Hi, I'm Ruedigar

I'm a student of botany, I'm a vegetarian, I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a student of biology, which partially consumes my life. However, I love learning, so studying at the Uni is a good time. Besides my studies, I play soccer (mostly indoor at this point), and I love to spend time with my family and friends. True joy comes from relationships with others, and I'm always up for more joy.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because its teachings are true! I've spent countless hours reading, meditating on, and praying about the Book of Mormon and other gospel principles, and I've received countless answers and confirmations that these things are true. I've also spent a lifetime living gospel principles, and I've seen the joy that this lifestyle brings. There is a hope and peace that can't be found anywhere else, and I love it.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer plays a significant role in my life. Daily prayer is my time to talk WITH, not just TO, my Heavenly Father. When I pray I have the opportunity to thank my Heavenly Father for the blessings which I have received from Him. This daily thanksgiving helps me realize what I really have. It helps me see through the clouds of negativity that overwhelm this world and realize the beauties, both great and small that surround me.
Prayer also allows me the opportunity to counsel with my Heavenly Father. I can tell Him how my day has been and what my concerns and worries are. I can express to Him my desires and my dreams. I can express to Him my needs. I can just talk. I can talk, and I know that He is listening. When I don't feel like I can turn to anyone else, when I feel alone, I know that He is there for me. He is my shoulder to cry on, or the arm to hold as I regain my balance. He is my support throughout the hard times and an excited listener throughout the joyous times.
But it isn't just that I can talk to my Heavenly Father that makes prayer meaningful. When I pray I also have the opportunity to listen and to learn from the greatest teacher of all, the Almighty God of heaven and Earth! That being who has all knowledge and all power is my Father and your Father. We have access to Him! I can seek His advice, His will, His counsel and His understanding. When I truly counsel with the Lord, I receive answers to my questions and help through my struggles. When I truly counsel with the Lord, I receive peace in my life. Because I can pray, because my Heavenly Father lets me pray, I am never alone, and I am never lost. He is always there to listen and to help. He is always there to guide. He is always there to love, and prayer gives me greater access to that love.

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

Harmony in the home isn't achieved over night. You don't wake up one day and say, "Wow! We now have harmony!" It's something that takes time and effort, just like everything else that is worthwhile in this life. I've learned harmony from parents who are loving, who spend time talking with and listening to me. I've learned it from siblings who do not yell at each other or fight. I've learned it from a family who cares about me as an individual and wants me to succeed. What I've learned about harmony from my own family is that harmony isn't about me. Harmony is about everyone. I'm not here in my family singing a solo; rather, we are working together to create something beautiful.
Knowing that we can live together for ever, not being separated by that vast chasm of death, helps us in our efforts. Jesus Christ has prepared a way for families to live together forever, not just in this life. If that is the case, I want to build my relationships, not destroy them. I want to forgive my siblings, not hate them. I want to honor my parents, not disobey them. My family is everything to me. I value my family more than anything. I want my family to last, so I need to do my part to ensure that I am not damaging relationships. If I had a car that was worth millions of dollars, I would not drive it, park it, or treat it carelessly. I would think twice about doing anything that I might later regret, which would damage the car. I would put in the effort to maintain the vehicle. If I would do such things for a car, something that I can keep for this life only, would I not do the same for my family, whom I value much more than a car and whom I can live with forever? Of Course!
Harmony in the home is based on humility, service, gratitude and most importantly love. Nothing means more to me than when I fear my parents tell me that they love me, and this they do often. There is no substitute for love in the home, and with love, so comes service, gratitude and humility. As we strive to show our love, and express it vocally, we will truly begin to reach a beautiful harmony within the walls of our home.

How I live my faith

I live my faith every day by striving to live the teachings of Jesus Christ and trying to live my life as He lived His. This leads me to attend church every week. At church I teach Sunday School, teaching principles that Christ taught while He lived on the earth, and principles which He has revealed, and continues to reveal, to prophets. I also work closely with full-time missionaries, trying to help people who are investigating the church learn more and come to know of its truth. I read daily from my scriptures. Right now I'm studying the New Testament, hoping to understand more about the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray every night and every morning, as well as multiple times throughout the day, asking for help and offering thanks. I try to make friends with and serve as many people as I can each day because that's what Jesus would do if He were here today. In all things, I try to live as Christ wants me to live.

How can I know Mormonism is true?

Ruedigar answered...

First, anyone can come to know truth. We are all God's children and God, our loving Heavenly Father, wants us to know truth. In order to know if Mormonism (The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints) is true, it takes some effort, but it is worth it! The first step is a desire to know, followed by a sincere reading of the Book of Mormon. When we read the Book of Mormon, we have to remember that it isn't just a story or a history, it is the word of God! When we try to live what we learn, we'll begin to see that the principles really do have an impact. As we read, we need to sincerely ask God, our Father, through prayer if what we're reading is true. We need to have a sincere desire to know and a willingness to act on what we find out. When we pray, believing that we will receive an answer, God will answer our prayers through the Holy Ghost. God usually doesn't send messengers or signs from heaven, but He tells us in our minds and in our hearts that this message, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is true. He wants you to know, and I know He'll answer when you ask.
Ian answered...

Live it. If you can commit to yourself and God to give all you have to discovering for yourself if the church is true through living the principles taught and asking God, in the name of Christ, to reveal the truth to you, I can give you my personal witness you will feel in your heart the comforting reassurance that you have found the truth. Moroni 10:3-5

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Ryan. answered...

No. Mormons do NOT practice polygamy. There are many people outside the Church that say otherwise, but that doesn't change the truth of the matter.

There is nobody living on this earth right now who can truly claim to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who practices polygamy. It is against the law, both of the land and of the Church. We do not approve of such things.

There are some groups of people who do practice this and also claim to be Mormons, but I assure you that they are not in any way affiliated with this Church.