Hi, I'm Warren

I'm a Software Engineer, Husband, Father, and a Mormon.

About Me

I am a Software Engineer and all around alpha-geek. I live in Kansas with my wife and teenage son.
During my lifetime, I have lived in California, Montana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Missouri, and Virginia and have been able to travel to most of the US states and Canadian provinces.
The only travel I have done outside of North America was a trip to see a relative in England a few years ago.
I enjoy building and using technology. I also enjoy woodworking and building things in my garage. I like most kinds of music, but usually listen to Country while commuting back and forth to work. While at work, listening to classical movie Soundtracks helps get me in "the zone" while I am writing computer programs. I enjoy the sound of the turbocharged diesel engine in my pickup and there is something therapeutic about driving it. My favorite genre of movies and television is Thrillers and Science Fiction, but I enjoy a good tear-jerker so long as I get to watch it with my sweet wife. I enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, canoeing, biking, target shooting, and amateur photography. I'm not much of a sports fan, but I do like to play racquetball when I can find a court. My family and I enjoy exploring the area in which we live. We often go on what we call "picture hunting" trips and play an inexpensive game we call "where does that road go?"

Why I am a Mormon

My parents joined the church when I was only a year old and I had the good fortune of growing up in the church.
Still, I had to gain a knowledge of the truthfulness of the restored gospel for myself.
When I was 19, I served as a full-time missionary for the church. Before I could, in good conscience, proclaim to the world that the church was true, I needed to really know for myself.
I gained that knowledge in much the same way as anyone who is investigating the church. I read the Book of Mormon. I prayed. I asked to know if it was true and my prayers were answered. It is impossible to completely and accurately describe the feelings and impressions that I received. I felt a contentment, comfort, and peace that I had never felt before. I just knew that the things I had been taught throughout my childhood were, in fact, true.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

I believe that everyone has something to give. We all have something that we know, or know how to do, that could be used to help someone else. We just need to be alert for opportunities to serve. In my experience, most things are more enjoyable when they can be shared with someone. Talents and gifts are no different. The more we use what we have been given to bless the lives of those around us, the more we find our own lives blessed.

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

Remembering that we are all children of God and have a purpose for our lives helps put day-to-day challenges in perspective. If we keep this in mind, we tend to be a little more patient, a little more kind, a little more forgiving, and a little more helpful.

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

We moved from Wyoming to Kansas in 2010. The primary reason for that move was so that I could take a job that would provide the income necessary for my wife to stay home with our teenage son and better fulfill her desires to be a mother, care giver, and school teacher.
Our son was recently diagnosed with Asbergers Syndrome, a mild form of autism. In addition, he has epilepsy, a growth disorder, and central sleep apnea.
He is actually very smart, but because of his health issues, he has difficulty in a traditional classroom setting.
We feel very blessed that a way has been provided for my wife and my son to be home together and build a relationship that too few children get to have with their mothers in this day and age.

How I live my faith

I attend church each Sunday with my family and try to do my duty as a Father, Husband, and Priesthood holder in the church. I currently serve as the secretary for my Priesthood Quorum.
In the past, I have served as a full-time missionary, a Priesthood leader, and a teacher for children, youth, and adults. I enjoy the outdoors and have served as Scoutmaster several times. I have served as the missionary leader for my congregation and enjoyed that very much.
Each month, my teenage son and I visit several other church families that we have been asked to watch out for. We both enjoy that experience and try to be diligent in the fulfillment of that assignment.
Living my faith can be challenging in my workplace. It seems that people of faith are an extreme minority among logical thinkers.
I am often overcome with gratitude that Father in Heaven sent me to the family he did, where my parents would raise me in the restored church of Jesus Christ, where I was taught simple principles that made sense and doctrine that explained in very logical ways the plan that Heavenly Father had for me and the divine potential that I had.
When I see people in my profession paint all religions and all religious people with the same brush, I am saddened that their cynicism may prevent them from receiving the truth when it is presented to them. It also motivates me to be a better example and to cultivate the relationships necessary to share what I know about the purpose of life and allow the Holy Spirit to work through me to touch the lives of those I work with.
I know that I have a long way to go to be the example that I want to be and that Heavenly Father knows I can be. In the meantime, I have faith that my Savior Jesus Christ will make up the difference between my meager ability and the strength required to knock down the intellectual walls that keep so many from the truths that will transform their lives and the lives of their families.

Why do Mormon missionaries proselyte?

Warren answered...

We believe that every person who has ever lived on this earth is a spiritual son or daughter of God. As such, we are all brothers and sisters and should treat each other as family. Proselyting as a missionary is one of the ways we do that. We have found something that brings fulfillment and joy to our lives and we want to share that with those that are important to us. As members of our family, every child of God is important to us.
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Nick answered...

Our decision to serve missions is motivated by our belief in the Gospel and our desire to fulfill the Savior's command to "preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15. The Gospel teaches us that we are all sons and daughters of God, and so we feel a kinship with all of God's children and a desire to help them enjoy the peace in this life that the Gospel provides.Our missionaries are not salesman and won't take much of your time, but I know that your decision to invite them into your home will change your life for good!

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

Casey answered...

Love the sinner, not the sin. We do not uplift or support it in any way. We try to help those overcome this serious and difficult urge of same-gender attraction. To some it is very serious, they feel they are 'borne' that way. Others feel great peer pressure, some are simply curious. Not matter the case, it is simply wrong. It is not ordained of God, and God does not take it lightly. To those who may struggle with this very urge, as you avoid it, and try to overcome it, God will strengthen you. Some people struggle with an addiction toward pornography, or cigarettes, some it might a seemingly over-powering urge toward alcohol, or to some, same-gender attraction. No matter the urge, they are all not of God and all Satan's devices to bring down worthy and righteous souls down to his level of misery. The family is ordained of God and it is our responsibility to uplift and support the family in any way we can.