5 Reasons to Learn About Mormons from Mormons

Events over the past decade—from Mitt Romney running for president to the debut of the Broadway musical, “The Book of Mormon,”—have brought the Mormon church and its members into the spotlight. If you are not a member, these and other events may have caused you to pause to wonder what it is, exactly, that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe. You may have wondered why members do not drink coffee, why female members do not receive the priesthood, or why members believe that marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman. Many people turn to sources outside the church to find answers to questions like these. However, a better way to receive answers to questions about what Mormons believe is to ask the members themselves. Below are just five reasons why. 

Reason #1: If You Want Answers, You Should Go to the Source

There is a lot of information about the church that circulates among people who are not members; some of which is true, some of which is half true, and some of which is not true at all. Individuals sincerely interested in learning about the doctrine of the gospel will find that truth comes more fully and completely when asking someone who lives, believes, and studies the gospel every day. People on the outside can only tell you how things appear. Members, on the other hand, can tell you how things are.


Reason #2: Many Outside Sources Have Never Tried It Out

There are many sources out there who label The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as disgusting, bigoted, cult-like, and false; but many of these sources have never truly tasted of the doctrine for themselves. These sources can provide you with copious lists of Mormon doctrines and Mormon dos and don'ts, but many of them cannot tell you what it is like to live as a member of the church and to believe the doctrine. Members, on the other hand, can.

Reason #3: Accounts of Less Active Members Miss the Spirit of the Gospel

In other cases, some outside sources stem from people who used to be members, but no longer believe. These individuals have just as much right to share their opinion as anyone. However, the bitterness and hostility often found in these accounts lack the fundamental principles of love, patience, and faith that the gospel is built upon. Yes—these individuals’ stories are real, and yes—of course these individuals matter. However, before banking all your buck on these accounts, consider that their experiences may be influenced by misunderstandings, disagreements, or hurt feelings, none of which are the intended outcome for members who live the gospel earnestly.


Reason #4: Members Can Testify of the Blessings of Membership

On the other hand, active and participating members of the church can offer you accounts rich with pure and earnest testimony about what they believe and why they believe it is true.. Make no mistake—Mormon members are not lacking in experiences of heart-ache, loss, confusion, and doubt. But what the members of the church can tell you that many online sources cannot is how living the principles of the gospel have helped them pull through it all. Amid difficult circumstances, trials of faith, losses of loved ones, tears of heartache, and pleas to know if God is there, there are millions of members across the world who can powerfully testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true because they have called upon the gospel’s principles when it really mattered, and their faith pulled them through.


Reason #5: It Might Actually Be True

With all the wonderful things that members of the church believe—from the sacred and eternal nature of families, to clean slates and second chances, to a God who loves and knows us all—it would be disheartening to miss out on them if they are true. The only way you will ever know is by going to the Mormon source itself. The lists of facts and half truths that outside sources can offer you will rarely bring you to a place where you can take a taste of the sweet, joyous, and wonderful blessings of the gospel. Only by seeking out the source and trying it out for yourself can you know if it really is true. And what a worthwhile risk to take, because if there is something to it all, if it is true, then the blessings and promises in return are wonderful beyond imagination. 

For Those Who Are Just Curious 

Even if you are not in a place where you want to consider if the church is true, but merely have some general questions, please seek out the members of the church to ask your questions rather than asking someone on the outside. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints want others to perceive them in a true and honest light. Please give them a chance to offer that light and truth by seeking answers to your questions through them. Even if you walk away still unconvinced about the truthfulness of the gospel, you will be walking away with a more accurate portrayal of who the Mormons are, and why they live and believe the way they do.

Alturas Lake 2016

Here's some photos from the fun I had this summer at Alturas Lake in Idaho with my mom's side of the family. We go camping here every single year and it's one of my most favorite places in the world!

Grandpa playing Rook. He's been going camping here since he was 11 and he's been bringing his family back ever since

We played Screwy Lewy, of course!

Ems & me by the lake (gotta love the hair!)

Sunrise at the campsite we stayed at the first few days

Stephanie, my cousin's new (awesome!) wife, and mwa-self!

Aunt Janet & Mom

Mom & Dad

Kate & I at the campsite

Jessica & I on an awesome hike just my immediate family did

July 2016

July was BUSY, but filled with so many good things!

Jon and I started off the month by going to one of our new favorite places in Tacoma--Swan Creek. Swan Creek is a local park with trails that you can walk through for several acres. What has attracted us to it recently, though, is the mountain biking trails also found at the park.

Jon grew-up in the brown, flat, desert region of Southern California were he learned to love dirt biking. He misses it dearly, but I'm fairly certain that I would not enjoy the activity if I gave it a go, so we haven't attempted it yet. That, plus we don't have a bike and they're rather expensive. Mountain biking has become the middle ground that Jon and I have discovered that we both enjoy, and so since finding Swan Creek, we've been back to visit many times!

For the Fourth of July, Jon and I took a break from mountain biking and went on a hike instead. We went hiking to a place called Perry Creek in the Mr. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest north of Seattle. It was a cold and rainy day, which was nice because it meant less hikers were on the trail. The down side of this though was that the last 2 miles of the 6 mile trail was in a cloud which meant that instead of getting a view at the top, all we could see was more cloud! On top of this, the snow still on top of the peak made it very cold! Despite this all, we still got to see many beautiful waterfalls in the valley on our way up and had a fantastic time together!

Here I am at the top in the snow and the rain!

Towards the end of the month we escaped away for a fun weekend camping at Millersylvania state park near Olympia with our friends Nicole and Pierre. Nicole and Pierre have also been getting into mountain biking, so we spent a decent amount of our time there riding our bikes around on the trails at the park. When we weren't biking, we were eating yummy food and playing games around the campfire.

We are so grateful to have become friends with Nicole and Pierre during our time here in Tacoma. Like us, they enjoy watching sports, playing games, and having fun outside. We've had many game nights together and have spent several evenings watching basketball games with them. At a time of life when Jon and I are just starting out, don't have any kids, and are figuring the whole married things out, it's been comforting having friends in the same boat who we feel like we can relate to. Our friendship with Nicole and Pierre has been a testament to me that Heavenly Father is aware of my circumstances and will take care of me by sending good friends into my life no matter where I am.

May 2016

The past two months have been a blast! In the middle of May, my sisters took a train up to visit us for the weekend. We had fun playing games, talking 'till 3am, and doing pancake art.

The next day, all four of us drove down to my parents' place and we spent the day there. While there we did a short hike, played Wii sports, ate treats, and played games again.

Memorial Day weekend was once again a blast. My mom came up on Friday and the two of us went on a bike ride along the Foothills Trail, from Orting to South Prairie. It was an easy trail with beautiful views--great place to talk and ride at the same time. That evening we went to the temple with Jon and enjoyed a wonderful session.

The next morning we woke up early and went to Mt. Rainier to hike to Carbon Glacier. This hike was easy in that there wasn't a sharp incline, but proved difficult in other ways. Several sections of the trail were washed out and we had to adventure our way through to find where the trail picked up. At one point, it took us an hour to find our way across the river we were hiking to!

Jon finding his way across the river:

The reward at the end of the hike was great. Not only was there a really cool suspension bridge that went across the river, but Jon got to satisfy his dream to see a glacier.

All of us in front of the bridge:

 Me at the far end of the bridge:

Jon crossing the bridge:

That huge mound of brown stuff behind me--that's the glacier!

Altogether, it was a very long hike. 19 miles and 8 hours after we began, the three of us made it back to the car and went home, tired but very satisfied.

This weekend exemplifies one of the things I love about my mom--she's getting older in age, but she works really hard to stay active and healthy so that we can do fun stuff like we did this weekend. It wasn't always this way for her. When I was younger, there was a time when she was overweight and had to decide that she wanted to change her lifestyle. She didn't do any crazy diet or exercise program; rather, she merely started to eat more consciously and exercise regularly (while still eating chocolate just about every day!). I'm sure it took a lot of work and self discipline on her part, but ever since then she's always tried to be healthy and take care of herself so that she can better take care of those around her. Her example has helped me in countless ways, and it's probably the main reason why I try to stay healthy and exercise today!

In summation, May was absolutely wonderful because it was a month filled with time with family!