What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

With three teenage children as well as two grade-schoolers, it can be challenging to find harmony. Everyone is so busy all the time, that we often do not have time to spend together. However, we always reserve Monday nights for Family Home Evening. This is a time set-aside in which we play games, discuss our busy lives, have a gospel-related discussion or lesson, and just enjoy one another's company. We also take time every day to read scriptures together. Although we aren't always together every evening, the children know that we always read scriptures together in our home at an appointed time.

We also make a special effort to recognize our children's accomplishments. At the end of every school year, we have a special night out as a family in which we have a nice dinner, and celebrate what each child has done during the school year. We take time to set goals for the summer, and simply take the time to be together.

At the beginning of each school year, I have the privilege of giving a special blessing to each of my children. As a holder of the Priesthood, I am authorized to bless others, and as a father, this is a wonderful experience. After a visit with each child, I place my hand upon their head and call upon the blessings of a loving Father in Heaven to give them the strength and the courage to face the many challenges that come in a school year. Through this experience, I learn to rely upon inspiration to perceive Heavenly Father's will towards them, and I find that I learn more about each child's strengths, weaknesses, and their hopes and dreams.

Without the blessings that come from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I would find it much more difficult to develop harmony in the home.

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

The church has four missions proclaiming the gospel, perfecting the saints, redeeming the dead, and caring for the poor and needy.

Proclaiming the gospel is essential to our faith. Because of the great joy and fulfillment that we experience in our lives it is only natural that we would share this with others. I share the gospel for the same reason that I recommend a good movie or a great book. Jesus admonished his disciples, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" Matthew 2819

Perfecting the saints refers to the personal journey of each member through life. The Savior commanded, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 548. I know that perfection is impossible through my own efforts. Although I strive daily to improve myself and repent of my sins I continue sin. Through my baptismal coventant which I renew every week as I partake of the Lord's Supper the Sacrament the Atonement of Jesus Christ remains active in my life and I obtain forgiveness of my sins.

"Redeeming the dead" is often taken out of context by those who don't understand its meaning. This is really an extension of proclaiming the gospel, because it is extended to all of God's children, including those who have already passed away. Because many have died without a knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan, we research them through our own geneaology, and perform sacred ordinances on their behalf in the holy temples. In their current state they have the blessings of the gospel made available to them through this vicarious work.

Caring for the poor and needy is a basic principle of the gospel. Christ showed through his example and frequently through his teachings that caring for the poor is essential to living the gospel. We are encouraged to give generously, and to serve the needy.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?

I am particularly moved by the Savior's parables. My favorite parable is the Prodigal Son. It is a wonderful lesson in forgiveness and redemption. I have been in the shoes of the prodigal son myself - feeling unworthy to experience God's blessings through my transgressions. I have also been in the shoes of the brother who experienced jealosy when his father welcomed the prodigal son back home with open arms and by killing the fatted calf. Through this parable I understand the imperative to forgive others who have offended me. Because I have needed forgiveness in the past and will continue to need it in the future I must forgive others.

I am also influenced by the Lord's reaction to the woman taken in adultery. Although the people wanted to stone her as the law required, Jesus simply stated "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" John 87. After her accusers left in shame, He said unto her "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee go, and sin no more" John 810-11. This illustrates that although we should not tolerate sin nevertheless we should love the sinner.

Hope is one of life's driving forces. It comes from faith, and it also builds faith. Through hope I can look past my trials and towards better times. Through hope I can put my faith in Jesus Christ by living His commandments. I have hope in the things that Jesus Christ taught. I have hope in the resurrection and in eternal life. Because I have hope in these things I can find happiness in all of life's circumstances because I find God's love in them.