Hi, I'm Mike

I'm a Mormon and a convert to the church.

About Me

I am a Father of 8 grown children and a Grandfather of 14. I have worked for 42 years in the Information Technology field and looking forward to retirement someday.
I enjoy outdoor activities and regular exercise. I participate in three triathlons a year to give myself purpose for exercising.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised in the Catholic Church. Due to the influence and good example of friends in High School, I investigated the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I found the teachings of the Church to be what I believed in my heart. I also found the message of the Restoration of the Gospel to be consistent with scriptures and a necessary event to bring the Savior's true teachings back to the earth again.
Some think that Mormons are restricted in what they can do and have wierd beliefs. I know, I was one of them until I studied it for myself and found a way of life that opens up eternal possibilities and helps me develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in a way I did not know was possible.

How I live my faith

I try to live my faith every day by setting a good example of Christlike living. I am not perfect, but I am trying. I find joy in serving others and truly believe in the Savior's admonition that "If ye have done it unto one of the least of these, . . . ye have done it unto Me."

What is being a Mormon like?

Rebecca answered...

My membership in Church has been very rewarding. Here are some of the reasons why:
- It helps me focus on the things that will matter most in the long run, such as building my relationship with my husband, teaching and making memories with my girls, and serving others.
- It provides a rich social environment, but at the same time motivates me to reach out in my community and carve out time for personal reflection and meditation.
- It helped me prioritize my education when I was a teenager and young adult.
- It has helped me develop management and leadership skills. I've had numerous opportunities to lead meetings, plan and execute events, teach classes, mentor individuals, and speak to groups.
- It has consistently enabled me to build relationships with individuals from a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds. I have a vested interest in the future of people in a variety of circumstances, facing a range of challenges.
- It encourages me in healthy living -- exercising, eating right, and avoiding addictive habits.
- It's given me a vision for what I want to do when I reach retirement age: my husband and I plan to serve a mission, which could entail doing humanitarian service in a developing country, or teaching people closer to home about Jesus Christ.
- It has helped me understand that the purpose of my life is to try to be like Jesus Christ and to serve him, and that after I die I can live in His presence.
Kristin answered...

Many people think that being a Mormon is very strict and holds people back from experiencing all that life has to offer. However, I know that it is the exact opposite. In The Book of Mormon, an ancient governor named Pahoran tells us that the spirit of God is the spirit of freedom. I know this principle to be true. The things of the world bind us with feelings of guilt, sorrow, envy, hatred, doubt, judgment, chaos, and confusion. The things of God bring peace, contentment, happiness, joy, satisfaction, clarity, and love. Through family relationships, The Book of Mormon, communication with a loving Father in Heaven, repentance, baptism, church attendance, and making sacred promises in God's holy temple, I have experienced these feelings of freedom. Being a Mormon is not just something I do, it is who I am! Mormonism is not just a belief, it is a lifestyle. This lifestyle has provided me with clarity, purpose, value, and direction. I will forever proclaim the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! It is Christ's true church upon the earth. It is the pathway to true joy in this life and the life to come!

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.