Hi, I'm Richard

I grew up in Phoenix, AZ and I love to play the Piano, Trumpet, and other Instruments. I'm A Mormon. :)

About Me

Hello! :) My name is Richard, and I'm a young adult! I grew up in phoenix and lived there in the land of sun my whole life! I loved being a member of my family of 6, but now its on to the real world and starting a new adventure! I just love music! All sorts and types! If you play it for me, the chance is that i will like it! Its a wonderful passion of mine to just sit down at a piano and play whatever comes to my heart and through my feelings! :) I can just do that for hours! If you are a Marching band member, your pretty much awesome! It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become united as a team and do what they do in marching bands throughout the world! I was a trumpet player, and think of it as more of a beautiful instrument that if you play it right can be so peaceful! Then on the other hand can be very loud and just fun! Guess that just about fits me! I love Ultimate Frisbee! You don't need much! Friends, a Frisbee and somewhere to play! Ping pong and me line up too! I'm not the best, but find it a good way to get one on one with a family member or a friend! Right now, Im currently devoting a few years of my life to serving the Savior in the Philippines as a Missionary! Not too much sun, but lots of rain! I really miss my family, but I found out that as I am here, My love for them only grows! :) Im really grateful for my life here on this earth! I love just looking into other people's faces as i walk around and just think about how they are my eternal family! :)

Why I am a Mormon

I was born into The Church, and while I enjoyed learning about the church and things like that, I came into a point where i really needed to know if it was all true. We were taught growing up that all of gods children could know just by asking. So I did, and in his own way and time, I came to know that it was all true. In knowing that it was true, it really made me want to change who I was as a person and to really try to live what i knew. You could have all the Knowledge in the world, but if you don't apply it into your life, its not going to help you in anyway! So, I'm really trying to apply the things I learn into my life and I find that as i do that, especially with the knowledge that you can gain from reading the scriptures, you become happy! Even though there are hard times in this life, and that happens alot, we can learn from everything. We can also feel a peace knowing that there is a loving heavenly father watching over everything. There also comes a happiness in knowing that he has a plan for each of us, and that plan includes those hard times for learning and growing, it also includes happy times with people we love and serve in our day to day. I know that he loves me, and his whole purpose is not for himself, but his whole purpose is for us, and to help us learn and to grow. Sometimes we get confused and lost, but he provides ways for us to come back! He also provides us with guides such as the scriptures and prophets to help us and strengthen us. I learned through my life that following god's commandments doesn't just mean that you don't get to do such and such or go here and do this certain thing, but really it brings blessings to my life and greater joy than i could've ever experienced. A lot of people think its cool to be able to say I've done it all, but how much more peculiar is a person that can say I haven't. Being a member of this church has really brought me closer to my savior and really motivates me to become like him!

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

A way we can really develop harmony in our homes is by becoming selfless, and becoming patient with others and with ourselves. Through the gospel, and applying the principals, we can find harmony. Its really hard to always forgive someone, but really as you learn to forgive others, especially those in your family in realizing that you love them, and also that they love you, those points of distress can be instantly removed and filled with peace and love that can actually become strengthened. I found that as i live the gospel and try to become more like the savior, he really strengthens me and my family! We should always try to do our part in building that harmony through following the gospel and all its teachings! As you strive to do this as a family and help others through selfless love, you will be able to find peace and harmony. Be cautious of Satan. He knows what blessings a strong family can bring to ones life, and will try to destroy it in many ways. But, always do your best to follow the principals of the gospel and remember that the atonement is available to all of those who make mistakes! :)

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

One of my favorite scriptures is in the new testament is Matthew 9:2-6 " 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good ccheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." :) Its true! Jesus has the power to forgive sins on earth, and he showed it unto those scribes through healing this man! From this I remember that If I truly repent of my sins, I can Truly be forgiven of them and become clean and healed just as this man was! :) What a wonderful knowledge, and what a wonderful joy it gives me to know that he gave his life and suffered so that we could return through him! :) He is the way, and the light! And If we truly seek him, we shall find him! and he will heal us!

How I live my faith

I live my faith by really just trying to do my best to my knowledge what our Heavenly father wants me to do. I know that through following the commandments, it brings peace and joy, but really in serving others and showing forth love to others, you feel a love stronger than ever. Thats why really being here in the Philippines has brought me tons of joy! When i start thinking of myself, i start complaining about how bad things are or what could be better, but as i forget myself, i stop, and start thinking of others! I really start being thankful for all the many blessings! I live my faith by being an example to others, and trying to strive to be more like Jesus Christ. He really see's everyone for who they are and does not really stop loving anyone for their actions. He really loves everyone and would suffer anything for them. He helps others in their time of need and was completely selfless. He loves everyone no matter what they looked like or what they possessed. I may not be perfect at this, but I am really trying to do it here, and i know he helps me as i really do try to do my best. I Live my faith by studying his words, and also by praying to him. Really, by devoting time to those, you show that you are willing to spend your time and efforts to learn how to do things better! Its hard to always live and believe as if everything going to be okay, but its promised! Even when the world tells you that it is impossible for such and such to happen or for you to overcome anything, it is possible! You just got to live as if it is, ans seek the help of him who makes it possible! I really love sharing the hymns and other music on the instruments i know in my way and style! He's really blessed me with the ability to teach others how to sing and to play together in groups. I found that as i help others through music, I feel a joy in them learning! They really love it! :) Living My faith has made me happy! I know its true.

What is the priesthood?

Richard answered...

The Priesthood is the authority to act in God's name. I guess that is exactly what the priesthood means. When we are given the priesthood, we are given a responsibility to do as he would as if he were here himself on the earth. As a priesthood holder, I strive to do as if he were the one doing it, and to try and show his love for others through my actions. Yes, through priesthood, we have the proper authority to perform ordinances which really has to be done in his name as well, but I think it takes on a bigger meaning as we establish our families and become a leader through service and love. Through the priesthood, god provides us blessings such as prophets and apostles, and also many other blessings to help bless the sick and comfort those in need of it. Every worthy male member can receive the priesthood, and as they do will bless those around them! :) As priesthood holders, we strive to act as if we were performing all things in the name of the savior.
Ethan answered...

I like to approach questions by looking at the words of things

"priest" has reference to either the concept of one who leads, one who is elder, or one who is holy I like to remember that the words 'holy' and 'whole' are linked by a common ancestry. When something is 'holy' it's essentially saying that it's complete, that it's healthy..

And "-hood" makes reference to the state of being, and not just any state of being but a state of being that's worthy or correct for it's placement. That is, that it's done properly.

So one could say the priesthood is leadership or a point of reference that's completely suited to the position in which it's been placed.

Another way to look at it is to say it's God's perfect order. That is, it's God's perfect arrangement.

In our Church we often give a definition of priesthood as being "the authority to act in God's name" and that's exactly what it means to be a part of God's perfect order. If God commands something to be done by you, and you do it, then you are acting under, and with that portion of God's authority that he's permitted you to exercise within his perfect order.

Just as with any instance where someone tries to act in the name of someone else there are bound to be those who try and do so falsely. That's why God has things ordered in such a way that one can know for certain if someone has His God's authority, or not.

What is being a Mormon like?

Cassie answered...

Being a Mormon is just like being anyone else. We eat, sleep, go to work, vote, date, marry, etc. There are, of course, things that we don't do such as drink or smoke, see explicit films or pictures, but I think that helps us become better people. By avoiding temptations we're able to live happier, fuller lives while still enjoying those things that God put us on Earth to enjoy. We were placed on this Earth to be happy and, for me, that's what being a Mormon is like-being happy.