Jay grew up in Maryland as a Methodist, attended Catholic school, explored neo-paganism and Buddhism, became a professional rodeo bull rider for 25 years, and eventually joined the Mormon Church. But after going through the secret temple ordinances and discovering what the LDS Church actually teaches — including the historical ban on African Americans participating in temple endowments — he knew something was still missing. His search ended when he found Islam, the faith that finally answered every question.
Inside the Mormon Temple
Jay describes being what Mormons call an “endowed” member, meaning he went through the secret temple ordinances that members are instructed never to discuss publicly. The Book of Mormon’s treatment of African Americans, labeling them with “the mark of the Lamanites” and historically barring them from temple endowments, was one of many issues that troubled his conscience. Despite the community and structure the Mormon Church provided, the core theology never fully satisfied his search for truth about God’s nature and humanity’s purpose.
I went through the temple ordinances, the things that are not to be talked about. But African Americans were not permitted to do the temple endowment at all because that was considered the mark of the Lamanites in the Book of Mormon.
How a Rodeo Cowboy Found Islam
- After 25 years of rodeo bull riding and steer wrestling, Jay’s search for spiritual truth led him through Methodism, Catholicism, neo-paganism, Buddhism, and Mormonism
- When he finally encountered Islam, he found the pure monotheism and clear purpose of life that no other religion had provided
- The Quran’s oldest fragments, dated over 1,300 years old, confirmed for him that this was the only preserved divine scripture
- He describes feeling contentment living with the will of Allah — whatever happens, he trusts it is part of God’s plan
Contentment in the Will of Allah
Jay’s testimony resonates deeply: something that seems negative today may be the best thing that ever happened six months later. Living with the will of Allah means finding peace not in circumstances but in trust — trust that the Creator who made you has a plan far greater than anything you can see. For Christians hearing the word “Allah” for the first time, Jay reminds them that Arab Christians use the same word, and Jesus himself in Aramaic called upon God by this name.
As long as I continue to put myself into the role of this is the will of Allah, I feel very good. Something negative now might be the best thing that ever happened to me six months down the road.
