Hi, I'm Talmage

I'm a student and a family man. I'm a Mormon, too.

About Me

I am a Graduate Student of Geospatial Engineering in Virginia but am originally from Arizona. My wife and our three young kids all moved here together not only for the education, but also the adventure. We spend most of our time together. We like eating at new places. We like doing things with our kids that we all can do and enjoy together.

When I was 19 years old I went to Portugal to be a full-time missionary. I like to think that those two years of focusing on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and being out on my own really prepared me for the rest of my life. I gained a love for the scriptures, experienced a new language and culture, and learned how to get along with a companion. Most of all, I was able to share something with others that brings so much joy and meaning into my own life.

Right now school takes up most of my time. I do it because I love learning and want to be able to do what I enjoy and provide for my family. I like Civil Engineering because I get to be involved in planning, designing and managing the physical world I live in. Geospatial Engineering is cool because it leverages modern technologies to help do this more efficiently and effectively.

Why I am a Mormon

I want to believe that there is more to this life than just getting a paycheck or having a good time (though both are good to have). I want to find lasting happiness in this life and in the life to come. I want to know God and become more like Him through following his example and teachings. I want to feel at peace with myself and feel the relief that comes through forgiveness.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints helps me to achieve these desires. Through keeping the commandments found in scriptures and given by living prophets, I am able to progress and find the joy that I seek. Through my life's experiences and experiments with the word of God, I have gained confidence in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God's Eternal Plan of Happiness for us. Through the witness of the Spirit I know, deep within me, that Christ's teaching are true.

How I live my faith

I used to think that in order to give everything (all of my time, talents, and other blessings) to God and His Kingdom, I would have to be a full-time missionary. However, I now believe that everything I do can be consecrated to the Lord if I have the right attitude. For example...

...when I play flag football with my friends at school, is my primary objective to beat the other team? Or is it to do my personal best? And will my sportsmanship on the field be an example that makes others able to have fun and want to be better.

...when I study in school, what are my motives? Am I doing it for worldly gain or recognition? Or do I want to improve my knowledge, skills and talents so that I can contribute to society and bless the lives of others?

...when I invite my neighbors to church or to learn about the Gospel, am I doing it for them or for myself? Do I truly love them and desire their happiness?

In short, I feel that I live my faith best when I do things with an eye single to the glory of God.

What does Mormonism teach regarding baptism?

Talmage answered...

Baptism is an essential ordinance for all and must be performed by proper authority. I have often wondered to myself why that is and a few things have helped me to understand why.

1. Jesus said so in the New Testament (John 3:5) and set the example by being baptized himself.
2. Baptism shows that we are willing to do our part to follow Christ. I think of shaking someone's hand after making a deal with them. We can talk and have good intentions, but the handshake seals the deal. Baptism is the "handshake" that we will do our part to follow Christ.
3. You must have the proper priesthood authority from God to baptize. If just anyone could baptize people, baptism would lose its meaning. It would become subjective to whoever performed the baptism. There would arise conflicting expectations after baptism. Some might say all you have to do is believe to be baptized, while others would expect you to attend their church. There would not be unity and order.
Jerad answered...

For us, baptism is a two way promise or covenant with our father in Heaven. We promise to obey his commandments, take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and to always remember him ((D&C 20:77-78) and he promises to give us a remission, or forgiveness for our sins and his spirit to guide us (3 Nephi 27:19-20). However, we must keep our promise to maintain the blessings offered by our Heavenly Father. Baptism is preceeded by faith in Jesus Christ and then repentance. Once we repent of our sins and change our lives, we enter into the waters of baptism. We believe in being baptized by immersion, by someone holding the authority of God (3 Nephi 11:19-27), and at an age of responsibility, when we can recognize the difference between right and wrong (the age of eight is set as when we can do this) (D&C 68:27). There is symbolism in baptism by immersion in the death and resurrection of Christ and also the death of our past lives and a rebirth where we are cleansed from sin (Romans 6:3-6). Baptism must also be followed by receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (Acts 19:1-6).The Gift of the Holy Ghost is a second baptism by fire and completes the baptism by water (Matthew 3:11 and John 3:5).

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Stephen Call answered...

In my opinion the real reason people say the Mormon Church is a cult because they don't understand. saying that it is a cult is an easy way to excuse themselves from learn more about it. Its like saying "sushi is slimy raw dead fish" or "computers are of the devil" its easy not to try / learn about stuff if you pair it with a negative word like "devil" or " slimy raw dead fish"