Hi, I'm Keith Proctor

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm currently a PhD student studying instructional psychology and technology. I love learning and teaching and integrating technology into education. I have not always had the best experiences learning and teaching, so I want to help others have better experiences than I had. I have been married for eight years to my wonderful angel of a wife and we have four children. Parenting has been a lot harder than I thought, but I am learning and growing everyday. I believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its clear teachings about families have helped me the most in my struggles. I really like to read about lots of things. I like learning new things and trying new things. I love to studying languages too. I believe that being able to communicate with others in their native tongue is a powerful way to connect with them and build meaningful relationships.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I grew up attending the LDS church but it wasn't until I was a teenager that I really started to ask tough questions and get answers about life. I think I was converted intellectually to the Gospel first, because its answers to my questions just made sense. Since then I have had experiences with others inside and outside of the Church that have deepened my faith about its truths and the power of Jesus Christ to change lives. I served a mission to Brazil where I met thousands of people and worked to answer their questions about life. I saw the Holy Ghost work in the lives of the people there and how it led them to the happiness and peace they had been seeking. I saw that same power to change in my life as well. Today, I have so many opportunities in the Church and community to help people learn about and think deeper about the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These truths or doctrines have a tremendous power to change lives and to lead people to do good. Everyone should at least investigate these things and then trust God enough to ask Him if they are true. I've done that myself and have received a personal manifestation that they are true. That's why I am a Mormon.

How I live my faith

On a regular day I roll out of bed and on to my knees. I begin the day with prayer because I believe our Father in Heaven loves me and wants to help me with the day. We also pray together as a family in the morning and read scriptures briefly. We are trying to help our children learn where to find the answers to their questions as they grow and mature. I try to eat healthy and avoid certain foods and substances that are not good for my body as part of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I find that this helps keep my mind clear and active. I avoid certain music, movies, books, and entertainment that are not compatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I do this because as I do I feel that Heavenly Father is pleased with my choice and I feel a greater amount of His love, help, and guidance in my life. At night, I also pray by myself and with my family. You could say that there is a lot of praying going on each day. I guess I have realized that I can't do everything on my own and I need the help of Heaven. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I believe that Heavenly Father wants us to include Him in our lives.

On Sundays I attend 3 hours of church meetings, which does seem really long most weeks. But there have been so many times when I am participating in a class where I learn or feel something so profound. I love those moments and wouldn't miss them for the world. Most recently my wife and I have been teaching 1 and 2-year-olds the teachings of Jesus Christ. We do this for about 2 hours every Sunday. The time just seems to fly by and the time with the children is awesome. They usually say pretty profound things. I love being able to serve and teach the children. I think we get to feel a little of what Jesus felt for the little children.

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.
Don answered...

Recently I taught a Sunday School lesson about the Apostle Paul who was cast into jail because of being falsely accused of taking non-jews into the holy parts of the ancient temple. The penalty for doing so was death. It caused me to think of the sacredness of the temple, and that people throughout history have gone through a preparation process in order to approach God through temple worship.

In our time, both members of the church and non-members who have not prepared are turned away from the sacred parts of the temple not because of secrets, but rather due to the sacred nature of the temple and the preparation required to go there. Anyone can go to the temple, given they prepare themselves and demonstrate that preparation in a visit with those responsible for qualifying persons for entrance to the temple.

I love the peace that comes from being in the temple, having prepared myself to approach the Lord in His house. I feel His Spirit there. I am grateful that others who are there have prepared themselves in the same way.

Anyone who wants to know more about the nature of the temples can ask any missionary what it takes to qualify to go there. My personal experience and witness is that it is worth qualifying oneself and experiencing the beauty and peace that is constantly there.

Where did Mormonism and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin?

Bari answered...

In the early 1800´s a wave of religious interest known as "The Great Awakening" swept the United States, and with it several new Christian churches. With so many different opinions on The Bible, many people were confused about which church was true. A young man named Joseph Smith lived in upstate New York with his family. They visted several churches and listened to several different preachers, but still came to no conclusion. A Bible passage in the first chapter of James reads "If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God," and upon reading this and feeling very impressed by it, Joseph Smith decided that he could only get an answer through God. One day in the spring of 1820, he went into a grove near his house and began to pray. Unexpectedly, he was visted by God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who told him that the Church organization Christ established on the Earth, the Priesthood authority to do sacred things, and many simple doctrines had been lost after His death and that of His Apostles. Christ also told Joseph Smith that with time, He would restore His church with the proper authority again on the Earth. After this visit, Christ sent other heavenly messengers inclding Peter, James, and John to lay their hands on Joseph Smith´s head and give Priesthood authority just like it was given in times of old. Over the course of 10 years, the same church that Christ established in His Earthly ministry with all its offices and the fullnes of the Gospel was restored.