Hi, I'm Paul

I am British and work as a chartered certified accountant. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I enjoy most sports and keeping fit. I am married with 3 daughters. I play a bit of piano and like many styles of music. I also enjoy travel and have visited many European countries, plus USA and Canada. I lived in Singapore for a few years as a young man. I am a poor singer but still like to give it a go in the shower and at Church. I qualified as an accountant some years ago but prefer general management to 'number crunching'. My wife and I enjoy being together whether it's at the movies, sharing a joke, or eating out.

Why I am a Mormon

I joined the Church when I was 23 and it has been the best decision I have ever made in my life. Through my experiences with the Church I have found peace and happiness beyond words, met some great people (including my wife !), and also learned so many new skills. Most importantly, I have come to know Jesus Christ and felt His love and mercy. I continue to be amazed at what He has done for me and all of mankind.

Personal Stories

Could you talk about your baptism?

I was baptised in Reading, England, in 1979. I had been looking into the Church for a few months and my life had been changed as I had come to know that God had restored his true Church to the earth. When I was baptised one of the missionaries, who had been teaching me the Gospel, immersed me in the water in the baptismal font. When I came up out of the water I felt the Holy Ghost come over me in a beautiful and powerful way. I had never felt such a weight taken off my soul and I knew that God was pleased and that my sins had been forgiven because of Jesus Christ. One of the very best days of my life !

How I live my faith

I try to make my faith a part of my daily living. It has helped me look for the best in people and try to help anyone I can. I have given time in Church service by being a youth leader and by organising activities. Over the years I have been a Church member I have also helped out with projects in the community, and in connection with my work I have been a pension scheme trustee, managed the football team, been treasurer of the sports and social club, and held various other positions. Each morning I spend a few minutes reading and pondering the scriptures and in prayer - this helps set me up for the challenges of the day.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Paul answered...

We believe that we did not suddenly spring into existence when we were born. Our spirit left God's presence and gained a body when it came to earth life. God has commanded us to "multiply and replenish the earth", in other words to have children, so that other spirits can take upon themselves a body when they come to earth just as we have. Intimate same-sex relationships, therefore, are not in harmony with God's plan for His children. Indeed, neither are intimate heterosexual relationships outside of marriage. We love all people regardless of their sexuality. However, we share the same message with all, i.e. God wishes for us to reproduce within the special relationship of marriage. Some may not be able to enjoy that privilege in this life. But by honouring God's will in this life we will be eternally blessed with family in the future.
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Gregg answered...

We believe the Bible and other records passed down through centuries, that God has spoken to man starting with Adam and Eve and continues to speak to us in modern days. God loves us and knows what will bring us true joy in this life and in the life to come. He has declared and continues to command that sexual relations are only to be practiced between husband and wife, legally and lawfully married. He has ordained marriage for the purpose of binding husbands and wives together in a special relationship that can last not just in this life, but for all eternity, and to bring children into the world and nurture them.

Others will fail to understand these truths or try to change them, but the family is central to God's plan and he continues to make his will quite clear on this matter. As members of his church, we will defend these truths.

What is the Mormon lifestyle like? How do Mormons live?

Serge answered...

Family is everything to us. Our family spends lots of our free time together because we like each other. Life gets crazy with teenagers, dance practice, after school academic decathlon, usually with a toddler in tow, but no matter what, every Monday night is Family Night.

The kids know that every Monday we spend time together and nothing gets in the way of it. It's our commitment to each other. We bake cookies, have lessons about the Savior, work on personal goals, go to the park, go geocaching, play board games or just go out for ice cream.

We do lots of things together. The point is that at least once a week we spend an hour or two together, just for the sake of being together, just because we love being together as a family. It's not as perfect as it may sound, with all the poking and "she's in my spot," and all the other crazy things family members do to each other when scrambling for a spot in the living room, but we try real hard. It takes effort to make sure we don't miss, but it's worth it.

I'm not sure the kids will remember all the games we played, the places we went or what we did, but I hope they always remember that we loved each other enough to dedicate one night a week to be with each other. And that we spent every Monday night together for as many Mondays as they can remember because family is everything to us, and every member of our family is important.