Hi, I'm Austin.

I grew up in Colorado, USA. I have a wonderful wife and three beautiful daughters. I'm a Mormon and I'm happy about it.

About Me

I am a geek, tech-head, the family tech support line, and a pretty nice guy. I love people, challenges, and working with my hands. I've recently discovered I have a creative side that must be given voice, so I'm exploring various creative mediums. I like to sing and to dance, though don't claim to do either extremely well.

I am privileged to be a husband to a wonderful wife and a father to three adorable little girls, the first two being twins.

I'm currently a supervisor in a call center, and am applying to Dental School.

Why I am a Mormon

I am a Mormon because I have chosen to exercise faith in God that he would lead me to the truth. I have found it in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I have questioned my faith at times in my life. I asked these questions to God and had faith that he would answer me. He has.

I know through the Holy Spirit, which cannot lie, that Jesus is the Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and Christ's restored Church is on the Earth today.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan of action which has repeatable results. It involves making a covenant, or contract, with God and striving to keep his commandments. What those looking on from the outside too often discount or dismiss is the benefits of this covenant. God enters into the covenant, too, and has promised to meet his part of the agreement. He has agreed to bless me with many things for my obedience, including but not limited to:
1. Sufficient resources to feed, clothe and shelter my family
2. True and abundant Peace, Happiness and Joy in this life and in the life to come
3. Opportunities to grow as a person throughout this life and the next
4. A Savior to cleanse me of my sins and pay the price for them so I don't have to.

The list goes on and on. I testify that God has kept his part of the covenant. My family always has enough to eat, clean clothes to wear and a warm place to sleep. I have received Peace and Happiness that I could not have imagined, and that I know I don't deserve. I haven't always kept my part of the covenant, and I testify that God has welcomed me back every time with open arms. He wants me to succeed and encourages me lovingly in every way I need. I testify that my relationship with Him is real and meaningful.

How I live my faith

I attend Church meetings and I have a calling. In the LDS church, a calling is an assigned role which has been voluntarily accepted by the person being called. These assignments can and do change from time to time.

My current calling is as an instructor. I lead discussions about an assigned topic for a group of men around my age. Topics include: The Scriptures, The Atonement, The Fall of Adam and Eve, etc.

I also try to live my faith in my home by studying scripture and praying daily, both personally and as a family.

I have recently begun sharing my faith with others. I try to share a little and share more when invited. I've never enjoyed being preached at involuntarily, so I choose not to inflict others the same way. I have found this very rewarding as those who are interested have asked me questions or invited discussions. I really appreciate being able to share my faith with others because it has been so beneficial to me.

Why is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Mormons or Mormonism?

Austin. answered...

The term Mormons comes from around the time the Church began in 1830. The Book of Mormon had just been published for the first time. Some outside the Church concluded that if this Church has a Book of Mormon, they must be Mormons. The term Mormon stuck, and has informally been adopted by the Church as many people know us by this name. The formal and correct name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Mormon is actually the name of a prophet-historian who compiled a history of his people. As he was the principle editor and compiler of the historical record, it bears his name: The Book of Mormon.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please

Why don’t Mormons drink coffee, tea, or alcohol? What is the Mormon Church’s law of health and proper diet?

Braden Scothern answered...

We do not drink coffee, tea, alcohol, use tobacco, or illegal drugs because of a commandment known as the Word of Wisdom.

The Word of Wisdom was a commandment revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. It tells us the importance of keeping care of our bodies because they are temples. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

We know that while from the outside it may seem restrictive it really gives us freedom it blesses us physically and spiritually. The things that we are counseled to stay away from in this law from our loving Heavenly Father help us keep our agency. When you are addicted to something you have given up some of your agency, it controls you. Satan tries to use addictive things to bind us down so we cannot focus on our relationships with the Lord.

In addition to us keeping our agency we are promised these things in the Word of Wisdom: "all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments... shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures... And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." (D&C 89:18-21

So those who keep the commandment are able to be in tune with the Holy Ghost more. That is a great blessing because it is the Spirit that helps us stay on the path to eternal life and teaches us all spiritual truths.