John W. Edwards, II is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Born and raised in Columbia, SC, he served in the Arizona Tucson Mission from 1991 to 1993. After marrying his wife Enid in 1994, he moved to North Carolina, then to Kentucky, and then back to North Carolina again, all in the name of education. This moving produced four children in three different cities, between the two states.

John's academic and professional background is in organizational communication and leadership development. He is currently completing his Ed.D in Higher Education Administration at North Carolina State University. In the mean time, he teaches communication courses at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

John's volunteer service (other than church work) includes the Boy Scouts of America, Hands on Charlotte, and the Calloway Country Rape Crisis Center, for which he was inducted into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonials, a meritorious service organization. John has also worked with numerous service organizations on a one-time or short-term basis.

In the church, John has served as a stake missionary, a primary worker, and a Sunday school teacher. John also served in a branch presidency and an Elder's Quorum presidency before being called as a Young Men's President. He has served as Young Men's president in three different wards, and will continue to do so until he learns what he is supposed to learn from the great youth of the church. He considers his current assignment as the most fun he's had in the church and may decide to keep this calling forever.

In his spare time, John enjoys reading and writing, and getting feedback. If you would like to contact John, feel free to email him at:

jwe15@juno.com

John has submitted the following articles and stories:

The Journey Home
A parable of life's journey home, perfect for talks and lessons. "One of the best latter-day parables I have read." -Rachel Woods

The Stories of Our Lives
Learn why telling stories is good in talks and lessons, and find five great storytelling tips in this two part article.

Prayer Works
A true story of how prayers are sometimes answered in humorous ways.