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

Jesus Christ established the LDS Church through modern prophets in order to provide all of us the spiritual blessings, teachings, and support we need to become Christ’s disciples and to eventually return to live with him. The Church does this by focusing on helping Church members live the gospel of Jesus Christ, sharing that gospel with others through missionary work, performing baptisms and other holy ceremonies for our deceased ancestors, and caring for the poor and needy.

Most of my work to help others live the gospel of Jesus Christ happens at home as I raise my children and teach them to pray and follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. I am not the world’s greatest father, but as I pray and try to follow Christ’s example, we have greater peace in our home and we are all blessed by the Lord. Occasionally I am asked to give a sermon during our Sunday worship service. I also serve in whatever volunteer service opportunities I am offered at church. I have taught children, youth, and adult Sunday School classes. Men and women in the Church are also assigned other families from Church to visit each month and to attend to their physical and spiritual needs. This takes me away from my family several times a month, but the Lord seems to bless us as we try to follow his example and teachings. I know that I have learned and grown as I have left my own comfort areas and accepted opportunities to serve others. Other times I just enjoy meeting with others and gain strength from being with them in our worship services, or at parties and other social events in our congregation.

I share the gospel with others through answering questions about Christ and the Church in person and here on the internet :-). I served as a full-time missionary for two years in Ecuador between my freshman and sophomore years of college. I have also served for several years as a part-time volunteer to help the full-time missionaries in my local area. I have had the opportunity to teach thousands of people about Christ and the LDS Church that he restored through modern prophets and apostles, and I have seen hundreds gain greater joy and happiness by accepting these teachings and following the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have also spent many hours researching my own ancestry and performing baptisms and other sacred ceremonies for them in our LDS temples. Before I was a missionary in Ecuador, I worked on the construction crew that built the LDS temple in Portland, Oregon. I love the work we do in the temples. It brings me peace and joy, and I believe it makes it possible for those who have passed on to join us in a larger community of believers and share in the blessings of the gospel.

As a member of the Church I also try to help those who are poor and needy. I contribute a significant portion of my income to the Church and other charities, and at least once a month I fast from all food and drink for 24 hours and donate to the poor and needy what funds I would otherwise have used for food. I also spend many hours each weekend and many week day evenings visiting those who are sick or otherwise in need of assistance. Mormons are famous for helping each other. Sometimes we take food to those who are sick. We seem to specialize in loading and unloading moving vans for those who are moving in our out of our area! But we don’t just serve our own church members. We try to serve all who we find in need. Sometimes that just means shoveling snow from my neighbor’s walk, or assisting someone who is broken down on the side of the road. Other times we join in larger efforts to help individuals as well as to address larger social needs. I am far from perfect in this area of my life, but as I prayerfully look for ways to help others, the Lord always leads me to people who I am able to help.