Hi, I'm Parker

I grew up in Colorado and I'm a Mormon. And I am serving a mission in Germany.

About Me

I'm a college aged guy who will be serving a mission for the church for 2 years later this year.
I enjoy to ski, play sports and games with my friends and am into BYU sports.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up a Mormon. I've always gone to church, and gone through the motions, but it wasn't until I read the Book of Mormon all the way through for the first time that I really gained a testimony that it is the word of God, and that the church is true. With this came the knowledge that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that everything else about the church is true as well. The Gospel gives me so much joy and happiness in life. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word God, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Church is led by a prophet today, Thomas S. Monson.

Personal Stories

Could you talk about your baptism?

I was baptized when I was 8 years old by my father. I still remember that day more than a decade later. It was such a spiritual experience and I remember this amazing feeling of peace and happiness. It is a feeling I will never forget.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Members of the church serve missions for many reasons. As a missionary, I can answer for myself. I grew up wanting to go on a mission. I saw many of my older cousins go and come home and saw the blessings that serving a mission brings. I also know that church is from God and it is the Restored church of Christ. I know that the Gospel of Christ brings lasting happiness to people´s lives and that is something that I want to share with others.
In short. I know it´s true and want to bless others. That is why I am serving a mission now.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by going to church, by living what I believe. I am out sharing what I believe with others so that they can experience the joy that I have.

What is done with the tithing that Mormons pay?

Parker answered...

The tithing that we pay is used to build churches, temples, and support other church programs, as well as publish church materials.
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April answered...

Tithing is paid in faith. I know these funds will not be misused. I pay tithing because it is a commandment, and because I love God and want to give Him back a small porion of what He has given me, to futher build up His church. These funds go to build and maintain church buildings and temples and other like expenses. Our clergy is not paid. There is no collection plate. We simply pay our tithing, our fast offerings, we share what we have gladly. This is God's way. For this is God's church.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Carlos answered...

There is a passage from the Book of Mormon that can help us understand the doctrine of grace:

"And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free... there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah... he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved"

We fully belive in justification and reconciliation by grace - it is an essential doctrine of the Church, and is found repeatedly throughout the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
Anyone who believes in Christ shall be saved and inherit all that the Father has; however, we need to understand what it means to believe - we need to understand the word "believe" as Christ intended it to be understood.

The prophet Joseph Smith taught that faith is a principle of action. Yes, it's true that all we need to do to be saved is to believe, but believing isn't just a verbal declaration - true belief requires action.
Knowing that the world is full of breathable air isn't enough to live - we actually need to act on that knowledge and breathe in order to keep living. Likewise, having faith in Christ isn't just something that we say we have - we have to act on that belief. I can't honestly claim that I have faith in Christ and know that His path is the path to happiness if I'm not consistantly trying to gain that happiness.

We fully believe in salvation by grace, but it's possible to fall from grace if we lose our faith - and if we are not doing the things that Christ requires of us then we do not have true faith.
All we need to do to attain grace is to develop faith in Jesus Christ, but developing faith unto salvation in Jesus Christ is a lifetime endeavor which requires our absolute best sacrifice.