Hi, I'm Sam

I'm a musician. I write songs for and about Christ. He is my Savior. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am currently on a mission for the Church. Before I came out, I graduated valedictorian from my high school. I then went to college for a year before serving as a full time missionary. When I finish my mission, I plan to go back to school, and study music. I have been a pianist for many years now, and have decided to study voice and choral education. My passion is in music. My goal is to create music and music programs that lift, inspire, and bring people closer to God and Christ.

I look forward to having a family of my own. I will be married in the temple for time and all eternity to my spouse, and we will have children who are sealed to us forever.

I love pasta, and ice cream – vanilla is where it is at! My family and I are all health nuts… all natural! I grew up water skiing, and hiking, and camping. I love being with my family, and doing just about anything with them.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born and raised in the Church. I knew from an early age that Jesus Christ was my savior, and that I needed to rely on him. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I realized that I needed to have my own testimony that the Church my parents raised me in is true.

The Book of Mormon is the evidence that God has given his children of that truth. It proves to us that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Lord, and that through him God gave his children more scripture and restored his church and kingdom on the earth again. I decided to read and find out for myself if the Book of Mormon is true. I read the Book, and then knelt in prayer to ask my Heavenly Father if it is true. It is!

From there, the rest was easy. I know because the book of Mormon is true, that we have modern Prophets who speak with God, and reveal his will for us. I know that modern prophets have once again revealed the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their original and correct form. I know that, through the prophet Joseph Smith, priesthood authority has been restored to the earth. I know that Jesus Christ is once again at the head of a church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This is his work, and his will, and his Kingdom on Earth!

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have read the Book of Mormon. After I read it, I prayed to Heavenly Father and asked him if it was true - if it was scripture. I felt a feeling of peace and excitement come over me. It feels almost like a fire in my chest. I know that the book of Mormon is true, and that Joseph Smith was called by God to translate the book. Because of Joseph Smith, I have the opportunity to hold the Priesthood of God, and to go to temples, and to be sealed to my family forever. I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet of the Lord, called to restore the Gospel in this day and time.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I am on a mission because I believe that we are the only church on the earth that has the Priesthood authority given from Jesus Christ to perform ordinances, such as baptism. I also believe that without these ordinances, we cannot go back to live with our Heavenly Father. It is the most important message that can be shared by someone. The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth, and we have modern prophets, and temples, and priesthood. All men need to have the invitation to come unto Christ and participate in the blessings of the Restoration of the Gospel. We know that the Lord Loves us, and he wishes all men to be given the opportunity to accept the Gospel of Christ in its original and pure form. Getting to be a full time participant of that great work has brought me more joy than anything else I have ever done, or can imagine doing.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is a belief in something that we can't see, or can't yet prove. We hope that the weather will be nice for our trip to the park. Hope in the Savior and his gospel means that we have confidence in Him as our Savior, and that we believe that through him we can be cleansed from sin, and be brought back to the presence of the Father, or in other words Heaven. Hope is a prerequisite to faith, and leads us to act in faith. I have hope in my Savior. I have seen him work in my life and the lives of others. I am confident that through him I can be cleansed from sin. Hope brings peace and happiness to my life.

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

I share the gospel because it is the only thing on earth that will bring people lasting peace, and increased joy in this life, and the blessing of eternal life in the next.

When sharing the gospel, the most important thing is to follow the Spirit and rely on the Lord to give me what to say, and how to say it. When I am sharing the gospel, I also find it helpful to remember these three things:
1) Let the person or people know that I care about them, and that I want to share something that means alot to me. Sometimes this goes without saying. But, sometimes it is helpful to express this to people.

2) Extend an invitation. "Will you go to church with me?" "Will you read the Book of Mormon?" "Will you come to Family Home Evening?" "Will you let the missionaries come and teach you about the church/gospel?" Keep it simple. Don't beat around the bush.

3) Testify about what you have invited them to do. "Going to church has blessed my life because..." "The Book of Mormon is the words of prophets. It helps me to feel at peace, answers my questions, and leads me closer to Christ." "I know that the message the missionaries share will..." Be sincere, and honest. The spirit will then testify of what you have shared (D&C 100:5-8; Hel 5:18-19).

Applying these principles, in any order, has helped me to share the gospel effectively, and clearly.

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

I have seen greater harmony develop in my home, and in the homes of those I teach as a full-time Missionary of the church, as people read the scriptures (Bible and Book of Mormon) and pray as a family, and as individuals. These things help us to become more united, and to rely on God.

I also have seen the power of repentance and forgiveness work miracles in families and homes. We are all going to offend or harm those close to us at one time or another. In those times when we are the offender, we need to repent. We appologize, and then we make changes in our lives that include forsaking those mistakes or habits. As we continually do this, we become more and more Christlike.

When we are the offended, we must be willing to extend the christlike attribute of forgiveness. We let go of anger or resentment. When wounds are too deep, and hearts too broken to just "let go", we pray for the Saviors love to help us and to heal us. We then rely on his power and grace. Over time, we begin to feel the love that Christ has (or charity) for all our brothers and sisters, including those who have hurt us. We begin to see them the way that Christ sees them. With the added help of the Saviors love flowing through us, we are capable of forgiving even the deepest wounds, and experiencing complete healing.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

Because God knew we were all going to be imperfect, and therefore could not return to live with him, he gave us his Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sins. Christ taught us his gospel as the way to return to God. We follow the Savior by obedience to the Gospel. The first steps of His gospel are Faith in Christ, Repentance, Baptism, and Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Christ wants me to have enough faith in him to repent. He wants me to recognize my sin and feel remorse (or sorrow) for my mistake. He wants me to confess and forsake my sins. With his help, and often the help of others, I can change and grow. By doing these things I am beginning to leave behind my old self, and am becoming a new person through Christ. As this change takes place, I feel the love and forgiveness of the Savior. I have literally felt the burden of sin, depression, fear, or anger, lift off my shoulders. I know that He loves me, and that he loves all men and women, and that he longs to heal all who suffer under any burden. He can only do that when we follow his gospel.

I was baptized by a priesthood holder. By doing that, I covenanted with God and Christ that I would follow them, and keep their commandments. Christ promised that He would take my sins away, and that I will be forgiven. Then I was given the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, (again by a priesthood holder) and I feel his help as I strive to be obedient each day.

I am so grateful for the Savior's invitation to "come unto [him]" and to find rest. He offers to take our sins, our guilt, our pain and sorrow and suffering, and make them all right, if we will but be his disciples. This is what he meant when he said, "take my yoke upon you, and learn of me." He was asking us to follow him and keep his commandments. But he was also asking us to allow him to take our burden by having enough faith in him to repent.

How has The Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?

As I read the Book of Mormon, I see the way that the savior works with his people. I see his mercy in the lives of those who have gone before. I hear his commandments to repent and follow him. I see miracles that he gave to helped his faithful saints.

When I read the Book of Mormon I feel the love of my Heavenly Father, and of his Son Jesus Christ, for me. The Book of Mormon teaches me what God wants me to do, and makes me promises for my obedience. I know it is a true book because the promises that the Savior and his prophets make in the book have been true for me too. I know God wants me to return to him, and the book of mormon helps me to know how to make it back.

How I live my faith

I am currently serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in North Carolina. I spend all day searching for people who are open to and willing to hear the message of the gospel. I, with the help of family and friends, am responsible to fund this two year mission. I teach the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and help people exercise faith in him, repent of their sins, be baptized into his church by someone who has the priesthood authority of God, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.

Nothing I have ever experienced has been as rewarding as seeing the people we work with change their lives, and come to know their Savior. The change is remarkable to see. People are so much happier, and there is a new light in their eyes.

After my mission, I will be called to serve in a ward (or congregational family) to teach sunday school, or to help the Young Men, or primary groups. I will be called as a Home Teacher (which means I will be invited to visit several families in the church each month to check on them.) I donate tithing to the Lord each month. I give ten percent of my income to the Lord to help him build up his kingdom, and share the gospel with others. I attend church each week, and partake of the bread and the water, which renews the covenants that I made at baptism, and cleanses my sins again. I read my scriptures each day, and pray to my Heavenly Father for help, strength, and guidance as I seek to do his will. In all things, I try to say, "Thy will be done."

Why don’t Mormons have paid clergy?

Sam answered...

We believe that the gospel, and service in the work of the Master, ought to be just that, Service! We learn in Timothy that those who are called to the service of the Lord, are not to seek what Paul calls 'filthy lucre'. 1 Tim 33

The book of mormon defines those who set up churches and minister the gospel for money as practicing priestcraft. Mosiah 1824 teaches that "he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support."

The Lord asked no money for his miracles. Peter told Simon that his money would "perish with him" because he thought that miracles and the authority to perform them could be bought with money. It is clear that the Lord's church was not intended to be a business venture. 'He that is greatest among you, let him be your servant...'
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Stephen answered...

Jesus didn't get paid to serve, why should we?

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

John answered...

We want everyone to be able to enter the Temple and feel of the sweet and beautifully peaceful aroma and spirit there. A Temple is a holy and sacred place. Unlike regular church buildings which are also sacred, Temples are specially reserved as places to be separate from worldly influences. Therefore, only those who are living such a life may enter, so as to preserve the Temple's sacredness. But we want everyone to qualify so that they may enter and feel of that spirit. It isn't hard to qualify, but it does take some effort. All that is required is for one to live a Christlike life with a heart that only desires to do good.