Category: James

I was born on General Conference Easter Sunday, April 4, 1999. My mom remembers President Gordon B. Hinckley making an announcement that the Nauvoo temple was going to be rebuilt. In fact, she didn’t hear this information herself. She had fallen asleep, but when she woke up and asked family members what she missed, they told her about the Nauvoo temple. She didn’t believe them because this had been a long awaited 2nd coming prophecy to be fulfilled. She thought her joking husband (my dad) was pulling her leg. She asked the nurses, and they confirmed it. I was blessed on June 13, 1999.

When I was 2 1/2 years old my parents, little baby brother and I traveled to the east coast for the baptism of my cousin Jessica. We happened to be in New York City on the 6 month anniversary of 9/11. (We were there 3/11/2002.) My mom and dad remembered seeing a giant stream of light shoot up past the hotel windows. Also on that trip we went to Washington DC. A year later (August 2003) we returned for a fun trip to visit my Aunt Jenny and Uncle Dan in New Jersey. My cousins and I also went to Six Flags on that trip.

I was baptized and confirmed into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 2007. I also remember walking into the girls bathroom on accident and running out when I realized I was in the wrong place. I remember the water being cold. My mom remembers me telling her, “I feel like a new person.” I would say that over and over again. When I was confirmed I did feel warm and fuzzy inside. All my family and cousin came, including my best friend Carlos and his family.

The start of my Scouting career got a jump start with my Arrow of Light on March 10, 2010. By August 2010 I received my Scouter rank. The next few months was a montage of “Get your Scout stuff done” and Pow Wows and Camps. By December of 2010 I had received my Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st class. I would have also received my Star rank, but my scout leader didn’t count my 6 months of leadership properly. The neat thing about all these ranks is that they have the 100 year celebration on them. I finally earned my Star rank in March 2011. It’s one year later I’m still a Star. I need to do more work.

The highlight of my life thus far was being ordained to the office of a deacon and gaining the Aaronic Priesthood on April 10, 2011. Shortly thereafter I became the secretary in the deacon’s quorum. (Just like my dad is usually secretary.) I once again felt warm and fuzzy inside. This was the Holy Ghost telling me that this is The Church of Jesus Christ.

I am hungry