Hi, I'm Mitch

I love my wife, study history, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

As of right now I am a senior in college studying History and Spanish. I am also happily married! I grew up on a farm in Colorado and worked with my father until I turned 19, when I served a mission for the Mormon Church in South America. They were truly the best two years of my life. When I came home I went to college and almost two years ago I married my best friend. Both of us plan on going to Graduate school, likely somewhere along the east coast. I love to read about history and spend time with my family. I am also an avid college football and basketball fan.

Why I am a Mormon

During my mid-teen years I began to question whether or not I truly believed the Mormon Church to be the "true" church. I had to do a lot of "soul searching" you could say. However, I had a few experiences that have truly stuck with me in my life that gave me a conviction, one as strong as true knowledge, that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He suffered and died for me so that I can return to live with my Heavenly Father forever. I also learned that Joseph Smith truly was a Prophet of God and really did receive revelations and live the experiences he claimed he did.

I chose to be a Mormon now because I know that this Church provides me with the opportunity to return to live with my Heavenly Father and my family forever. I know that I can be with my beautiful wife forever thanks to the teachings and doctrines of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is thanks to the Atonement of Christ that I can be with them and that I can be forgiven of my sins. I am no where near perfect, but I know that the Atonement can cleanse me of my sins.

Personal Stories

How has The Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?

The Book of Mormon has helped me gain direction and understanding in this life. Lehi, a prophet whose teachings are recorded in the Book of Mormon, once taught one of his sons that "men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). I constantly try to consider this scripture when things just go bad for me or my family. We are here upon this earth to have joy. That does not mean that we take complete advantage of our time here and "drink and be merry," but rather that we rejoice in the trials our Father in Heaven has given to us to learn. We did not come here to suffer or wonder why so many bad things happen in life. We came here to learn about them and to look at them as positively as we possibly can. I try to keep this in mind and that this is the Lord's plan, not mine. This keeps me happy throughout the day as I confront problems and trials.

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

As I mention above, I love history--I mean I REALLY love history, particularly Mormon history. For the past few years I have read many books and articles that come from more "academic" sources about Joseph Smith and other aspects of Mormon history. I have had the opportunity to hold many key documents from the restoration in my own hands. I have read many arguments for and against the character and life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through all of this I have come to realize that if God would call a man like Joseph Smith, with faults and errors like any other man, to be His Prophet here on the earth and then grant him the blessings of eternal life, then there is a chance that I too can return to live with my Heavenly Father. I know without a doubt in my heart that Joseph was called of God to once again organize the Lord's Church here upon the earth. I feel in my heart that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is a companion, not a replacement, to the Bible. I rejoice to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that God our Father loves us so much that He called Joseph to lead us in the light of truth and salvation here on this earth.

How I live my faith

On May 6, 1833 Joseph Smith received a revelation that stated "The glory of God is intelligence"- See Doctrine and Covenants, section 93, verse 36. I try to take this admonition very seriously in my life. I love to study! I am a double major in Spanish and History, focusing primarily on History and I love school. I sound like a bit of a geek, I know, but this is one of the ways that I live my faith. I study and try to learn as much as I possibly can in this live try to gain as much "intelligence" as I can.

I also serve as a secretary in my local Mormon congregation ward. It is such a fulfilling responsibility to help others, to work with the Church leaders and to see the effects that service can have on God's children.

Who was Joseph Smith?

Mitch answered...

Joseph Smith Jr. was originally from Vermont, born in December 1805 to Lucy Mack and Joseph Smith Sr. After many consecutive years of crop failure, his family moved to Palmyra, New York in upstate New York near Rochester. Prior to and in 1820 Joseph began to become interested in religion and desired to understand which Church taught God's true doctrine. His concerns led him to study the Bible where he read James, chapter 1, verse 5, which reads, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not and it shall be given him." This touched Joseph in a way that he decided he needed to ask God for the answers to his questions concerning the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, early one morning he went to a grove of trees on his father's farm in the Spring of 1820. One of his accounts of this event records that, "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. ... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other-THIS IS MY BELOVED SON. HEAR HIM!" Joseph saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ! Joseph was also called as a Prophet of God to lead us all unto salvation and eternal life. His mission is a testimony and witness that Heavenly Father loves us!
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pamela scarillo answered...

yo sé que José Smith fué un profeta del Señor

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.