Hi, I'm Andrew

I live by the dictates of my own conscience which often, but not always, are in line with official LDS teachings

About Me

I am married with four beautiful daughters. I'm a lawyer by profession, but in my free time I work in my suburban backyard farm raising chickens and growing fruits and veggies, playing guitar and bass in a band, volunteering as an English as a Second Language teacher, enjoying the outdoors and photography, and studying world religions and history.

Why I am a Mormon

Mormonism runs deep on both my grandfathers' sides of the family, going back to the days of Joseph Smith. I was raised a Mormon and it has shaped and influenced every part of me. Although I have come to develop unorthodox views and continue to grapple with Mormon doctrine and history, I continue to be an active Mormon because Mormons are some of the most kind and giving folks that you'll ever meet.

Personal Stories

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

I am most inspired when I read Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount Matt. 5-7, in Matthew 25 caring for the least of these, and in John 13-15 the relationship between joy, love, and obedience to God's laws of love. These teachings have inspired me over the years to perform volunteer service. Currently, I teach an English as a Second Language ESL class at my church building every week, which is open to everyone in the community free of charge.

How I live my faith

I believe in the universal human values that all world religions have long embraced, and I strive to live by them. I believe that Mormonism embraces these values, albeit imperfectly, and attempts to implement them through numerous programs, rules, and institutional structures, some of which are unique. I embrace those unique Mormon elements to the extent I find them helpful, and disregard them when I don't.

Why don’t Mormons have paid clergy?

Andrew answered...

The highest leaders in the LDS church do receive a "living allowance," Church-funded housing, subsidized/discounted meals at Church-owned cafeterias, and an automobile or car pool service, all of which has a monetary value. Many individuals who teach Mormon doctrine or history receive payment from the Church as professional teachers, such as religion professors at Church-owned schools and seminary instructors who teach in Utah. However, local church administrators, and seminary teachers outside of Utah, are not paid anything of monetary value for their countless hours of service to the Church.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Susie answered...

A ward or branch is the local unit of the church. This is the place where members have the opportunity to develop friendships and to help one another. We get support and lessons on the scriptures and how to improve our family relationships.

Our Heavenly Father expects us to lift and serve one another in this life. This is the principle behind a volunteer clergy. The local leader of a ward or branch calls on various members on the ward/branch to volunteer their services in teaching and leading the other members. We all donate our time and thus are able to lift and serve on another. The leaders seek divine guidance in making these callings. We who have been called to also seek divine guidance in fulfilling our positions.

We each try to follow the teachings of an ancient prophet who taught that when we are baptized we "are willing to bear one another's burdens, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort." (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 18:8-9).

Through our volunteer service, members lift one another's burdens and express our love to one another.

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Clayton answered...

No, we don't. People typically mix up Mormons with their reformed break offs. Several of those groups practice polygamy, even though historically the commandment from the Lord to have plural marriages has been repealed.