Hi, I'm Andy

I'm a Dad, a Product Manager, a Broncos Fan in Minnesota, and a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a father of three kids ages 2, 5, and 8 and I work as a product manager for an educational software company. I am quite the geek - the Best Buy circular is the first and sometimes only part of the Sunday paper that I read. And even though I live in Minnesota, I love Denver sports teams.

Why I am a Mormon

Although my parents have always been active members of the church, my real conversion happened when I was about 15 years old. I felt strongly that the Church was either the best thing in the World or a huge waste of time and I wanted to figure out which one as soon as possible. I read, studied, prayed, and fasted. Although I never had a "burning bush" moment, I came to believe in a very real, very visceral way that the Mormon Church is Christ's Church, that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God, and that I was and am exactly where God wants me to be.

Since then, I have had many, many experiences reconfirming that initial conversion. Everything from its amazingly positive influence on my kids to the joy I feel in serving confirms for me that the Church is the best and truest part of my life.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I suppose that the simplest answer to this question is that we go on missions because we believe that's what God wants us to do. There are certainly other reasons and motivations for serving a mission it helps others find the truth, it brings happiness to others, it prepares the missionary for a life of service, but at the end of the day, I think it comes down to faith and obedience. And faith and obedience, in my experience, always bring blessings and happiness.

How I live my faith

Well, for starters, how about three hours of church every Sunday? We meet to discuss the Gospel as a family every Monday night, which is no small feat with three kids 8 and under. It's usually pretty chaotic, but I know it makes a difference for our family. We also try and read the scriptures together every night with our two oldest after the little one is in bed. Also somewhat chaotic, but it has an impact on them and on me and my wife.

Are Mormons Christians?

Andy answered...

I love answering this questions, because the answer is so simple YES. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We do everything we can to follow the teachings of Christ. We are Christians in every way I can think of.
JD answered...

We declare with all that we have that Jesus is the Christ, the Holy one of Israel, the Prince of Peace, even the Son of God. If your definition of Christian is one who believes in the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and follows his gospel, then yes we are as Christian as they come.

What are Mormon women like? Do Mormons believe in equality of men and women?

Asia answered...

Women have a divine role, as designed by Heavenly Father before we came to earth. We were given the sacred opportunity to be mothers and to work alongside the brethren of the church to serve, uplift, and strengthen others. Women are powerful and strong forces for good in the world. We must be careful, however. The world today often tries to demean the divine role of womanhood by over-sexualizing women or saying that they should be the same as men. Women and men are different for divine purposes. I don't want to be a man. I know that Heavenly Father sent me here to be who I am because I can contribute to this great work in a way that no one else can. I'm grateful to be a woman today.