Hi, I'm David Harold

I am a Mormon.

About Me

I have been a life long member of the church. Raised on a farm where I learned to work by a father and mother who took time to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to me in the home. I served a mission for the Church to the Chinese people. I returned home to complete my education. I am now a father of six, a software engineer and serving as a bishop in the church.

Why I am a Mormon

The short answer to the question of why I am a Mormon might be that my parents were and I was raised in the church. However, I think that would not express the true conviction I have that the Mormon church teaches the values and virtues that can bring true happiness and joy into our lives. The personal revealed knowledge of the plan of salvation of my Heavenly Father made possible by the atonement of Jesus Christ anchors my testimony in the Mormon faith.

Personal Stories

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

Our family has tried to follow the following precepts taught by the church to strengthen our family.
1. Weekly family gatherings to have fun and learn the gospel together.
2. Daily family scripture readings.
3. Family prayers in the morning and evening.
4. Regular family attendance in church activities on Sunday and other days of the week.
5. Gathering together for meals.
6. Yearly family reunions with extended family members.

How I live my faith

Living my faith is an important part of my life. Seldom does a week go by that I do not attend church. I pray often, study scritptures daily, attend to religous obligation at the temple and serve in my local church unit. I currently serve as a leader of a congregation of members but have also served the young men of my area as a scoutmaster. Some of my most spiritual experiences have been around a campfire as gospel messages and testimonies are shared.

What is the priesthood?

David Harold answered...

The priesthood is the authority and power of God given to men here on earth. It is through the priesthood that the ordinances of salvation is made available to God's children.
Ethan answered...

I like to approach questions by looking at the words of things

"priest" has reference to either the concept of one who leads, one who is elder, or one who is holy I like to remember that the words 'holy' and 'whole' are linked by a common ancestry. When something is 'holy' it's essentially saying that it's complete, that it's healthy..

And "-hood" makes reference to the state of being, and not just any state of being but a state of being that's worthy or correct for it's placement. That is, that it's done properly.

So one could say the priesthood is leadership or a point of reference that's completely suited to the position in which it's been placed.

Another way to look at it is to say it's God's perfect order. That is, it's God's perfect arrangement.

In our Church we often give a definition of priesthood as being "the authority to act in God's name" and that's exactly what it means to be a part of God's perfect order. If God commands something to be done by you, and you do it, then you are acting under, and with that portion of God's authority that he's permitted you to exercise within his perfect order.

Just as with any instance where someone tries to act in the name of someone else there are bound to be those who try and do so falsely. That's why God has things ordered in such a way that one can know for certain if someone has His God's authority, or not.

Who was Joseph Smith?

Mike answered...

Over my lifetime, I have heard countless theories concerning Joseph Smith - his intellect, his integrity, his sanity, everything about him. Some of the stories about him being a prophet sounded convincing... but then, some of the stories of him as a criminal sounded convincing, too. Then I read about Joseph Smith's visitation by the angel Moroni. Moroni told him that his name would be "had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken among all people." Well, that was certainly a true prophecy. So, it seemed, whether Joseph Smith was a prophet or not, tons of accusations and slander would be said against him anyway! That realization made me understand that only God could confirm whether or not Joseph was truly called of him. I got a strong confirmation of that truth. When others tell me that they "know the truth about the Joseph Smith," I always question their sources - it's usually a book or magazine article, possibly even by an esteemed, intellectual person. But I cannot and will not question my source of the real answer.

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Joseph Smith

As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.

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