Hi, I'm Russ Dalton

I am from Prescott Valley, Arizona. I Love the Beauty of God's creation and I enjoy the Arizona landscape. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a 51 year old married man with 5 children. I love to hike and camp and explore the great outdoors. My wife and I especially enjoy hiking the Grand Canyon and other beautiful destinations in AZ. I am a practicing general dentist since 1988. I am also an avid sports fan following especially baseball, basketball, and football and participating in a fantasy football league for the last 12 years.

Why I am a Mormon

I have had many spiritual experiences since my youth which keep me following the path of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ gives me great joy and happiness in my heart as I do the things that He requires. I feel a closeness to Him when I serve and help others and when I try to be more like Him. He has given me many opportunities to learn and grow and feel a spirtual strength which enriches and guides me. His Gospel blesses my family also with much goodness and love which helps us continue following Him.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

It is part of our duty as believers and disciples of Jesus and followers of His gospel to go forth and preach the gospel through out the world. The message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the 'good news' and it must be shared with all people to give them opportunities to believe and to show faith in Him. The Gospel brings joy and happiness to those who receive and follow it's message and principles, and brings powerful blessings to families who place their faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him.

It was my great privilege to serve a 2 year mission in the Japan, Nagoya mission from 1978 to 1980. I have many fond memories of that opportunity to serve and I am so grateful that the Lord saw fit to send me to that great land so far away to share His gospel with wonderful people. I shall never forget the experiences and the people that touched my life there as I did my best to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is still a privilege to serve the Lord and to be a missionary for Him.

How I live my faith

I currently am the Bishop of my ward or congregation. That has been a great opportunity for me to learn and grow and to help many others along this path. It has been a challenge for me to accomplish all that I have been entrusted with, but great blessings have been realized as I have been involved in this kind of work for Him. I have had great opportunities to teach all age groups, especially the Youth and the Adults and in these moments I have been given the strength from above to accomplish His great works. I have learned that we are all teachers in whatever place or station of life we are passing, and that those opportunities are to be cherished.

What are Mormon Temples used for?

Russ Dalton answered...

Temples are sacred church buildings reserved for those who are worthy and committed to living the fulness of the gospel. They are truly the House of the Lord where faithful saints can go to be taught more perfectly the great plan of Happiness. We learn who we really are and what we are doing here upon this earth and also the possibilities for our future as we honor and keep sacred promises to the Lord. Within the walls of these sacred buildings the peace of God can be found and the chaos of the world can be blocked for a time.
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Corey answered...

A temple is a house of the Lord, a place where we may worship our Heavenly Father and feel of His presence. It is a sacred place where no unclean thing can enter. Because of the importance and sacredness of the temple, a temple recommend is required and is received based on individual worthiness within the church in order to enter its holy walls.

The temple is where I go to find answers, to find peace, and to feel the Spirit. We are encouraged to go as often as possible and to attend seeking Spiritual guidance. Inside we perform sacred ordinances for ourselves and more often for others, those who are deceased. God requires that all to make covenants in order to return to His presence and many died without the opportunity to make these covenants. In the temple we perform the ordinances for them in their name giving them the opportunity to reject or accept the ordinance and thus enter into the presence of the Father. The temple is a very sacred and holy place.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Jeff answered...

Of course not! It really doesn't matter where you are from or what color your skin is. The only things that matter are the content of your character. If you are worth to be baptized and live the gospel according to it's principles, then you are worthy to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Official Declaration 2, found in the Doctrine and Covenants, states "Every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color.” As long as you are worthy, you can be any nationality.