Hi, I'm Matt

I love the great outdoors, aviation is a passion of mine, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a Colorado native and love the Colorado lifestyle. Being able to get outside, and explore nature through hiking, backpacking and mountaineering is what I love soo much about Colorado, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I have the goal of climbing all of the 14ers in the State of Colorado and I've only just begun on that task. I also have a passion for aviation, and have been blessed to have a job that ties me directly into the safety of air travel.
When I have a spare moment, I enjoy working out, mostly running but when the opportunity is there I enjoy testing my physical strength in the weightroom.
Above all these things I find the one thing I love most is spending time with my family, a beautiful wife and two handsome young boys.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised a Mormon, and I must say that I am extremely greatful that I was. Sometimes I have wondered if my circumstance were different if I would have had an opened mind to listen to the teachings of the church. Though I was raised in the church there was a point in my life when I was only a teenager when I was even encouraged by close family members to leave what I had been taught from when I was little and allow other influences into my life. I was only 16 years old and it was very tempting to leave the faith I had grown up with and lead a life much different than I had known. In this time of my life I pondered what I shoud do and I came to an understanding that I should remain in the faith I was raised in. Over time I had grown and received greater knowledge that I had made the right decision, and to this day I continue learning what my role in this life is. I know that there is a greater plan to this life than to simple live and die, but one that we can come to know our Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus Christ did live on this earth and that he came not just to teach but to give up his life for us to gain a greater life if we can just do our very best to follow his example. And I know that we can gain a knowledge for ourselves of the great plan that our Heavenly Father has for us so that we can gain greater joy and happiness both in this life and in the life to come.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

For each missionary the reason is different. But when I decided to go on a mission it was because I felt that there were people somewhere in the world that in their hearts wanted to know what I knew, and I wanted to share that knowledge with them.

How I live my faith

I do my very best to live what I preach. Like all humans, I am not perfect, but I am trying everyday to become better at all that I do. Within the church I have taught all age groups from children to teenagers and even seniors many years old than I. My favorite is when I have the opportunity to teach the teenagers. For many this can be the hardest age group to teach, but I find it amazing how much they are willing to learn when given the chance. I have served as a missionary in Argentina, and even though I worked 60 to 70 hour weeks in temperatures up in the triple digits, I still joyfully call those two years the best two years of my life. When ever I have the opportunity I love helping with volunteer projects, many of which are through the church, projects have included helping families move, moving pipe on welfare farms opperated by the church, helping with boy scouts, and even fixing up sand boxes at a local day care facility for low income families. There are many more things I would like to do to bless the lives of others, and I know I will do as much as I can in the future to help where ever and when ever I can.

Why do Mormon missionaries proselyte?

Matt answered...

Missionaries proselyte to do as what Jesus Christ told his disciples. But to me another reason is when a member learns for themselves how important the teachings are they feel the desire for others to have the opportunity to learn for themselves of the teachings of the gospel. By going out to proselyte it gives people that opportunity to listen and learn for themselves.
Nick answered...

Our decision to serve missions is motivated by our belief in the Gospel and our desire to fulfill the Savior's command to "preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15. The Gospel teaches us that we are all sons and daughters of God, and so we feel a kinship with all of God's children and a desire to help them enjoy the peace in this life that the Gospel provides.Our missionaries are not salesman and won't take much of your time, but I know that your decision to invite them into your home will change your life for good!

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Paul answered...

The Church considers homosexuality a sinful practice that is engaged in via the agency of the individuals involved. What I mean is that those who participate in homosexual activities make the choice to do so. No one is born gay as that would be contrary to God’s plan of happiness for His children. Nor would He (God) place someone on earth who was wholly incapable of keeping His commandment pertaining to sexual conduct. Our Heavenly Father has revealed that sex (all forms of intimate relations) are to be exercised only between a man and a woman who are legally married to one another and in no other forum. The genders of the two parties and the exclusivity of their participation in sexual activity is central to acceptable obedience to God’s commands in this area. Additionally the first commandment given to Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden was to “multiply & replenish the earth”. This important commandment is thwarted by homosexuality. While it is no secret that many (including members of the Church) struggle with feelings of same sex attraction this does not (nor will it) change what God has revealed. As a result the Church has (& will continue) spoken out on this subject all the while insisting that the “one man, one woman, married” paradigm is God’s design for the happiness & destiny of all of His children. As far as the importance of the topic goes it is certainly relevant as numerous members of the Church struggle with homosexual feelings or actions.

It is my understanding that as long as an individual does not act on homosexual feelings or tendencies (there’s the agency again/the ability to choose) and conducts himself or herself in accordance with God’s commands no disciplinary measures are taken and standing within the Church is maintained. Members who engage in homosexuality on the other hand face disciplinary measures that may restrict their membership in the Church or remove their membership altogether.

Many people are aware the Church has been active in causes that support marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This institution supports the traditional family composed of a father, a mother, and children. Since we believe the family to be the basic unit of society and the foundation upon which good communities and nations are built we are concerned with any institution that strikes against that model. Homosexuality and same-sex marriage is incompatible with our understanding of the plan God has for His children. A great summary of the Church’s view on families is encapsulated in The Family: A Proclamation to the World (on the Church web site)