Hi, I'm Stephen

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a husband and father and consider them my greatest gifts from my Heavenly Father. I am a clinical psychologist and I enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life. I love the outdoors, good food, sports, art, cultural events, and connecting with those I love.

Why I am a Mormon

While I was born in the church I wanted to know for myself if it was actually true. When I was 16 years old I had a good friend from England who used to live in my neighborhood in the the State I grew up in. My mother suggested that I invite him to church one day when we were to go out playing minature golf together. To my surprise, he accepted my invitation to come to church. I decided if I was going to share the Gospel with a friend I would need to know for myself. I kept a copy of the Book of Mormon under my bed and I started to read it more earnestly. One night, while I was reading a very sacred spiritual feeling filled my whole body. This feeling was one of light, love, and was a very real knowledge that my Heavenly Father was personally aware of me. I knew the Book of Mormon was true and because of that, I also knew that Jesus Christ was the Savior of the world, and that Joseph Smith (the translator of the Book of Mormon who published the book in 1830) was a true Prophet of God. The joy that I felt at this time is difficult to explain but it was real. This experience has been an anchor in my life and it continues to burn brightly within me to the present day. I will be forever grateful for this very personal and sacred knowledge that my Heavenly Father blessed me with.

Personal Stories

Can you think of a specific challenge in your family that Gospel Principles helped overcome?

The Gospel stresses the importance of love and forgiveness. At times, we all make mistakes and sometimes can be offended by those we love and sometimes we can be the offenders. There have been times in my life where I felt my pride was hurt and a wedge was growing between myself and another family member. However, remembering the teaching of Jesus and his loving example, I have found the strength to humble myself and to seek the Lord's help in trying to both forgive and to seek forgiveness from the involved parties. I can honestly say that Heaven has sent help and a feeling of peace and forgiveness has replaced feelings of hurt and bitterness. One of the greatest things about the Gospel is that we never have to go it alone. The Lord is always there to help us through any difficult feelings that we have and He offers his perfect love and understanding to help heal all hidden wounds.

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

The teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and those of His living Prophets. Also, anciet prophets in the Bible and Book of Mormon also help to teach us how to live lives centered on what is most important.

How I live my faith

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a way of life and it colors how I see and interpret the word. It gives me a perspective that is larger than this life and helps me to realize and appreciate those things that really matter like friends, faith, and family. I am an active member of the church who tries to help my Brothers and Sisters both in and out of the Faith. To me, the church is a loving family which welcomes all to come unto our Savior.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Stephen answered...

Because of ignorance and misunderstanding. The world thinks that any religion that has a leader that can speak the Word of God to its followers is cultish in nature because they assume the people may follow that leader like a lemming off of a cliff to their peril. However, church members are never encouraged to blindly follow church leaders but to find a spiritual witness for themselves with regard to the direction they follow in thier lives. Since, the prophet is truly a man of God, a person in tune with the Spirit of the Lord will receive the impression that the prophet is setting forth a course of life that will lead to blessings both hear in this life and in the next.
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Michael Johnston answered...

Because we believe in continuing revelation through Prophets as in the days of old, i.e. Moses, Abraham, this is uncomfortable for some people because media has made our Prophets seem like evil men leading people astray, when they are just trying to teach us correct principles so that one day we all may return to live with our Father in Heaven.

Another reason is because we believe in the sacred nature of temples, meaning only worthy members may enter the Temple so people think that evil rituals are performed. However, in reality the nature of the temple is uplifting and beautiful and gives us clarity to what the purpose of life is, the plan of salvation, and other topics such as life, death, and the atonement of Christ. The temple is not "secret, but it is sacred. However, we encourage all to live so that they may one day enter the temple.

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What do Mormons believe about the Bible? Do they regard it as Holy Scripture and the word of God?

Jonathan Richardson answered...

We believe that the Bible is the word of God, given through his Apostles and Prophets in the days of old. Through generations the bible has been translated time and time again, and now it stands with some of the simple truths of Christs teachings being either removed or complicated. That is why there are so many different views on what the scriptures teach, and so many churchs created for those views. We believe that God has restored those simple truths and clarified the complicated view through the Book of Mormon which is a record of the ancient inhabitants of the Americas.