. It teaches how Jesus Christ suffered all of our pains, sufferings, sickness, as well as our sins and that in him we can find relief. Obviously, none of us are perfect, but through his suffering, death, and resurrection (collectively referred to as the atonement) we can overcome sin and death. The only purpose of the Book of Mormon is to teach, testify, and help us become closer to Christ. It shows us how to return to live with our Father in Heaven through our Savior. We are here to prepare to meet God (Alma 34:32), which is through faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end (2 Nephi 31).

How I live my faith

Before my time as a missionary of the Churh, I was for a short time teaching the children of the church about the gospel. It is a very rewarding experience to help them see how they can apply this gospel to themselves even at this young age. Currently, my calling is to find others to see how thet can overcome all trials, difficulties, and hardships this life has to offer by serving as a missionary for this church. So far my mission has been the best experience of my life, as I can see the changes in the lives of others to become true discipules of Jesus Christ. While at times there are trials, I can overcome them all because I know that this message is true. I study the scriptures daily to increase my understanding and to help others so that they can understand these as well. Being a missionary means studying the scriptures and other gospel material, teaching, preaching, and finding people who might be interested in listening to us, and that is it. This, full time, for two years. It is a sacrifice, but it has helped me in more ways than I can say, and I am very grateful to be doing this.

Why are Mormons asked to donate 10% of their income to their Church?

Jerad answered...

The ancient Prophet Malachi taught us about this principle that we must pay tithing, or 10% of our income to God. The money is given to the church and is used to built churches and temples and print such things as the Book of Mormon, but not to pay the clergy, all work in the church is done voluntarily. Malachi uses the words "Will a man rob God? (Malachi 3:8)", which is very strong language. If we don´t pay tithing we are robbing God. He also however teaches us in the same chapter in verse 10 that we can test God in this and see ihe will not "open the windows of heaven and pour down blessings that there will not be room to receive them." This shows our faith in that we put our trust in God that we will always have sufficient for our needs, even if we don´t have much excess. One of the revelations of Jesph Smith teaches us that when we do what the Lord commands, he is obligated to bless us, but when we don´t, he doesn´t have to (D&C 82:10). In the Old Testament we learn about how Abraham paid tithing unto the High Priest of Salem, Melquisedec (Genesis 14:20). This is an ancient law which today we are still obligated to obey.
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Megan Cosgriff answered...

Latter Day Saints(Mormons) donate 10% of their income to the church because the Lord has commanded us too! In Proverbs 3:9 it says, "Honour the Lord with substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase." This is talking about tithing, tithing literally means one-tenth, which is 10%. So when the Lord commands us to donate one-tenth of our increase(income) that is what we do. If you look at Malachi 3:8-10 you will see that the Lord is asking for us to give him our tithes (10%) and in return he will open the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings, so many that we won't be able to contain them. Wouldn't you want to receive innumerable blessings for just giving Him 10% of your pay check? It seems like a pretty fair trade to me.

Are Mormons Christians?

Brittany answered...

Yes, Mormons are definitely Christians! The official name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. In fact during the course of the Book of Mormon, Christ appears and ministers to the people of The Book of Mormon. We just like other Christian denominations believe that Christ is our Savior. I personally know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He lived and died for me, and the atonement makes it possible for me to be forgiven and cleansed from my sins.

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As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.