Hi, I'm Scott

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a hard working student at BYU with a love of science and learning. School takes up most of my life right now, but I love to hang out with friends or play soccer, frisbee, or just about any other active sport. I'm also a music addict who loves to play trumpet, sing, or just chill and listen to my favorite bands.

Why I am a Mormon

I have learned for myself through practice, study, and prayer that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon church, is the true church. I have been blessed so much by obedience to its teachings, and I love the people in the church!

Personal Stories

How does making right choices help us make more right choices?

As you make right choices, you grow stronger and develop more self-control. It may seem like it would be difficult to live a life without using drugs, or drinking alcohol, or swearing, but it gets easier the more you do it. I've found that once people realize that you have morals and convictions, that they respect that. Everytime I make a right choice, I get a great feeling of satisfaction that helps me make the same choice next time I am tempted.

How I live my faith

I attend church every week, as well as additional church classes once or twice a week. I am also currently preparing to serve a mission to Pennsylvania in a few months. I also love to give service! For example, I go with a group every Sunday to visit a hospital for the elderly, and we sing to the people and talk with them and have become friends with many of them.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Scott answered...

My decision to serve a mission at the end of this year is entirely my choice. I'm going to serve a mission because I love this church so much that I want to share it with others so that they can find happiness too. In fact, I want to serve a mission so bad, I have saved away a majority of my income for as long as I've been working so that I can pay for most of it out of my own pocket. To answer the question, no, Mormons are not required to serve a mission. Men are encouraged to go, but there is no punishment from the church if you choose not to go. We serve because we want to!
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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.

How does the Church finance its operations?

Clint answered...

The Church finances its operations primarily through voluntary donations from its members, generally referred to as Tithing. The Lord commanded his people in the Old Testament to bring their tithes to his servants. Many Church members today voluntarily donate a portion of their income help the Church bless the lives of millions of individuals through providing meetinghouses for worship, schools for education, supplies for humanitarian aid, food and housing assistance to the poor, etc. In addition, the Church owns and operates taxable for-profit business enterprises that generate income to help fund Church initiatives. The Church invests a portion of its gross receipts to maintain a financial reserve, and income from these investments provide an additional source of funds.