Hi, I'm Craig

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was born and raised in Virginia, where I lived until I went on a mission abroad at age 19. After returning I studied politics and history at college, and I'm now a third year law student. I have a wonderful wife and two young children. In my spare time I enjoy watching soccer and reading.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised in a Mormon household, my parents having converted a couple of years before I was born. I always enjoyed attending church and learning about my religion, and from a young age I believed that the teachings I was receiving were true.

When I was about 17, a seemingly inevitable question arose for me that I could no longer ignore: Could it be that I was a Mormon merely because I didn't know any better? Or, to go a step further, does God even exist? Is all religion false? Is there any sort of meaningful truth in life? Faced with these questions and consumed by my perceived limitations in finding acceptable answers, my faith was deconstructed and I felt no connection to God. I did not, however, lose my desire to find answers to these questions. After a period of introspection and much consideration, I resolved to pray one final time to know if God existed. As a knelt down to pray while camping, I had a simple feeling that my prayer was heard - that God listened to my young prayer and I could therefore know that He existed. I found God in that feeling and in the nature around me.

Following that experience I felt a desire to reconstruct my faith on personal experiences and practice. Jesus is my Savior and through Him I can receive forgiveness of my sins and have a fullness of joy. I believe that the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other scriptures contain inspired writings that teach God's truth. I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet and brought God's truth back to the world after a period in which it was obscured. I believe that the teachings found in Mormonism are correct.

While my belief in all such things is not always accompanied by absolute certainty, I have had enough spiritual confirmations to be certain that it is right to believe and have faith. I am a Mormon because God has repeatedly answered my prayers with both simple inspiration and nearly overwhelming manifestations of His love and desire to guide me in my quest for truth and peace. And that quest had led me to feel at home in Mormonism.

Personal Stories

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope, considered as a godly gift or attribute, is to have confidence in the future because of God. I have hope that I can provide for and raise a happy family that will be a good influence in the world. I hope that the world will become a better place with less inequality and more justice and love. I believe that these things will occur, but only through God's grace.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Mormons believe that they have a unique and important religious message that most people are unfamiliar with. Because we believe that that message brings great joy to those who accept it, we desire to share it. Thus, a Mormon mission is an expression of love for mankind.

I went on a two-year mission to Paraguay when I was 19 and there enjoyed the most formative experience of my life. Through teaching and serving the people I came in contact with, I felt that I was able to share with them a small portion of the love God has for each of us.

How I live my faith

At home I try to be a good husband and father - we have fun together as a family and try to teach the kids good values. I read the scriptures and pray daily on my own and with my wife. At church I teach a class on gospel teachings once a month.
In the community I try to be a good friend and mindful of others. I have been involved in various programs providing legal services to indigent individuals.

How can I find someone to talk with, in person, about the Mormon religion?

Craig answered...

Most Mormons are more than willing to talk to you about their beliefs - just ask.

You can also use this website to put yourself in touch with Mormon missionaries - click on the "chat with us" or "missionary request" link. When missionaries make a visit they will usually answer your questions, teach a brief lesson, and leave literature such as a Book of Mormon, Bible, pamphlet, or DVD. They try to meet for 30 minutes but are accommodating of people's schedules.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Taylor answered...

A. You could go to a mormon.org profile from someone in your area that has a facebook link, and locate them that way!
B. You could go to the link on mormon.org that says "request the missionaries"
C. You could go to the link that says " Find a Church" and come visit us. We all would be more than happy to meet you to and explain why this message is so important for all of us.

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

Keith Proctor answered...

In the Temple we are taught some pretty powerful truths about who we are, where we came from, and why we are here. It's not the kind of experience you can just walk into and get. There is significant spiritual preparation and learning needed first. It's better to be prepared and enjoy the fullness of the experience than to rush into it too quickly and end up confused. The ordinances in the temple also require that you prepare yourself to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. The best way to prepare for the Temple ordinances is to begin living their teachings consistently before entering the Temple. This is your way of showing Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father that you love them, obey them, and are ready for additional light and knowledge. Without this preparation, any ordinance of the Gospel would be an empty set of rituals. The Temple, in its fullest sense, prepares men and women to return and live with God as His sons and daughters. Anyone in the world can experience the power and beauty of the Temple, but a wise Heavenly Father has set out certain guidelines for their personal preparation first. Those who love Jesus Christ and walk in His ways will find in the Temple a power beyond their comprehension and a closeness to God not possible anywhere else in the world.