Hi, I'm Luis

I grew up in Chico, California where I enjoy the outdoors. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a dad of two beautiful daughters and two dare devil sons that are the joys of my life. My wonderful wife is a hard working stay at home mom that takes care of all of us. I love playing soccer, running and anything Apple. My friends call me the Apple tree because I have every Apple gadget that is out. I also enjoy camping, bike riding, swimming and anything that allows me to spend time with my wonderful family.

Why I am a Mormon

As a young man I was raised by parents that were Mormon and was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a young man my parents allowed me to visit other denominations with friends and family members that allowed me to see how other religions practiced their faith. I felt that they all had good principles but each lacked something different and I received strong confirmation through answer to prayers and experiences that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true Church of our Heavenly Father upon the earth. I Love that the Church invites all to find out through prayer and study that the Church is true on their own. I would invite you to do the same.

Personal Stories

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

In 2003 my younger brother had just returned home from serving a two year mission in Brazil and had been home three weeks when he was killed in a car accident. The man that was driving the other car was running red lights because he was not able to buy something at small store with a check. When I recieved the news that my brother had died in a car crash it was the most painful news that I had ever received in my life. Even though I felt great pain at the loss of my closest brother that I had grown up with, I felt a great peace from the knowledge that my brother had been taken to a place of great joy and peace. I also felt a peaceful confirmation that he was where the Lord wants him.

I reflect on that experience and can't imagine how much harder it would have been for me to not have the knowledge of where my brother went. Knowing the plan of salvation that I had the opportunity to teach many people in Peru during my time serving as a full time missionary had prepared me for this specific challenge in my life. Many blessing have come as a result of that hard time in my life and that of my family be we are stronger as a result.

Now my oldest son bares the name of his great uncle.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by serving as the Lord asks through my local leaders. Recently my family and I were asked to serve the Spanish speaking population of the Chico and Orland area. I feel that it is important to attend church meeting every Sunday so that we can strengthen the understanding and relationship that we need to continually work on with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
I love that as a Mormon we have the duty of visiting our fellow brothers and sisters of our congregation in their homes to share special messages with them and find way to serve them.
I also currently have the opportunity to work closely with the Bishop of our congregation were I help scheduling those that desire to council with him.
In the past I have worked with the Youth in the Boy Scout Program and I alway enjoy the opportunity to do outings with the youth.

What is the priesthood?

Luis answered...

It is the power and authority of God given to men to serve others. With the priesthood it is intended to bless the lives of others. With the priesthood men that are worthy may place there hands on those that request a blessing and we can ask for power from heaven to come upon them as the Lord inspires.
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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.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Mandy answered...

We believe that God loves all of His children and that none of us are mistakes. Earth life is a time for us to meet challenges and overcome our weaknesses as we rely on the Lord. We are all unique, and so it makes sense that different people have different challenges. Just because one challenge seems harder than another, that doesn't limit God's ability to help us understand and overcome it.

As disciples of Christ, we are to love everyone and look for the goodness in everything. The family is central to God's plan. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and this relationship allows us to grow closer to God. Marriage is more about what you can offer and sacrifice for your spouse than for what you can receive out of it.