Hi, I'm Stephen

I'm a Mormon, but growing up my father was not Mormon. This helps me relate to those of other faiths.

About Me

I am a Father of 4 with a wonderful wife. I am a school teacher and enjoy working with high school age kids. I enjoy sports and any activities with my family.

Why I am a Mormon

I am a Mormon because I have kneeled and prayed to my Heavenly Father and ask him to share His Spirit with me and help me know the truth. I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior. I know that God loves me and knows me as an individual. I love the opportunity to share this with others.
Growing up my father was not a member of the mormon church.

Personal Stories

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

The missionary program of the Church is a wonderful program. It is a program where mostly young members of the church from 19 to 25 serve and teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ. As wonderful as this is I feel the biggest thing it does is develop leaders out of young men and women. It also forces these young people to gain self-discipline and self-reliance. As they serve obediently they are separated from influences of the world. They only communicate with home by letter and e-mail once a week. They don't read the newspaper, they don't watch TV or movies. They don't date or socialize with members of the opposite gender. This 18 month to 2 year process allows them to focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ and focus on serving others. They learn who they are and how to use the talents to help others.

My experience was in Idaho. What a great blessing it was in my life. While I tried to serve with obedience my family was blessed immensely. I grew in confidence and knowledge that has benefited my life for over the last 20+ years. While I served my father was baptized a member of the church, an answer to a lifetime of prayers. What a blessing that I gained in my life.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer plays a constant role in my life. I pray vocally by myself or with my family several times daily. I 'keep a prayer in my heart' constantly calling on God to assist me with my daily trials. What a comfort it is to me to feel that God cares for my small and large trials and problems. Prayer keeps me moving forward in all that I do.

How I live my faith

In my job as a high school teacher I get the opportunity to work with kids on a daily basis. In a small community everyone knows who you are and what you stand for. This means that I must live as a disciple of Christ in all that I do. My calling as a leader over the members of the church in my community also allows me to serve others on a daily basis. I preside over those that are single and over 50 years of age and have come to love those faithful people who love Christ and serve him in there lives as they struggle to overcome there own daily challenges.

What is done with the tithing that Mormons pay?

Stephen answered...

Tithing in the Church is not used for the clergy. Clergy serve without compensation.Tithing is used to support the building of churches and other building projects. It is used for the teaching materials and other printed material that the church members use. It goes to the operations of the church.

Other offerings and donations go towards humanatarian causes the world over as well as in the local communities where the dollars were donated.
April answered...

Tithing is paid in faith. I know these funds will not be misused. I pay tithing because it is a commandment, and because I love God and want to give Him back a small porion of what He has given me, to futher build up His church. These funds go to build and maintain church buildings and temples and other like expenses. Our clergy is not paid. There is no collection plate. We simply pay our tithing, our fast offerings, we share what we have gladly. This is God's way. For this is God's church.

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Tamara Forsyth answered...

We are all saved by grace no matter how we have lived our life, as long as we believe in Christ and believe that he is our Savior. Most Christian religions believe that this is all there is to being saved. Mormons believe this for the part of being saved in which the body of flesh is reunited with the spirit. For this part of being saved, yes, Mormons believe that all people, no matter how they have lived their lives, will be saved and have their body reunited with their spirit at the resurrection through the grace of God. However, Mormons also believe there is another part to Christ's atonement and being saved, and that refers to his taking on of our sins. To be saved from our sins, and take upon us the name of Christ such that his atonement will wash away our sins and we will have everlasting life in God's presence, we must repent of our sins. After we have done all that we can do, then the grace of God will wash away our sins because of Christ's atoning sacrifice on our behalf.