Hi, I'm Daniel.

I'm a Computer Geek, a runner, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was born in Louisiana and lived there for seven years. While here I developed a love for the outdoors. My family then moved to Kansas to be closer to my Grandparents. Being close to my Grandparents brought me a love for family. This love of family taught me a love for bird watching, which was a result of a feather collection and time spent with my Uncle. We lived close to family for five years and then we felt guided to move to Nebraska. Here I met many new friends and they taught me a love for video games! Soon, five years later, my Dad got a job offer that would take us to Wyoming which is where we are today. I'm still working at loving the whole Country music thing but my friends here taught me to make your own fun. Like who would ever think of jumping on a trampoline in sleeping bags? Or playing laser tag in a Movie Theater? All along the way I had the opportunity to meet lots of new and wonderful people. I believe that God guides us in many ways and puts people in our path to help us learn and grow. Recently I got back from serving two years in Canada. Here I met many wonderful people that I felt were there for me to talk to, and hopefully some of them feel the same about me. Now I am a student at college going for a Computer Science degree. I love spending time with the young single adults in the area and feel very blessed to have always have good friends no matter were I go.

Why I am a Mormon

I was brought up Mormon, but putting that aside lets talk about why I continue to practice. There comes a point in everyone's life where you question the things you have been taught. For me it came when I lived in a tiny town and there weren't many members of the Church, especially my age. All of my friends were outside of the Church and we had a lot of fun together. However, as we started growing older together our paths started to divide. This was mainly due to the different standards or values that each of us had grown up with. We still had fun together, but I found that some of the activities they wanted to do didn't agree with what I had been taught. My friends were great and accepted me for who I was and didn't pressure me to change. However, I still found myself being pulled towards joining in what looked like fun. This caused an inward struggle for me of which people tried to help me resolve, although I knew that only I could really resolve it. So I put what I had been taught to the test. That test was the Book of Mormon challenge because many people know that if the Book of Mormon fails then so does the whole Church. I decided I would read it from start to finish and pray to find out if it was true or fit the test and test results. So I read the entire 531 pages of the Book of Mormon and then got on my knees to ask God if it was true. I don't remember what I said in my prayer. I do remember knowing that I had two options: 1) that He could tell me to have fun with my friends or 2) that He could tell me the Book of Mormon was correct. All I needed was for Him to guide me to which path I should follow. After asking in prayer I remember feeling a swell of emotions and then a great sense of peace, calm, and joy. I knew I had my answer because this inward struggle was gone and I could think and act clearly, which I hadn't done for awhile because of being torn on two sides. That answer has been a blessing and a foundation for my life ever since.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Mormons go on Missions because we believe that we have a very important message to share, the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Christ's original Church the Apostles went on "Missions" to spread the good news that Christ lives. I recently returned from a Mission in Canada and so I'll also tell you why I went. I went on a Mission for a couple of reasons First I knew it was the right thing to do and second I watched my older brothers go on Missions and the change and growth I saw from the time they left to the time they came back was unbelievable. I feel like I experienced that growth as well. There isn't a day that goes by that some experience or memory, from my Mission, doesn't flash in front of me. I wouldn't trade those two years of service for anything.

How I live my faith

I live my faith each day by trying to be a good person. I try and treat others the way I want to be treated. I also stand up for my beliefs and also respect others. For two years I had the opportunity to share my faith everyday as a Missionary in the Canada Vancouver Mission. Here I got to share what I believe, help serve the community through service, and meet people to learn how they live their faith. Now that I'm home I still get to spend a lot of time with the Missionaries. I love it. Sharing what you believe and trying to help others have a happier life is something you really can't explain. Even if it means just a simple simile or inviting them to come enjoy a game. The small things are really what make the difference.

Why do Mormon missionaries proselyte?

Daniel. answered...

Missionaries proselyte to share what they have learned and to invite others to learn. It comes from a desire to follow the example Christ set by inviting people to follow Him.
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Nick answered...

Our decision to serve missions is motivated by our belief in the Gospel and our desire to fulfill the Savior's command to "preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15. The Gospel teaches us that we are all sons and daughters of God, and so we feel a kinship with all of God's children and a desire to help them enjoy the peace in this life that the Gospel provides.Our missionaries are not salesman and won't take much of your time, but I know that your decision to invite them into your home will change your life for good!

Why don’t women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? How do Mormon women lead in the Church?

Madelyn answered...

I feel that men and women both have different but equally important roles in getting us back to God. In God's eternal plan we were spirits in His presence before this life. To progress we needed to get bodies on this earth, then perform specific ordinances (eg baptism, marriage) to return to God after this life. Women were given the godly power to bring spirits into this world and give them bodies, then nurture and raise these children with God's inspiration and guidance. The men were assigned the responsibility (through the God's Priesthood power) to serve others and administer the ordinances that will bring God's children back to His presence after this life. Both roles are necessary and equally important to God's plan for us.
I don't think women need the Priesthood to be powerful influences and to do God's work in their homes and in the church. I see men grow spiritually, and their characters become more godly when they act in God's name through using the Priesthood.
I have never felt the need to hold the Priesthood myself. I can still receive all the blessings offered by the Priesthood, my prayers can be just as powerful, and I still have access to the inspiration of God in my life.