Hi, I'm Nathan

I'm a software developer. I work in Public Health. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I have a lovely wife and two kids, 4 and 1. My life is very busy, working, raising a family. Everyone tells me to enjoy this part of parenthood. I feel blessed in that I work from home so I'm with my family a lot. Several times throughout the day, whenever I take a break, my 1 year-old daughter likes to say "you're home daddy!". I love it.

Why I am a Mormon

I have always been a member of this church but over time my commitment to it has grown. Really what has changed me, is seeing the results of living the Gospel. Looking back I have never regretted the results of being a Mormon but have regretted the times when I did things that weren't in harmony with what I had learned as a child. I love being LDS because it makes my life so happy. I am trying to learn more so I can increase that happiness in my own life and then spread it around as much as possible.

Personal Stories

Think about your everyday activities. What are things you act upon each day where you cannot see the end results? How does faith move you to action?

I love this question. I have learned so much about faith and action. I have learned that if you learn something new, act on it. Act on it right away. Don't delay. When I have acted on what I feel is true my spiritual life has grown immensely. I have learned that God has been waiting to bless my life, but couldn't do so until I took that first step into the dark. I had to have faith, and then act not knowing for sure it was the right thing.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Elder Eyring, who is an Apostle in the church, said that we should seek the Lord early, and that this applies in a day as it does in a life. I take this to mean that I should start my day with prayer. So lately I've been trying to consistent in saying my prayers every morning. My goal with my prayers is to thank the Lord for my blessings, I think that's probably the most important part, but then to listen real close to make sure there isn't something I shouldn't be doing that day.

How has attending Church services helped you?

The number one thing I have learned about attending church is to turn it around. I used to attend church to see what I could GET from it, and now I attend to see what I can GIVE. It's made all the difference. When I go to church looking to serve and to lift up I come home spiritually fed and lifted up. When I am feeling particularly borne down by life I go to church and look for someone else to lift up.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

I have come to appreciate and love the Holy Ghost. It is very quiet. I know realize that it has been with me more than I realized. I also now see it in the lives of other people. As I get closer to it I have become more sensitive to the things I do that might offend the Holy Ghost. I have to be careful how I treat my children, to not speak to them unkindly when disciplining them, because if I do it wrong it offends the Holy Ghost. I have to be careful how I speak about other people, if I say unkind things about someone else it offends the Holy Ghost. I have to love my wife and not hold grudges, because when I do I offend the Holy Ghost. Having the Holy Ghost with me brings comfort because it is then that I feel I am doing the right things. And I worry less about the results of what I do. I just choose the right and let the consequence follow.

How I live my faith

I am in charge of the missionary effort in my branch. I am supposed to talk to everyone inside and outside the church. I absolutely love it. Everyone is at a different place in their lives and I always feel that the church has something to offer them. Not everyone is ready to listen, but that's okay. I just focus on the people I meet. I have met some very amazing people.

Are Mormons Christians?

Nathan answered...

Definitely. My personal journey started with a challenge from a mentor of mine to learn about the life of Jesus Christ and try to emulate it. When I was young I didn't really understand how I was supposed to do this, Jesus Christ was more abstract. So I spent a lot of time reading about his life in the New Testament, and what he taught in the Book of Mormon. I can tell you the experience has completely changed my life. As I have begun to understand who Jesus Christ is, I want to be more like him. He was able to see people as they were, and touch their lives in profound and meaningful ways. To me being Christian is trying to live your life as Christ would.
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Lily answered...

YES. Yes yes yes. What is a Christian? A Christian is a person that believes in Jesus Christ, and believes that Christ did in fact die for us so that we can repent and return to live with him again. He is our Savior and Redeemer. We pray and we worship in the name of Jesus Christ. He is the center of our faith. Jesus Christ is my Savior. He died for me. He loves me. He is my hero, and he is my best friend.

How can we come to know our Father in Heaven?

Richard Maden answered...

Just start out with a small prayer to God and just this one act will start you on a path that will bring you into a relationship with Him. Don't be afraid to ask for guidance from the missionaries this is the thing they live for.