Hi, I'm Sean

I grew up in Maryland. I've been a CPA in Virginia for 25 years. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a Tax Partner with the CPA firm of PBGH in Fairfax, Virginia. I am married and have two children. I currently serve as volunteer Chairman of the VSCPA Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides scholarships and grants to those interested in a career in accounting.

Why I am a Mormon

My wife and I were raised in different Churches. In 1991, we met two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Although we had no intention of changing churches, their teachings answered certain questions that we'd always had, and they brought a spirit into our home that we had not felt before. After reading the Book of Mormon, we gained a testimony that it was true, and were baptized in 1992.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

Service in any form has a spiritual component. Just being able-bodied allows us to assist those who may be elderly or infirm. People who may need extra help with a project such as moving also provide opportunities to serve. We each have certain talents and experience - whether it be music, teaching, homemaking, scouting, coaching, or speaking, These gifts position us to bless the lives of numerous others.

How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?

The Book of Mormon provides another testament of Jesus Christ. Its sacred writings of prophets reinforces the teachings of the Bible in a clear and powerful way. The peoples of the American continents preserved this great record so that we could have it for our day, to guide us through the temptations and challenges that we face.

How I live my faith

I attend Church meetings every Sunday, and have accepted a special responsibility to work with people who are investigating the Church. I also participate in service projects and help out other Church members as I can.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Sean answered...

No. Young men ages 19-26 are encouraged to serve a two-year mission, but it is not required. Young ladies can serve a mission for 18 months once they turn age 21 if they choose to. I joined the Church when I was 28 years old. I was married and had a young daughter. A mission was not a consideration for me, because someone with family responsibilities is never asked to serve in this way. It is a wonderful experience for those that are able, but requires them to be away from their families for an extended period. Senior couples with grown children also have opportunities to serve in the Church full time if they choose to.
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Austin. answered...

No. Every worthy young man is expected to serve a mission, though there is no punishment for not doing so. Also, not every young man is physically or mentally capable, so there are circumstances where a young man may be excused from service. Young women may also serve missions, but are not expected to do so.

Serving a mission means a full-time commitment, leaving family and friends to preach the gospel in a place assigned by the Church.

I served my mission in Los Angeles, California.

Why are Mormons asked to donate 10% of their income to their Church?

Kristen answered...

This is nothing new, nor is it exclusive to the Judeo-Christian tradition. Many faiths practice alms or a tithe, including Islam and Sikhism.

A voluntary religious contribution of 10% is a tithe or tithing. This type of offering is mentioned many times in the both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. In the book of Genesis, chapter 28 verse 22, the ancient patriarch Jacob covenanted with the Lord, "and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee."

Everything we have, our lives, the earth and everything in it, have been given freely to us by a loving Father in Heaven. He asks only a small portion in return to help build his kingdom on the earth.

When my husband and I were first married, we decided to make paying a 10% tithe a top financial priority, and it has been a great blessing to us through the years. In Malachi, chapter 3 verse 10 it states, "Bring yea ll the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you thei windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." This has certainly been the case with us.

I realize that 10% of one's income can seem like a large sacrifice. However, when the law of the tithe is kept, it serves as a portal through which great blessings (both tangible and intangible) can flow. The Lord always finds a way to bless those who do what He asks them to do.