Hi, I'm Samuel

I'm a music geek, soccer fan and medical genius......yea right, and I'm a mormon.

About Me

I am from a small town in Idaho. I love everything about music, I plan to learn all types of instruments, but for right now I sing and play the piano. I played a little bit of soccer when I was little and a little bit on my spare time with friends, but never in school, our school was too small. I am planning to go to college to become a Physicians Assistant, I feel really comfortable working in the Medical Field because I love helping people and it makes me happy when I see others happy. I am currently serving a mission in the Mississippi Jackson Mission! I love Mississippi! I have served in Shreveport Louisiana, Hattiesburg Mississippi, Ocean Springs Mississippi and Brookhaven Mississippi. I am having the time of my life. I love talking with people about my faith. I hope to be able to share all I can with everyone I meet.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in the church. I had amazing parents who wanted me to be happy, they made that possible by taking us to church every sunday and reading the scriptures and praying as a family every morning before school. Every time I go to church, I am surrounded people who love me and want me to be happy, I love that kind of atmosphere. Whenever I read the Book of Mormon I feel my Savior's love for me, I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church. This church makes me happy and isn't that God's plan?

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I know that Joseph Smith saw God and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that they both talked to him. I know that Joseph Smith restored the true church on the earth today. Whenever I read the account when Joseph had his vision (The First Vision) I feel so happy and every time I feel peace in my soul. I know that God loves us enough to send us his prophets. I know that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. I am so grateful for what he did for us. He translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God and restored the true Gospel. This has brought me such peace in my life.

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

I love music! Music is my favorite thing in the world! I have been blessed with the ability to sing and play the piano. One day, before I left on my mission, I was playing the piano and singing in our living room. I just finished singing a song so I just played one of my favorite songs, "There Is a Green Hill Far Away" from the EFY songbook. I had no idea that my mother was listening to the music that I was playing and singing. She came from the kitchen and watched me finish the song, and I looked up and noticed that she had tears in her eyes. She said, "Samuel, that was wonderful."

Through our talents and gifts we can bless the lives of others by helping them feel good. I was about to leave for my mission and my mother was going through a hard time because she was going to miss me. Hearing that song made her feel good. We need to let our lights shine. God has given us special gifts, we need to share them with the world.

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

Comming on a mission has definately increased my faith in Jesus Christ. I know that he is with me guiding and protecting me. I have come to really trust in God and in His Son Jesus Christ, that no matter what happens he will be with me, for good or for bad, he will be with me. I haven't been seriously ill, and I have never broken a bone, I know that these are blessings of my Savior.

How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?

I love this book. I cant describe the feelings I have towards the Book of Mormon, other than, "It IS true!" It is exactly what it is called on its cover, "Another Testament of Jesus Christ". This wonderful book has touched my heart. Every single time that I read it, I learn how I can better become more like my Savior. I learn more of Him every time I read from its pages. One thing that I learned from reading the Book of Mormon is how much God really does love us. I think that is the overall message of the Book of Mormon. In the Book of Mormon, there is a part that really touches my soul. In the book 3 Nephi, it recounts the event of how our Savior Jesus Christ appeared to those people, and how he blessed them, and taught them. I love this book and I know that it can bless your life, because it has saved mine.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

For me, at first I came on my mission simply out of obligation, but now, I have realized that its more than just obligation. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, if I know that this church is true then I would be selfish not to share that with the world. I love the people of Mississippi, I am no longer here for me, I am here for them. I am here to invite others to come unto Christ. I cant say why other people go on missions but I know why I did, I want to help others find what gives me happiness and joy. Knowing that I am a child of my Father in Heaven gives me peace. I know that He loves me and everyone else. I came on a mission to share God's word with His children.

Think about your everyday activities. What are things you act upon each day where you cannot see the end results? How does faith move you to action?

Well, for the next 9 or so months my everyday activities are spreading the Gospel. Being a missionary, I have wondered many times if the work I am doing is even worth my time, if it is even right. One night, I woke up around 1:30 in the morning and I couldn't sleep, I wasn't happy, I wanted to go home, I missed my family and I wasn't even sure what the heck I was doing out here on the mission. I went into our little living room and sat on our couch and thought and thought for a good while. I just wanted to know if the work that I was doing was right. Throughout my whole mission I have been taught to "Look to Heaven" to find answers to all my questions, so I did that. I knelt down and prayed and asked God if what I was doing is right, and I felt, well, I cant really describe what I felt, but it felt good. My soul was comforted and my heart was at ease. I have faith that the work that I am doing is going to benefit somone out here in Mississippi. My whole mission has been all about faith. Faith in Jesus Christ that is.

Can you think of a specific challenge in your family that Gospel Principles helped overcome?

I have always been taught, throughout my life, that our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers if we have faith in Him. This experience I hold dear because this person has changed our family for all eternity.

For the first 13 years of my life I was in a family of five boys, and my Mother and Father. My mom has always wanted a girl. My mother isnt able to have children but she still wanted a girl. She finally talked to my Father about adopting a little girl from China. I remember one morning we were gathered together as a family, we were about to have our family prayer when my Mother and Father had an announcement for us, she told us that they were both thinking about adopting a little girl from China. I remember being so excited when my parents told us that. It was great news and we were all very excited. My Father wasn't too sure though, I remember him telling me how he knew that this decisioin to adopt was right. He was praying in his classroom (in my dad's classroom there is a bomb shelter, he prayed in there for privacy) and as he prayed and asked our Father in Heaven if we should adopt this little girl, he said that he felt that it was the right thing to do and that it would be ok. It wasn't cheep either, it cost allot of money but God made us a way.

When I was in six grade, my parents made the trip to China to pick up the newest member of our family. They returned two weeks later with our new baby sister in their arms. When I first saw her, I knew that what we did was right and that God really was directing my parents. God answered my Mother's prayers and because my Father had the faith, God answered his. We later took my new baby sister to the Idaho Falls Temple to be ceiled to our Family for all time and eternity.

That was a big example for me on how prayer and faith works. I know that our Father in Heaven answers our prayers. He loves us and I know that He loves you and will answer your prayers if you have faith in Him.

How I live my faith

Well, currently I am a missionary, I am going around Mississippi sharing the gospel with all people. I wake up every morning at 6:30 and study until 10 am, then we go out and spread the Gospel until 9 at night. So in a nut shell we do missionary work full time. Awesome huh!! It is hard, but I really enjoy it. It is something that really builds my faith in the Savior Jesus Christ. I have never, in my whole life, felt closer to my Savior Jesus Christ then by being a missionary. It feels so good to be able to teach people about our Savior! I feel like being a missionary has changed my whole outlook on life. Being a missionary, I have come to realize how powerfull the Atonement of Jesus Chirst is. I love him!!

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Samuel answered...

We believe that families can be together forever, through eternal marriage in the Temple. For me, knowing this makes me feel so happy knowing that even though that family members will eventually pass away I WILL see them again, that this isn't the end. I will be with my family for all eternity, and when I get married, I will be with my wife and my children for eternity. When I think of that, my soul is at rest, that marriage doesn't need to be "till death do you part". I am excited to get married in the temple, so that I can be married to my wife for time and eternity.
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Daniel answered...

When married by earthly power and the authority of man, our vows are "Until death do you part."

We believe that families can be together forever as part of our Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness. His Work and His Glory is to bring to pass the exaltation and eternal life of man. He wants us to be even as He is and to return home to live with Him again.

Through the ordinances of his Holy Temples, God's son's and daughter's are able to make covenants. Through the power of His Holy Priesthood, be sealed together for all of time and eternity as Husband and Wife, parents and children.

Families were designed and instituted by God with the intent that they be forever. The love we feel in this life does not need to be cut off when we die. Those who have already died are not lost us forever. God has mercifully made a way by which all who would accept these saving ordinances can do so, living or dead.

We perform these ordinances for those who have in the past died so that they may have the opportunity of accepting them on the other side if they so choose to do so.

Why do Mormon missionaries proselyte?

Nick answered...

Our decision to serve missions is motivated by our belief in the Gospel and our desire to fulfill the Savior's command to "preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15. The Gospel teaches us that we are all sons and daughters of God, and so we feel a kinship with all of God's children and a desire to help them enjoy the peace in this life that the Gospel provides.Our missionaries are not salesman and won't take much of your time, but I know that your decision to invite them into your home will change your life for good!