Hi, I'm Zach

I am a missionary. I am a brother and a son. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am currently serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan. I haved loved learning the Japanese language and am excited for the opportunity to serve the people of Japan and help them come unto Christ.

Before my mission I was a college student. I love school and learning. The Human body is fascinating to me, especially the brain which is why I am majoring in neuroscience. One day I hope to become a doctor. Other than school I love to be outside. One of my favorite things to do is go skiing. I also love swimming and mountain biking. I love skiing because it is something that I can do with my younger brothers. I have two younger brothers and they are my best friends.

Another thing that I have done and love to do is go to the Philippines. I have been to the Philippines with my brother twice. We went with a group of other college students and volunteers. In the Philippines we did numerous service activities including building out houses and homes, remodeling a hospital wing, and hosting medical clinics. I have come to love the Filipino people.

Why I am a Mormon

Because both of my Parents are members of the Church, I was raised as a Mormon, but like everyone I have had to find out for myself that the Church is true. I haven't always known that the Church is true but overtime I have come to develop my own testimony of this Church. Beginning in my teenage years I began to realize that I was not sure that I actually had a testimony of the Gospel. I had for the most of my life relied on the testimony of others. Starting in my teenage years I began to try and find out myself that the Church was true. It was not easy for me, I had to put in a lot of effort and work. I decided to read the Book of Mormon for the first time cover to cover. Every night I would pray to my Heavenly Father to know of the Book of Mormon's truthfulness. To be honest most nights I would not feel anything confirming the desires of my heart, until one week when I began to have a lot of challenges. Through my trials I continued to read the Book of Mormon, one night after a particularly hard day I came across of verse in the Book of Mormon that in which counsel was given to pray through all of your afflictions. I followed the verse's council and began to pray through my afflictions. Up until that time I had felt alone, I had felt depressed like no one was there to help me, but as I earnestly prayed I began to feel comforted and I knew that no matter how things seemed to be I would always have a source to go to for comfort and guidance, my Heavenly Father. I felt the Spirit witness to me that the Book of Mormon was true and that God truly was my Heavenly Father. This is how I came to know that the Book of Mormon is true. The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ, it offers comfort and guidance in times of need, and through reading I can feel the Spirit.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

For me the decision to go on a mission was not an easy one. I had not always wanted to serve a mission but as my testimony of this Gospel began to grow, I came to realize that I needed to share it with everyone. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has brought me a lot of hapiness and I want to share that happiness with others, which is why I am serving a mission right now. Not only has it brought me a lot of happiness but the Gospel has helped me get through my challenges. Becasue of my testimony in the Atonement of Jesus Chirst I know that no matter what occurs in my life I will be able to overcome it. I am also greatful for the fact that through Heavenly Father's Plan of Hapiness we can be united with our families for eternity. My family means everything to me and I can't imagine life with out them. That is why I chose to serve a mission because of my testimony of the Gospel and the fact that I want others to experience the joy that I have experienced.

How I live my faith

I am currently serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan. I love missionary work and love the Japanese people. I have loved learning the Japanese language and am excited at the opportunity to serve them and help invite them to come unto Christ. Missionary work is difficult at times but I am loving every minute of it. I can not think of a greater way to serve the Lord than devoting two years of my life to help serve the people of Japan.

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Zach answered...

Family is so important to Mormons because we believe that families are central to our Heavenly Father's plan for us. Through this Plan of Happiness we believe that our Family relationships can exist beyond this life. We believe that through the plan our families can be together for eternity. We believe that Families are a gift from God. Through Families we can learn and grow. Families founded on the Teachings of Jesus Christ can be happy and places of safety and peace. I would like to add my testimony that Families are ordained of God. I am grateful for my family and all that I learn from them. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to live with them forever.
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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.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Jerad answered...

No. We worship only God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God chosen to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness back on the Earth. We deeply respect the man and all that he did for man kind as through him the Church of Jesus Christ and the authority which is called the Priesthood was restored to the Earth. The anciant people of Israel deeply revered and respected Moses and all that he did for them, but did not worship him. Joseph was a true Prophet of God and we see him as such, and we only worship the Father and the Son. Joseph was a servant of God and taught about how we should only worship God and Jesus Christ. The purpose of a Prophet is to point us to Christ and help us to know his will, and in these times as terrible as they are, we need the guidance of Prophets to help keep us on the path that God has put before us.