Hi, I'm Devin

I'm a young man who is a missionary. I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

About Me

I love to play the piano. Something about making music is really enjoyable to me. I prefer to play songs that people around can sing, but not necessarily at the same time. It's fun to make arrangements of songs that I hear around, and play them in different styles. Music really touches the heart, and music that is uplifting uplifts us to act and do good things.

Why I am a Mormon

I was first a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because my mother brought me to church when I went to nursery. I have grown and studied God's words, I have gained a knowledge of their truthfulness. For example, listening to a talk by the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson helps me to be reminded daily of what it means to follow Jesus Christ, so I can try to improve.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Latter-day Saints, young and old, leave their families for an extended period of time in order to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is called a mission. Most missionaries are young men who are at least 19. The reason why somebody would go on a mission is because want to teach others to give them a hope for eternal life based on Christ's sacrifice. We want to let them know that there is a resurrection, that our lives matter, and that we have the potential to live in eternal joy after this life. People can learn this for themselves through study, prayer, and faithfully testing out the words that the missionaries teach.

I am on a mission because I want to show people the gospel. Each person who desires to believe in Christ and in Christ's church goes through a change of heart. This comes through taking time to discern the truth of the gospel, through scripture study and Church attendance, as well as striving to be a better person through repentance.

I know Christ lives, and I know that He has established His true and living Church on the earth. It is here today. God has worked through prophets and many faithful saints members of the Church to establish His word and His Church today. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, and that all the Prophets who were sent of God were true, even until President Thomas S. Monson. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

How I live my faith

As a Latter-day Saint, I do certain things to be active in the Church. For example, I attend Church often and pay tithing. However, I also try to remember that of all the things I do, no action is a ticket to live with God in the Celestial Kingdom forever. It is actually a recognition that Jesus Christ loves me enough to pay the difference for me (and for everyone). Learning this ever-true and great principle is how I want to live my faith.

What is the priesthood?

Devin answered...

The priesthood is the authority to act in God's name. The priesthood is service. The following scripture tells how the priesthood ought to be used
" . . . the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness....No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile. . . " (Doctrine and Covenants 121:36,41-42).

I know that the priesthood of God has been restored on the earth today.
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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?

Miriam answered...

We believe that all sexual activity should be reserved for marriage and that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

We do not deny anyone the right to choose. Hate has no place in our church.