Hi, I'm Eythan

I'm currently serving a full time mission in Romania. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I love sports and learning. I played Middle Linebacker on my high school football team and Defense on my high school lacrosse team. I am a student at nearby university, but I'm taking a two year break from school so that I can serve a full time LDS mission. I have been called to serve in the Romania, Bucharest mission, Romanian speaking. I can't think of any other single event in my life I've been more excited for. Right now I'm working as a cook at a local restaurant, earning money to pay for the mission. The sacrifice of time and money are not easy, but I've never for one second questioned if they'd be worth it.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a Mormon because I want to return to live with Heavenly Father.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I'm currently on a mission, and my reason to be here is primarily to invite others to come unto Christ. If I succeed in directing people towards a more Christlike life, I'm a happy man. I see miracles come to pass all around me as I watch hearts turn and change and people become more happy.

How I live my faith

I strive to serve as an example of a believer in Christ everywhere I go. I have benefited from observing the Christ-like examples of others and I want to do the same for others around me.
I teach 14 and 15 year-olds in my ward, teaching lessons from the Old Testament in the Bible.

Why is authority to perform a baptism important?

Eythan answered...

Baptism can be compared in a lot of ways to a visa. Even if I'm an American with good citizen status, that does not give me authority to hand out a U.S. visa to whoever I like. Only certified and authorized representatives can issue a visa, even to those who qualify. Baptism is symbolically opening the gates to God's kingdom, and that authority to do that can't be assumed or received upon graduation from a school. It can only be held by those who Heavenly Father has called, and it can only exist in His true church.
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Cary answered...

If baptism is the gateway to Heaven, then the baptizer is a border agent. Would you want any old person who claims to know how it's done to just start letting whoever wants to into your country? Why do you insist they carry a badge and wear a uniform, and have an ID which proves they are legitimate representatives of the government? It's the same way with God's rituals. All over the scriptures, whenever there's a ritual performed it was performed by a duly authorized representative. Doesn't it just make sense that if something essential for our salvation would be required, that it should need to be done God's way, by God's authorized representatives? Acts 19:1-6 even shows a time when the authority of the baptizer was in doubt, and Paul re-did the baptisms for good measure. With all the confusion that comes from competing people claiming to speak for God, or claiming to know His will in this matter or that, I'm glad Mormons teach about authority. There's so much more clarity about who we should listen to, and who might be perfectly well-intentioned, but who really shouldn't be listened to because they're not authorized.

Are Mormons Christians?

Charlotte answered...

Living in a place where Mormons are a small minority, this is probably the question I get asked the most. For me, nothing is more sacred and personal than my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe he was born of Mary and is the Son of God. I believe he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the cross on Calvary so that all of us might be saved by the gift of His atonement. I believe he was resurrected three days later and that he will come again. I absolutely whole-heartedly believe in and love Jesus and am teaching my children to do the same.

Generally though, I've found that when people ask me this question more often they are asking what makes Mormons different from other Christians. There are 3 major differences: 1) We believe that God, the father, Jesus, his son and the Holy Ghost are distinct beings (the first two having a body of flesh and blood, the third being a spirit) that are united in purpose. So, we don't believe in the concept of the "Trinity." 2) We believe in an open cannon, meaning that God still reveals scripture. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God but we have companion scriptures as well that we believe are holy and inspired, most notably "The Book of Mormon." It is another testament of Jesus Christ, in addition to the Bible. 3)We believe that God still talks to man. Revelation didn't stop with the prophets in the Bible. When Christ's church was restored through Joseph Smith, prophets once again returned to the earth. We having a living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, to whom God speaks. In addition, we believe in personal revelation. Rather than telling people they must follow unquestioningly like sheep, Mormons are encouraged to ask God themselves about doctrine, actions and anything else they are concerned about. He answers prayers.