Our Values

God, the Eternal Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate individuals united in their focus on guiding us to joy, happiness, and eternal life. As devoted Christians and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we know that all men will be judged before God concerning who they became and who they helped while mortal. We can make covenants with God to increase our eternal potential and God-given power over evil. Resurrection is given to all through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will be resurrected with a body of great glory to live eternally with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost when we strive to become like Jesus Christ while mortal. We will receive lesser glory, living outside the presence of God, when we strive for less. We accept Their unwavering love for us. They want us to consistently love Them, ourselves, our families, and others. We dedicate daily study to knowing Them better. Kathy and I hope to receive eternal life in Their presence when our mortal experience is done.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restoration of the Church established by Jesus Christ during His mortal ministry. The Savior guided  Joseph Smith, the prophet, in restoring The Church of Jesus Christ with its priesthood, covenants, ordinances, and gospel truths. The Book of Mormon, Another Witness of Jesus Christ, was Joseph Smith's manual, guiding him through the restoration. For us, it is also a clear testimony of the sacred mission of Jesus Christ and provides a clear understanding of the plan of salvation. The Book of Mormon is our most potent proof of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The restoration of all things began under Joseph Smith's leadership and continues today through today's prophets. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and the Lord's prophets and apostles have been leading The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since. We devote daily time to studying the Book of Mormon to better understand the restored gospel and its doctrines.

Kathy and I are in love with each other. Our marriage covenant is eternal because we were married in a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is no "until death do you part." Both of us are committed to helping the other to become her/his best self. Because our love for God comes first, we have more capacity to love each other. Faith and communication are both paramount in the marriage relationship. We believe that compromise is not good enough when we disagree. We have learned to keep talking, sometimes for months, until we both agree that we have found the correct solution to a problem. I love and admire Kathy and avoid anything compromising her feeling my love. I want to lighten her load and make her life better. I encourage her self-love. 

Family relationships are eternal. We love our family and are grateful for each family member. We are proud of their accomplishments and are committed to helping each of them find happiness, but it has to be in their own time and way. We love them even if we disagree with their choices. Our family culture promotes love and self-love. We encourage self-improvement.  We gather frequently to eat together and share. 

Kathy and I have chosen to do our best to live to match God's plans. God has given us commandments to guide us to a happier, more fulfilling life. They are not hurdles we must jump to make God happy. Keeping His commandments is the source of His power, and He shares them to share His power with us. We are taught to love God first because our actions will always be selfishly motivated if not motivated by a love of God first. Our Heavenly Father's every action is for our good and will help us become more like Him. He has given us agency so that we can each choose our destiny, even when our choice doesn't include His plans for us. However, we cannot determine the consequences that will naturally follow our choices. Sometimes, time must pass before we recognize God's timing and direction are better than our own. His vision is far greater than ours. 

We treat others how we want to be treated, whether we disagree with their views on public policy or values or even how they treat us. We hope to receive the same consideration in return, but if not, we will not return in kind. We are confident humanity can find happiness and peace by adhering to this vital principle.

Living by truth brings freedom. We are constantly learning the truths of religion and science to increase the power of our choices. Falsehood always eventually leads to some form of enslavement. Religion and science are different pieces of the same puzzle. Once we know all the truth, the answers in religion and science will be the same. 

Wherever we are, we want others to have a good experience with us, even if it's as small as giving them a hello and a smile. We show our love for God and hope to help others feel and develop that love themselves if they will. I hope that sharing my life experiences can help others through their life challenges.

We strive to live within our means. We believe in paying tithing to show gratitude and obedience to God. We hope to enjoy the necessities and some of the comforts of life without living in excess.

It is vital to me that the things I own are well-maintained. I prefer to own less that is well-maintained than to own more that I cannot afford to maintain.