Hi, I'm Nathan

I'm from a family of five brothers, and have a young family of my own now. I have Crohn's disease, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I read and write as a hobby, enjoy being a husband and daddy, and despite some serious health setbacks with Crohn's Disease, am living after a manner of happiness while pursuing a career to support my family.

Why I am a Mormon

Probably more precious to me than anything else is the knowledge of how much our Heavenly Father loves us, and that as often and as much as we turn to Him for help, He will always be there for us. This knowledge has kept me strong when so much around me seemed to fall apart. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ has brought this assurance into my life.

I owe my faith, the strength of my family, and my own personal character and quality, to the testimony I recieved from the Holy Ghost of this restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel its truth with every earnest prayer, and with every sincere study of the holy scriptures. I love this gospel, and the truth that brings such happiness and peace to me and my family.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

A few short years ago while I was advancing toward a college degree, and while my wife and I were expecting our first child, I experienced sudden and quickly worsening health problems that took me out of school and my part time job, leaving me severely debilitated and unable to function.

My wife continued to work her full-time job for the duration of her pregnancy while we tried to make sense of what was happening, but the strain was taking a hard toll and we spent many nights in tearful prayer to our Heavenly Father while we looked in vain for solutions.

During that period of intense hardship and equally intense prayer, I found an overwhelming and constant peace enter into my life as I turned more and more toward God. All my fear vanished, replaced by trust in Heavenly Father.

An emergency surgery followed a diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis, and after a difficult period of initial recovery, I came home from one hospital as a grateful and tearful new father on the same day my wife and newborn baby girl came home from another.

For my wife and I, prayer had extended a lifeline to the heavens, and to that loving Eternal Father who we found already reaching back to us in so many ways.

The trial is not passed, but the ability to pray to my Heavenly Father and recieve assurances of His love and support whenever my courage falters has been too precious for words.

How I live my faith

As a teacher of youth and a resource for other teachers in my local ward, I do the best I can and trust that the Lord will supplement my efforts.

How can I know Mormonism is true?

Nathan answered...

We want so badly to have tangible evidence. We are inclined to look for it in everything before accepting something as true. Faith cannot work like this. Thomas the Apostle wanted so badly to see and feel the prints of the nails in Christ's hands and feet, but Christ taught him that you are more blessed to first believe, even without seeing.

Faith is our evidence of those things we cannot see with our eyes just yet. The Holy Ghost, through feelings, is our guide to these truths, if we ask the Father in faith. I knew by the feelings in my heart these principles were true, long before I thought to pray for the confirmation. The confirmation that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Jesus Christ's restored church was ultimately just that, confirmation of what I had already felt in my heart through study and participation.
Sean answered...

Before I was baptized, a missionary told me that I could read the Book of Mormon and find out for myself if it was true. I liked that idea. I've always been a person who wanted to know the truth for myself. After the missionary had suggested I read it, I decided to try. It was a big step of faith to pick up a book and read it without knowing for sure. Over time, I developed a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true.

The same goes for knowing if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Christ once again established on this earth. A simple prayer to your Heavenly Father can open so many doors of truth.

The real way that I know it is true is how it has helped my life. Without the Church, I'd be lost. I am grateful for it, and for the knowledge I have that it is true.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Daniel. answered...

No. I've never even met the man.

One night I was on the front row of a concert. A big star came to the edge of the stage and held out his hand. EVERYONE rushed forward, climbing over each other, pushing and wedging themselves along, just to touch him. I almost got caught up in that too, and was about to rush ahead when a little voice kicked in "He's just a man. What's the big deal?" At that moment I vowed to never adulate anything less than deity. I will not go to my knees for anyone but a Loving God.

I respect Joseph Smith like I respect any man who tries his best to live according to his conscience. I hope maybe one day I'll get to chat with him over lunch--or over whatever kind of meal they offer in the life beyond. But I cannot worship a man, for why should I place and value one person any higher than another?