Hi, I'm Scott

I am an officer in the US Air Force. I love freedom. And I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm the fifth of seven children born to really great parents. I grew up in and out of the United States. I spent two years in the Bicol region of the Philippines as a missionary. I speak Tagalog fluently, and I love the Philippines! I have a bachelor and a master of science degree in Mechanical Engineering. I'm a Major in the US Air Force. I have a wonderful wife and 6 great kids. I love to read, to write poetry, to play with my kids, and watch a good movie with my wife while we fold laundry. I am currently an Assistant Professor teaching Mechanical Engineering, and I love it! I am a 5th-generation Mormon.

Why I am a Mormon

It could be tempting to say that I'm a Mormon because I was born and raised a Mormon, but, though that is true, it is not why I am a Mormon. I'm a Mormon because I love God. My love for him leads me to follow him. In my efforts to learn his will for me and follow it, I have come to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His church. I've learned that the greatest happiness in this life and in the world to come, the happiness that God wants for me, is found in following Him. And following Him has kept me a Mormon.

Personal Stories

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

One thing we do to strengthen our family is to have family scripture study and family prayer every day. We do this in two ways.
First, we have a morning devotional with everyone of school age and up. We sing a hymn, read a scripture and a quote from a modern day prophet (like Joseph Smith or the current prophet, Thomas Monson), and then we pray together. The enables us to start the day as a family, united in the Gospel. It gives us all the proper perspective as we head our various ways for the day.
Second, we read from the scriptures (Book of Mormon or Bible) a little more extensively than in the morning. We discuss what we've read and how it applies to us in our day. We then pray together again. In this way, we end our day as we started, as a family rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer is an essential part of my life. It is an opportunity to talk with God, who is also my loving Father. It is much like calling my dad on the phone to talk about problems and seek counsel. He is always there to listen, comfort, and direct.

We recently had a child born to our family. When we went to my wife's 39 week appointment, we found that she was already 5-6 cm dilated and 100% effaced. She was dilating without feeling contractions. This was a concern because we lived almost an hour from the hospital and our baby could come very quickly. The nurse midwife made sure we understood the risks, etc, and then told us we could choose to go home or go be induced and have the baby. She gave us the choice. This was very hard because we felt strongly about natural childbirth. We did not want to induce the birth, but we were torn because there were many clear reasons to go ahead and do it.

My wife and I excused ourselves and went to an empty exam room. We talked about all the options and their pros and cons and then we prayed together, seeking our Heavenly Father's guidance. We prayed to know what would be best for mom, baby, and our whole family and we prayed that we would feel peaceful about making that decision. Our Heavenly Father was there. He listened and gave us the counsel we needed. As surely as I know anything, I know He answered our prayer. We knew what to do, and we felt peace.

Can you think of a specific challenge in your family that Gospel Principles helped overcome?

Being in the military, we move every 3-4 years. This is a challenge on multiple levels. Of course, it is a logistical challenge and a financial one, but it is also an emotional challenge, especially as our children get older and it becomes harder to leave home and friends.

Gospel Principles have helpe us overcome this challenge. First, doing all we can to strengthen and unite our family has created an environment in which we can rely upon one another as we uproot and leave friends and familiar places behind. Second, having and developing our faith in Jesus Christ has given us the ability to meet this challenge with a surety that things will work out, that we will make new friends and be able to feel "home" wherever we go. Third, serving our fellow man, including church service, helps us to not focus on ourselves, but focus on others. This results in a feeling of joy and satisfaction, and in new friends, rather than feeling sorry for ourselves and wallowing in our misery. I could go on, but it is enough to say that I know that living Gospel Principles has truly blessed our family and enabled us to overcome this and many other challenges.

How has attending Church services helped you?

Attending church services helps in a number of ways. It aids in our learning of Gospel truths and better understanding God's plan for us, His children. For me attending church on Sunday is like recharging a spiritual battery that has been used all week. When I leave church, I feel the Spirit of God strongly and I feel I can face the challenges of another week with energy and with confidence that God will see me through those challenges.
Another way attending church has helped me is due to a somewhat unique aspect of our church services. Since there is no paid clergy, the responsibilities of running church each Sunday and throughout each week are spread throughout the congregation, with the goal of everyone having some responsibility. This gives me (and all) the wonderful opportunity to serve. We serve one another in God's work. This has been a great influence in my life. There are few things as refining and purifying than consistent, loving service to your fellow men and women. The service I have rendered and received has made me a much better person than I ever would have been. It has also made for me great friends and built lasting relationships. And it has brought me closer to God than I ever could have on my own.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is a bit hard for me to define. I believe it is a close kin to faith, but it is not the same thing. Whereas faith is a choice to act on something that you believe to be true, hope is more of the feeling within that motivates you to demonstrate faith and the resulting surge of confirmation that comes when you have acted in faith. Hope gives you power against the adversary's attempts to bring you down. Without Christ, there would be no hope for me because I cannot conquer sin and death myself. But with Christ, I am filled with great hope because He has overcome sin and death! I believe that to be true, and so I have hope for me and all of us. That hope motivates me to choose to act on that belief, and so I strive to follow Christ. And as I do, I am daily filled with more hope.

I hope I will learn the lessons that my Heavenly Father is trying to teach me; that I'll develop the attributes that He wants me to have. I hope I will have the happiness that He has. I hope my children will overlook my mistakes and imperfections and learn to love and trust God as I do, in spite of my failings. I hope that all may come to know Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father, and have the peace and hope that they bring.

How I live my faith

One way I live my faith is through my service to my country. I serve on active duty in the US Air Force. It is a great honor for me to serve. I love this nation. I also love serving people. My family and I visit older people, the sick, or new people in our neighborhood. We like to bake bread and take it to people. Although I make many mistakes, I keep trying each day to follow the example of Jesus Christ in loving and serving others. I keep trying because I know He will help me be a little better each day.

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

Scott answered...

No. While we believe strongly in being involved in the political process in our communities, states, and the nation, the church does not identify with, endorse, or in any way favor one political party over another. Church funds, facilities, rosters, etc are not used for political purposes.

Instead, the church teaches the correct principles found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and encourages members to participate in the political process in such a way that is in harmony with the Gospel. Members are taught that they should study the issues and understand them in the context of the Gospel and act accordingly.
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Fred answered...

No. Our leaders have always operated from the concept that if we teach one another correct principles, we will then make correct choices and govern ourselves. The Church encourages each person to carefully consider every issue and each candidate and to prayfully seek guidance and then to vote responsibily. We are encouraged to be involved with our communities and nation but the Church does not take political positions or endorse parties or individuals.

How can faith in Jesus Christ influence us in our marriages and family relationships? in our friendships?

Brennan answered...

Jesus of Nazareth was, and still is, the great healer. It is our faith in Him which enables Him to perform miracles in our lives. Often that miracle is a change of heart which allows us to forgive, see others in a new light, or feel an increased measure of love. Having faith in Jesus as our divine redeemer enables Him to bless our marriage and family relationships with an increased measure of unity and love.