My Experience In Truth

I've been wanting to address this topic for over a year, but as someone who loves my church with all my heart, and who also has an ever-increasing number of friends who are gay, I wanted to make sure I did it right. I've spent the last year pondering and praying, trying to figure out how to both live my religion fully, and support my friends at the same time. This post is written based on the personal revelation I have received in that time. ​ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka the "Mormon Church") is, and always will be, against gay marriage. The official doctrine of the Church states that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God" and that "the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife." We believe this to be not only a matter of policy within the Church, but also a commandment from God. And God never changes. As active, faithful members we ...

Wonderful! Fantastic! Absolutely brilliant! That is how I would describe Al Carraway's new book "More Than the Tattooed Mormon." Scriptures aside, I have never been more affected by a book than I was with this one. Let me tell you why: First of all, I want to point out that this book is dedicated to the reader. That means you and me. Right from the start Al decided to make it personal. All throughout the book she reminds us that the book is not about her, it's about us and our relationship with God. She teaches us that life, although difficult, can be absolutely glorious if we put our trust in Him. Next, this book made me feel incomplete. but not in a bad way. Maybe a better way of saying it is that it made me "hunger and thirst after righteousness." (Matt. 5:6) Reading this book made me realize that my life could be so much better than it currently is. It made me realize that when you put God first, He takes care of your needs and He blesses you more...

I have spent years trying to forget most of the things I am about to write. I'm going to tell you about the most miserable time in my life. My experiences during this time are the single worst memories I have. The only reason I am doing this is because I feel like there is someone out there that needs to hear it. There is someone out there that needs to know how I overcame the hardest trial of my life. This story does have a happy ending, but I went through hell to get there. So here we go. This is me in 2004: I was a scrawny kid just out of elementary school, headed into junior high; scared, but also excited; pretty much your average 7th grader. I remember my first day at Elk Ridge Middle School. It took me so long to get my locker open that I was late to my first period. Once again I was your typical seventh grader sprinting through the halls with a map of the school trying to find his class. I remember that I was especially excited for this one: Tech Lab. I'd alwa...

I wrote this poem two weeks before the end of my mission. It is my witness of the reality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. "Whom Shall I Send?" My head was high, my smile proud My heart was hard, my laughter loud. I loved myself, and me alone My brother lacked, I had a throne. I saw him lonely, with a frown To build me up, I tore him down. I laughed and mocked his lonely stare The pain I caused I did not care. The praise of man, my only goal Caused me to lie, destroyed my soul. To change my ways, I had no thought In my own eyes I had a lot. I spent my life on useless things I gave my all to worldly dreams. Then came the day when all was lost With nothing left I felt the cost. The pain was great, my soul was racked I lost my strength, my body slacked. I fell upon my knees to pray "Dear God" I said "take me away. I see my sin, I cannot bear To stand beneath thy piercing stare. I neve...