Hi, I'm G. McIntyre

I grew up in Austria, joining the Church when 21 via sister missionaries.

About Me

I'm married with one son and one daughter. The son is quadriplegic, but doing well. The daughter is preparing for college.

I'm a programmer by profession--love the work!

I used to love reading thrillers by authors like Allistair MacLean, Desmond Bagley, Helen McInnis. Now I enjoy reading non-fiction like Benjamin Franklin's biography and books by conservative authors on the New York Times Bestseller list.

I like camping, but don't get to do that very often. I took up golf a couple of years ago, and I love it!

Why I am a Mormon

Knowing what I know now, I would not rest until I were a baptized member of this Church.

When the sister missionaries knocked on my door, I told them I didn't feel that Religion had any useful answers to any questions, and that Science was a better bet. I also told them I doubted they wanted to hear my theories (I said that hoping they would go away), but they said they'd love to!

I plied them with literally hundreds of questions, from simple ones like apparent Bible inconsistencies, like "Adam, where art thou?" to odd-ball para-normal questions. As we discussed these questions, as well as the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I found that religion, or at least the Mormon version of religion, was much more plausible and logical than science.

While I excitedly read the Book of Mormon and listened to their message, I didn't feel like I was getting any answers from God to validate their message (by the way, I had never prayed before). Then, one evening, out of the blue, I suddenly realized that I didn't know if God even existed or, if he did exist, if he cared about one tiny individual on one tiny planet in a gigantic universe. So I asked "Are thou up there?" And I got my answer! Simply knowledge in my head and a warm feeling in my heart. (There was also a tinge of a guilty feeling for having doubted so much). I was so surprised, that I asked a second time, and got an identical feeling, although less strong, and I even asked a third time, with the same sensation, but much less stronger. I had gotten my answer.

After that, everything else clicked into place over time. The Holy Ghost testified to me about many other things, like the Book of Mormon, the Church itself, that Joseph Smith was indeed called of God, etc.

Personal Stories

Could you talk about your baptism?

When the sister missionaries told me they would love to see me a baptized member of their Church, I felt like "Wow! Me?" It was a nice feeling that somebody thought I was important enough for that. Interestingly, I normally sympathize with "Groucho Marx's" famous quip: "I would never join any organization that would have me as a member!" I was quite touched by the sisters invitation.

When the day of my baptism finally came, I remember being quite concerned about the water temperature, but was quite reassured when I dipped my finger into the water and found it to be just right. I was dressed in a white jumpsuit; I think I may have had white socks on, too. It was a great feeling to be baptized.

I was confirmed by the Mission President. I remember after that he was shaking my hand and telling me what a great time I would have on my mission, what a great missionary I would be, etc., all the while I was telling him "No, no, I'm not going on a mission, I've got a job, I'm older than the average missionary, etc."

A year later I found myself going on a mission.

How I live my faith

I live my faith in lots of ways, or at least I hope I do!

I make sure I pray, kneeling, in the morning and in the evening at least. I try to focus on heavenly Father, but might not be always successful in that. Many times during the day, I try to look up (in my mind's eye) towards heaven and say a prayer in my heart.

I read the scriptures on the bus on the way to work. While I love all of the scriptures, I've discovered that reading the Book of Mormon, especially the books of Mosiah, Alma, and Helaman, seem to bring me closest to the Lord. I typically read the scriptures cover to cover and start over again.

About once a month, we travel to the nearest temple. You probably do not know much, if anything, about LDS temples yet. They are beautiful, restful places. Last time we went, I felt very close to the Lord.

Recently, I was asked to substitute for the 11-year old class during Sunday School. The topic was Moses before Pharoah, and leading the house of Israel out of Egypt. The kids were very attentive and excited to be in the class and very much alive. It was so fun to teach them (the M&M's helped, too!) I felt the presence of the Holy Ghost the whole time, especially at the end when I told them that I knew the Exodus really happened, that it was not a made up thing.

I am currently working with the 14 and 15 year old boys, helping them advance in scouting and prepare for a mission after high school. I'm still learning what that entails; they're a great bunch of boys.

Sunday evenings my family has a Gospel lesson. Who gets to teach it rotates. Monday nights we have an activity, like playing a game.

I expect to be learning all my life how to apply the eternal and infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ to improve myself. I realize how important it is to love everybody, even and maybe especially those who are less lovable: Jesus is pulling for them, too, and has paid the infinite price for them, too, so I need to honor that.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

G. McIntyre answered...

No. Young women, if they wish. may serve a mission when they turn 21. All young men, if they are physically, emotionally, and spiritually able, are expected and encouraged to serve a full-time mission.
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Nick answered...

"Required" is an interesting word when it comes to faith and religion. In the Mormon Church no one is "required" to serve a mission. Church membership is not revoked for not serving a mission. In this sense, they are not required, yet serving a mission is encouraged at many stages in life and in many different capacities throughout the world.

Missionary service is a tremendous blessing, a challenge, and one of the main focuses of the faith. The life of Jesus Christ was the life of a missionary in many respects. Performing service for one another, preaching the glad message of the gospel, and increasing the faith and dedication of God's children are exemplified in Christ's life and mirrored by those in missionary service.

To dedicate a portion of one's life in service propels those who serve and those who are served into a better life. During my two year mission to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and during my two year service mission with LDS Family Services, I was greatly blessed and strengthened. (I hope those whom I served found some value in my service as well.) That strength has taught me to better navigate this life, has kept my family relations intact, and has been the method of helping others overcome their trials as well.

Spiritually speaking, I don't find value in reflecting on what my life would be like without serving a mission. Instead, I rejoice in knowing that without that time in missionary service my life would be significantly less happy and productive. In my life, serving a mission has taken on many of the characteristics of a "required" act since I can't picture myself progressing very far without having served as a missionary. While not required to be a member of the Mormon church, missionary service has been a critical and welcome part of my life and growth spirituality. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to serve missions, and look forward to serving in many more.

What are Mormon church services like? Are visitors allowed at church meetings? Can I attend church?

Brad answered...

Our fundamental religious service is what we call our Sacrament meeting. Anyone is welcome to join us in Sacrament meeting as well as our other Sunday meetings at any of our buildings. Sacrament is a time when we ponder and reflect on Jesus Christ's atonement for our sins, for He is the path by which we can repent of our wrongdoings and begin anew on a correct path with additional guidance from our Heavenly Father. Furthermore, on Sunday we have general Sunday School meetings where we talk more in-depth about the various doctrine of the gospel as well as meetings where we meet in groups of similarly-aged individuals to learn and discuss gospel topics more focused to each particular age group. We welcome anybody and everybody and would love to see you in our congregation spiritually connecting with your loving Heavenly Father and drawing nearer to him and his son, Jesus Christ.