Hi, I'm Bart.

I grew up in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My wife and I have four children and twelve grandchildren. I love visiting familiy members, especially grandchildren.

I'm retired. I worked as a computer systems analyst/programmer/manager for many years. I was an aircraft mechanic in the Navy during the Korean war.

I like to walk and ride my bicycle for exercise and I like all sports. I like to do my own yardwork (mow lawns, trim bushes, etc). I played fast-pitch softball in my younger days.

I'm active in my church and enjoy helping people.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born and raised a Mormon. My father was killed by hit-and-run driver when I was quite young and I became inactive in the church in my teens. Later in life we had a faithful Home-Teacher who taught the Gospel to me and I couldn't deny the truthfulness of it.

I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the LDS Church. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He knows each one of us and loves us unconditionally, and wants us be the very best we can be. He atoned for our sins according to our repentence and obedience to His Gospel.

He restored that Gospel thru the Prophet Joseph Smith, who was visited by God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ when Joseph was just a boy of fourteen in 1820. Joseph also translated the writings recorded on brass plates by ancient prophets living on this the American continent into what is known as 'The Book of Morman). In 1829, Joseph received the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist, and the Melchizedek Priesthood by the ancient prophets Peter James and John.

How I live my faith

We attend church every Sunday and partake of the Sacrament of Jesus Christ in our Sacrament Meeting. We also attend our "Sunday School" class and I attend a Priestood class while my wife attends the Womens class (called Relief Society). We pay our Tithes and (Fast) Offerings. We love to go to the Temple to perform Ordinances for our ancestors.

I serve as an Assistant Stake Clerk (Membership). I love to visit several families each month that have been assigned to me to "Home-Teach" them. I enjoy participating in service projects to help people in the community (members of the church as well as non-members). I love to watch the General Conference telecasts from church headquarters in Salt Lake City every six months.

What do Mormons believe happens to us after we die? What do Mormons believe about life after death?

Bart. answered...

We believe that the spirits of all humankind, as soon as they die are taken home to God who gave them life. And the spirits of the righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, and a state of peace. Here they will remain until the final judgement by our Savior Jesus Christ.

The spirits of the wicked, those who have chosen evil doings while in mortality, are cast out into outer darkness where they are under the influence of the devil.

Then, in the final resurrection, the souls of all shall be reunited with their mortal body, where will it be a restored to its proper and perfect frame.

The righteous will be consigned into a kingdom of God, depending on their obediencce and good works.

The wicked will be cast out and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors because no unclean being can inheirit the kingdom of God.

Are Mormons Christians?

Rob answered...

Christ said that his followers would be defined by their adherence to his teachings. Growing up as a member of the Church, I learned that Christ is The literal son of God and that through His Atonement we can somehow be forgiven of our sin and allowed to enter back into the presence of God, if that is what we want. Everything I ever learned at church or in my home was centered on the life and ministry of Christ.

Several years ago, we moved to the Southeastern United States and encountered the idea that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints are not Christians. Although I don't understand the need to define certain groups in or out of Christianity, especially given The Lord's frequent admonitions not to judge the faith of others, I understand this idea is rooted in some esoteric academic objections to certain gospel principles such as our belief that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate individuals united in purpose and power. My experience has been that this idea is often passed on among those who have not met or do not have close relationships with members of the church.

Once people get to know what we teach and believe and how we live, they come to understand that we are Christians. While, The Lord has asked us to let our light shine so that others can see it and take strength from it, I believe that ultimately Christ, will judge our Christianity as individuals based on the thoughts and intents or our hearts.