Hi, I'm Gabriel

I'm a Christian, a college student, a prospective Army chaplain. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in the Washington D.C. area. I am currently a university student studying philosophy, French, and Arabic. I am preparing to be a chaplain in the US Army. I recently completed Airborne training. I work as a lifeguard during the summer and I volunteer as an EMT at a local volunteer fire department. I've always appreciated opportunities, big or small, to serve others, which is why I'm getting involved with the fire department, and why I want to be a chaplain. I most enjoy associating with those who, regardless of their level of education, give thought to what they believe.

Why I am a Mormon

Some come to first know Jesus Christ in very brief, powerful experiences, such as that of Paul of the New Testament who went from being an enemy of the Church to being one of its most stalwart champions. For me it was more subtle. I have been blessed to have a loving, righteous family, with parents who taught me of the Gospel both verbally and by example from a very young age. There comes a point, however, when one must gain one's own personal witness of the truth, independent of others, reliant only upon God. During my teenage years, over the course of study, prayer, and even the investigation of other churches and faiths, God testified to me of the truth of this Church; that it contains His Restored Gospel. My aforementioned mission gave me later opportunities to bear witness of this, and strengthened the witness I had received by seeing others develop the same testimony through direct communication with their Creator, as I had.

I know that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is not just a true church. It is the organization that God has personally established to ensure the safekeeping of His children in these difficult times. Its members are not perfect, but it is invested with the power and authority of God, the same power and authority given by Jesus to His disciples when He walked the earth. I know that God has not ceased to work among His children in our day; He affords us the same concern and offers us the same blessings He has always offered in times past. I know that He has not ceased to speak to us. He has given us proof of His continued love for us in providing us with The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, and a living prophet. I know that Jesus Christ personally sacrificed His life for me and for all of humanity, so that I could become pure and clean, and also that I could triumph over every difficulty, trial, and even injustice that I may face in my life. He has never failed to be there to support me in my life. When it really comes down to it, I am a Mormon because I know that God loves me, and I love Him, and I know that this is what He has asked me to do.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

It is easy to become spiritually complacent on one's own, even if one is strong. Making Church attendance a weekly habit ensures that I am being spiritually nourished and shored up against the degrading influences I may face during the week. It also offers an essential opportunity to strengthen others. Jesus Christ, when He lived on earth, did not live His life alone doing what He pleased because He was already perfect and had "graduated" needing to hear about the Gospel; He strengthened those around Him. Church attendance is also essential because there are others who need the light and strength we possess.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I can't say why others have served, but for myself I know that my desire to serve stemmed from my love of God and desire to serve Him, and also from my desire to serve others. I truly believe that the Gospel will save the world. It is God's answer to the world's problems. If people are converted to it and begin to live it they are transformed into selfless beings willing to give of themselves and their many talents to the world. They cease to defraud, steal from, kill, and otherwise wrong one another. It solves many political and economic problems naturally without having to pass laws or reforms which may attempt to force people to act correctly. It blesses and supports the lives of all those it touches. As such, young LDS men and women are naturally drawn to serving missions because it is one of the most effective ways for them to change the world for the better. Such was my intent.

How I live my faith

God has privileged me with many choice opportunities to serve and be enlightened by others. It's a choice conversation with a fellow passenger on an airplane about how God is transforming her life, or a newfound friend who sees God in every leaf, cloud, and sunset.

I live my faith by doing my best to appreciate what God has given me in the world around me, my family, my friends, and His constant assistance. I also try to reach out to others and lift them up, giving them strength in hard times, and encouraging them to live up to their infinite potential as sons and daughters of God, because that is what God has done and is ever doing for me.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I have also had the opportunity to serve a two-year mission in Florida. There I had the privilege of meeting a vast spectrum of God's children, including many Haitians, whose language I learned, and whose culture I came to love.

In whom should we have faith?

Gabriel answered...

Jesus Christ.

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."
-Helaman 5:12, The Book of Mormon
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How can I know Mormonism is true?

J. Sean answered...

Here is a simple step by step instruction on how to know Mormonism is true.

1. Meet with missionaries.
2. Pray to Heavenly Father with real intent and ask something like this, " I want to know if this is Your church, so is this Your church?".
3. READ THE BOOK OF MORMON! Ask God if it is true.
4. Look for an anwser from God. He speaks with us through our thoughts and feelings by the Holy Ghost. Ask the missionaries for more details.
5. Come to church to see for yourself.
6. Keep the commandments that the missionaries teach you.
7. Repeat until answer is received.