Hi, I'm Dave

I'm a Latter-day Saint.

About Me

I'm a father of three, living in Alabama. I love serving in the church, scouting and the temple. I believe in education and have earned an Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, an Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and an MBA. I also believe that the Lord has blessed us with technology to share the gospel and maintain our relationships. I love to be connected with my family and friends, wherever they are.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in the church and attended from a very young age. However, it wasn't until I was a teenager that I really began to question and wonder if what I believed was true. I gained a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon after praying that the Lord would help me know for sure that it was. I received a similar firm testimony of the call of Joseph Smith as a prophet of God. With these two truths firmly established in my heart, I knew that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true, and that my attendance and service in the church was necessary for me to return to live with my Heavenly Father. I committed myself to living the truths in the restored gospel, even if I didn't completely understand the "why" behind them; I lived, and still live them by faith. As a result, I have enjoyed some of the richest blessings that my Heavenly Father can offer, and I enjoy helping others, including my children, learn to have those "a ha!" moments about the gospel.

Personal Stories

What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?

We use filters on the internet and put our computer in a central place so that we can be more sure that it's only being used for "good" things. We also don't watch rated R movies and are careful about the movies that we do watch (regardless of the rating). As an extension, we don't watch TV-MA television shows because they're basically just rated R TV shows. I know that we can't stop everything, especially outside of the house. But within our house, we strive to make it a "home" that's safe from unwanted influences.

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

I served a full-time mission in Uruguay for two years, at my own expense (several hundred dollars per month). I served about 70 hours per week for two straight years. I taught many people. Some listened, felt the spirit and truthfulness of the gospel and joined the church. Others ridiculed us, threw rocks and trash at us, and shouted profanities. But serving my brothers and sisters in Uruguay, and seeing some of them join the church and being a path that will lead them back to their Heavenly Father with their families really makes the "bad times" not seem as "bad" and the "good times" seem even better.

How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?

The Book of Mormon is something that I can hold in my hand, read and pray about. It tells me that God is still interested in his children on this earth. It tells me that His plan did not end 2000 years ago and that as our all-knowing, all-seeing God, he has prepared a way for all of his children to return and live with him. I feel the power of the Book of Mormon when I read it. I read or listen to the MP3s in my car every day. I feel a lot of gratitude towards the leaders of the people in the Book of Mormon, and a great sympathy for it's people.

How I live my faith

I served in many ways in the church: as a full-time missionary in Uruguay, as a financial clerk, Ward (congregation) mission leader, a Sunday school teacher, with Young Men program as a scout leader, and a member of our bishopric. I firmly believe in doing whatever it is the Lord asks me to do and never turn down a calling. When his authorized servants extend a call or assignment to me, I serve to the best of my ability. I know that the Lord needs me specifically to serve using my talents or that I need to improve myself in some way. So I give my heart to my church service with whatever time is not required by my family or job.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Dave answered...

Grace is essential to our salvation. The Book of Mormon teaches us that even after all that we can do, it's still only by grace that we are saved. That being said, it's also important that we act according to our faith. That is, make good choices. The Bible teaches us that faith without works is dead. So just accepting Jesus isn't enough to be saved - you also have to follow his example. Our salvation requires faith, works, and the grace of Jesus Christ.
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Tamara Forsyth answered...

We are all saved by grace no matter how we have lived our life, as long as we believe in Christ and believe that he is our Savior. Most Christian religions believe that this is all there is to being saved. Mormons believe this for the part of being saved in which the body of flesh is reunited with the spirit. For this part of being saved, yes, Mormons believe that all people, no matter how they have lived their lives, will be saved and have their body reunited with their spirit at the resurrection through the grace of God. However, Mormons also believe there is another part to Christ's atonement and being saved, and that refers to his taking on of our sins. To be saved from our sins, and take upon us the name of Christ such that his atonement will wash away our sins and we will have everlasting life in God's presence, we must repent of our sins. After we have done all that we can do, then the grace of God will wash away our sins because of Christ's atoning sacrifice on our behalf.

What is being a Mormon like?

Melinda answered...

I think of it as my life style not just my religion. The church is set up to support you and nurture your spiritual growth. That growth comes from involvement with church activities and supporting others. We look out for each other, not just physically but spiritually as well.