Hi, I'm Nielsen

I'm an entrepreneur, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I work in technology and consider myself an entrepreneur. I've started and sold 3 of my companies, all of them on the cutting edge of Internet technology and communications to major corporations around the world.
Unfortunately, my work activities has made me and others consider me a workaholic. After seeing how quickly life has passed by, I'm trying to reform myself, and place more of my emphasis on my family and my faith.

Why I am a Mormon

I've studied religion extensively. I graduated from 4 years of religious seminary and served as a full-time missionary for two more in the Philippines working with people of all faiths. When I read the scriptures and compare it to what I believe, it is entirely consistent with everything in my faith as a Mormon. For example: God has always called prophets to teach and guide his people since the beginning of time, this shouldn't be any different today. Scripture is the living word of God that has been recorded by righteous leaders since the beginning. I don't believe the heavens are closed.
Like the Catholic or Jewish religions, I believe that the authority or priesthood to act in the name of God is necessary and also that there are certain worship ceremonies and symbolism important to my faith through certain rights and rituals. And like all Protestant denominations I believe that there was a fundamental departure from the organization and teaching established by Christ himself during his ministry. However, rather than a reformation by scholars, I believe in a RESTORATION by God himself through modern day prophets, much like he did with Moses, Abraham and others in times of old. Because of my belief that God was part of the RESTORATION, this provides the proper authority, and correct teachings to the exactness that God intended. A restoration with a modern day prophet is the only way this could be accomplished if there actually was a departure from truth as Protestants believe.
As I read the Bible, and the Book of Mormon, I see the harmony that they have among each other, and the harmony and peace that it speaks to my spirit and mind amidst a life of turmoil and the Spirit of God testifies further to me that this is correct and true.

Personal Stories

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

If The Book of Mormon is what it says it is and is in fact true, wouldn't it, and everything else associated with it be important to you too?
Because of the coming forth of The Book of Mormon, everything that it represents means that I have a clearer understanding of the nature of God, the divine role of Jesus Christ as my Savior and my divine potential. Because The Book of Mormon is true, I know that the testimonies and witness of everything else they've said is also true.

How I live my faith

On a day to day basis, I need to make a conscious choice to choose right or wrong. I do my best to be an honest, hard working person. I try to be a good father and husband by trying to teach these principles to my children and positively influence others around me. I participate in my community though various events when I can. In my Church, I currently serve our local congregation as a Sunday School teacher to the 16-18 year old teenagers. I've taught this class for the last 7 years and I love it.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe that I entered into a covenant with him. To keep his commandments, and live by faith. It all started when I entered into a covenant with Christ when I was baptized. If I do my best, and have faith, the Atonement of Jesus Christ will take care of the rest. This brings me satisfaction and peace in knowing this. Acts 2:38 says that we should be Baptized for the "remission" of sins. Other versions of the Bible might use the word "forebearance". Like cancer that is in "remission", my sins will be in remission, as long as I continue in this covenant with God.

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

Nielsen answered...

Some of the people I work with have actually asked me this very question. Actually, everyone is allowed into the Temple and have been invited, we merely ask them to prepare themselves to do so from a religious ceremony and rite perspective. This would require faithful membership in our Church. Also, our Temples aren't "Secret". They are sacred. Temples of God have always been sacred that means special and apart from the ordinary. It's not like many Buddhist temples that anyone can walk into on vacation in flip flops and tank tops and snap a few photos of others during their holy or sacred worship ceremonies. This is disrespectful by those who offend, of those worshiping. For those that know better, it is similar to "casting pearls before swine" Mathew 7:6. Anyone is welcome into Mormon weekly services or chapels anytime. Temples are an extra measure of worship, and the intent is to get closer to God by separating ourselves from the everyday.

The Lord has always held temples and other places of worship as sacred and gone to great lengths to keep it that way, this isn't new.
The Garden of Eden was a type of Temple, a place on earth that was separated from the rest of the world where Adam and Eve could walk and talk with God. When they defiled it, they were asked to leave. Moreover, after they left, God placed Angels with flaming swords to guard the entrance so they could not re-enter. Additionally, ancient prophets used mountains as a sacred "Mountain of the Lords House" to escape the everyday world and be closer to God in prayer and worship Micah 4:1-5: Isaiah 2:2 Moses, many of the other prophets and Apostles, even in Christ's life, went into the mountains to separate themselves from the world and get closer to God to receive instruction from God. Even the Temples in the ancient world required certain people or qualifications to enter.

Psalms 24:3-4 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."
Joel 3:17 So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Psalms 93:5 "holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever"
Micah 4:1-2 “1But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it. 2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” KJV

Christ tells his disciples not to talk of it:
Mathew 17:1-4,9 “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 9And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man,..” KJV

Our bodies can be temples, and we should keep them undefiled.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” KJV
Mathew 7:6“ 6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet…” KJV

Secret or Sacred? Same thing, Christ tells us that it should be kept special. The Temple shouldn't be defiled, neither should our bodies. Something can be defiled with words by talking about it as well. "Taking the Lords name in vain" is an issue of respect and holiness. If the Lord's name can be defiled by talking about it inappropriately, so can his Temples. Holy worship should not be made a mockery of, and isn’t something to be broadcast on television and in front of the spotlights of casual tourists.

Mathew 6
"1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

Temples are a very important part of Gods Plan, and one of the greatest testaments to the full restoration of the Gospel. Recent archeological finds such as the Dead Sea Scrolls in the 1950's contained very detailed information about temple ceremonies of the early Christian church. I find it remarkable that almost every ancient religion that can trace itself through the reformation of the 15th century have temples whether they are Christian or not.
Temples were a very important part of Christian worship until the Temple was destroyed. The Temple ceremonies we do and perform match nearly identically with the recent archeological finds restored through a prophet more than a hundred years prior to this discovery. It's gratifying to know that the Lord is always the same today, as he was yesterday. Temple worship was important to HIM then, and it is important to HIM now.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Lauren answered...

Only some Mormons are allowed to go into temples because of the sacredness of the temples. Those who are living worthily and honestly are allowed to enter the temple. The temple is the "House of the Lord" and we esteem it with such respect that we make sure those who are in the temple are worthy to participate. We don't talk about the specifics of the temple because they are so sacred and we want to keep it that way. In the temple we can be bound as eternal families, learn more about our purpose here on earth, and baptize those who did not get the opportunity while they were living. It is a place where we would love everyone one day to be worthy to enter.

What is the role of the husband and the wife in the family?

Katie answered...

Husband and wife in a marriage are meant to be equal, partners. The husband is the head of the household and is responsible for the temporal welfare of his family. His role is to support his wife. The wife is also to support her husband and to nurture her family both spiritually and emotionally. Husband and wife are meant to work side by side in providing a safe haven from the world for their family. Their roles are different, but equally important and essential to building the family and the community.