Hi, I'm Matthew

I'm a college student, a father, and a Mormon.

About Me

After serving for two years as a missionary in Argentina, I moved from my home in Utah to Florida. Here, I met my beautiful wife, and we were married for time and all eternity. We've been blessed with one baby girl and are both learning what it means to be parents. I work as a paralegal in a law firm downtown and go to school in the evenings. I do my best to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and try to be a good example for my friends, family, and in my community.

Why I am a Mormon

I think that above all else, God wants us to be happy. Just like a parent who wants their children to be happy, God provides for us, teaches us, and helps us when we make mistakes.

The Gospel is a part of God's perfect plan for our happiness. As a Mormon, I learn the principles of the Gospel through faith and action.

When I look back on my life, I can see the many blessings that I've received because of this faith. I know that if I continue to apply the things I learn at church, I will draw closer to my Heavenly Father and be happy. That's why I'm a Mormon.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

In church I get the opportunity to speak a lot. Whether I'm giving a talk on Sunday, teaching a class, or participating in a leadership meeting, I never run out of opportunities to practice my public speaking skills.

My ability to communicate and understand the needs of others helps me bless the lives of those around me. I can reach out to a classmate that is having trouble understanding a tough concept, or diffuse an argument between coworkers. These are just a few examples of how my talents and gifts have helped me bless others.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by being a good example to those around me and reaching out to them in love. I do my best to be a responsible citizen and try to help to improve my community. I look for opportunities to serve others and try to be understanding of everyone, even if they're different than me.

I also help out in my local congregation. Under the direction of my bishop, I help care for the members of the church in our area. I'm primarily responsible for two organizations in our congregation: The Primary - children from 18 months to 12 years old, and the Young Women - girls from 12 to 18 years old. Working with the leaders of these organizations, I coordinate Sunday classes and weekly activities. I meet with and visit the members of the church and try to help them live the Gospel. I sometimes give talks on Sunday or fill in for a teacher that couldn't make it. I'm also in charge of coordinating the weekly cleaning of the chapel and assist in other administrative tasks.

What is the Book of Mormon?

Matthew answered...

I find that a great way to understand the Book of Mormon is to try to better understand the Bible.

The Bible is a collection of books written by men who were called and inspired of God - i.e. Moses, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, etc.

When we think about how the Bible was created - by God calling men and inspiring them to write scriptures - it's easier to understand that God would be doing the same thing anywhere where there were groups of His children willing to follow His commandments.

The Book of Mormon is a record of the scriptures that God gave to His children on the American continent. During the same time that God was inspiring men in Jerusalem to write scriptures, He was also inspiring men in America to do the same. Many years later, after the authors of the sacred books had long passed away, God revealed these scriptures to Joseph Smith, who was inspired to translate them to English.

This set of scriptures from the American continent confirms and supports the truths of the Gospel of Christ and are meant to help us to draw closer to Him.
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Scott answered...

It is my conviction that if one simply examines the patterns and information given about holy writ in general that they ought to be inclined to ask and pray about whether or not the Book of Mormon is inspired. I say this because the Book of Mormon is not just a book of prayers or ethical teachings. The Book of Mormon is a historical record that has a deep and powerful impact on millions of people every single day. Religion aside, a book as influential and striking as the Book of Mormon is worth the investigation of anyone genuinely seeking truth. There are very few books that have entire study manuals, curriculum, books, thesis papers, scientific research, grammatical and literary research, live performances, and general discussion entirely about its content. The Bible might be the only other thing with as much extensive literature and documentation pertaining to its writings and doctrines. The Book of Mormon is at the very least intriguing when supplemented with archeological finds, external historical information, unique writing patters such as chiasmus, and overall literary competency and beauty found within the writing. From a non-religious stand point it is impressive, but from a religious perspective it is life changing. To have a testimony of a thing is powerful, but to hinge an entire belief system on 530 pages is another thing. To be so emotionally and spiritually connected to a thing is powerful, but when that thing is a book - that book must be something more than just written words. That book must be something inspired by God, preserved by His hand, and prepared by His grace. I believe that the Bible is one of those books. I also believe that the Book or Mormon is one of those books. There is no proving the Book of Mormon just like there is no proving the Bible. We believe that the teachings and doctrines found in the pages of the old and new testament are real and trustworthy. We cannot explain how, except perhaps the mercies and merit of God, the Bible was preserved for our days. But though we cannot explain it, we simply know it. If you ask any latter-day saint to prove the Book of Mormon to be true, they will simply reply that they cannot prove it, but they know it to be true. One should not demand evidence for the bible, they should read it study it and pray to know if it is true. It is the same for the Book of Mormon. Now the interesting thing about the Book of Mormon is that it something that you can feel, see, test, and try. It is real and tangible. I am confident that if anyone who is level headed and reasonable reads what is in the Book of Mormon and then simply asks if it is true that they will have a profound feeling come over them. But this feeling cannot come if there is an ulterior agenda for the reader. If you don't want it to be true or want to find flaws and errors in the text then you certainly will not obtain this profound feeling. You have to grant the fact that all things are indeed possible with God, and that he certainly could provide something more to draw us even closer to his will. Think of the Book of Mormon like the New Testament to the Jews. During the time of Paul and Peter, the Jews were very set in their ways. They had the Old Testament, and that was all that they felt that they needed for salvation. There was no mention of 12 apostles or a New Testament in the Old Testament; it was doctrines that were added upon to bring Gods children even closer to him. To say that the Bible is all that is needed is to say exactly what the Jews said about the teachings of Paul and the apostles. Must we be so quick to limit Gods ability to speak to us? Is it not a blessing to have more of his written word? I can understand a skeptic of The Book of Mormon. Many and man has tried to con the world into believing his new religion. But that is simply not the case with Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I challenge anyone to read unbiased biographies about Joseph Smith and his character. Read the entries of the people who knew him and what they thought about his life and motives. What you will find is not a usurper or power, nor a charlatan, but rather an amazing individual whose life was taken in the pursuit of preaching revealed doctrines. The Book of Mormon is something that people have sacrificed their entire lives for. Its teachings have a daily effect of millions of people worldwide. Its doctrines bring peace and Joy to the hearts of the humble and faithful. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I have to doubt of that.

Why don’t Mormons drink coffee, tea, or alcohol? What is the Mormon Church’s law of health and proper diet?

Braden Scothern answered...

We do not drink coffee, tea, alcohol, use tobacco, or illegal drugs because of a commandment known as the Word of Wisdom.

The Word of Wisdom was a commandment revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. It tells us the importance of keeping care of our bodies because they are temples. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

We know that while from the outside it may seem restrictive it really gives us freedom it blesses us physically and spiritually. The things that we are counseled to stay away from in this law from our loving Heavenly Father help us keep our agency. When you are addicted to something you have given up some of your agency, it controls you. Satan tries to use addictive things to bind us down so we cannot focus on our relationships with the Lord.

In addition to us keeping our agency we are promised these things in the Word of Wisdom: "all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments... shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures... And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." (D&C 89:18-21

So those who keep the commandment are able to be in tune with the Holy Ghost more. That is a great blessing because it is the Spirit that helps us stay on the path to eternal life and teaches us all spiritual truths.