Hi, I'm Dan

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am married to my sweetheart Nicole and we have three children (all boys).

I am fascinated by electromagnetic theory.

I am an Electrical Engineering student.

I dream of working for Apple computers designing, testing, and improving electronics such as iPods and laptops.

I am intrigued by the study of ancient cultures, especially the ancient Israelites.

I enjoy chucking the football around with a friend more than almost anything in the world.

I snowboard. I have never tried skiing.

I was not blessed with any particular musical talent, except an ear that very much enjoys beautiful music.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a Mormon because I believe that Jesus Christ lives and that he owns and operates one and only one church today, and that is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I'm a Mormon because I believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ used Joseph Smith as an instrument to reestablish the same church, doctrines, priesthood power and authority, and organization that existed in the original church that Christ established when he walked the streets of Jerusalem.

I'm a Mormon because I have read, studied, pondered, and prayed about the Book of Mormon, and have found that I draw closer to God by applying its teachings in my life than by applying the teachings of any other book to my life.

I am a Mormon because I believe that Thomas S. Monson, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is a prophet of God, just as much a prophet as ever Moses was, or Abraham or Isaac or Jacob. He is God's mouthpiece. He is my leader. I believe that Jesus Christ has delegated the authority to President Monson to preside over His church at the present time. My happiness increases as I listen to the counsel of this man.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.

I was in a peaceful grove of trees once in Montreal Canada. I lay down at the foot of a comfortable tree and a I spent some alone time just thinking. Soft rays of sunshine warmed me as they peeked through the tops of the trees. I thought about Joseph Smith and the vision he had in a similar quiet grove of trees. He saw a pillar of light and had a heavenly manifestation as he knelt humbly in prayer all those years ago. As I reflected on his experiences, a comforting peace welled up in my mind and heart. I knew Joseph Smith's claims were true. I knew that he had seen a vision.

In addition to this spiritual witness, I have spent many hours learning about the life of Joseph Smith and studying his teachings and words. I had come to the conclusion long before my experience in the grove that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that all that he claimed was true.

We can allow God to communicate with us as we disconnect ourselves from the hustle and bustle of life and take some time for quiet contemplation. I know that God communicated with me through His Spirit as I pondered on that cool morning in Montreal. But it was because of more than that experience alone that I believe Jesus Christ has restored His church once again on earth. I have read and prayed about the Book of Mormon. I have read and tested the words of the prophets and teachings of the church and I am satisfied that they are true. In fact, I am betting the rest of my life on it.

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

Everything good in my life today can be directly traced back to decisions I made to exercise faith in Christ. The most powerful example was my choice to exercise my faith by serving for two years as a full-time missionary for the church. Blessings that have flowed from that two year experience include: learning the Spanish language, meeting my wonderful wife, learning how to work hard, overcoming my shy tendencies, etc.., etc..., etc.... The blessings that have flowed from my decision to serve a mission go on and on. I have found that every time I exercise my faith, blessings flow into my life.

How I live my faith

Personally, I find the repeated and unnecessary use of the name of God offensive, so I use that in part as a filter for what movies and TV shows I watch. If a TV show or movie irreverently and excessively uses the name of God then I choose to turn it off. I personally feel like this is one way I can show respect to God in my personal life, by not giving my time and attention to media that do not reverence Him.

I set aside one hour for my own personal scripture and Gospel study each night. To me this is a big sacrifice since I am in Engineering school and every hour of school studies is precious. And yet I have found that each semester I seem to have just enough study time to get the grades I want and to excel in my studies. I have felt the Lord help me organize and prioritize my time such that I can study His word each day and still get all my school studying done.

I recently served for several months as Assistant Scoutmaster for a local scout troop in my area as part of my church service. The church sponsors Boy Scout troops to help build great boys and young men.

I currently serve in a leadership position in a group of priesthood men in our congregation. I help coordinate service projects, teach gospel lessons, and direct "home teaching", a program established by the church to care for and teach gospel principles to each member of the congregation in their home as a supplement to what they learn at church.

My wife and I gather with our boys for family prayer morning and night, and a short Book of Mormon study session each night before bed. We set aside Monday nights to be together, study gospel principles, play together, and simply enjoy our family for one night a week. Each week we go to church meetings as a family. These are several ways we build our foundation on Christ.

What is the Word of Wisdom that Mormons talk about?

Dan answered...

The Word of Wisdom is the Lord's law of health. It began as a revelation given to the prophet Joseph Smith, and was accepted and affirmed by the church as part of its doctrine. Through that revelation the Lord revealed rules and guidelines about how we should manage our health and treat our bodies. For example, the Word of Wisdom states that we are not to partake of substances that would be addictive, or that would be harmful to our bodies and spirits. These substances include but are not limited to alchohol, illicit drugs, tabacco, coffee, and tea. In the same revelation the Lord condones every good, wholesome food for the use and benefit of man. He counsels that moderation should be used in all things concerning our diet and well-being. In short, the Word of Wisdom is an inspired document containing the key principles a person needs to live by to have a long and healthy life.
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Mark answered...

The word of wisdom is the Lord's law of health. We abstain from drugs, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and tea, and are encouraged to eat wholesome food and grains, and not eat excessive meat. I am asked all of the time by my fellow residents at the hospital why I don't drink coffee, and how I can stay awake all night on call without it. I don't consider it a sacrifice, though, and am as awake and perform as well as any. It is true that the body will be more healthy when following the word of wisdom, the but the main benefit is spiritual. The knowledge that you are in line with the the Lord's teaching is the most important thing.

What is being a Mormon like?

Carole answered...

Refreshing! When you're really trying to follow the example of Jesus Christ and do what's right even if you're not perfect at it it feels good, and when there's nothing to hide, it's very refreshing