Hi, I'm David

I'm a grad student studying new ways to fight disease. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I never do well in these "about me" sections. I think my Facebook "about me" page is 4 or 5 years old. I recently graduated from college where I met the woman I love, and we got married in the Temple in December of 2010. I am now a graduate student pursuing my PhD in microbiology, which means two things. One, that I understand a lot about bacteria. Two, that I am a big friendly nerd.
I enjoy playing Ultimate Frisbee and making music. I play the piano, guitar, and lots of things that look like guitars bass, ukulele, etc.

Why I am a Mormon

I struggled for a lot of years with this very question. I grew up in the Mormon church, so at first it was easy for me. I was Mormon because it's what my parents did, and what their parents did, and that was that. But as I grew up, that answer just wasn't enough any more.
When I was 18, I started thinking seriously about my faith. Mormon young men generally serve full-time missions for two years when they turn 19, and I didn't want to waste two whole years of my time preaching something that I didn't really believe. So I decided that it was time for me to find out for myself if this was all true.
I've always thought like a scientist, so I analyzed this question in the way that makes sense to me. Piece by piece, bit by bit. I know that this is not the way most people approach questions of faith, but I knew that God answers questions in ways that we are able to understand, and I just don't understand the touchy-feely stuff.
I started with the most basic questions. Do I really believe in God? Does He know who I am? Does He care who I am? I worked my way up from those to more detailed questions about specific religions and practices.
So piece by piece, I built my beliefs. Piece by piece I thought, and I prayed, and I listened for God to answer.
He didn't answer me all at once. I never had a moment of overwhelming "A-Ha!" and knowing that it was true. But I do believe that God answered me, and that He continues to answer. He exists. He loves me. He has a church on the earth, one that is absolutely true and has His authority to baptize, to heal the sick, and make families eternal. And that's why I'm a Mormon.

Personal Stories

Could you talk about your baptism?

My baptism was a very special day for me. It was an unusually cold day in the spring of 1993. I was eight years old, and it was a small, family event. The only people there (if I remember right) were me, my parents, my brothers, my sister, and my Bishop. My Dad and I were dressed in white, and we went into the water together. He held my hands as he put me under the water and pulled me up again. When I came out of the water, I was born again and began my new life as a follower of Jesus Christ.

How I live my faith

I have been involved in the LDS community in many different ways. That's one of the nice things about the church- you have opportunities to serve in lots of ways, some of which you are good at and some of which you get to become better by doing. Right now I help organize teachers for a group of men in the congregation as we all learn to be better husbands and fathers together.

What will the Mormon missionaries talk about when they visit my home?

David answered...

As someone who was a missionary not too long ago, I feel like I can give a pretty good answer to this. If the Mormon missionaries come over to your house, the first thing they will talk about is God. They will talk about how much he loves us, and how he communicates with us to guide our lives and make us happier. They will talk about ancient prophets, like Moses and Isaiah, and modern prophets like Joseph Smith. And they will talk about what those prophets have taught us about God and His plan for us.

Of course, they don't have a script that they just read regardless of what your needs or questions are. The things I listed above are the things they usually talk about on their first visit to someone's home, but if you want to know about something else, you just have to ask. When I was a missionary, I loved it when people had a specific question for me because it helped direct me to their individual needs.
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Jordan Christiansen answered...

I served a mission in South Korea for two years, so I can tell you. :) The missionaries will probably be as nervous as you are as they arrive at your home. The nervousness does not come from timidity or a lack of belief in the message they bring, but because they want so much to express their testimonies and the Spirit they feel to you.

The missionaries will likely introduce themselves and get to know you and your family. Though missionaries are called by God to preach His word, they come from largely every-day backgrounds and have lives likely much like yours.

After getting to know your family, they will likely ask what questions you may have about life or the Mormon church. Using the scriptures and their own personal experiences, they will seek to help you find answers. Don't be afraid of asking any question or thinking you may offend or sound silly to the missionaries. They are called to help and serve and are very understanding.

After answering your questions and sharing a spiritual message, the missionaries will ask you to act on the message. A soccer player does not listen to his coach during practice only to go home without kicking a ball, right? In the same way, the missionaries will invite you to read a chapter of scripture or seek for yourself that what they are saying is true. You don't have to just take the missionaries' word in what they say--a loving God is happy to answer thoughtful, earnest prayers seeking for the truth.

Why don’t women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? How do Mormon women lead in the Church?

Kathryn answered...

As a primary president in my ward, I share in the direction and leadership of our ward. I don't feel secondary in any way. Whether you have the priesthood or not, you are still responsible to listen to the direction of the Savior. The priesthood is a tool and power that is the same power of the Savior. It allows the human authority to do work on earth, particularly perform ordinances, and bless others. As if the Savior was here in person during His ministry accounted for in the New Testament. I would use an analogy to compare the priesthood as a car. A car is an amazing tool allowing you to get you from here to there. I don't mind my husband driving and I can offer some navigation or work the radio, as long as we and our children get there.