Hi, I'm Daniel

I'm a husband, a father, a PhD student in social welfare, and a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm married to a wonderful woman and have three daughters. I have a Master's of Social Work and am currently pursuing a PhD in Social Welfare at Penn. I also enjoy gardening, especially growing chile peppers.

Why I am a Mormon

When I was in middle-school I prayed to ask God if He existed and if there was a life after death. God answered my prayer and since then I have had several spiritual experiences that confirm to me that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

Attending Church services has given me a social network that has supported me in times of trouble. I first met my wife at a Church service and have gotten to know many wonderful people through attending church.

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

I consider myself a provider. Not only am I responsible to provide for my family's physical needs, but also for their emotional and spiritual needs as well. That means I take the lead in inviting my family to pray and read scriptures every day and I also take time to do fun things with my family.

Also, I believe that coercion and yelling have no place in the home unless there is a life-threatening emergency going on. If I want my family members to do something I try to loving persuade them, not force them to do what I want.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

Sometimes my prayers are answered by thoughts entering my head. I remember when I was little, about 6 or 7, praying and asking God to help me find my shoes. All of a sudden I had a mental image of my shoes underneath the passenger-side seat of my family's car. When I checked I found my shoes exactly where that mental image had said they were.

Other times, my prayers have been answered by feelings. Once, after arguing with one of my friends about the existence of God, I prayed by myself in my bedroom. I asked God whether or not He existed and if there was a life after death. Immeadiately I felt as if I was being filled with light and warmth and I knew that the feeling was God reassuring me that He does exist and that there is a life after death.

How I live my faith

My faith teaches me that to whom much is given, much is required. I have been given so much in my life that I feel like I must do all I can to give back to the communities where I live, give back to my family, and give back to God. Even with trying to give back, I know that it is only through the mercy and power of Jesus Christ that I can receive salvation.

What are Mormon Temples used for?

Daniel answered...

Mormon temples are used for sacred ordinances like marriages, baptisms for the dead mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:29, washings and anointings mentioned in the book of Exodus, and the Endowment. The Endowment is an ordinance in which members of the Church are taught about the gospel and make covenants to live more righteous lives.
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Corey answered...

A temple is a house of the Lord, a place where we may worship our Heavenly Father and feel of His presence. It is a sacred place where no unclean thing can enter. Because of the importance and sacredness of the temple, a temple recommend is required and is received based on individual worthiness within the church in order to enter its holy walls.

The temple is where I go to find answers, to find peace, and to feel the Spirit. We are encouraged to go as often as possible and to attend seeking Spiritual guidance. Inside we perform sacred ordinances for ourselves and more often for others, those who are deceased. God requires that all to make covenants in order to return to His presence and many died without the opportunity to make these covenants. In the temple we perform the ordinances for them in their name giving them the opportunity to reject or accept the ordinance and thus enter into the presence of the Father. The temple is a very sacred and holy place.

To what do you attribute the growth of the Church?

Angela answered...

I think the Church is growing because people see that there can be a better way to live, that they don't have to be bound by the chains of addiction, pornography, dysfunction and broken homes. We know that the most important thing in this world is the family and the future of this world is found in the lives of the children and teenagers we see on the street, in our malls and schools. The best thing we can do is teach them to be honest, upright and moral citizens who can contribute to the betterment of society. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the family is incredibly significant--so significant that God wants us to be families forever, even when we die. This is huge for many people in the world who realize that their children can really be with them forever. There is tremendous comfort in that, and I think this is why so many people are drawn to this Church. It provides hope and peace.