Hi, I'm Scott

I grew up in Massachusetts and having been living in Arizona for the past eight years. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in Massachusetts and spent some time in construction (my dad was a painting contractor) for several years and actually sold paint for five years before moving to Arizona. I am a convert to the Church and my move was shortly after my baptism. I had no relatives here at the time. It was a whole new world, since I had never been too far from New England.
I am now married for three years. We have no children yet, but we have a 22 pound cat and a beta fish.
I've always enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking or camping. I like quiet activities like reading or writing poetry.

Why I am a Mormon

Though I've always tried to be honest and tried to be a good person, there was always something missing in my life. I became obsessed with a pursuit of truth.
That truth came to me through receiving my first copy of the Book of Mormon. The Spirit of the Lord testified to my soul of the truth of its doctrine. I felt a warm feeling and a joy I had never known before.
Through study and meeting Church members I learned about simple things like faith, the Word of Wisdom and Church organization.
I have experimented with the word and know of myself that it is the word of God. The prophet's testimony has inspired me and given direction like no other advice I've ever received. As I practice prayer and scripture study, I grow closer to God.
I know I am a son of a loving Heavenly Father who truly seeks what is best for me. I can testify of countless occasions I've received answers to my prayers. I have had opportunities open before me that would otherwise be closed.
In short, I have become a better man. My relationships are stronger. My standards are higher. My smile is wider. I've learned how to love.

Personal Stories

How has The Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?

Through the Book of Mormon, I learned that I lived as a spirit child, with my Heavenly Father. He wanted to give me an opportunity to receive a body and face challenges that would help me grow and become more like Him.
If I follow the paths He provides for me, I can return to live with Him again, for the remainder of eternity. The Book of Mormon serves as a guide to direct me on these paths. It is plain and simple. It tells me what I need to do to achieve this goal. It teaches me what I can do for others, to help them reach theirs.

How I live my faith

In our Church, there are many opportunities to serve. I have served with my wife as a teacher and preparer of youth. I have visited homes with missionaries to share my testimony of how the Church has changed my life.
Members have the opportunity to visit the homes of other members. Though we teach each other doctrine, our primary purpose is to serve these members and their families with love.
Through the Church Welfare program, there are opportunities to can food and provide personal hygiene items to those in need, all around the world.
Outside of the Church, I seek those in need and help them when I can. I regularly donate blood and feel joy at the thought that a life may be saved, by such a simple act of charity towards my fellow man.

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Scott answered...

We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. To learn and grow, to become like them, we have been provided with an opportunity to create families of our own.
We learn about love and service through our family. We learn about responsibility. We learn how to be kind and giving. We can have great in our spouses and children.
Our family can be eternal. Through the holy temple, we can be bound to our family through time and all eternity. We can live with them forever. we can be reunited when we part this world.
Kevin answered...

We believe that our families are the basic unit of any society, and that failure in the home means that we've failed as a nation and a people. We've heard that it takes a village to raise a child, and that's true enough. But our leaders have told us that the most important work we can do in life, even more than any professional pursuits, is to raise our children in righteousness.

Think about it. If each father and mother were just a little more engaged in their family's lives i'm not talking about controlling their family, helping their sons and daughters with the challenges they constantly face, the crises we find ourselves in as a nation would become much less. We'd more good in the world as a result. You may think that naive or unrealistic, but I know how much good one family can cause, and how much pain another can cause. We want to change the world, and to do that we need to change ourselves and help our families become better too.

How can we stop the spread and influence of pornography?

Richard. answered...

I frequently hear people say that we need to protect children from pornography. That statement is true, but it forgets that adults are also damaged by the self-gratifying attitudes that pornography depicts. Pornography changes how we view each other. We should be politely vocal about our desire to avoid pornography. Pornography should not be forced upon us by our friends, government, employment, or entertainers. But it will be if we don't speak up about our values.