Hi, I'm David Wyatt

I love my job teaching missionaries! I play the piano, enjoy good books, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in Pennsylvania, but I'm living in Utah right now where I'm a junior in college. I'm still deciding what I want to do for a career, but I'm leaning towards working in the publishing industry. I recently published a children's book and loved every minute I spent working on it, so it seemed like a good direction to go. With the economy like it is, the future feels rather unpredictable. But somehow I just know things are going to work out. I guess that's sort of become a saying I live my life by. Things will work out.

When I'm not studying or working, I enjoy playing the piano and working on web design. I also enjoy reading books, something my mom must have instilled in me years ago when she would read to us as a family. She worked hard to make our childhood special, and with seven children that was no easy task. I'm number five in the lineup of kids, number four being my twin brother. He was born with autism, and has been a tremendous influence on my life. Things aren't always easy for him, but he's taught me so much about love, patience, and humility. I'm grateful for him, and though there have always been ups and downs in life, I wouldn't trade my family for anything in the world. It can be hard to leave the comforts of home and loving parents to venture down unknown paths, but I'm excited to start off on my own and eventually begin a family of my own.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a Mormon because I have received a spiritual witness that what I believe and live is true. My parents were already members when I was born, so I was raised in the Mormon Church. Still, I discovered that everyone has to gain their own conviction that what they've been taught all their life was really true. When I was 19, I left home to serve as a missionary in Thailand. There, I met thousands of people that didn't believe, or perhaps didn't even know of the existence of God. It was the first time I had ever encountered people that didn't believe in God or Jesus Christ, and for the first time in my life I asked myself the question, "Is God really there? Is He real? Is all of this true?" I was shaken a little bit, because I had never had reason to doubt or suppose that what my parents had believed could possibly be untrue.

Well, for about a week I prayed harder than I ever had before. I studied the Bible and the Book of Mormon every morning, seeking a confirmation that God was there and that what I was teaching about God and my religion was true. I thought about it constantly, working things over in my mind. One day, after hitting a wall where I felt like my struggles had reached their peak and I couldn't go on any farther, I found a quiet room where I could be by myself. I knelt down on the floor and I poured out my heart to God. It was the first time I had ever really prayed like that. I told God how I was feeling, how I needed to know that He was there. And suddenly, in the middle of my desperate prayer, the most unexpected feeling of warmth, love, and peace washed over me. All my fears and doubts left me, and I felt suddenly closer to God than I ever had before. I could tangibly feel the love and concern that God had for me, and I knew with full certainty that yes, He is there. Yes, what I had been taught all my life is true. Yes, Joseph Smith is a real prophet. Yes, the Book of Mormon is true.

And so, I'm a Mormon! And the thing is, anyone can find out the truth about all of this the same way I did. Everyone is a child of God, and He has extended this promise to us all.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

Attending church is a chance to leave the world behind and feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. My favorite part is the sacrament, where we partake of bread and water in remembrance of Christ and the sacrifice He made for us. It also gives me a chance to think about my relationship with Him, and what things I could change to better follow Him and do for others what He would do. In doing this every week, I have the opportunity to steadily draw closer to God, and feel His approval as I try to improve.

How I live my faith

For me, having a relationship with God and my family is what life is all about. I know that God knows and loves me personally, and that He is fully aware of what I do each day. Every morning, I get on my knees and pray to Him, asking for His help and telling Him that I am willing to do whatever He would ask of me during the day. After breakfast, before any other activities, I read in my scriptures to learn more about Jesus Christ and how I can become like Him. When I've done these things, I feel a special closeness with God, and throughout the day I feel that He is with me.

That relationship blesses me with love and determination to look out for the needs of others during the day and treat them like He would. It might be a person driving that needs someone to let them in the next lane. It might be a person that looks depressed and needs an encouraging smile. It might be a person that feels alone and needs someone to talk to. God's children are everywhere, and though He isn't here personally, He tenderly cares for each child through the service of others.

Church is a large part of how I live my faith. Every Sunday I attend church, where my brothers and I sing in the choir and take turns teaching Sunday School lessons. After church is over, we visit some of the other church members in their homes to see how things are going in their lives and see if there is any way we can help. Sometimes I go with the missionaries to help teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ and share more about my faith.

Why do Mormon missionaries proselyte?

David Wyatt answered...

We feel we have something is our lives that makes us incredibly happy, and we just have to get out there and share it!

I served as a missionary for two years, and there were certainly times when I was hesitant about interrupting people's daily activities with the message I wanted to share. But the thought always came to me: "God has given me so much--a loving family, the Book of Mormon, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and restored Truth--how can I keep my mouth shut and not share what could help someone else?" And so I continued to share what I felt in my heart as best I could. Those two years were some of the happiest in my life, and I know it's because I was serving Jesus Christ.
Nick answered...

Our decision to serve missions is motivated by our belief in the Gospel and our desire to fulfill the Savior's command to "preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15. The Gospel teaches us that we are all sons and daughters of God, and so we feel a kinship with all of God's children and a desire to help them enjoy the peace in this life that the Gospel provides.Our missionaries are not salesman and won't take much of your time, but I know that your decision to invite them into your home will change your life for good!

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Kim answered...

No! The practice of polygamy by faithful Mormons ended September 24, 1890. Mormons today do not practice or preach or in any way condone the practice of plural marriage. If you hear or read about any group of people practicing polygamy you can be absolutely certain that they are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any LDS church member practicing polygamy today would be immediately excommunicated from the church.

QUESTION: Why did your church previously practice plural marriage (polygamy)?

This is a good honest question that deserves an honest answer. My great-great-grandfather who joined the church in 1835 was a polygamist. If you are a Christian that believes in the Holy Bible and ancient prophets, you believe in and accept the fact that God has the right to authorize plural marriage when He sees the need, and He has the right to revoke that same commandment when He sees the need to do so. Many of the ancient prophets had plural wives such as Moses, Abraham, and Isaac. If you believe in the Holy Bible, you must accept this fact. But you also know that for most of human history God commanded men to have only one wife. The key here is to do what God commands, and don’t do what He forbids.

The period of time when Joseph Smith (1820-1844) was called of God to restore the “fullness of the gospel” to the earth, many important laws and ordinances were revealed and restored to the earth that had existed anciently. The power of the priesthood, temple ordinances, and the practice of plural marriage were part of that restoration.

But in 1890 the Lord directed the living prophet Wilford Woodruff to end the practice of Plural marriage. Since that time the Mormon Church has not authorized any such practice. This is a great example that demonstrates how important it is to follow living prophets who receive direction from the living God for our day.