Hi, I'm Nate

and I'm a Mormon

About Me

I am a returned missionary for the Church. My mom is a strong member and I am the eldest of 6 kids. My step-dad is not a member, but he is a wonderful husband and father. My biological dad is as of late an active member of the Church... one of many blessings for serving a mission. I love my family and the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. My hobbies and interests include any and all types of physical exercise, automotive mechanics, and anything outdoors. I am a very hands on individual and very laid back when I do not have a large "To-Do List."

Why I am a Mormon

I have studied, pondered, and prayed about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and have recieved powerful witness of its validity by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Restored Gospel of Jesus Chirst has filled a void in my life that has not been filled by any other means.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I know the Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet. I know that he did translate the Book of Mormon and other writings through the gift and power of God. He is not greater than Christ in any way. In the words of a Latter-Day Prophet, I paraphrase, "Joseph Smith has done more for the salvation of mankind that any other man who has walked the face of it; Save Jesus Christ only!"

How does making right choices help us make more right choices?

As we strive to make good choices in our day to day lives, our Heavenly Father is happy. As result, He blesses us with greater happiness, light, knowledge, and understanding. This comes through the influence of the Holy Ghost. As we better learn and understand the Gospel, we can better choose the difference between good and evil. We ultimately begin to see life in a clearer and more eternal perspective.

This has been the case for me in my life. I can see a huge difference between who I was and who I am now. I now realize and understand that I was a slave to a great many things. In my youth, I thought that these things brought happiness. The more that I participated in them, the more unhappy I became until I was ultimately lost.

I became blind to the truths of the Gospel was unable to recognize the Holy Ghost. It was not until I began to make corrections in my life, that I began to feel the Holy Ghost more abundantly. The Holy Ghost then helped me to make greater changes and overcome greater addictions.

I am now free from the chains of those addictions and enjoy far greater joy and happiness than I ever knew as a wayward son of our Heavenly Father.

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

The Book of Mormon has changed my life and I would dare to say saved it as well. The path that I was going down, before recieving a testimony (witness of truth) of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, only had two outcomes... death or prison time. Each day I grow closer to our Savior as I strive to understand the writings in the sacred record, but more importantly as I striving to listen to the teachings of the Holy Ghost that always come when I choose to read it.

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

There has been no greater joy in my life that to serve our Savior as a missionary. I have learned and grown far more than I have at any other period in my life. My love for the Christ and all of mankind is sure. The mission has changed my very character in such a way that I have no desire to return to wickedness, but to proclaim peace and love to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. I am gateful to our Savior and our Heavenly Father for this opportunity.

How has attending Church services helped you?

At Church we get to partake of the sacrament, or communion. As we partake of the sacrament we renew the covenants that we make at baptism; that we will always remember the life of our Savior and His atoning sacrifice, and keep his commandments. As I do so, I feel the sanctifying/cleansing power of the Holy Ghost enabling me to start the week with a fresh commitment to follow Jesus Christ.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I chose to serve a mission because I know the truthfulness of the Gospel, the power that can come into one's life through true faith on our Lord, the healing power of the Atonement (Christ's Infinite Sacrifice), and the overwhelming joy of living a life free of addiction and wickedness.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

In my youth, rather than follow the teachings and counsel of the Church and loving parents, I chose my own path. I was an athiest, rebelious, selfish, and everything that I did could not fill a void that I had in my life. At the counsel of a Bishop (the head of a local congregation), I read and prayed about the Book of Mormon.

After I had read and prayed to know the truthfulness of the sacred record, I recieved a marvelous witness to the truthfulness of it. I know that it was the power of the Holy Ghost that bore powerful witness to me of the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It was through divine help that I was able to overcome many of my addictions, from my previous life-style, and serve our Savior as a missionary for His Church. I know that Christ lives and loves each and every one of us and it is only through Him that we can recieve all the blessings that our Heavenly Father has made available to us.

How has your knowledge of the Plan of Happiness changed/benefited your life?

The limited knowledge and understanding that I have of the Plan of Happiness has given me Hope.

I know and trust that I can repent/change. I know that as I do the best I can each day, that Christ, through His infinite atonement, can heal me and help me to be the best human being that I can possibly be. It has given me hope in an eternal family unit, that even I, can become a good husband and father. I can contribute to something. I can help others who have been where I have been. I can simply do anything that I choose to.

However, I can not choose the consequences of my actions. The Great Plan of Happiness has given me knowledge and understanding.

Knowledge of good and evil, of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, and Their Work and Glory, Their character, and Their love for us. Understanding of the Gospel and its simplicity, who I am, and so much more.

A knowledge of the Plan of Happiness has changed my life, and has benefited it with each change that the Lord has helped me make.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

I have never, to the best of my recolection, had a prayer go unanswered. Our Heavenly Father answers all of our prayers whether small or great. He will answer in His own way and in His own time, but he always answers. His way and timing is always better than ours anyway LoL.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

"Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises."
I have hope that as I strive to serve the Lord, He will continue to change my very natures from canal and sensual to that of a saint, disciple, or true follower of Christ. I have hope that I will have an eternal family unit and that He will bless my efforts to glorify Him and proclaim His Gospel. I have hope that I am obedient to His teachings and commandments that He will bring me back to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

How I live my faith

I strive to live every aspect of my life in accordance to the teachings of Chirst. I get up early every morning to study, ponder, and pray about the writings in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and other sacred writings. I strive to emulate the example and life of our Redeemer in all that I do, say, and think. I strive to show love and respect for all of His creations by being a friend at all times.

What is the Mormon lifestyle like? How do Mormons live?

Nate answered...

As someone who has lived on both ends of the spectrum, I know that a true Mormon (Latter-Day Saint) lifestyle has brought me the most joy, peace, and happiness than anything I have ever expierienced. Before I left on my mission, I went to school for about 14 hours a week, worked about 20 hours, exercised about 10, and to church for about 3 to 4 (4 hours due to callings). The remainder of my time was spent either sleeping, playing with my family, attending Church Socials, spending time with friends (Mormon and non-Mormon), helping the local missionaries with appointments, and liesure activities. Since I have recieved a testimony of the Restored Gospel, and sought to live the precepts and principles, I have found more freedom, more time, and a more fulfilling life than what I had known previously. Why would I ever want to return.
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Serge answered...

Family is everything to us. Our family spends lots of our free time together because we like each other. Life gets crazy with teenagers, dance practice, after school academic decathlon, usually with a toddler in tow, but no matter what, every Monday night is Family Night.

The kids know that every Monday we spend time together and nothing gets in the way of it. It's our commitment to each other. We bake cookies, have lessons about the Savior, work on personal goals, go to the park, go geocaching, play board games or just go out for ice cream.

We do lots of things together. The point is that at least once a week we spend an hour or two together, just for the sake of being together, just because we love being together as a family. It's not as perfect as it may sound, with all the poking and "she's in my spot," and all the other crazy things family members do to each other when scrambling for a spot in the living room, but we try real hard. It takes effort to make sure we don't miss, but it's worth it.

I'm not sure the kids will remember all the games we played, the places we went or what we did, but I hope they always remember that we loved each other enough to dedicate one night a week to be with each other. And that we spent every Monday night together for as many Mondays as they can remember because family is everything to us, and every member of our family is important.

What is being a Mormon like?

Melinda answered...

I think of it as my life style not just my religion. The church is set up to support you and nurture your spiritual growth. That growth comes from involvement with church activities and supporting others. We look out for each other, not just physically but spiritually as well.

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Joseph Smith

As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.

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