Hi, I'm Kyle Travis

I have a wife and two kids. I grew up in Encinitas, CA. I am a Doctoral student at Harvard. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I have a fantastic wife and two kids (Girl 3 years old and a Boy 1 year old). We live in Boston Massachusetts. I am currently attending the doctoral program at Harvard Business School. I grew up in San Diego California. When I am not busy making sure I pass my classes I usually spend my time with my family.

Why I am a Mormon

Two main reasons:
1) The gospel makes me happy. I have found that the principles of this faith about the purpose of our existence and of Jesus Christ have provided a path to happiness in this life. It is something that unites my family. It's something that brings peace to me when my life is crazy. Quite simply, it works.
2) There is no other faith that can answer the questions I have about religion and the purpose of life.

Personal Stories

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

I love my faith and want all my friends to have what I have in my life. Yet I don’t want to lose them in the process. Religion has to be the worst icebreaker in the world. People want to talk almost anyone before they talk to someone about their faith. I think this stems from some of the “in your face” conversion methods of some faiths.

My approach is to be sincere about my beliefs and intents with anyone I meet. If the opportunity comes up to talk about faith I will often ask people “What are some of the questions or problems you have with religion/faith?” Most of their concerns are actually reasonable and come from a misunderstanding. Furthermore nearly all questions have a unique answer from the Mormon faith.

How I live my faith

I live my faith primarily by being a good Husband and then a good father. The Mormon faith starts in the home. Of the things I will be responsible for in this life, none is more important to god than my relationship with my family.

More specifically within the church. One of the jobs I have in my congregation is to organize service activities for our congregation in the community.

What is done with the tithing that Mormons pay?

Kyle Travis answered...

Tithing in the Mormon faith is different from any other faith for a number of reasons.
1) The entire local ministry of the church is unpaid volunteers. No teacher, minister, bishop, or stake president receives compensation for the work they do. So the money does not go towards compensation of any individual.
2) Building and maintaining places of worship including chapels and temples of worship are the main use of funds.
3) Tithing also goes towards fellowshipping activities within each congregation.
4) Tithing also helps provide funding for a number of Educational programs and collages.
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April answered...

Tithing is paid in faith. I know these funds will not be misused. I pay tithing because it is a commandment, and because I love God and want to give Him back a small porion of what He has given me, to futher build up His church. These funds go to build and maintain church buildings and temples and other like expenses. Our clergy is not paid. There is no collection plate. We simply pay our tithing, our fast offerings, we share what we have gladly. This is God's way. For this is God's church.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Casey answered...

For me, God's plan for us is about families, a husband and wife and kids. But all people are children of God who deserve love and respect, including those who have different views about same sex marriage. However, when I really don't know, I turn to what prophets of God have said.

“People inquire about our position on those who consider themselves so-called gays and lesbians. My response is that we love them as sons and daughters of God. They may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. Most people have inclinations of one kind or another at various times. If they do not act upon these inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.

“We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families” (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 71).

When I think of how hard this must be for many, I think of our faith in Jesus Christ. He loves us and has given us guidance through prophets, we just need to follow.