Hi, I'm Michael

I just finished grad school, took my first job as a pharmacist and love being a husband and father. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. My wife and I met after I finished serving a mission to Germany. We did our best navigating our way through what seemed like a lifetime of schooling, but came out with degrees, a beautiful baby girl and a stronger relationship together.

Why I am a Mormon

Because I am not perfect. I need the Savior and his church organization to bowie me up and help me to grow stronger. I have felt the truthfulness of this church and I love being able to serve within it.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

One of the greatest blessings of being a member of the LDS church is the collective talents and spiritual gifts of its many devoted members. No one member is perfect or has all the same strengths. But where ever they gather, one can find saints serving one another, loving one another and teaching one another. We all have a unique light to share with those around us. For this reason God has commanded us to gather, and I know he expects us to share those talents he's blessed us with.

How I live my faith

In our home. We are making this journey together as a family. We pray together, read the Bible and Book of Mormon together, make goals together, serve together and attend church together.

Why is authority to perform a baptism important?

Michael answered...

God has called men of the priesthood to perform sacred ordinances for His children on earth. Just as Jesus Christ sought out John the Baptist, a worthy priesthood holder, to baptize him, so must we be baptized by one called of God to do so.
Cary answered...

If baptism is the gateway to Heaven, then the baptizer is a border agent. Would you want any old person who claims to know how it's done to just start letting whoever wants to into your country? Why do you insist they carry a badge and wear a uniform, and have an ID which proves they are legitimate representatives of the government? It's the same way with God's rituals. All over the scriptures, whenever there's a ritual performed it was performed by a duly authorized representative. Doesn't it just make sense that if something essential for our salvation would be required, that it should need to be done God's way, by God's authorized representatives? Acts 19:1-6 even shows a time when the authority of the baptizer was in doubt, and Paul re-did the baptisms for good measure. With all the confusion that comes from competing people claiming to speak for God, or claiming to know His will in this matter or that, I'm glad Mormons teach about authority. There's so much more clarity about who we should listen to, and who might be perfectly well-intentioned, but who really shouldn't be listened to because they're not authorized.

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

Keith Proctor answered...

In the Temple we are taught some pretty powerful truths about who we are, where we came from, and why we are here. It's not the kind of experience you can just walk into and get. There is significant spiritual preparation and learning needed first. It's better to be prepared and enjoy the fullness of the experience than to rush into it too quickly and end up confused. The ordinances in the temple also require that you prepare yourself to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. The best way to prepare for the Temple ordinances is to begin living their teachings consistently before entering the Temple. This is your way of showing Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father that you love them, obey them, and are ready for additional light and knowledge. Without this preparation, any ordinance of the Gospel would be an empty set of rituals. The Temple, in its fullest sense, prepares men and women to return and live with God as His sons and daughters. Anyone in the world can experience the power and beauty of the Temple, but a wise Heavenly Father has set out certain guidelines for their personal preparation first. Those who love Jesus Christ and walk in His ways will find in the Temple a power beyond their comprehension and a closeness to God not possible anywhere else in the world.