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Hi I'm Ryan
About Me
I am a graduate student studying paleontology. If you want to know about the fossil sea urchins of South America I'm your guy (or at least working on being that guy). I have a BA in Spanish, a BS in Geology, and served a mission for the Church in Brazil.
Why I am a Mormon
Both of my parents are converts to the Church, so I grew up in the Church. When I was baptized at the age of 8 I felt what I was doing was right, and at 15 I sought and received a spiritual confirmation of the truth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and The Book of Mormon. I served a mission because of my knowledge, and hold my faith in God to be the most important thing in my life.
Personal Stories
What is hope and what do you hope for?
Hope is faith put into action. In my life I hope for a wife and children and success in my career. To achieve these things I live my life according to the patterns set forth in the gospel of Jesus Christ. My interaction with individuals, and the way I perform my duties, and the activities I pursue are all influenced by my trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and as such, it is my eternal hope that through such daily living I can reach the eternal goal of living with my Father in Heaven along with my family.
Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?
Most mornings, even before I open my eyes, I croak out thanks for the nights rest and discuss with the Lord my plan for the day. As I move through the day the conversation continues, and I seek his guidance or assistance in whatever I may be doing. Just as my scripture study begins with prayer, my academic studies begin with prayer as I seek His assistance in understanding and recalling the information I must learn in order to achieve my goals. I take the Lord at his word when he tells the apostles in John 14:26 that the Holy Ghost "shall teach you all things". Many times I have had the light of understanding fill my mind following a plead to God for an answer, even with something as mundane as how to fix a problem I had with electrical wiring in a house. I end my days expressing my gratitude through prayer, and discussing the progress I made with my goals, and often baring my heart to the emotional struggles I may have faced that day. Through prayer I have been able to find the strength to overcome temptation, and be healed from emotional wounds I have received.
How I live my faith
I work with the youth and Scouts in my branch. On some Sundays I interpret the meetings into Spanish, and throughout the month I help the missionaries make visits around my community.
