Hi, I'm Benji

I'm a Mormon. Nice to meet you.

About Me

I'm a 29 year-old dentist, husband, and proud father of two little toddlers. I love fishing and watching movies. In my spare time I swim, bike, and listen to audio books while doing both. I am continually fascinated by science and the great discoveries happening every day.

Why I am a Mormon

I had the privilege of growing up in an active LDS family, so I grew up with a familiarity of the church and its teachings. However, my upbringing alone is not what made the difference. My skeptical nature and the years of scientific education have made it so that I wouldn't waste my time with religion at all, if it weren't for the fact that I have found something real in this church.

Through my life's journey, I've found strength in several memorable moments when I gained a personal "witness" for myself that the teachings of the LDS church are really true.

The Book of Mormon is an important part of who I am. My freshman year at college I read the following promise from a former church leader:

"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance."

I have verified this promise time and time again - it is this witness that has kept me active in my faith as a Latter-Day Saint. The first time I read from the pages of this book, I felt a warmth in my heart that truly felt like God's love. I know it was more than just a warm fuzzy feeling or a nice emotional experience - I've had those too, but this was something different, something more. When you feel the Holy Ghost telling you that something is real, well, that experience sticks with you and has the power to change lives.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

Part of the reason so many people struggle to accept the teachings of Christ is because he taught that baptism is essential to salvation. In a world where only a small percentage of people have had the opportunity to be baptized by one with authority, it seems like either God doesn't love us, or Jesus was wrong.

There is a third option, and it has to do with the temple ordinance known as "baptism for the dead". Mormons believe that, after death, the spirit leaves the body and goes to a place called "the Spirit World". The gospel is preached there, just as it is here, and the deceased have an opportunity to either accept or reject the message. For those who accept the teachings, they can also accept ordinances such as baptism that are performed on their behalf in the temple.

When people join the church, they are naturally inclined to share the joy they have found with the people they care about most. For many, this includes enabling deceased relatives to have the same opportunities.

The first time I participated in performing "baptisms for the dead" I felt a warmth in my heart. It is comforting to know that God has provided a way for all of His children to accept the gospel and return to him.

How I live my faith

The teachings of Christ are beautiful in their simplicity, yet most of them take a lifetime to master. One of the true tests of discipleship is to examine our relationships with the people around us - not just our friends and family but the people with whom we have nothing in common.

Currently my lovely wife and I have the opportunity to supervise young children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years old, during church meetings. Although spending time with a room full of toddlers isn't one of my strong points, this enables their parents to participate in Sunday School activities, and it lets me spend more quality time with my own two sons.

What is the First Vision?

Benji answered...

The "first vision" refers to the experience Joseph Smith had when, as a teenager, he went into the woods and prayed to know which church he should join. In answer to his prayer, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and declared that the true church - as was established by Jesus Christ when he called Peter to be a prophet - no longer existed upon the earth. Joseph Smith was subsequently called to restore the same organization once again in modern day.

What are Mormon women like? Do Mormons believe in equality of men and women?

Keri answered...

Mormon women are like any other good woman who is trying her best to raise a family in love and trying to leave the world a little better for future generations.

Mormons do believe in equality of men and women. We believe husband and wives are to work side by side, not one dominating over another. But equality does not mean being exactly the same. We believe that God gave men and women distinct and different roles/assignments to fulfill. Men are primarily responsible for the physical welfare of their families while women are to nurture and care for their families. Although the roles are different each one is important and critical.