Hi, I'm Luke

I love life, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in the Northwest United States, served a church mission in Russia, and went to law school in Texas.

I love the outdoors, and doing things outdoors - backpacking, snowboarding, running, and biking. My wife and I also enjoy hanging out with our first child.

Why I am a Mormon

My parents taught me as a child that if I kept God's commandments I would be happy. They taught me to have faith in Jesus Christ, to study the words of the prophets in the Bible and the Book of Mormon that testify of Him, and to pray often to my Heavenly Father. Living the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints makes me happy. The Lord's promises, of which the prophets teach and that Jesus makes possible, give me confidence in the future - in this life and in the life to come.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by striving to consistently be the person I want to become everyday.
In my local congregation I have had the privilege of working with the youth - teaching Sunday school lessons, conducting weekly youth activities including service projects, and working on merit badge requirements with the Boy Scouts. I have had numerous other opportunities to teach adult Sunday school lessons, visit those who are sick or just need to talk with someone, and to load and unload moving trucks.
I try to show Christlike love by doing unto others as I would have them do unto me. When I am successful in my efforts, I am living my faith.

How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ?

Brian answered...

Faith in Jesus Christ doesn't just happen. You have to work for it. I discovered my faith increasing when I decided to study the scriptures for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Doing so has allowed me to understand the doctrines of the gospel on a deeper level. Scripture study coupled with daily personal prayer where I really try to converse with my Father in heaven, and seek to know His will concerning me, rather than give him a list of my wants and needs and ask him to grant them as if he was my personal butler. The best way I have found is to seek to do as Jesus did. Be friendly with everyone I meet. Go the extra mile and help people beyond what is expected. Avoid judging people and try to find the good in people, rather than dwell on their weaknesses. I've found that seeking to do God's will and striving to live like Jesus Christ taught us to live, has not deprived me of anything, rather by doing things Heavenly Father's way has freed me and brought me more happiness than trying to do it my own way.
Mark answered...

How do you increase your muscle mase? You work out, eat healthy, keep your mind sharpe, and do things right and correctly. Same thing is with our faith in Jesus Christ. We need to use our faith in Him. We do that by doing what he has asked us to do, and follow His example in all things. We will not know what life holds for us until we go and do things to expand our knowledge. The same thing is with faith. Try accomplishing one of His commandments, and see the miricles and blessings and knowledge from doing it.

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?

Kathryn answered...

As a primary president in my ward, I share in the direction and leadership of our ward. I don't feel secondary in any way. Whether you have the priesthood or not, you are still responsible to listen to the direction of the Savior. The priesthood is a tool and power that is the same power of the Savior. It allows the human authority to do work on earth, particularly perform ordinances, and bless others. As if the Savior was here in person during His ministry accounted for in the New Testament. I would use an analogy to compare the priesthood as a car. A car is an amazing tool allowing you to get you from here to there. I don't mind my husband driving and I can offer some navigation or work the radio, as long as we and our children get there.