Hi, I'm Nate

I'm a husband and father. I'm a nurse and a graduate student. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am the husband to a wonderful woman who has blessed my life. We have the privilege of raising a happy and joyful two year old. We also are humbled to have a baby daughter to expect in our home in the coming months. I am a registered nurse that has taken leave to pursue a graduate degree in healthcare administration. Nursing provided me a way to reach individuals in a caring manner that I may never have made contact with before, and I enjoyed that opportunity. I have many hobbies and most revolve around wrestling my little boy or playing sports. I really enjoy living life in ways that are new and exciting.

Why I am a Mormon

I was blessed to be raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Like many who come from religious upbringings, I had the occasion to question the teachings in front of me. Because of this, I strayed from the path of happiness. I traded joy for fun, happiness for pleasure. Thankfully, through the workings of the Holy Ghost, my family, and many honest friends I had experiences similar to the prodigal son; moments Jesus depicted in the Gospel of Luke when the prodigal son “came to himself”. These coupled with improved decision making lead me to the feet of the Savior, and heart-felt redemption through the atonement of Christ. A short time after feeling the weight of sin lifted from my shoulders, I received a witness from the Holy Ghost that eternally impressed my soul concerning the truth of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Personal Stories

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

The great challenge in our lives is the ability to live in the sin and corruption of the world while maintaining a lasting relationship with our Heavenly Father. This is a real challenge. As you gain more knowledge our Father and of the Savior your desire to communicate and feel their presence increases. One tool that He has provided is the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the means that Heavenly Father communicates with us on a daily basis. The Holy Ghost is the way that my faith in God and Jesus Christ has been strengthened. There have been many experiences in my life in which the Holy Ghost has told me that something is true, and conversely if something is false. The Holy Ghost is the key factor in gaining a knowledge of truth and learning about the things of God.

How I live my faith

I have had the opportunity to serve individuals inside and outside of the church. Many of the positions that I have held in the church have led me to extending my assistance to people who may not share the same beliefs. I had the opportunity to serve a full-time two-year mission which involved many countless hours of service to the communities in which I lived. My biggest contribution to my community is the way that I strive to live my life in the aid of others, and more importantly in how I am attempting to raise my child to grow into a kind and selfless adult.

Mormons believe Jesus Christ is their Savior. Why do we need a Savior?

Nate answered...

The fundamental principle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the faith in, reliance upon, and relationship with Jesus Christ. We regard Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. Everyone on the earth today has made mistakes. All of us have come short of the perfect example that Christ set for us. The problem is the laws of God state that “no unclean person…hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” (Ephesians 5:5) Because of these laws, we needed a way to be cleansed from these sins and mistakes. God knew that we would fall short of perfection and by His grace he provided us a Savior, Jesus Christ. Being a perfect soul without blemish, Jesus was capable and willing to take upon Himself our sins. Because He paid the penalty for our sins, the atonement, we must take upon ourselves His name to reap the blessings of forgiveness. We do this by having faith in Christ, admitting and repenting of our sins, and being baptized in the true and restored church of Jesus Christ.
Meaghan answered...

Have you ever met a perfect person? I doubt it. Why? Because everyone makes mistakes. When you make a mistake or are confused on what you should do, you want someone to help you, right? We all need someone to help us. We all need a Savior. We always hear that Jesus Christ saved us, but what does that truly mean? It not only means that he suffered and died for you personally, it means that he lived and lives for us too. He wants to help us. Jesus Christ is the only one who underestands everything that we go through. He not only wants to make up for the mistakes we make, but he wants to carry our burdens too. All we need to do is let him carry our burdens. Everyone faces personal challenges and Jesus is there to help. Everyone makes a mistake qa some point in life too. The beauty of having a Savior, is the fact that we can be forgiven. Sometimes our hands get dirty, but they can always be washed clean.

What is the Book of Mormon?

Scott answered...

It is my conviction that if one simply examines the patterns and information given about holy writ in general that they ought to be inclined to ask and pray about whether or not the Book of Mormon is inspired. I say this because the Book of Mormon is not just a book of prayers or ethical teachings. The Book of Mormon is a historical record that has a deep and powerful impact on millions of people every single day. Religion aside, a book as influential and striking as the Book of Mormon is worth the investigation of anyone genuinely seeking truth. There are very few books that have entire study manuals, curriculum, books, thesis papers, scientific research, grammatical and literary research, live performances, and general discussion entirely about its content. The Bible might be the only other thing with as much extensive literature and documentation pertaining to its writings and doctrines. The Book of Mormon is at the very least intriguing when supplemented with archeological finds, external historical information, unique writing patters such as chiasmus, and overall literary competency and beauty found within the writing. From a non-religious stand point it is impressive, but from a religious perspective it is life changing. To have a testimony of a thing is powerful, but to hinge an entire belief system on 530 pages is another thing. To be so emotionally and spiritually connected to a thing is powerful, but when that thing is a book - that book must be something more than just written words. That book must be something inspired by God, preserved by His hand, and prepared by His grace. I believe that the Bible is one of those books. I also believe that the Book or Mormon is one of those books. There is no proving the Book of Mormon just like there is no proving the Bible. We believe that the teachings and doctrines found in the pages of the old and new testament are real and trustworthy. We cannot explain how, except perhaps the mercies and merit of God, the Bible was preserved for our days. But though we cannot explain it, we simply know it. If you ask any latter-day saint to prove the Book of Mormon to be true, they will simply reply that they cannot prove it, but they know it to be true. One should not demand evidence for the bible, they should read it study it and pray to know if it is true. It is the same for the Book of Mormon. Now the interesting thing about the Book of Mormon is that it something that you can feel, see, test, and try. It is real and tangible. I am confident that if anyone who is level headed and reasonable reads what is in the Book of Mormon and then simply asks if it is true that they will have a profound feeling come over them. But this feeling cannot come if there is an ulterior agenda for the reader. If you don't want it to be true or want to find flaws and errors in the text then you certainly will not obtain this profound feeling. You have to grant the fact that all things are indeed possible with God, and that he certainly could provide something more to draw us even closer to his will. Think of the Book of Mormon like the New Testament to the Jews. During the time of Paul and Peter, the Jews were very set in their ways. They had the Old Testament, and that was all that they felt that they needed for salvation. There was no mention of 12 apostles or a New Testament in the Old Testament; it was doctrines that were added upon to bring Gods children even closer to him. To say that the Bible is all that is needed is to say exactly what the Jews said about the teachings of Paul and the apostles. Must we be so quick to limit Gods ability to speak to us? Is it not a blessing to have more of his written word? I can understand a skeptic of The Book of Mormon. Many and man has tried to con the world into believing his new religion. But that is simply not the case with Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I challenge anyone to read unbiased biographies about Joseph Smith and his character. Read the entries of the people who knew him and what they thought about his life and motives. What you will find is not a usurper or power, nor a charlatan, but rather an amazing individual whose life was taken in the pursuit of preaching revealed doctrines. The Book of Mormon is something that people have sacrificed their entire lives for. Its teachings have a daily effect of millions of people worldwide. Its doctrines bring peace and Joy to the hearts of the humble and faithful. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I have to doubt of that.