Hi, I'm Thomas

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a husband and father. I volunteer as a BSA Scoutmaster. I enjoy basketball and football.

Why I am a Mormon

I don't consider myself a perfect person. I strive to become better every day. I know that I improve the most when allow a loving heavenly Father to take control and guide my actions and decisions.

Through experience, I have learned that I must take time to listen to God every day. To do this takes effort on my part. I have to give up some of my time. When I study the scriptures and take time for prayer, thoughtful meditation, and simple service, the listening is easier. In return for giving my time to these activities, I am blessed with peace, gratitude, and patience.

I say patience because I have to take it one day, and often one moment, at a time. I have reached a point in my life where I understand that I need to turn all of my life over to the Savior. If I want to continue to grow, I must let go of all my bad habits and character flaws. As I do, he replaces them with love and kindness.

These principles are simple, but they require me to be completely honest with myself and with my Father in heaven. That can be the most challenging part of my commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The rewards are always worth the cost.

By opening myself to the process I describe above, I have learned that what I am taught in The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is God's word and is a companion to the Bible. I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins and that he is actively involved in my life. I know that God's power and authority was restored through Joseph Smith. I know that this authority continues to administer saving ordinances through men called of God in the church. This knowledge helps to strengthen my commitment to Jesus Christ and his teachings. It also inspires me to share this knowledge with others.

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

I live in a home with seven children ranging in age from 14 to 2. It can be challenging to keep our home in harmony. We use two key strategies to help invite peace and unity into our home.

First, we spend one night a week together as a family. We use this time for gospel study, singing, praying and playing games. We work to let every member of the family participate and feel a part. The participation can be as simple as leading the song or offering a prayer. This helps us to learn gospel principles and to grow closer as a family.

Second, we spend 15 minutes each morning reading the Book of Mormon together. This book invites a heavenly spirit into our home. It also helps unite us as a family and turn our minds and hearts to God.

We do other things that help create harmony in our home but we feel these are the two most important activities.

How I live my faith

As a member I volunteer with the "young men" or boys from 12-18 years of age. I am the Scoutmaster for a local Boy Scout Troop. I also teach religious lessons on Sunday to these young men.

These activities give me many opportunities to serve the community. We participate in service projects to help the community and Individuals who are less able to help themselves. These projects can be as simple as cleaning up a widow's yard or as complicated as creating a playground at a state park. In all of these activities I work along side teenagers in an effort to help them learn compassion, leadership, humility, and faith.

I have a large family and spend as much time with them as life permits. Three of my boys are in the Scout Troop. With our busy lives we find that we need to make time for each other. To do this, we take time out each week to be together as a family. We pray, sing songs, learn scripture and enjoy wholesome activities. We call this time Family Home Evening. It brings us together and strengthens our bond with each other.

In addition to the Family Home Evening, we wake up early every morning to read the scriptures together. We have been taught by our leaders that our family will be closer and weather life's storms better when we practice this behavior. So far we have found this counsel to be true. Some of our best learning experiences as a family came about when we were reading the scriptures together.

I also share my beliefs openly with my neighbors and coworkers. I try to be respectful and share only what they invite me to share. My greatest joy comes when I see the lives of people around me change for the better.

What will the Mormon missionaries talk about when they visit my home?

Thomas answered...

The missionaries will talk about basic religious principles like: faith, baptism, families, prophets, revelation and more.

They will share with you the story of Joseph Smith and how he was called to translate the Book of Mormon.

They will also invite you to learn more.
Jordan Christiansen answered...

I served a mission in South Korea for two years, so I can tell you. :) The missionaries will probably be as nervous as you are as they arrive at your home. The nervousness does not come from timidity or a lack of belief in the message they bring, but because they want so much to express their testimonies and the Spirit they feel to you.

The missionaries will likely introduce themselves and get to know you and your family. Though missionaries are called by God to preach His word, they come from largely every-day backgrounds and have lives likely much like yours.

After getting to know your family, they will likely ask what questions you may have about life or the Mormon church. Using the scriptures and their own personal experiences, they will seek to help you find answers. Don't be afraid of asking any question or thinking you may offend or sound silly to the missionaries. They are called to help and serve and are very understanding.

After answering your questions and sharing a spiritual message, the missionaries will ask you to act on the message. A soccer player does not listen to his coach during practice only to go home without kicking a ball, right? In the same way, the missionaries will invite you to read a chapter of scripture or seek for yourself that what they are saying is true. You don't have to just take the missionaries' word in what they say--a loving God is happy to answer thoughtful, earnest prayers seeking for the truth.

Are Mormons Christians?

Rob answered...

Christ said that his followers would be defined by their adherence to his teachings. Growing up as a member of the Church, I learned that Christ is The literal son of God and that through His Atonement we can somehow be forgiven of our sin and allowed to enter back into the presence of God, if that is what we want. Everything I ever learned at church or in my home was centered on the life and ministry of Christ.

Several years ago, we moved to the Southeastern United States and encountered the idea that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints are not Christians. Although I don't understand the need to define certain groups in or out of Christianity, especially given The Lord's frequent admonitions not to judge the faith of others, I understand this idea is rooted in some esoteric academic objections to certain gospel principles such as our belief that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate individuals united in purpose and power. My experience has been that this idea is often passed on among those who have not met or do not have close relationships with members of the church.

Once people get to know what we teach and believe and how we live, they come to understand that we are Christians. While, The Lord has asked us to let our light shine so that others can see it and take strength from it, I believe that ultimately Christ, will judge our Christianity as individuals based on the thoughts and intents or our hearts.

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Joseph Smith

As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.

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