Hi, I'm Sam

I'm a husband and father of two girls. I'm a Coast Guard officer and a project manager. I'm a disciple of Christ and a Mormon.

About Me

I am a Coast Guard officer, an Electrical Engineer and a Project Manager. My professional life is full of challenge and change. The Coast Guard has given me opportunities to sail ships and to fly a plane; currently, I work with a talented staff deploying new technologies to enhance the Coast Guard's mission readiness.

My wife and I have two lovely daughters who are a joy and renewal in our lives. I frequently ponder the best way to balance the needs of my family, employment, service and personally enriching activities. With more than a passing interest in mathematics and music theory, it may not be surprising that I like to ask (and answer) questions. I enjoy regular exercise, including running and weight lifting, hiking and so on.

My family and friends add meaning to my life. I'm grateful to speak Spanish, which has expanded my community. Life is beautiful, and I'm enjoying my path of discovery!

Why I am a Mormon

My father and mother wanted their family to have one faith. Mom had previously been baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' (or "Mormon") church and, over the course of a few years, Dad also became convinced that this was actually the restored Church of Jesus Christ. He was baptized shortly before I was born. My parents brought me to the Washington, DC temple when I was just one year old, and we were sealed (a covenant marriage ceremony made before God and witnesses) as an eternal family.

Once convinced, they became excited about the restored church of Jesus Christ. Mom has never lost her missionary enthusiasm, and Dad (now recently deceased) did not continue to seek the truth once he'd found it. We attended church regularly and my parents taught gospel truths to me, my brother and two sisters in our home. Our parents raised us with healthy standards of behavior and encouraged us to excel in our pursuits.

I can remember the moment when I knew that I knew that Christ lives and loves me. This pivotal experience occurred during the summer of 1995, while I was assigned aboard the CGC Morgenthau which is a 378-foot long Coast Guard cutter (ship). Qualifications were challenging for me, and on this particular afternoon I felt discouraged.

God's pattern of inspiration with me has often occurred when my need was great, when I was doing the best that I understand and seeking further guidance. When I had some free time, I read from 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. As I read Christ's loving words to the Nephites, I felt His love for me growing in my heart. This familiar and welcome feeling gave me the strength I needed to continue with my duties. As I walked to my watch station, my feelings appeared to be painted on the sky as a beautiful sunset colored the Bering Sea and lit up the west coast of Alaska.

My faith was planted by good parents, and I have nourished it as a seed. My faith has grown because Jesus Christ is a real friend.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I suppose that many missionaries will have similar answers to this question. I went on a mission to show my gratitude to God, and to obey His commandments to share His gospel with His children ("Feed my lambs," John 21:15). However, I found that I could not endeavor to honor God without being honored myself. I grew in faith and testimony, and became more converted to Jesus Christ even as I taught others the truths of His restored gospel.

How I live my faith

I keep promises. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the perfect pattern of making and keeping promises, as Jesus leads us to realize our eternal potential. When I served as a missionary for the Church in Resistencia, Argentina (1996-98), I experienced some very hard and discouraging times. When I was a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy, or later as an officer, I also had experiences that were very difficult or hard for me to understand. Each time, I have found comfort and peace as I sought the Lord in prayer and then acted according to the very best of my understanding. Giving up is not an option... it just isn't realistic!

When my wife and I learned that our first daughter would be born with Spina Bifida, we were devastated. We mourned our lost expectations for our daughter and ourselves. We asked the Lord to fill us with love and desire for the choice spirit that God was sending. Our prayers (and the prayers of our family and many friends) were answered as we FELT buoyed up during my wife's delivery. Many times during the subsequent six years, our daughters' needs have stretched me to redefine my limits. I'd like to mention just one example. When my daughter wheeled her "dynamic stander" (similar to a wheelchair) down a flight of stairs onto a concrete floor, we were terrified that she would die. My wife called the ambulance and while we waited, I laid my hands on her head and gave our daughter a priesthood blessing. Thorough medical examination revealed that she had no broken bones or concussion, and a good sized bruise on the side of her face was the only evidence that an accident had occurred.

Faith in Jesus Christ has sustained me through all of life's challenges; and I have learned to expect miracles. Once, I had the privilege of taking a "swim call" in the Caribbean Sea. As I dove underwater and could see our Coast Guard Cutter floating on the crystal clear water, I realized an important life lesson: "it doesn't matter how deep is the water, if you can swim."

Why do Mormons baptize their new members?

Sam answered...

Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we are baptized, we promise to keep Jesus' commandments, to take His name upon us and to always remember Him. As Paul rebaptized certain disciples near Ephesus (Acts 19:1-7), so new members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ are first baptized (or re-baptized) by someone (like Paul) having priesthood authority. Then, the new member may receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost leads to all righteousness, but first we must enter into Christ's church in the same way that Jesus did: baptism by immersion for the remission of sins.
Gary T. answered...

We follow the example of Jesus Christ, who was baptized by immersion by John the Baptist. Being baptized is a symbol of faith, as it represents the burying of old sins, old ways and old habits, and taking on the name of Jesus Christ. We are "buried" in the water, which represents the environment of the past, and therefore we must be lifted up in order to survive. That lifting up represents our being lifted up by Christ, out of the past, and into the great promises and blessings of being one with Christ. When we come out of the water, we are symbolically a new person in Christ.

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Doug answered...

The short answer: no.

The fun answer: I am always a bit surprised when I get asked whether Mormon's practice polygamy, especially since it is a point of pride among Mormons that we tend to be more "monogomous" than the general population - the divorce rate among Mormons is much lower than it is among non-Mormons, hence marriage to a second, third, or fourth husband or wife is much less likely.

The informative answer: In the first half of the 19th century and beginning with Joseph Smith, the founding Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Lord commanded certain men to take more than one wife for reasons that are known in full only to God himself. These men and women sought in faith to live the commandments of God as they were taught by the Prophets of God. The practice of plural marriage continued in a highly organized and church-sanctioned fashion until the Lord commanded that the practice be discontinued in the year 1890.

I am a descendant of the fourth wife of one such man. I have read his journals and heard accounts of his day to day interactions with his family and friends. He was a good and an honest man, as were most if not all of the men to whom the command was given from the Lord to take more than one wife, both in the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in Biblical times.