Hi, I'm Ryan

I am a father, husband, technologist, hobby chef, musician, photographer, potter, chess player and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Being father to four boys is one of the greatest joys in my life. My wife and I love the craziness that comes with such a rambunctious household. With ages ranging from pre-school to middle school and activities ranging from piano lessons to wrestling practice, there isn't a dull moment in our day. As a family we enjoy: camping, movies, chess, music, skateboarding, taking our dog (browser) to the park, food, art, festivals, traveling, sporting activities and being with friends and family. Choosing to live in Idaho has provided our family with most of what we enjoy in life as well as great friends around us to share it with.

Myself, I am a lead architect of Internet applications for a small company based in Utah. Working from home has allowed me the opportunity to both work hard and still share in the life and daily activates of my family. Although sometimes if feels like I am always at work, many time I have the opportunity to always be at home. This luxury has allowed me to foster some of my hobbies and interests as well. I enjoy cooking, music, photography, reading and ceramics.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up as a member of the Mormon church, so many people would think that I am Mormon because that is all I know. But, as with most people, I needed to find my own path and I had a very colorful early life searching for that path. It wasn't until I was out of high school and floundering that I had an experience that helped me find the right path. One day three close friends, in different parts of the world, each without knowing the actions of the others and within one hours time, called me and expressed their love and concern for me. I can't remember everything that was said that night but one thing was clear, I was not going in the right direction and the only way I could find the correct path to be on was by reading the Book of Mormon. So I did.

I can't share with you all the thoughts and feelings I've had as I read the Book of Mormon then, nor can I fully explain the impact that it has had on my life sense, but what I can tell you is that I know its words are true and inspired by a loving Heavenly Father to help us find the path that leads to joy in this life and an opportunity to return to live with him.

Personal Stories

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

As parents of four boys, my wife and I are very aware of the need to constantly strengthen and protect our family against negative influences that are found in the world today. We strive to make our hope a "haven" from the world. A place that our kids can feel safe. We have found that having family prayer and by reading the scriptures together helps bring the spirit into our home. Also we seek to provide good family activities that our kids enjoy and want to participate in.

We asked our boys what rules we should have in our house and gave them the opportunity to help come up with ideas that would keep the spirit in our home. Some of these rules include: the types of movies and shows we watch, the amount of computer time allowed each day and what they have to do to earn that time, the type of games allowed and when they can be played. We found by working together as a family it makes it easier for us are parents to enforce the rules our kids help create.

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I have had many experiences that have help me know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of god, but I would like to share an experience my son had. We went to Salt Lake City to watch the movie "Joseph Smith the prophet of the Restoration". After the movie I looked over at my oldest son, who was only about 9 years old at the time, and saw tears in his eyes. I asked him what he was feeling. He replied it was the Holy Ghost telling him that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.

How I live my faith

My love for my family and my faith in my Savior go hand in hand. I don't think I could place one above the other. It is by his example that helps me be a better father, husband, friend and person. The more I learn about Christ the more I love him and want to be like him. I try to live my life in a way that is a reflection of his example of teachings. The fact is that I have four boys that are looking to me as an example of how to live by faith. That is an enormous about a pressure. But I know that as I follow the Savior and live close to the spirit He will help me.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Ryan answered...

We look to Joseph Smith like most people would look to Moses. He was chosen by the Lord to do a great work for his people. Similarly, Joseph Smith was chosen by the Lord to do a marvelous work in our day. Through Joseph Smith the Lord has given us additional scripture that help to clarify the plan of happiness that our Heavenly Father has for us.
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Jim answered...

Mormons see Joseph Smith in the same way Jews see Moses - while we respect and honor their lives and their contributions, we understand that they are real people, worthy of our veneration but not our worship. We understand that they were selected for important duties that God called them to complete and we respect the work that they performed. Joseph does occupy a unique place in Mormon theology because so many doctrines of the re-established church can be traced to revelations that were given to him. The scriptures tell that it is "by their fruits" that an individual will be able to determine if someone is acting on God's behalf, and this is one of the central messages of the re-established church, we invite all men everywhere to read and pray about the Book of Mormon since it a tangible fruit of the prophet Joseph Smith's calling as a prophet and restorer of Christ's church. It is my witness that if you do so you will know that the book is true, Joseph is a prophet and the church he founded is true.

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Greg answered...

After I joined the Mormon Church I learned about the importance of families. Not long after that I realized that if I was going to follow this teaching I needed to tell my father that I loved him. That was very difficult for me since my dad and I argued so much. I spent the better part of 2 weeks trying to determine how I could do this. When the time came I found that the words came more easily than I had thought. From that point to the time he died, about 22 years later, he and I had an entirely different relationship. We were now friends. And I found how much I regretted all our arguments while growing up. And now I find that I miss him and more fully understand how important our families are.