Hi, I'm Mike.

I'm a husband. I'm a dad. I'm a baseball fan. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I love life! In May of 2009, I married the most amazing woman on this Earth. Yeah, I don't care what anyone says, I convinced the most wonderful and loving person on this planet that I was the best for her. True story! The wait of our baby boy ended on September 30, 2010, and he is the cutest baby I've ever seen... I never use the word, "cute," and I'm not biased. I truly am the luckiest person ever!

Why I am a Mormon

I love the way I feel. I have nothing to hide from anyone, especially my wife. I have made many meaningful friendships throughout the years through church activities. My wife and I always feel welcome at church, and I love that. I continue going to church because I have gained a testimony for myself. I know it's true, and it makes me unbelievably happy. I love being a Mormon, and it has truly helped me become a better person.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Everyone deserves a chance to hear and accept the Gospel. It would be very selfish of me to keep this knowledge and happiness to myself. I decided to go on a mission to serve my Savior Jesus Christ. The prophet of God receives divine revelation as to where each individual is needed. We are not entitled to receive this revelation, but through prayer, each commandment is confirmed by the power of the Holy Ghost. I received a mission call to Lisbon, Portugal, and I soon felt how inspired that calling was. I will never forget the amazing experiences I had while working as a full-time missionary in that part of the world. It was hard in more ways than one, but it was worth it. I learned to speak Portuguese in order to communicate with the people. I was able to see how our Heavenly Father loves more than just my family and me on the other side of the world. He loves all His children. I served the people I came in contact with, and I meet various types of people. I spoke with people from Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and Angola. I was there to see many people I taught face to face develop a testimony through dedicated and sincere prayer and study. I love this Gospel, and it makes me happpy to think about where my life is because of it.

How I live my faith

In church, I teach a lesson to the men of the ward usually once a month. Normally I get nervous beforehand, but in the end I feel that I walk away much more uplifted and taught than them. I'm not the most eloquent speaker or knowledgable teacher in the world, but I guess that's the Lord's way of helping me progress.

How is the Book of Mormon different from the Bible? How did Joseph Smith obtain the “golden plates” or Book of Mormon?

Mike. answered...

The Bible and the Book of Mormon are both scripture. Various Christian churches all over the world believe in and use the Bible, including us. We are the only church in the world that believes in and uses the Book of Mormon as well. The Bible was written by prophets and apostles in and around Jerusalem. We know that people were led to the Americas by God, and that He loved them just as much as those in the Bible. Therefore, he called prophets in the Americas, as well, to teach them righteousness. These prophets on the American continents also wrote down the general history of events, and more importantly, teachings of Jesus Christ. The teachings in the Bible and the Book of Mormon go hand in hand. The Bible testifies of the Book of Mormon and vice versa. Neither book of scripture was written to be a history book, but rather to help us come unto Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

Around 421 A.D., the last prophet to write in the Book of Mormon, Moroni, buried the record of his people, now known as the Book of Mormon. At that time, this record was carved onto golden plates so they wouldn't decay over time. In 1823 A.D., The Lord Jesus Christ sent Moroni, now a ressurrected being, to reveal to Joseph Smith where the golden plates were. Joseph was commanded to translate them into English, and he did so by the power of God. No man could have done this except he were called of God. I know through the power of the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and so can you. Your Heavenly Father loves you, too, and He'll send His Spirit to show you where to find the truth.
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What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Kevin answered...

Mormons believe that grace is a vital part of the atonement of Jesus Christ. We believe that it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do. The good works of an individual coupled with the grace of Christ can lead us to salvation. The grace of Jesus Christ is also an "enabling power" that gives us the strength to bear up under the burdens and trials of life. I have found great strength by relying upon the grace of Christ at times in my life when there was nothing else to provide it. Many times, I have been enabled to perform daily tasks, church assignments, responsibilities as a father and husband that were well beyond my personal abilities. I know that this was the enabling power of the grace of Jesus Christ. Grace is Christ's power to save me after this life and His power to help me while still here on the earth. I must always do my part through faith repentance and good works, but I know that in the end, it will be His grace that will save me.