Hi, I'm Monte

I'm a video game artist, an art teacher, a purveyor of curiosities, and a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a husband to an AWESOME wife and a dad to two FANTASTIC daughters. I like cartoons, video games, comics, vinyl records, books, sandwiches, ukulele, harmonica, and owls.

When people ask me what I do for a living, my answer is "artist" but that answer encompasses a lot of disciplines. I'm primarily an animator at a video game studio, but I also teach college art classes, draw comics, design posters, and paint. And I've never met a piece of scrap paper I didn't want to attack with a black magic marker.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a Mormon because the teachings of the church help me to be a better person in all avenues of my life - at home, at work, in the arts, and in the classroom. I can honestly say that my faith impacts my life on every level, and I go to church to be the best I can be in everything I do.

Personal Stories

How does making right choices help us make more right choices?

Here is one of my favorite scriptures: "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." (Moroni 7:13)

This principle has had a huge impact on my life. Whenever I have an idea, I ask myself this question: "Is this a good thing to do?" If it is a good thing, then I know it is inspired of God. I've found that when I act on those impressions (especially the small, everyday ones that are so easy to ignore) I feel more in tune with what God wants me to be.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

Christ explained in John 14:26: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

The Holy Ghost helps me in exactly this way, in every part of my life. When I've felt distracted or discouraged, I have prayed for direction and the Holy Ghost has reminded me of the things that are really important. When I've felt confused or unsure, I have prayed for understanding and the Holy Ghost has opened my eyes. Everyone who seeks this kind of inspiration can have the same experience.

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

It's not so much one thing but several things, and the key has been to do them all consistently. Here are the big ones:

- Daily family prayer, morning and night.
- Reading the scriptures and other good books together every night.
- Family night every Monday, and everyone has something to contribute.
- Eating dinner together every night.
- Going to church together.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

The purpose of a mission is to proclaim the gospel and to be of service your fellow man. I personally went on a mission because I felt it was the right thing to do, to "put my light on a candlestick." (Matt. 5:15)

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

I pray often, at many times throughout the day. Our family prays together in the morning before we leave the house, before meals, and at bedtime. I pray personally morning and night, and whenever I feel the need. Prayer, for me, is not asking God to give me things. I pray to align myself with His will and to show respect for things I have been given.

If I could be good at any one thing, it would be prayer. A truly prayerful person is good at everything that matters.

Could you talk about your baptism?

Missionaries knocked on our door in Columbus, Mississippi (where I was born) when I was very young. My parents converted at that time and we were the only members of the church in our family. I was baptized years later, at the age of eight, by my dad when we lived in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.

Like a lot of people, I remember the emotions I felt at my baptism better than I do the details of it. I felt happy, kind of nervous. I felt pleased with my decision. We sang my dad's favorite hymn, 'I Stand All Amazed'. The lyrics made a big impact on me that day, and they resonate strongly as I've gotten older:

"Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me / Oh, it is wonderful / Wonderful to me."

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

The big reason is because we believe in vicarious proxy, which is the ability for a living person to perform a rite on behalf of a relative who has passed away (one could, for instance, be baptized for a family member who passed away before baptism). Family history work connects the generations, and is one example of how God will "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers." (Malachi 4:6)

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

Harmony, I think, is best achieved when the family as whole has a purpose. Having a goal won't make things perfect, but NOT having a goal will make things pretty much impossible.

As far as our family goes, the goal is simple: The scriptures teach us to "choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15) and we have chosen to serve the Lord.

How has attending Church services helped you?

First off, going to church every week isn't easy. The regimen can be stressful and exhausting. Plus, I've never really known many people I have much in common with at church, even though some of my best friends are church members. I just have a less-than-common occupation and my interests are unusual compared to most of the people I interact with. Some days, honestly, you have to will yourself out of bed on Sunday morning.

But church services are bigger than any of those things. Going to church puts me in a place where I can commune with God, take inventory of the way I am living my life, and commit to improve. It's an opportunity to put aside my distractions and concentrate on what really matters to me. When understood in this way, I can't imagine being anywhere else. I hope that more people will discover this for themselves, especially those who feel like they, too, are on the fringes.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?

There are many I could list, but two events come to mind immediately. In Mark 9, a father brings his child to Jesus to be healed of an unclean spirit. Christ says to this man that "all things are possible to him that believeth." The man replies "with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9: 23-24) Christ heal's this man's son.

This nameless father is the person I relate to probably more than any other figure in the New Testament, because there is likewise within me both belief and unbelief. Christ's message of possibility in spite of this is very comforting.

In Luke 18, Christ gives the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee boasts about the tithes he has offered and the blessings he has received. The publican "would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." Christ explained that "this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:13-14)

Christ's message of humility is inspiring to me because I, regrettably, am full of pride and weakness. The promise of mercy is beautiful.

How I live my faith

I work with the adults at our church. I organize service projects, teach Sunday school classes, and schedule visits with families who need support. In years past I've worked with teenagers, chaperoning activities and teaching classes. I served a full-time, two-year mission (the "tie-and-name-tag" kind) in Northern California.

I like to help people apply the teachings of the church in practical ways, to truly emulate Christ in their relationships with other people inside and outside the church. I'm not perfect, but I do my best.

What is a ward/stake/branch?

Monte answered...

Members of the church attend the chapel nearest their home. Congregations are called wards, and groups of wards are called stakes. The term "stake" is used to evoke an image that the church, as a whole, is a tent (like the tabernacle of the Old Testament) with supports all over the world.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Adam answered...

There is a lot of vocabulary that is unique to Mormonism, including the terms we use for our congregations.

A ward is a local congregation, usually made up of between 200-600 members. Wards have specific geographic boundaries, so which ward you attend would depend on where you live. A ward is presided over by a lay priesthood holder called a bishop.

A branch is similar to a ward, except it is smaller. They range in size from a single family to the size of a small ward. Generally, branches are in areas without a significant Mormon population, specific to a language, or for individuals who are single. Branches do not have bishops, but are presided over by a branch president.

A stake is a larger organization in the church. Several wards and branches, frequently around 12, will comprise a stake. The stake is able to support the wards and branches through additional resources and leadership. Stakes are presided over by stake presidents.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Gregg answered...

We believe the Bible and other records passed down through centuries, that God has spoken to man starting with Adam and Eve and continues to speak to us in modern days. God loves us and knows what will bring us true joy in this life and in the life to come. He has declared and continues to command that sexual relations are only to be practiced between husband and wife, legally and lawfully married. He has ordained marriage for the purpose of binding husbands and wives together in a special relationship that can last not just in this life, but for all eternity, and to bring children into the world and nurture them.

Others will fail to understand these truths or try to change them, but the family is central to God's plan and he continues to make his will quite clear on this matter. As members of his church, we will defend these truths.