Hi, I'm Chris

I am an attorney, a volunteer, a husband and a father. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I have been married for a little over seven years now to my beautiful wife. Together we have welcomed three wonderful children into our home, two girls and one boy. Our little family got started when I married my wife a couple of months before I started law school. I have been practicing law now for just over four years. I am blessed to also have the privilege of serving with youth in my church and in serving in my community as a director on the boards of two different charities. One of those charities helps children and families in need by providing emergency shelter, foster care, adoption, and parenting services. The other helps refugees who fled as boys (mostly) from a war torn country.

Although working at a well respected law firm and serving in my community is rewarding, it pales in comparison to the joy of being a husband and a father. It is not uncommon after a long day of work for me to walk through the door of my home and hear shouts of "Daddy! Daddy!" as two of my three little ones come running to great me with hugs and kisses (the youngest is still working on crawling). Just tonight, I got to sit with my daughter and tell her stories. (She insists that I make up stories about her and her favorite cartoon princesses). After I was finished, by daughter and son ran in circles around me giggling and telling their own stories. These little moments are what I cherish most.

Why I am a Mormon

I have been a Mormon all of my life, but feel that I became truly converted to my faith as a young teenager. When I was about 14, I moved from my childhood home and all of my close friends to a new state. I was attending a new school and dealing with the normal challenges of just being a teenager. It was a struggle, and at times I felt very alone.

I was fortunate, however, to make some close friends who were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Although I was a member of the church before that time, I didn't know many other kids my age who belonged to the church, and those that did lived far away. These new friends in the new state immediately accepted me and were a great influence on me. As I struggled with being a teenager in a new place, my experiences with these new friends led me to search the scriptures and to come to know my Savior Jesus Christ.

When I was about fifteen years old, I read the Book of Mormon for the first time. I needed some guidance in my life, so I thought I would give reading the Book of Mormon a try. It changed my life. Reading it gave me confidence and peace when I needed it most. As I read, I felt of the love of my Father in Heaven and came to realize that I was far from being alone. I had a Father in Heaven that loved me and sent his Son to pay the ultimate price so that I could return to my heavenly home once more.

I am a Mormon because I came to know God as I read the Book of Mormon.

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

With three young children, a demanding career, and other responsibilities, harmony in the home can seem like an unattainable ideal. Even as young newlyweds, before the challenge of work and parenthood arrived, having consistent harmony could at times be a challenge. With time, however, my wife and I have learned to rely on the Savior to make the impossible possible. We have found that through praying as a family and through studying the scriptures with our children, there is an increased peace in our home and more joy and laughter. Husbands and wives were never meant to succeed as a couple and as parents alone. Our Father in Heaven's plan for the family has always been for Him to stand there beside us and to carry us through our trials. With Him at our side, our homes can be a constant sanctuary from the storms of life.

How I live my faith

As a member of my local congregation, I work with the youth, primarily young men between the ages of 16 and 18. We plan weekly activities together where the young men can have fun, learn new skills, build character, and develop their relationship with their Father in Heaven.

I also try to live my faith by serving in my community. For the last two plus years, I have served on the board of a fantastic community based nonprofit organization that provides needed services to children, many of whom have been abandoned, abused, and neglected. More recently, I joined the board of an organization founded to help African refugees that have resettled in the state after fleeing as young boys and adolescents from their war torn homes. For years this organization has helped these "lost boys" to establish homes here, learn employment skills, find jobs, and contribute to their communities.

Although I am sure that my contribution to these two organizations is small, I hope that it makes a difference, as I know it has made a difference in my own life. I often wonder what I can give to a Savior who has given me everything. I have found that answer in Matthew 25, where Jesus Christ taught that when we give meat to those that hunger and provide shelter to strangers, it is as if we are doing the same for Him.

What will the Mormon missionaries talk about when they visit my home?

Jordan Christiansen answered...

I served a mission in South Korea for two years, so I can tell you. :) The missionaries will probably be as nervous as you are as they arrive at your home. The nervousness does not come from timidity or a lack of belief in the message they bring, but because they want so much to express their testimonies and the Spirit they feel to you.

The missionaries will likely introduce themselves and get to know you and your family. Though missionaries are called by God to preach His word, they come from largely every-day backgrounds and have lives likely much like yours.

After getting to know your family, they will likely ask what questions you may have about life or the Mormon church. Using the scriptures and their own personal experiences, they will seek to help you find answers. Don't be afraid of asking any question or thinking you may offend or sound silly to the missionaries. They are called to help and serve and are very understanding.

After answering your questions and sharing a spiritual message, the missionaries will ask you to act on the message. A soccer player does not listen to his coach during practice only to go home without kicking a ball, right? In the same way, the missionaries will invite you to read a chapter of scripture or seek for yourself that what they are saying is true. You don't have to just take the missionaries' word in what they say--a loving God is happy to answer thoughtful, earnest prayers seeking for the truth.
Max answered...

We will talk about gods love for all of us down here on earth.
we will talk about how you can be with your family and loved ones forever.
we will talk about how the gospel of jesus christ has been restored to the earth and the evidence of this restoration which is found in the book of mormon.
we will talk about how god continues to talk to his children like he did in biblicial times!
we will talk about the steps that you need to take to insure eternal happines!
we will talk about any other questions you may have about god, Jesus Christ, and about this church.
we have the truth to share. why dont you just talk to one of us?

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

Dario answered...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has no political affiliation, and remains neutral on political activity. As declared by the Church, its purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ, not to elect politicians, and this applies to all the nations were the Church is established. In the same way, the Church does not endorse nor promote political parties, and its members are not directed to vote for specific candidates. Elected officials who are also members of the Church, does not represent the Church's position.

However, the Church does encourages us, members of the Church, to play a responsible role as citizens of the nations, to be informed, and to exercise our right to vote. Also, we are expected to respect others who think different and to participate in dialogue and exchange of ideas to reach consensus.

In the Church, we learn since we are young to be responsible and to seek to serve our communities and families. The Church's programs aims to strength our capacity and willingness to serve others. In this same context, we support leaders and programs which purposes are to make a better world. I personally support leaders who inspire those principles, and pray that whoever is elected would make wise decisions for the welfare of our nations and those of others. To obey, honor, and sustain the law of our country is an important responsibility of every member of our church.