Hi, I'm Pat

I'm a parent of four young adult daughters, a college student advisor and a follower of Jesus Christ and His Church.

About Me

As a father of four children and a college student advisor I have been very interested in how people define their mission in life. I have tried to help others, as well as my own children, to reach their potential and feel as if they have a purpose, a reason to confront the challenges that life sends their way. I try to instill in them a feeling that Heavenly Father sent them here to accomplish something, not just to exist but to go forth with a purpose and goal in life. I enjoy helping others to grow and embark on their own personal missions. As hobbies I enjoy traveling with my family, seeing historical sights, and learning about my own personal history.

Why I am a Mormon

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a young adult when LDS friends cared enough to invite me into their lives. They did not seem to be swayed by my very active and involved Methodist Church membership. They did not push their religion on me but their genuine friendship was impressive. As various events in my life seemed to be orchestrated by a caring Heavenly Father who knew me I began to seek more knowledge about how He works with his children. As such, I investigated the LDS faith along with the teachings of other faiths and came to believe that the doctrine taught by the LDS Church was true doctrine. After my baptism, I read the Book of Mormon for a testimony of its truthfulness and came to know without any doubt that Joseph Smith could not have authored its pages. As such, I came to know that he truly was a prophet of God since he organized the Church and sought revelation from God as to it's doctrine and authority.

Personal Stories

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

A latter-day prophet once said the most important work we can do is within the walls of our own home. In our home I make sure that everyone knows of their relationship with God. We read of the scriptures after dinner, we have morning and evening family prayers, we go to church and sit and worship together and we focus on our relationship with our God. Indeed, we strive to follow the admonition of a great Book of Mormon prophet, Nephi, who said "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ,...that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 2 Nephi 2526 Each member of our family knows to whom they need to look for their salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ, and all actions, words and thoughts are hopefully guided by that truth.

How has The Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?

The Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets on the American continent but was translated by the gift and power of God by Joseph Smith, a young man God called to help organize His church in these latter days. I have read this book many times and know that Joseph Smith could not have written the book himself. I am continually amazed at the counsel, truths, and wisdom it contains. In spite of being written over the centuries hundreds of years ago by ancestors of the native peoples Columbus found when he arrived, the teachings of this book are as relevant as today's news stories. I have truly seen manifest in my life the words of the Book of Mormon prophet Moroni who wrote. "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. Moroni 10 3-4

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

I have come to know in my life that trials, challenges and difficulties happen for very specific and real reasons. Sometimes it is due to my own sin and mistake. But most of the time it is the Lord tutoring me on how to come to need Him. Otherwise, I probably would not call upon Him so sincerely or personally. These difficulties are the Lord's way of getting me to need His atoning gift, His willingness to help me even though I am not perfect, His opportunity to eventually return into His presence. Challenges of life are oftentimes are a gift to me from a loving God who wants me to need Him above all other earthly priorities.

Could you talk about your baptism?

Like many Christians, I was baptized initially into my parent's faith as an infant. I was influenced primarily by faithful Methodist grandparents who made sure I went to Church and understood my Savior. But as I aged I was befriended by LDS school mates in high school. They invited me to their church and to hear a Mormon apostle. In spite of my lack of interest they stayed true friends and respected my distance. But the Lord hadn't forgotten me and life challenges prompted me with many questions. This led to a sincere investigation of other faiths, including the Latter-day Saints. After a soul searching Methodist youth retreat one weekend I felt impressed that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true. I talked about this with my minister and friends. This led to my baptism into the LDS Church, in which one of these original friends baptized me. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

How I live my faith

I am very appreciative of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I love talking about the Savior's teachings with others and working to build up the Kingdom of God. I do that by serving others in my local congregation as a teacher and leader. I love teaching the Gospel, helping others understand how the Lord is guiding their lives, and preparing others for the second coming of the Savior.

What will the Mormon missionaries talk about when they visit my home?

Pat answered...

Mormon missionaries are called and set apart to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.They will share their testimony of the love of God, an understanding of the principles of the Gospel, and help those with interest gain a personal knowledge of their Heavenly Father. When I was a new member of the Church, I too was given an opportunity to serve as a missionary and was called to serve in the Netherlands. As a missionary I felt the guiding influence of my Father in Heaven in my life, the frequent promptings of the Holy Ghost, and received the tutoring that solidified my testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. I met many wonderful people, some who joined the Church, but many more who just wanted to learn more of what our Church taught.
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Jordan Christiansen answered...

I served a mission in South Korea for two years, so I can tell you. :) The missionaries will probably be as nervous as you are as they arrive at your home. The nervousness does not come from timidity or a lack of belief in the message they bring, but because they want so much to express their testimonies and the Spirit they feel to you.

The missionaries will likely introduce themselves and get to know you and your family. Though missionaries are called by God to preach His word, they come from largely every-day backgrounds and have lives likely much like yours.

After getting to know your family, they will likely ask what questions you may have about life or the Mormon church. Using the scriptures and their own personal experiences, they will seek to help you find answers. Don't be afraid of asking any question or thinking you may offend or sound silly to the missionaries. They are called to help and serve and are very understanding.

After answering your questions and sharing a spiritual message, the missionaries will ask you to act on the message. A soccer player does not listen to his coach during practice only to go home without kicking a ball, right? In the same way, the missionaries will invite you to read a chapter of scripture or seek for yourself that what they are saying is true. You don't have to just take the missionaries' word in what they say--a loving God is happy to answer thoughtful, earnest prayers seeking for the truth.

What is faith?

Kempe answered...

It's another word for commitment. When assessing one's own faithfulness, it may be easier to ask, "How committed are you?"

Commitment
Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=a4237cf34f40c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD