Hi, I'm Chandler Balkman

I am a skier. I am a photographer. I am an amputee, and I’m a Mormon.

About Me

My name is Chandler. I'm originally from Washington State, right at the foot of the Cascade Mountains, not far from Seattle. I am currently spending 2 years in Toronto, Canada as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Many people who know me quickly associate me with a terrible boating accident I was in when I was 16, which resulted in the loss of my right leg all the way up to my hip. Although this doesn't define who I am, it certainly effects me day to day as I have to work a little harder, physically, than most guys my age to get around and do the things I want to do.

I love to have fun. I love to go fast. I love to ski the biggest, steepest mountains I can find, and I ski them on one leg. I love listening to music, especially classic rock and progressive-house electro. I love to photograph the things I see around me, and I especially like capturing patterns found in little things that would otherwise go unnoticed. All of these things that I love so much have been put on hold for 2 years as I serve people in the Toronto area as a full-time missionary. My specific assignment is to serve among the Mandarin Chinese-speaking people here. I have studied hard for over a year to learn to speak Chinese, and I have fallen in love with this language and the Chinese culture that comes with it. It's given me such a great opportunity to understand a culture that's a little different from what I grew up with.

Why I am a Mormon

I owe so much of my faith in Christ to the good example set for me by my parents. I grew up in a family where everyone is passionate about what they do. My family is passionate about life. Just like me, they like to have fun. We like to ski together. We like to spend time together. We make the effort to do things together. At the core of everything we do is our faith in God, our love for each other, and of course, this faith. I have seen the results of living with confidence and trust in God. I am happy. My family is happy.

I have a pretty logical mind. I majored in Biology for a year before taking a break to serve a mission, and have always liked science. I like when things make sense. I am always learning more and more truth, whether it be truth about science and the universe, or whether it be truth about the teachings of God. In this church, I ask questions, and I actually find answers. Like everyone else, I sometimes have doubts. Every time I do, I go look for an answer. Through studying and praying, I find that specific answer, dispelling the doubt I had before. Everything that I have learned in this church makes sense, but there's something that is more important than a logical understanding, and that is the spiritual assurance that can be felt as we pray and get an answer from God. Prayers really are heard and answered by a Heavenly Father who loves us. That's how I have come to know that this church not only makes sense, but it is right. It is true.

Personal Stories

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is keeping in view the good things we want, even when they seem impossible to get them. It means keeping a vision of what you want to achieve, and working for it despite the challenges you may face.

In 2006, after losing my leg in an accident all the way up to my hip, a doctor informed my family that I would never be able to walk again, because no prosthetic leg could help a person like me, who had lost their entire leg. I loved skiing before the accident, but I wasn't sure if I could ever ski again like I had before.

At that time I found myself buoyed up by my family, my friends, and my faith. I was able to find more hope than I thought I had, and I began to hope that I would indeed walk again, and that I would be able to ski hard like I used to. It was this hope that carried me through my years of recovery, and I picked skiing back up, starting on the small hill, and then moving into the backcountry. I learned how to walk on a prosthetic leg, first with a cane, and then to the point where I could run.

I hope that we all can hope for the good things in life. This world needs more hope. I know that developing faith in God brings more hope than anything else.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by doing my best to live like God would want me to live. We know that one of the purposes of life is to grow in knowledge and experience, and so I do my best to always keep on learning. Lately, that effort has been focused towards the Chinese language, which is so fascinating to me. I love it.

I also live with a knowledge that God hopes I become a better person before I die. In order to be a little better, I do my best to emulate the example of Jesus Christ. Does that mean I'm close to being a perfect person? Nope. However, I am trying to find my weaknesses and build them into strengths, and that process is definitely rewarding.

As a missionary, I spend tons of time talking with strangers, sharing this message: God has restored His church to the Earth, and it is this church. That's what makes it unique. This is the restored church of Jesus Christ, not a reformed sect. God literally brought back all the good things that had been lost from His original church through the centuries and started this church, which is the same as His original. My invitation is simple: come and see. Learn about it. Find out more. Read the Book of Mormon, because it's proof that this church really is true.

I believe that life should be enjoyed. I also believe that it can be enjoyed the most if we understand and come to believe the things taught in this church. I understand that this life is not the end. When I lost my leg in 2006, I found so much strength in this knowledge. I have grown so much through the last few years, because I've learned how to deal with challenges, and how to endure tough situations. I really think it's molded me into a better person. A lot of people don't believe in miracles these days. I can tell you, the fact that I am alive, healthy and without brain damage after a crazy near-death accident plus the ensuing health complications, is a miracle. I live my faith by making every day count.

What do Mormons believe about the Holy Ghost? Who is the Holy Ghost?

Chandler Balkman answered...

The Holy Ghost is a spirit, who acts as God's messenger to each one of us. The messages he relays usually come through feelings or thoughts--inspiration. The Holy Ghost is what helps us learn truth about God. When I read the Bible or the Book of Mormon, I feel the Holy Ghost, which helps me know that what I'm reading is true. It's hard to describe the feelings of the Holy Ghost, because they are different than normal feelings. They are spiritual feelings. It is the Holy Ghost communicating with our spirit, and when it is felt, it is tough to deny. When you feel it, you always feel closer to God.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Dan answered...

I grew up thinking, at one point, Mormonism was cult. I made this assertion based on nothing but hearsay, and didn't actually know any tenets of the LDS faith. Now, as a person who has thoroughly investigated the sincerity and divine truthfulness of this Church, I can resoundingly say that the Church of Jesus Christ is by no means a cult. I find that the major reason why people think Mormonism is a cult is simply due to a lack of understanding of the Church. For instance, not many people really know that Mormons believe in and strive to be closer to Jesus Christ we believe Him to be our personal savior and redeemer of the world. We read the Bible and know it to be the word of God. We take communion. We have an unpaid clergy. We live to serve others as Christ would have done.

When people take the time to understand what Mormonism is really all about, like I did, they will understand that Mormons are normal people with normal problems, and each of us relies on God to be a better, more Christlike person.