Hi, I'm Nate

I'm a youth basketball coach. I'm a medical device rep. I'm a fly fisherman...and I'm proud to be a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up as an active kid obsessed with sports. I literally played every sport imaginable. You see, I'm a competition junkie. I will compete at anything: pie eating contests, wrestling, running, golf, free throws, it doesn't matter. As a kid, I encountered some speed bumps along the way in regards to my health. I had really bad asthma growing up. But through great medical care, supportive parents, and a lot of exercise I grew out of it by age 12. At age 16 my mom forced me to get a biopsy on a strange-looking mole on my face. It turned out to be skin cancer. I had surgery at the University of Utah to remove the carcinoma and graft skin into the area. The doctors said I was one of the youngest skin cancer patients they'd ever seen. I was self-conscious about it for a while, but it never bothered me or stopped me from doing anything I wanted to.

I went to college at Utah State and loved every minute of it...except for the studying part :) I met my wife in Chemistry class (how appropriate) one fall day. We didn't end up studying a lot, but we did go on some fun dates. We were married almost a year later.

Now, I'm still just that sports-obsessed kid living in the real world of adulthood. I have 3 amazing kids who keep me moving. Luckily, they're all great students, awesome athletes, and genuinely good kids. Now my joy comes from watching them play. I sell medical devices for a living, which allows me to be in the operating room everyday. Living the dream.

Why I am a Mormon

Even though I grew up in an LDS family, I had to make a conscious decision to become converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My only regret is that I didn't do it earlier. I always had faith in God and believed the church was true, but I truly gained a sure knowledge of it when I was preparing to become a missionary.

I spent two years as a missionary in Barcelona, Spain. The only thing I could say in Spanish before I left was "Jamon y queso" which means "ham and cheese." My friend taught me that. But through the gift of tongues and a lot of prayer, I was speaking Spanish fluently within 2 or 3 months. By the end of my mission I was actually getting questioned if I was from Spain or not. Being a missionary was the greatest experience of my life without a doubt. Being compelled to share my testimony and convictions with total strangers for two years totally strengthened my own beliefs and conviction to the Gospel.

6 months ago I got to travel back to Spain, exactly 15 years after I left. To my astonishment, I was able to re-connect and meet up with many people whom I had taught as a missionary 15 years ago. It was truly amazing to see how their lives had been blessed because of the gospel. And the coolest things was, they remembered me! It goes to show that you never know the impact of your friendships and relationships.

I'm a Mormon because I have literally seen my life blessed and changed by the Lord. My life has been saved and spared by Heavenly Father for some purpose. I have seen miracles in my life and now the lives of my children. Being LDS gives me direction, hope, guidance, and friendships that help me live day to day.

Personal Stories

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

I've prayed in times of need for both myself and my family. I've seen the blessing and the answers to my prayers. I cannot deny it.

How I live my faith

I'm in charge of the missionary efforts in our area. I get to work with the full-time missionaries. It also gives me the chance to teach people who are investigating the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love it.
I've also coached youth basketball and worked with the young men of the church for many years. We are surrounded by tons of amazing and spiritual young people.

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Nate answered...

Yes, if you live righteously and get sealed in the temple, your family can be together forever...even after this life. We will all be resurrected. Heavenly Father wants us to return to live with him eternally. That is our goal.
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Daniel answered...

When married by earthly power and the authority of man, our vows are "Until death do you part."

We believe that families can be together forever as part of our Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness. His Work and His Glory is to bring to pass the exaltation and eternal life of man. He wants us to be even as He is and to return home to live with Him again.

Through the ordinances of his Holy Temples, God's son's and daughter's are able to make covenants. Through the power of His Holy Priesthood, be sealed together for all of time and eternity as Husband and Wife, parents and children.

Families were designed and instituted by God with the intent that they be forever. The love we feel in this life does not need to be cut off when we die. Those who have already died are not lost us forever. God has mercifully made a way by which all who would accept these saving ordinances can do so, living or dead.

We perform these ordinances for those who have in the past died so that they may have the opportunity of accepting them on the other side if they so choose to do so.

Why don’t Mormons have paid clergy?

Susie answered...

A ward or branch is the local unit of the church. This is the place where members have the opportunity to develop friendships and to help one another. We get support and lessons on the scriptures and how to improve our family relationships.

Our Heavenly Father expects us to lift and serve one another in this life. This is the principle behind a volunteer clergy. The local leader of a ward or branch calls on various members on the ward/branch to volunteer their services in teaching and leading the other members. We all donate our time and thus are able to lift and serve on another. The leaders seek divine guidance in making these callings. We who have been called to also seek divine guidance in fulfilling our positions.

We each try to follow the teachings of an ancient prophet who taught that when we are baptized we "are willing to bear one another's burdens, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort." (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 18:8-9).

Through our volunteer service, members lift one another's burdens and express our love to one another.