Hi, I'm Steve Close

I'm a Mormon. I am a convert to the Mormon faith. I joined the church when I was 19 years old.

About Me

I'm a grandfather of 11, 7 boys and 4 girls. They're what makes life fantastic! I am athletic and still run and workout regularly. It is my way of dealing with the stress of life and keeping my mind clean and pure.

Why I am a Mormon

I joined the Church because the Spirit bore witness to me that it is true. I was challenged by a special young lady in High School to read the Book of Mormon and take the challenge given in Moroni 10 3-5. When that witness came, I knew the Book of Mormon was true, that Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet of God and the Church of Jesus Christ had been restored on the earth again with all the power and authority that existed when Christ walked the earth. I knew it and I knew my Savior knew it. Everything else became clear and the next steps were relatively easy.
My family is the most important aspect of my life and the knowledge that we could all be together for ever was something that rang true to me. It just made sense. Having lost my Father when I was young and my Mother in my early 20's this meant everything to me. To be able to be with them again. The same is true of my wife of 35 years, my 4 wonderful children and 11 amazing grandchildren and counting! We will all we be together again in our Father in Heaven's presence.
I have grown to have a great love for my Savior, Jesus Christ. Through his atoning sacrifice he made it possible for me and each of us to overcome this mortal existence with all of our short comings, frailties, weaknesses and sins allowing us to enter back into the presence of our Father in Heaven and his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. This knowledge keeps me humbled and striving to live worthy of this great blessing.

How I live my faith

I have been a member of the Church for over 35 years and have had opportunity to serve in many capacities or callings. I have been blessed to serve in Priesthood callings most of my life and currently serve as a Bishop. This calling is so much more than the administration of the local church unit we call a Ward. I've gained a small glimpse of the love that our Father in Heaven has for each of us. When I was set apart as Bishop, I instantly felt a love and compassion for the members of my Ward. All 350+. Some I knew well, other only casually, but I instantly had a love and concern for their well being. The only comparison I can make is it is the unique love that a father has for his children. Each day, I pray for the members of my ward as I do my own children and desire to do all that I can to lead, guide and encourage them to live the gospel principles so that they may enjoy the glorious reunion with their loved ones and live forever in the presence of our Father in Heaven.

What is the priesthood?

Steve Close answered...

The priesthood is defined as the power and authority of God. In mortality, the priesthood is the power and authority that God gives man to act in all things necessary for salvation.
Personally, the priesthood is the love of God. It allows every priesthood holder to love others the way Jesus Christ did. To bless them in all things in accordance with God's will.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Ethan answered...

I like to approach questions by looking at the words of things

"priest" has reference to either the concept of one who leads, one who is elder, or one who is holy I like to remember that the words 'holy' and 'whole' are linked by a common ancestry. When something is 'holy' it's essentially saying that it's complete, that it's healthy..

And "-hood" makes reference to the state of being, and not just any state of being but a state of being that's worthy or correct for it's placement. That is, that it's done properly.

So one could say the priesthood is leadership or a point of reference that's completely suited to the position in which it's been placed.

Another way to look at it is to say it's God's perfect order. That is, it's God's perfect arrangement.

In our Church we often give a definition of priesthood as being "the authority to act in God's name" and that's exactly what it means to be a part of God's perfect order. If God commands something to be done by you, and you do it, then you are acting under, and with that portion of God's authority that he's permitted you to exercise within his perfect order.

Just as with any instance where someone tries to act in the name of someone else there are bound to be those who try and do so falsely. That's why God has things ordered in such a way that one can know for certain if someone has His God's authority, or not.

How can I find someone to talk with, in person, about the Mormon religion?

Stephanie answered...

One of the best ways to learn about basic tenants of our religion is by checking resources like this website, chatting with the missionaries, and have them send you some resources (like a Book of Mormon, videos, etc.) and then try finding the closest LDS chapel in your area by looking in the phone book or online. They can have missionaries come to your home and teach you if you wish. Another good way is to go to church with a friend or an acquaintance of yours who is LDS, and they can also connect you with the missionaries. If you don't have any of those resources nearby, chat with the missionaries and they will find a way to have someone connect with you. There's probably more Mormons around than you think.