Hi, I'm Mark

I was born in Utah I chaired the Chamber of Commerce and the Homeless Shelter, I am a family man, And I’m a Mormon

About Me

My wife and I have 8 children and12 grandchildren with two on the way. I love to do things with our family. We love water-skiing, snow-skiing and to go to grandchildren’s soccer games. I am currently serving full-time with my wife and youngest daughter as a mission president for the Mormon Church in Minnesota. We are working with 200 of the finest young people on the face of the earth, who are giving their whole lives to bless other people.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born into the church but as a young man I had to come to know for myself that the church was true. Through reading the Book of Mormon and sincerely praying about it I came to know for myself that it is true. I also know that Joseph Smith really did see God and Jesus Christ and that the Savior’s church has been restored to the earth today and that he guides his church through a living prophet.

Through the Book of Mormon I have come to know that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God and that he gave his life for me and all mankind so that we can be clean and go home and live with our Father in Heaven forever.

I know Heavenly Father has a plan for my family and me. Our family has been sealed together in the temple and I know that we can be together forever as a family. That means everything to me.

Personal Stories

What is hope and what do you hope for?

15 years ago we were expecting our eighth child. We were so excited, we had wanted our last child for 6 years and she never came. The night she was born all of our children were present. As she was delivered the doctor said “I think she is Downs Syndrome.” That was hard to believe. Never in our lives had we expected that. It was extremely difficult as we started to grasp what that meant. At first we prayed that it wouldn’t be so, that she could be normal. And then we came to the realization that our lives would be different.

Since that time my wife has given everything for that little girl. Because of the effort my wife has put and the blessings of heaven she talks well, runs 3 miles a day and do most things other children do. We have come to know that she is indeed special. Because of our faith in our Heavenly Father’s plan we know that some day her body will be perfect, but we also know that her spirit is perfect now, that we have a celestial person living in our home.

As she has grown, she has changed our family. Big husky boys spend hours playing with her. Her older sister gave up critical time with friends to be with her. We have learned that we are not here for her but she is here for us. She has blessed our lives beyond measure. What a wonderful plan it is to have her as part of our family and be blessed by the spirit she has. At difficult times she will come and say in the most precious voice, “Its Ok, Heavenly Father loves you” and we know that she is right because He sent her to us.

How I live my faith

Three years ago my wife and I were called by President Monson, the prophet to leave my job of 35 years and serve a three-year mission for the church in Minnesota. We are not paid for this but we are blessed to give this time to the Lord to help bless people’s lives.

We work with 200 hundred young men and women ages 19 -25 who give up 2 years their lives to serve others. It is amazing to watch young men and women come and give up school, friends and family and spend full-time helping others learn about the Savior and His church. As these missionaries bring people to Christ these missionaries’ lives change. They develop love and compassion for these people that will last forever. Their faith in Christ grows and they no longer think of themselves but turn their life into service for others. They grow in confidence and faith, and their lives become examples of the Savior they serve. They go home prepared to be good husbands, fathers, wives and mothers. They have a love for God and His children that they will have forever.

Through this service our lives have changed forever. We feel and see the Savior’s love, as we never have before. We see miracles daily as we watch people’s lives change as they find the love of the Savior and participate in the saving ordinances the Savior taught as he lived on earth. We wish we could stay forever but we will go back and resume my former employment and serve some other way in the church.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Mark answered...

Mormons are not required to serve missions but Young Men are strongly encouraged to serve missions at age 19. All of my sons served missions. Young women are welcome to serve at age 21. My wife served a mission, as did my daughter and two of my daughters-in-laws. Their mission’s blessed our family. There are over 53,000 missionaries around the world.

Serving a mission is a way to thank Heavenly Father for the blessings he has given us. I have worked with 450 missionaries. Nothing has changed their lives more than a mission. They grow in confidence, faith and love. They almost always go back to school and are far better students than before they came. They know how to study, plan, and work hard. They are prepared to serve in their communities and have great families.

They go home from their missions, missing the people they have come to know and love and want to continue serving their Heavenly Father.
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Nick answered...

"Required" is an interesting word when it comes to faith and religion. In the Mormon Church no one is "required" to serve a mission. Church membership is not revoked for not serving a mission. In this sense, they are not required, yet serving a mission is encouraged at many stages in life and in many different capacities throughout the world.

Missionary service is a tremendous blessing, a challenge, and one of the main focuses of the faith. The life of Jesus Christ was the life of a missionary in many respects. Performing service for one another, preaching the glad message of the gospel, and increasing the faith and dedication of God's children are exemplified in Christ's life and mirrored by those in missionary service.

To dedicate a portion of one's life in service propels those who serve and those who are served into a better life. During my two year mission to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and during my two year service mission with LDS Family Services, I was greatly blessed and strengthened. (I hope those whom I served found some value in my service as well.) That strength has taught me to better navigate this life, has kept my family relations intact, and has been the method of helping others overcome their trials as well.

Spiritually speaking, I don't find value in reflecting on what my life would be like without serving a mission. Instead, I rejoice in knowing that without that time in missionary service my life would be significantly less happy and productive. In my life, serving a mission has taken on many of the characteristics of a "required" act since I can't picture myself progressing very far without having served as a missionary. While not required to be a member of the Mormon church, missionary service has been a critical and welcome part of my life and growth spirituality. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to serve missions, and look forward to serving in many more.

What is being a Mormon like?

Kaitlin Elise Gray answered...

Being a Mormon to be is by far the BEST way to live. I have never felt so much peace in my life from knowing and having that knowledge that I am a literal Daughter of my Heavenly Father who loves me. I love knowing that I have a plan and a reason for being placed on this earth. I have a purpose and a Heavenly Father who wants nothing but the best for me!Being a Mormon makes me want to shout for joy! Having the restored gospel in my life and knowing that the TRUE church is once again on this earth brings me so much happiness. Being a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints brings me so much joy, and makes me want to share this truth and knowledge with everyone that I know. In fact, that is the VERY reason why I am serving a Mission. Also knowing that I can be with my family for Eternity, now there is no greater joy than that. I love being Mormon. I can not think of ANY way better to live