Hi, I'm Mark

I grew up a farmboy. My family is my world. And I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I love shooting and hunting. I love playing soccer and hanging out with friends. My greatest joy is my beautiful wife and daughter.

Why I am a Mormon

In high school I had alot of Mormon friends. Their examples and the way that their families interacted with eachother really impressed me. I wanted to have a family like they did. I wanted my family to get along like they did, to love like they did, and to be happy like they were. I didn't know it then, but what I wanted was a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I have found those things in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that following the example of the Savior and the counsel of living prophets and apostles has made me a better and happier person. It has made me a better husband and father.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.

When I learned that Christ's Church was again on the earth it just seemed right. It made sense to me that God loved me just as much as someone who lived in the time of Christ; that He would send prophets--men He chose to teach us about Him--to help me know who He was and how I could follow him.

How I live my faith

I live my faith through everything I do. My actions and my words are a product of my faith. I strive to be a good example to those around me and leave each person I talk to feeling better about themselves afterwards.
I have the opportunity monthly to visit other members of my congregation. I get to share my testimony and feelings about my Savior with them, as well as serve them and assist them with any needs they have. I cherish the chance to forget myself and serve others around me.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Mark answered...

No. But as one who has served a mission, I count it as one of the greatest blessings of my life. It has affected who I am as a person, a son, brother, husband and father.
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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 do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Nadja answered...

How could we ever hope for anything if it weren't for the grace offered by our Saviour Jesus Christ?

God is just - which means His laws are just. They are eternal. This means that His dealings towards us will always be just, but it also means that He exacts justice from us, His children. Regardless of the commandment or law, justice demands a recompense for obedience, but also a punishment (or consequence) for disobedience.

Jesus Christ has paid for these trespasses, and He willingly extends that payment to each one who earns or deserves it. This grace is awarded based on our repentance, a change of heart so profound, we abandon the desire to repeat the offense.

That is grace: forgiveness (meaning: not having to suffer ourselves for our own mistakes and disobedience) which follows sincere repentance. What an incredible gift!