Hi, I'm Steve

I'm a Mormon. I wasn't raised as a Mormon, but due to great friends I found the church of Jesus Christ and I love it!

About Me

I am married to a beautiful woman, and by her we have four wonderful children. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my family and I wish that I could be home more with them. I am in a sales position with a great company and life couldn't be better.

Why I am a Mormon

"Mormonism is the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, of which I am not ashamed".
In this church I find the truths of eternity. This church provides the saving ordinances that one needs to return to live with God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. Every good thing that I now have in my life (my family, my friends, and even my job) is traceable to belonging to this church.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.

I am forever in debt to the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family for doing what they indeed did to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone. That entire family gave of their lives for the truth's sake. Some died as Martyr's and other died as indirect Martyr's so that the gospel foundation could be laid. What is the result? The church today is worldwide with millions of members. The church today is flourishing, and going into all the world until it has penetrated every nation, and sounded in every ear! The church today has the ability to build hundreds of meetinghouses and temples every year. The church today has the resources to be able to respond to national disasters and provide aid in a way that few organizations can. Most importantly, the church today has a prophet and always will. It is strong, and I am proud to be a member of it!

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

Before one can know who they are, they need to understand whose they are. Growing up I was never very proud of my last name. In fact, I chose to be known by a different last name for many years. This side of the family that I am referring to is not close-knit, and very few are found active in the church to this day. However, I recently learned that it didn't begin this way. Now that I know where I come from, I am proud to belong to this family. I descend from an Englishman named Thomas. Thomas joined the church in the late 1840's and sailed across the ocean to join the saints in Utah. On arrival he was employed by one of Brigham Young's brothers. On assignment he went to pick up a hand cart or wagon from a nearby home in the valley. He knocked on the door, introduced himself, and explained his assignment. The sister who stood there (Sabrina Curtis) didn't understand a single word due to his thick English accent. She annoyingly called to someone in the house and said "Do come and see what this silly old fool wants"! He was slightly insulted by this, and perhaps a little embarrassed. But as fate would have it they were married to each other by Brigham Young only 6 months later! Thomas never let Sabrina live that down, for when he was in need of something he would say "Sabrina! Do come and see what this silly old fool wants"! Thomas and Sabrina were faithful saints and knowing this give me a sense of pride and I can say that I am proud to be a Harward and this is one of many reasons why doing genealogy is so important to members of the church.

How I live my faith

Currently I serve as an executive secretary to the Bishop in my home ward. I enjoy this calling, and I like the association that I have with our Bishop and his two councilors. I have come to know nearly everyone in our congregation by name, and this is a great blessing to me.

What do Mormons believe about the nature of God?

Steve answered...

We believe that God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings. However, when the scriptures say that they are one, or one God, we know that this refers to their being one in purpose, not in body.
There are many examples in the Bible and Book of Mormon that sheds light on this important doctrine.
Kathleen answered...

This question is easily answered in the words of one of the children's songs "I know my [Heavenly] Father lives, and loves me too". We believe in a loving God, who knows us each individually. Another way I know that God loves me because he has heard and answered my prayers many times. Some people think that God is angry, but I do not believe that is so. Matthew 7:11 reads, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to those that ask him?" I think that just explains it all- as parents we want the best for our children. God, our Heavenly parent, wants the best for us, too. As parents, we recognize that giving our children everything they ask for isn't necessarily what's best for them. God does this for us also.

What are Mormon church services like? Are visitors allowed at church meetings? Can I attend church?

Brian answered...

Mormon church services are unique. When I first started attending I felt three hours was too long to be in church, but I quickly grew to like it because I realised that each of the three meetings has a very practical, edifying focus. The Sacrament meeting is the principal meeting and it is where everyone (women and men, young and old) come together to have the sacrament (communion) and hear talks by their fellow church members. Since there is no paid clergy, Mormons take turns speaking to the congregation about how a particular principle or doctrine has strengthened their faith in Christ. Depending on the size of the congregation, a Mormon can speak as often as once a year to once every two or three years.

In Sunday School, the youth attend classes according to their age and the adults attend a class together. The curriculum varies from year to year, but the focus each year is on a book of scripture and how its lessons can help us develop stronger families, be better neighbours and parents, etc. For example, this year (2011) all the adults are studying the New Testament.

In the third hour we group together as men and women. The men's class looks at how the gospel of Christ can help us in our roles as men, husbands, fathers, etc., while the women study how Christ's teachings can help them be better women, wives, mothers, etc.

Visitors are welcome in all of these meetings.