Hi, I'm Sonny MacCourtney

Grew up in New Zealand, half Fijian, half Maori, im a Mormon

About Me

Was brought up by my grandparents. My nana, shes the coolest! Her and my Grandpa trained me in the way i should go from a very young age. Lived in a little valley called Pipiwai, its near Whangarei, New Zealand, everyone's your cousin there, then I went to a fancy as Anglican High School. I'm 20 years old, currently serving a Mormon Mission in Sydney Australia. Its crazy! Teaching people about the restored gospel is hard and challenging, but worth every bit. I live a pretty ordinary life. I got a Nana, a little sister, and a Mum.

Why I am a Mormon

Growing up, it was because I didn't want to disappoint my grandparents but now, the Gospels my life. I've received a spiritual witness for myself of it's truthfulness and because of that, nothing else matters.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I know he's a true Prophet of God.

How I live my faith

By serving the Lord in Sydney Australia

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Sonny MacCourtney answered...

Nah... If you dont want to go then you stay home. Young men aged 19 and older are encouraged to but its not required.
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Taylor answered...

Quite simply, no. The young men of the church have been strongly encouraged to serve a mission at age 19, and the sisters are able to serve at age 21, but no one is required to serve. We do it because we want to! Who in their right mind would give up two years and pay that's right, missionaries pay their own way to go somewhere they had never been and do all that they do? We serve missions becuase we know that Jesus is the Christ, and we want the happiness that knowledge bring to be available to everyone! So no, Mormons are not required to serve a mission. It's a personal choice to share the happiness and joy they've received from the Gospel.

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

Mary answered...

I have many homosexual friends, and I have best friends who are gay rights activists. They know my stand on same-sex marriage, and I know theirs, but guess what? We are still friends. I hope you and I can be friends too, as I try to explain a portion of what I feel about the issue of same-sex marriage.

According to principles that I believe were established by God to protect both men and women and provide for their temporal and eternal welfare, only marriage between a man and woman is allowed. This marriage must entail complete fidelity from both parties. Just as post-marital sexual desires and impulses should be controlled, pre-marital ones are equally tameable.

The LDS Church penalizes no one based on their sexual orientation. What someone feels is not equal to what they do. Once someone acts on same-sex attraction, they are committing sin. Merely being attracted is not a sin. It is not easy or simple or enjoyable to suppress one's physical appetites. Frankly, I'm not even sure of all the reasons it is commanded that we do so (though I know of the basic reasons). What I do know (and believe me when I say I do know this) is that God has ordained marriage between man and woman. He always has reasons, and we usually don't understand them for quite some time. But I know with all my heart that it is for the good of all people, regardless of sexual orientation, that marriage only be permited between a man and a woman.