Hi, I'm Mike

I'm an IT specialist. I'm a gamer. I'm a family man. I swear by Google Chrome. Oh, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Struggling through college, just like a lot of students out there! I enjoy fixing computers, and have fun hanging out with friends. Classes are difficult, and even with a lot of positive influences around me, it's always a challenge to stand up for what's right.
And I'm not a huge fan of Internet Explorer.

Why I am a Mormon

While I was born into a family that was already Mormon, I have made a lot of choices to lead my own life to where it is now. I continue to try my hardest to make good choices, and be a good influence on my other siblings.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Good question! Boys are encouraged to go, and choose whether or not to go. Socially, it's become a little strange if you're a guy and don't go, mostly for the fact that all of your friends leave, and you're all alone in your friends' age group.
I left on a mission, since I wanted others to know about the happiness I've felt through the gospel. A common misconception is that we're paid while we're out on a mission. If only! We save up, little by little, until we have enough to cover two years of living. A lot of us have to get spotted by parents, since getting that entire amount before the age of 19 can be difficult.
But to sum up, I went cause I wanted others to know! It's that important to me.

How I live my faith

In most general terms, I work with others to help them find their ancestry. I've also made a concious effort to befriend young men that are a few years younger than I am, in the effort to help them make good choices, and to eventually make the decision to serve an LDS mission somewhere.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Mike answered...

I got asked that a few times while serving my mission in Mongolia. Short and simple Nope.
We admire Joseph Smith for being a martyr. He died, knowing that the gospel had been restored after being lost. The power of God restored, the light and truth that had been lost in the dark ages, etc. But we still pray in the name of Jesus Christ, and know that it's only through Him that we are saved after all we can do.
Rachel answered...

No. We only worship God. Joseph Smith was not a god. He was a prophet. Just like Moses and Abraham and all of the other prophets in the Bible. He is not a god, we do not worship him, however, as a prophet, God used him as a tool to communicate with us by giving Joseph Smith revelation. God spoke to us through Joseph Smith. Therefore, we accept what Joseph Smith said to be the word of God.

Why are Mormons asked to donate 10% of their income to their Church?

Kristen answered...

This is nothing new, nor is it exclusive to the Judeo-Christian tradition. Many faiths practice alms or a tithe, including Islam and Sikhism.

A voluntary religious contribution of 10% is a tithe or tithing. This type of offering is mentioned many times in the both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. In the book of Genesis, chapter 28 verse 22, the ancient patriarch Jacob covenanted with the Lord, "and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee."

Everything we have, our lives, the earth and everything in it, have been given freely to us by a loving Father in Heaven. He asks only a small portion in return to help build his kingdom on the earth.

When my husband and I were first married, we decided to make paying a 10% tithe a top financial priority, and it has been a great blessing to us through the years. In Malachi, chapter 3 verse 10 it states, "Bring yea ll the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you thei windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." This has certainly been the case with us.

I realize that 10% of one's income can seem like a large sacrifice. However, when the law of the tithe is kept, it serves as a portal through which great blessings (both tangible and intangible) can flow. The Lord always finds a way to bless those who do what He asks them to do.