Hi, I'm Matt

I'm a musician and an athlete. I'm a Minnesotan and I'm a Mormon!

About Me

Oh hey! I'm from the great state of Minnesota! I am 19 years old and the third of four children in my family. I am a student at college and I am currently serving as a missionary for the Church in the Nebraska Omaha Mission. My interests are in music and sports. I have played the trombone for 8 years now and it has been a lot of fun! I play the piano a little bit too. I like to sing but only when I'm alone really. Not so much in public. I like to play sports with my friends including basketball, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee, but my personal favorite is water polo. It is a tough sport to play and it is very challenging but i really enjoy it a lot. I mainly play defense but I have been goalie and have played offense as well. I love nature. I love going on vacations to places like Alaska or Hawaii or even the various state and national parks in Utah with my family. I love to go camping with my friends. i enjoy being in places from caves to rivers. I can balance a chair on my chin! My family and friends are very important to me. I really enjoy spending time with them be it a night out or just a movie at home. I have been raised as a member of the Church all of my life and I love it! I especially enjoy serving as a missionary for the Church. Being able to share this Gospel with others around me is such a wonderful experience that I will never trade for anything.

Why I am a Mormon

Both of my parents' families have been members of the church for a long time so I was raised in the church as well. I love being a member of the church and it has brought so much joy and happiness in my life. Even though I was raised in the church, it still took me a little while to gain a testimony of my own. Now that I am out here on my mission, I have come to know of the truthfulness of the message that I share. I love this Gospel! I know that this church is true and that our Savior Jesus Christ suffered for our sins and died for us. I know that He lives today. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and that Joseph Smith restored Christ's church in the world today.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I like this question because like I said earlier, I am on a mission! Mormons go on missions for two wonderful reasons. It is because they love the Lord, and also because they love their neighbor. Jesus Christ said that these were the two great commandments in the law. Mormons who go on missions truly reflect the meaning of these two commandments. They spend all of their time dedicated to the service of the Lord and His children. Mormons also go on missions because they have felt the wonderful blessings of the Gospel and they want to share that with others. We are all brothers and sisters and we all have the same privilege of being a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have no intention at all of being selfish and keeping this Gospel to ourselves. We wish for all of God's children to know of the truthfulness of this message.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer has been such a blessing for me in my life. Just knowing that I can talk to my Heavenly Father directly and receive answers from Him is such a blessing in and of itself. One time in my life when I was really discouraged and wasn't sure if I was doing what I needed to do, I asked my Heavenly Father through prayer if I was doing what i was supposed to be doing and if I was where i was supposed to be. I asked those questions and then waited for a little bit. After a few seconds, I got this wonderful feeling of peace and comfort. It felt as though someone had put a warm blanket on my back. I knew that this was the answer to my prayer that I needed. I know that prayer is a powerful tool that we all should use and not take for granted. Our Heavenly Father wants to hear from us. Do not forget that you can speak to Him directly at any time you wish. He is always ready and willing to listen.

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

I am currently a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am serving in the Nebraska Omaha Mission. I always knew growing up that I would someday serve a mission. I watched my two older brothers leave and return on their missions and I saw how their lives changed. They came home with a new light about them. I saw this light and I wanted to be like them and shine my own light. I received my mission call in October of 2010 and I left in February of 2011. I never quite knew what missionary work is like. After being here on my mission for a little while, I have come to realize that missionary work is so amazing. I don't think that there are sufficient words to describe fully how wonderful it is. It is truly an experience that one cannot fully understand until they actually get out and serve their own mission. I love serving the Lord and His children. I have seen so many blessings come out of it not only for me, but for those around me as well. A mission is a beautiful thing that I will never forget.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by doing what I can to serve in my callings the best i can. I currently show my faith by serving as a missionary for the church and doing all that I can to bring the Gospel into the lives of others and sharing with them the same joy and happiness that I have felt in my life from the Gospel. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is something that I think about every day. There are times that I have had where remembering Christ's Atonement and that He knows exactly how I feel has been a wonderful blessing to me. I owe my all to Him and I love Him with all of my heart.

What is done with the tithing that Mormons pay?

Matt answered...

The tithing that Mormons pay goes into funds that help build temples and other church buildings. It is also used for various purposes such as operating funds for the church and the missionary program (aside from missionaries' personal expenses). Not a single cent of it is used to pay those who serve in leadership positions in the church.
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April answered...

Tithing is paid in faith. I know these funds will not be misused. I pay tithing because it is a commandment, and because I love God and want to give Him back a small porion of what He has given me, to futher build up His church. These funds go to build and maintain church buildings and temples and other like expenses. Our clergy is not paid. There is no collection plate. We simply pay our tithing, our fast offerings, we share what we have gladly. This is God's way. For this is God's church.

What is a ward/stake/branch?

Michael answered...

For purposes of organization, a Ward or Branch is the group you meet with for church, based on where you live. They vary in size, branches are slightly smaller than wards, and wards vary in the various 100's of members. Wards and branches are then organized into stakes, containing several wards/branches.