Hi, I'm Riley

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I have been married for almost 8 years. I am a father of three children, two girls and a boy, ages 6, 3 and (almost) 2. I am an electrical engineer for a space and defense company. I am almost done with a masters degree in astronautical engineering.

Why I am a Mormon

My parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and back to the 1800s have been Mormons. I have some ancestors who were pioneers who traveled on the Mormon trail by wagon to Salt Lake City. Even though my family has been part of this church for a long time, I still came to know that it is true by reading the Bible and the Book of Mormon and praying about them. I also prayed to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It was through prayer and study, that I received my own personal witness through the Holy Ghost that the this is the Church of Jesus Christ.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I served a two year mission to Milan, Italy beginning at age 19. I had always planned to go on a mission, but during my freshman year of college I knew I needed to be ready to serve. I prayed to know that serving a mission was the right thing to do and to know that I was ready to serve. I read an article in the Ensign magazine of the church about missionaries and it had a picture of two missionaries walking on a road. I knew then that serving a mission was the right thing to do. I wanted to share how the Book of Mormon could help people draw closer to Jesus Christ and how Joseph Smith had been called as a prophet. I served as a way to show my love for others by sharing the Gospel with them.

How I live my faith

It is important to me to live my faith by being religious every day and not just by going to church on Sunday. I pray with my family and read the scriptures with them so that my children can know about Jesus. I try to lead my family by being a good example of love and kindness. I serve others in my ward by working with other husbands and fathers and encouraging them to be better in those roles. I believe that it is through our families that we can best serve Jesus Christ by serving those closest to us.

How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ?

Riley answered...

Jesus said in John 7:17, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." To increase our faith in Jesus Christ we must first do what He teaches us. As we obey His commandments and do His will, we can learn that those teachings are true and come from God by the joy it brings us. We will see a change for better in our lives and realize it is through our faith in Him that this changes has come. This will increase our faith and help us to continue to be obedient.
Mark answered...

How do you increase your muscle mase? You work out, eat healthy, keep your mind sharpe, and do things right and correctly. Same thing is with our faith in Jesus Christ. We need to use our faith in Him. We do that by doing what he has asked us to do, and follow His example in all things. We will not know what life holds for us until we go and do things to expand our knowledge. The same thing is with faith. Try accomplishing one of His commandments, and see the miricles and blessings and knowledge from doing it.

What is being a Mormon like?

Kristin answered...

Many people think that being a Mormon is very strict and holds people back from experiencing all that life has to offer. However, I know that it is the exact opposite. In The Book of Mormon, an ancient governor named Pahoran tells us that the spirit of God is the spirit of freedom. I know this principle to be true. The things of the world bind us with feelings of guilt, sorrow, envy, hatred, doubt, judgment, chaos, and confusion. The things of God bring peace, contentment, happiness, joy, satisfaction, clarity, and love. Through family relationships, The Book of Mormon, communication with a loving Father in Heaven, repentance, baptism, church attendance, and making sacred promises in God's holy temple, I have experienced these feelings of freedom. Being a Mormon is not just something I do, it is who I am! Mormonism is not just a belief, it is a lifestyle. This lifestyle has provided me with clarity, purpose, value, and direction. I will forever proclaim the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! It is Christ's true church upon the earth. It is the pathway to true joy in this life and the life to come!