Dr Joseph Jarvis

Everyone Has a Place in This World

We Can Help Each Other... and Enjoy Inner Peace

I chose medicine as my future profession while still in childhood because I was impressed by the power doctors had to help.  I wanted to help, too.  

In college, while still taking required pre-medicine courses, I chose to major in literature because I loved what a good story could bring to my heart and mind.  
 
Now, many years later, I’m still searching for a way to offer healing to others and trying to put words on a page that tell a story.  I believe that caring and writing are both ways to make a difference in people’s lives.
 
Unfortunately, I have found that the US healthcare system isn’t built to help people—only make money.
 
This went against everything I’d stood for when I went into medicine, so I decided to try and make a difference in how we Americans do health care business.
 
In a bid to argue for a better system, I used my years as a doctor, consultant, specialist, and government worker to write The Purple World and For the Hurt of My People: Original Conservatism and Better, Simpler Health Care.
Currently, I am serving as the Chair of the Utah Cares Political Issue Committee (Utah Cares PIC), which is the organization that is leading the effort to place better, simpler health care financed fairly for all Utah residents on the ballot in Utah in 2026.  The required legislation, the Utah Cares Act, has been drafted (find it here) and an application for inclusion on the ballot has been filed with the Utah Lt. Gov. Unfortunately, that application has been wrongly denied due to an inaccurate fiscal impact statement (find out more about this here) I am not deterred from my purpose, which is to work towards a health care system that serves all patients in need.
 
In addition to being passionate about health care for all, I am also driven to help others find peace in their life.
 
From years as a spiritual seeker, father, husband, healer, and religious leader, I know that many people struggle to find a place for themselves in this life.  Many have no sense of inner peace and want to experience a deeper sense of purpose in this life. 
 
My book, What the Single Eye Sees, was an exploration of the concept of spirituality. Returning to my roots of faith helped me further understand the importance of discipleship. This is the message I set out to share, and the principle I strive to live out in my daily life. 
 
For me, one place where I have found profound peace is the Holy Land—the modern state of Israel.  This is counter-intuitive; Israel seems to be constantly in turmoil.  As a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, I find that visiting the places He knew and walking the streets where He walked, helps me understand His message—that we all are children of God and can enjoy the inner peace that God wants to offer to us.  The experience of being in the Holy Land gave me such a profound appreciation for the salvation God that I wrote the book, The Hope of the Promise
 
My love for travel has inspired me to help other LDS travelers realize their dreams to visit places in Europe and Israel.   In addition, I can help people organize a tour of LDS Church history sites in the UK, or visit sites in German speaking Europe.
 
When I’m not writing or traveling, I dedicate my time to my family. My wife and I reside in the greater Salt Lake City area. We have five amazing children and nine lovely grandchildren. My hope is to leave a legacy for my kids and grandkids, something they can be proud of and that makes a difference.
And, for my readers, my hope is to make meaningful connections and bring lasting change.