Riding mower (John Deere) blows white smoke & want stay started

[Gregory Woods Sr.]

I notice the last time I used my mower it was sputtering, but it ran better when I engaged the blades. The next time I got ready to use my mower it was blowing out white smoke with oil coming out of the exhaust and it would not stay running. Can you tell me what is the problem and can I fix it without taking it some where and paying more than I can afford?