Hi, I'm Luis Camara Manoel

I was born and raised in southern Portugal, I'm a husband, a father of four, a scouter, a technologist, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a husband and father of four children. I have a passion for scouting, youth development, education and technology, and have worked in the software industry for the better part of two decades.

I grew up in a beach-side southern Portuguese city and was raised by my parents in the Catholic faith. I remember gaining an appreciation and love for Jesus Christ while listening to my grandmother speaking of Christ's life on a cold Christmas Eve. Since that night I had decided I would try to live a life that would make Him proud of my choices. I joined the local scout troop, and became an altar boy at age 14.

I consider myself a spiritually centered person. I believe in an individual's ability to change the world for the betterment of mankind. I love reading of Christ's life, and am deeply touched by the lives of his followers and the legacies they left behind. Some of my personal role models include Lord Baden Powell, the founder of scouting, Gordon B. Hinckley, former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mother Theresa of Calcutta, a catholic nun who devoted her life to working with the poor, and Gandhi.

My wife is my favorite person, my best friend, and my personal hero, because of the selfless life she leads, and the many sacrifices she makes for me and for our children. I can say that I truly love her with all my heart!

Why I am a Mormon

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was 18. I decided to accept the teachings the missionaries brought to me because of the feelings I felt when being taught. While I was already a person of faith, I had many unanswered questions that I had found vital to my happiness in this earth. For example, why did Jesus Christ do what He did when it would have been so easy to just give up? What is the nature of our family relationships? What is the fate of those who haven't heard and accepted the gospel of Christ in this life? What is the role of revelation and communication with God in these days? How can I best partake of Christ's atonement in my life?
The truths I was taught then, and continue to learn now, make me a better man, more committed, more considerate of other's happiness. I am grateful for the true north that the Gospel of my Savior is for me, that in times of plenty, and in times of trial, I have one constant source of guidance and peace to look upon. I know that despite my many weaknesses, I can turn to Christ for forgiveness and healing. I have come to know Him much better, and love Him even more.

How I live my faith

I seek to live my faith by centering my priorities on my own family. I have learned that my wife and children are vital to my personal salvation. It is in my home, with my wife and children that I can truly learn to serve liberally, and to give selflessly, and to love absolutely. As I grow my family relationships I also grow in my desire to bless others. As such I try to be a good example of the followers of Christ, to be genuinely concerned for the good of others at work, at church, or in my community. I seek for opportunities to reach out and serve others, and to teach my children to do the same. This is how my Savior has chosen to live during His mortal ministry, and this is to me a great source of happiness and fulfillment.

In whom should we have faith?

Luis Camara Manoel answered...

While the world would teach us that there is happiness in centering our lives in achieving the status and adulation of the world, in accumulating material possessions, and giving ourselves to the lustful pleasures of this mortal existence, many years ago, Alma, a prophet of God and a loving father, taught his own son a very important principle which we can find in a book of scriptures called the Book of Mormon.

In teaching of Christ he told Shiblon (Alma 38:9)

9 And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness.

in the book of John we learn from Christ himself (John 14:6)

"6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

To find true and lasting happiness in this life, and eternal life in the life to come, we must learn of Christ, develop faith in Him, and live our own lives in a manner consistent with his teachings. This is the source of great blessings and everlasting peace.

What is being a Mormon like?

Brad Hill answered...

One word: "Awesome".

Another word "Happy".

Although we face trials we are able to be happy and know that things will be alright. As a Mormon, day to day life is how I live and I try my hardest to do my best. It's difficult sometimes, but after the hard work comes the great blessings and the ability to rest from our cares and sorrows.

Nothing is easy about being a disciple of Christ, but we have all the help and resources we need from God to do what we are called to do... be ourselves, be a brother or sister, father or mother, friend, servant, leader, and many many other things! Yes there is opposition in life, but that is how we can learn.

As you come to understand what being a Mormon is all about you will then begin to understand God's infinite love for you and can see the blessings and miracles in your life!