Hi, I'm Samuel

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a father of two, and a grandpa of seven. I served in the Northern Mexican mission (at that time there were only three missions, and no temples). I served one year in Vietnam; nine months as a foot solder, and three months as a chaplain's assistant. Because I assisted a Baptist chaplain, I had the unique opportunity of passing around the collection plate, even though I was in good standing in my LDS ward.

I am a retired graphics artist and designer. I've used everything from lead type to PhotoShop. I enjoy writing fiction, non-fiction and poetry. I also love music, and - though I've only dabbled at the piano all my life - I started taking piano lessons in my 60's. I also enjoy playing the guitar. I've performed in the Mormon Youth Symphony (playing percussion instruments) and in the Snow College and U of U bands.

Why I am a Mormon

Though I was born in the Church, I consider myself a convert, for I had to find a witness of the Holy Ghost before my testimony became unshakable. People have told me I'm a Mormon because I was born into the Church. This is not so. I went through a period of doubt, even after my mission, because I had two questions that I felt could not be answered. I became less active, and considered leaving the Church completely. Then my bishop challenged me to test the Lord through the law of tithing. I agreed, but only with a payment of five dollars a month. Before long, I found extra money, so I paid more. It wasn't long before I was comfortably paying a full tithing.

Other things were happening at the same time, where I could sense angels all around me "bending backwards" in order to help me come back. At one point in time, the answers to the two questions I had came into my mind, taking away my doubts. Finally, as I applied the scriptures toward the solution to my problems, I had an experience that made me feel the way Joseph described when he talked about James 1:5: The scripture I was looking at was felt by every fiber of my soul. At the same time I was filled with wondrous love, and I was taught new insight into the scripture in question, something the Holy Ghost is prone to do when He witnesses to you.

Since then, I have applied the scriptures to my other problems and found out that this is the way my testimony grows: by using the scriptures and turning myself over to the Lord. During these occasions, the Holy Ghost worked His wonders in me and cemented my testimony in the gospel, while at the same time giving me extra insight into the scriptures that I had used in my life.

Personal Stories

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?

Matthew 5:44: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefuly use you, and persecute you."

I used to think this was a mandate to obey, simply because it was the Christian thing to do. Then, I suffered at the hands of someone who was persecuting me for over a year. I found out this person was doing so, because of something lacking in his life. Because I had the thing he was lacking, I determined he was jealous of me. By the time the year was up, I was beyond angry with this person, as he had virtually ruined my character in the eyes of my peers. As I was addressing the Lord over the problem, a still, small voice came to me and said, "Pray for him."

I resisted, and said I couldn't pray for him. The voice reminded me, "Like it says in the Beatitudes: 'Pray for those who despitefully use you.'" I responded, "I can't; I'm too mad at him."

Then the voice said, "Maybe if you pray for him, his life will fill up with what he's lacking, and he won't bother you any more."

I was shocked, and speechless for a time. I would have never come up with that reasoning on my own! Certainly, I wouldn't have thought to pray for him, for even after this suggestion, it was one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life: to pray for someone I literally hated.

It was a short and somewhat insincere prayer, but I did it. The next time it was a little easier. I never told this person I was praying for him, but a few days later he told me he had received something from his wife that gave him more satisfaction in life, and his self-esteem was growing in leaps and bounds.

I was amazed that even short, insincere prayers can be answered. I was also amazed that such a simple phrase as "Pray for those who persecute you" can bear such deep ramifications. When the Holy Ghost teaches, you sometimes learn "the mysteries of the kingdom." Certainly, you will gain additional insight, like I did for this one. Since then, because my spiritual understanding was now tuned to this scripture, I found even more truth connected to it: I could see that Jacob 1:19 taught a new dimension of this principle: If we don't pray for our enemy, then we will be partly responsible for their sins.

I learned many other things over this simple beatitude. But suffice it to say that the most simple of scriptures, when used in our lives, will have tremendous and long-lasting rewards.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He directed His disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). This same directive is given in our day as well, as found in D&C 68:8.

The whole world has not, as yet, heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. As long as this is the case, missionary work will continue.

The fulfillment of Jesus' mandate to preach to all nations will go hand-in-hand with the prophesy in Dan. 2:31-45: Jesus' church is the stone cut out of the mountain without hands. As it is written in Daniel, the stone, or Jesus' church, will eventually fill the whole earth. This would be difficult without the missionary program.

The prophecies don't necessarily predict that all will join Jesus' church; what is clear is that every nation will hear of the gospel. Another scripture tells us that not all will accept the message: "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7: 14). This scripture is also found in the Book of Mormon (See 3 Ne. 14: 14). For this reason, the missionaries are instructed to present their introductory message first, then determine if the people are interested. If they are not interested, they are to move on until they find one whose heart is ready for their gospel message.

How I live my faith

I am on the Stake High Council, which is the governing body of a group of wards (congregations) that make up a stake. In addition to helping the wards and stake run smoothly, I give a talk (sermon) in one of the wards every two months.

During the week, I try to give of my time, visiting the unfortunate, widows, etc., for this, according to James 1:27 is "Pure Religion." I've played my guitar and sang old songs my father taught me at old folks' homes. One of my most rewarding experiences is when I performed at a home for mentally handicapped boys. They made me feel like I was a superstar!

I also try to use the gifts and talents God gave me to live my faith. He has given me the ability to draw and paint, so I have painted scenes from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Once, I replaced a wooden support brace for one of the pews in the chapel. As I didn't have a matching piece of wood with the right grain or color, I painted the grain on the piece I replaced. Heavenly Father has also given me the ability to write, so I've written many articles about my experiences and beliefs, and published them on HubPages and in other websites. Currently, I'm writing a book about the promises God attaches to some of His directives.

I've also started two talk forums on Yahoo Groups where I and my associates answer questions about Mormonism and other gospel and doctrinal topics for anyone wanting to know more about Mormonism, or for those having doubts. One of those groups is listed on my profile under the blog button.

Why are Mormons asked to donate 10% of their income to their Church?

Samuel answered...

The Lord knows where the gold of the world is. If He wanted funds for His church for no other purpose but to spend it, we wouldn't need to pay tithing: He would tell us where the gold is, problem solved. But tithing is a law that is in place in order for us to learn sacrifice, and also for us to learn how to develop our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are many references to tithing in the Old Testament, but one may think all these were directed at the Israelites. One in Malachi, though, invites us to "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house" (Mal. 3:10). As Malachi is the last prophet to write in Old Testament times, this directive should be considered a mandate to all who came after that era.

Modern-day scripture, which is meant to help clarify biblical precepts, shows us exactly how much tithing is: D&C 119:3-5 says: "And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people. And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord."

Listen to this promise in Malachi Chapter 3 over tithing: "10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

"11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts."

The only times I haven't been able to find enough money to pay my bills was when I wasn't paying my tithing. The promise in Malachi is a promise the Lord made, and He doesn't break His promises. There have been times when my income was reduced 60 percent or more in just days, one lasting for over a year. But because I was paying tithing, new doors were continually opened, and I was able to always pay my bills, and have a little extra.

When I saw that the Lord helped me with my finances, even in the face of dire circumstances, this helped my faith in Him to grow in other areas, especially in His ability to offer me, a terrible sinner, the gift of eternal life through His Atonement.
Megan Cosgriff answered...

Latter Day Saints(Mormons) donate 10% of their income to the church because the Lord has commanded us too! In Proverbs 3:9 it says, "Honour the Lord with substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase." This is talking about tithing, tithing literally means one-tenth, which is 10%. So when the Lord commands us to donate one-tenth of our increase(income) that is what we do. If you look at Malachi 3:8-10 you will see that the Lord is asking for us to give him our tithes (10%) and in return he will open the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings, so many that we won't be able to contain them. Wouldn't you want to receive innumerable blessings for just giving Him 10% of your pay check? It seems like a pretty fair trade to me.

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

Dave answered...

We read in Genesis that one of God's first commandments to Adam and Eve was to "multiply and replenish the Earth." We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the only appropriate means of multiplying and replenishing the Earth. Keeping this in mind, any sexual act that takes place that is not between a man and a woman, joined together in marriage, is forbidden.

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