Hi, I'm James

I unicycle, play the ukulele, build Legos, and sing. I'm a major nerd, a geek, a bookworm, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I love watching movies and reading books, immersing myself in a good fantasy. I love action and adventure, and I love stories with a happy ending. If I were to write a list of all my favorite books and movies it would be far too long and not interesting for you to read so I'll limit it. Books: Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, Eragon (Dragons are awesome!!!!). Movies: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Tron Legacy, and anything Disney
I'm very musical, and unusual instruments are something of a hobby for me. I play an electric ukulele (yes, they actually exist) and love it. I also play the piano, the violin (somewhat), and the ocarina. When I listen to or play music, it's all about the feel. I believe the Holy Spirit can speak to us through music. Some of my favorite music styles are trance, country, and sountrack and some of my favorite artists are Fox Amoore, John Williams, Hanz Zimmer, Animusic, Weird Al, and many others.
I'm a huge nerd. However, I'm my own kind of nerd and while I have parts of many nerddoms they all combine into what makes up me. I'm part sci-fi geek, part steampunk, part dragon lover/fantasy enthusiast, part bookworm, BIG part Lego geek, unicycle enthusiast, and many more.
Most importantly, I'm a Mormon.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in this faith but I've had my struggles. I've wondered whether this church is true or not and prayed to know. I've gotten my answer and I truly know that the Lord speaks to prophets today and guides this church. We live in a time when the moral compass of the world is straying far from true north. It is hard to live a virtuous life but I know that it is possible and that it is through the teachings of Jesus Christ that we can be the most happy. I'm a Mormon because over and over I've felt the promptings of the Holy Spirit and I've known that this is the way God wants me to live.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

We go on missions to share the Gospel. I've chosen to serve a mission because the knowledge of Jesus Christ has changed my life for the better. Having His spirit and influence in my life makes me so happy and at peace with life. My purpose in serving a mission is to help other people have this joy and come closer to Jesus Christ. Also, I am serving a mission because I know that this is true. And if this is the truth, why should I not share it?!

How I live my faith

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints isn't just an outward thing, I have made it an integral part of who I am. I live my faith in how I act at all times, doing my best to follow the example Jesus Christ set for us. I know I'm not perfect, or even anywhere close to perfect for that matter, but I try to live how He would want me to live.
Right now I'm serving my mission in San Diego, California and it has been a very eye-opening experience for me. I've gained a view of the world that I never would have gotten otherwise. And I've grown in love for all of God's children around me.

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

James answered...

The real name of our church is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints". We've been given the nickname "Mormons" because we believe in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture, written by prophets who lived in America and covering a timeframe of about 600BC to 400AD, that stands with the bible as another witness of Jesus Christ. "LDS" would be a more appropriate shortened name for our church but most people know us as Mormons because it is more commonly used.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Joshua answered...

I am sexually attracted to other males. For awhile, I struggled with how a loving Heavenly Father could allow for me to be attracted to other males, and then ask me to abstain from same-sex relationships. However, as I have tried to deal with my attractions in a Christ-like manner, I have found that He really does love me. I have grown so much spiritually as I have learned to deal with my same-sex attractions. I now understand that everyone has challenges in this life. I am no different.

The Church has a high standard on morality. The only sexual relationships that are permitted are between a man and his wife. This may prove difficult for both people with same-sex and opposite-sex attractions. However, I believe that by obeying this law, we can gain greater peace and happiness. God does know what is best for us, and He gave us this law to bless us.

Same-sex marriage distorts what marriage is all about. It is based on the lie that because you are attracted to the same sex, you need to be in a same-sex relationship in order to be "true to yourself". Many members of the Church can testify that this is not true. Some have found peace and joy in celibacy, and others gone on to have faithful and fulfilling marriages. For a long time, I thought I couldn't get married, but the Lord has blessed me to develop a sexual attraction to a beautiful woman and we have a wonderful marriage.