Hi, I'm Nate

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a college student working on a degree in engineering. I love to swim and play frisbee. A couple of my passions are playing the guitar and reading.

Why I am a Mormon

I have always felt very strongly about my Savior Jesus Christ. Even while I was young I wanted to exemplify his attributes and come to know Him. Life comes with its fair share of trials and challenges, whether they are self-inflicted or heaped upon us beyond our control. It was in those years of personal struggles that I really came to grips with what I believed. Some who do not fully understand my beliefs argue that I am not a true christian. But I feel like I could never have come to know Him better. My testimony of Him comes from a spiritual confirmation of the truthfulness of not only the Bible, but of the Book of Mormon as well. When I pray, I know I am speaking as a literal child of God to a literal Father in Heaven and that He knows me and is listening. I know the only way to be healed from spiritual and emotional scars is through Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Light, and the Life. I am a witness that He invites me and you to live His gospel through the mouth of a living prophet today, just as He did in ancient times. I do not undestand it when I am accused of not being a christian, because to me being a Mormon is all about coming to know Jesus Christ. That's why I'm a Mormon

Personal Stories

How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?

I love the Book of Mormon. There are some who question the need for another book, but I often reply, "Wouldn't you listen if you had the chance to sit at the Savior's feet and hear Him speak?", "Wouldn't you give an arm and a leg to arrive to that place and hear His words?" That's what the Book of Mormon is. It is a book written by ancient prophets who were called by Jesus Christ. The words in this book are Christ's words. It was written specifically for us and the challenges we face in these days. I cannot express the joy and meaning this book has brought into my life. At one time, I was facing a difficult question. I had been raised with the knowledge of God and knew that he existed, but I wasn't sure how he felt about me. I was reading in a well known story in the Book of Mormon of a man with a similar question. This man, Enos, had been hunting in the woods when "his soul hungered" to know how he could be forgiven of this sins. He, like me, knew about God and so knelt down and began to pray. His desires to know were so great that he prayed kneeling for the entire day until night. Then the voice of God came to him saying, "Enos, they sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed...thy faith hath made thee whole." When I read those words I had a powerful feeling come over me. I did not hear an audible voice, but it were as if God said to me, "Nathan, your sins are also forgiven." I felt an overwhelming love that could only come from a compassionate Heavenly Father. How could anyone as great as Him love such a rebelious son as me? The fact that He could love me that much was more than I could understand. I do not know how He loves all his children, each individual, to that degree but I know that He does. This experience and many others since from reading the Book of Mormon has changed the way I see myself and those around me. It has changed the kind of person I am. It has strengthened my resistance to temptation, my compassion for others, and my determination to live as I ought to live. I am not the only one. This book is written for anyone who wants to come closer to God.

How I live my faith

I try to live each day the way the Savior lived every second: Helping others. I'm certainly not perfect at it! But I plead every morning in prayer that I can be more mindful of the people that surround me. Giving to others isn't anything to be publicized but is done through modest and simple actions. In the church, I particularly enjoy our meetings because I feel my resolve to follow the gospel of Jesus Christ strengthened and more able to bear my hardships. A couple times a month I have the privilege to visit with other members of my church to strengthen them as well. I usually prepare a short message from the scriptures and come prepared to help with any temporal or spiritual need. Even if it's bringing a small plate of cookies! That's called Home Teaching and every member in the church has a home teacher come to check up on them at least once a month. It has always seemed to me that whenever you try to assist someone else, you somehow leave feeling that you were the one helped. Simple meaningful acts like these along with a personal study of the scriptures is how I try to show the love I have for my Savior.

What do Mormons believe about “eternal life?”

Nate answered...

Eternal Life is the greatest of all the gifts of God. It is living eternally in the presence our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. In eternal life we also have to opportunity to live with loved ones who have passed on. Anything good, wholesome, or joyful that we have experienced here on earth is multiplied infinitely in that life to come.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Todd answered...

No. There have never been any race-related restrictions on who joins the church. People of all races and colors have been baptized from the beginning.

However, for a period of time priesthood ordinations in the Church were restricted - This policy was officially changed in 1978 when Official Declaration declared that “every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.”