Hi, I'm Bill

I am a husband, father, writer, veterinarian and I am a Mormon.

About Me

I graduated from Washington State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. I also graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Sciences and from Ricks College with an associate's degree in Health Science and a year certificate in Emergency Medicine. While at Rick’s I was certified as a Red Cross CPR and first aid instructor and an emergency medical technician in Idaho and Georgia.

During college I had the opportunity to work at the Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory at the University of Idaho, the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy program at Washington State University and lived and worked on a USDA farm in Pullman, Washington during college. I now practice in a mixed animal practice which includes small animals, horses, livestock, exotic animals, and fish.

Growing up in Menan Idaho, on my grandfather's farm, fostered my love for animals. We were involved in raising sheep, beef cattle, sugar beets, seed barley, wheat, russet potatoes, field corn, and alfalfa, as well as milking his uncle's dairy cows. I graduated from Rigby High School and attended Ricks College for one year, where I was a theatre major my first year of college.

I have served in the leadership of the Marion Polk veterinary association as president for three terms and am a member of the American Veterinary Association. Currently I’m a member of the Oregon Veterinary Emergency Response Team.

Why I am a Mormon

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because the Spirit of the Holy Ghost has witnessed to the truthfulness of the restored gospel to me on numerous occasions. In addition to my own testimony, I have read the testimonies of my ancestors who were involved in the restoration of the gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and were instrumental in the establishing of the early Church. Their testimonies were forged in the fire of affliction and they remained faithful through a great deal of trial and opposition.

Their faith, through all of that trial and opposition has motivated me to study hard and seek the Spirit. As I have done this I have received my own undeniable witness that the Book of Mormon is God’s word to the ancient inhabitants of the Americas just as the Bible is His word to the ancient inhabitants of the Holy Land. In turn if the Book of Mormon is God’s word then Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and God did speak to him and authorize him to restore His Church to the earth.

Having a living prophet with the keys to manage the affairs of Christ’s Church and guide it according to His will helps to keep this Church vibrant and strong in fulfillment of Amos’s prophetic statement, Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7 KJV) It is my faith that this Church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” (Epshians 2:20 KJV)

I believe in God because I can see his hand in all things. In short, for me Alma an ancient American prophet historian, summed it up best "..yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator. (Book of Mormon Alma 30:44)

Personal Stories

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

The Old Testament Prophet Habakkuk said, “…the just shall live by his faith”, implying that faith should be at the center of our lives.

Jesus Christ also taught the importance of faith during His ministry. In Mathew 17 we read account of a father who had presented his son to the disciples to be healed, but they were unable to perform the miracle. The father not willing to give up, then approached the Savior who was able to “rebuke the devil” (see Mathew 17:18) and heal the boy. The disciples who were obviously distressed at their inability to heal him inquired of the Savior as to why they were unsuccessful. The Savior taught them that they lacked the necessary faith to perform the miracle. He taught them the principle of faith by comparing it to a mustard seed, teaching them that if their faith were even as small as the seed they could accomplish great things in His name.

The Savior reiterated this teaching when he withered the fig tree and told the disciples that this act was just a small example as to what was possible through the exercise of faith. Timothy taught “…through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,” (Hebrews 11:33).

It is also interesting to me that the Savior taught that faith is in a sense a two way street. For instance, the faith to heal is connected to the faith to be healed. On numerous occasions in connection with the Savior performing a miracle he would commend the person for their faith saying “thy faith hath made thee whole” (see Mathew 9:22). Obviously from these examples both the giver and the receiver needs faith.

As we develop more faith in Him we will be able to do more in His name. We will be blessed with an increased capacity and ability to fulfill His work and follow in his footsteps. Just as Able offered “By faith offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice” (Hebrews 11:4), we will have an increased ability do His work.

How I live my faith

I am an active committed member of the church, and have served in our young men's organization, emergency preparedness coordinator, Sunday school and primary teacher, as a high councilor assisting our stake president, as a bishop's councilor, and I currently serve as a bishop. In connection with my leadership callings I also volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America.

The callings I have received have helped me to grow and have challenged my testimony and allowed me to increase my faith in the Savior and His plan for us. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve others as we grow together in our commitment to serve Jesus Christ, much as Barak and Deborah walked together to strengthen each other in their responsibilities. (See Judges 4:8-9)

We try to walk the path that Christ set fourth for us and my wife and I have endeavored to teach our children to faithfully obey the commandments and treat others with love and respect. “…whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Mathew 7:12)

After my first year at Ricks College I served a mission for the Church in the Thailand Bangkok Mission. My mission was a turning point my life, it was an experience that I will cherish for an eternity. The opportunity to serve the Lord full time is a remarkable opportunity for which I will be forever grateful.

My son recently accepted a call to the Brazil Florianopolis Mission and began his service in March of 2011. Missionary service has been very important to our family; we have long tradition of full time missionary service beginning the early 1800’s. We feel we are following the Savior’s admonition to preach the gospel to the entire world. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Mathew 28:19).

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

Bill answered...

The Savior taught, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” If there were only two options, heaven and hell why would Jesus have used the term “many mansions”?

Paul, in his first epistle to the Corinthians taught of more than two possibilities after we die. He taught, “There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars:…”.

In addition to the celestial and terrestrial glories in verse 40, in verse 41 Paul mentions three distinct glories the sun, moon and the stars obviously referring to three possible states of glory. This concept of three glories or heavens is further supported when he testified that in a vision, he had been “….caught up to the third heaven.”. Also of note is his statement at the end of verse 41 “…for one star differeth from another star in glory.” This certainly implies that at least in the heaven that is comparable to the glory of the stars, there are “many mansions” of varying magnificence, just as each star differs from each other in brightness.

The Bible is clear that God loves us and that He sent His Son Jesus Christ, to show us the “…way, the truth, and the life…”. His Son has prepared “many mansions”, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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How can I find someone to talk with, in person, about the Mormon religion?

Elder Nolte answered...

The missionaries are one of the greatest resources to find out more information on the church. If you want to know more, ask someone who is a member of the church.