Hi, I'm Chris

I love to read the Law and I'm a Mormon!

About Me

I was born in California and moved to Seattle when I was 11. I joined the church when I was 21 years old. It was the best decision I ever made. My parents wondered how I could make such a 180 degree turn. I served a mission in Colorado and learned to speak Spanish. I love playing basketball. I love to learn new things. I enjoy reading books on religious history, political theory and American History. I love the Constitution and believe it to be an inspired document. I love Law and believe that in order for true happiness to occur in our lives we must seek to align ourselves with the Laws of God, nature and civil society.

Why I am a Mormon

When I was in high school it had always been a dream of mine to play basketball at a higher level and when I was 20 years old I decided to leave the University I was attending and pursue my dream to play basketball at the college level. I was going to be on the team with two of my friends, who had recently returned from their LDS missions. On the first day of class that fall, during a break from the normal class schedule, my two friends and I drove across the street to a local chapel which was right behind the Seattle Temple where they would be attending something called "institute". I reluctantly walked into the chapel with them. The local institute instructor greeted me with a smile and I began to attend a Doctrine and Covenants class a couple days a week. As I began to listen and participate in the class, I noticed there was something very different about the teachings I was learning than anything I had ever learned before. One particular day while I was listening during class, I can remember looking at a picture of Christ on the wall. In an instant a burst of light came to my mind and I knew that the things I had been learning the past month were true. I had a distinct impression in my mind and heart that Jesus was the Christ and that Joseph Smith was His latter-day prophet. I was baptized into the church about a month later. It has been almost 12 years since I made the decision to join the church. It was the greatest decision I have ever made in my life!

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith was a mere fourteen year old boy when he received a glorious manifestation which would change his life forever in addition to the course of human history. He was a man of faith who sought to do as he was commanded even when it was very very difficult and would require great sacrifice and place his very life in peril. He translated the Book of Mormon through the gifts and powers of heaven. He taught that the heavens had been opened once again and that the true gospel of Jesus Christ was restored here on the earth. He sealed his testimony with his blood. Joseph's central testimony and revelation was that Jesus was the Christ and that mankind could be saved through Faith in and obedience to the ordinances of the gospel that Jesus Christ himself had taught anciently when he lived on the earth.

How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?

The Book of Mormon was written for our day. It outlines the blessings for obeying the commandments of God. Conversely, it testifies of the destruction and misery which come upon mankind when they neglect God's laws. Through a study of its teachings it has witnessed to me the need to look to the Lord Jesus Christ in times of need as opposed to the tumult of voices which contend for attention promising resolution to personal, social, economic and political problems. It has strengthened my faith as to the truth of the divine mission of Christ and the Atonement which he performed on my behalf. In summary, review and pondering the words of this book has fundamentally transformed my outlook on life and brought me great joy.

How I live my faith

I live my faith everyday as I remember Jesus Christ and the things that he has done for me that I cannot do for myself. I seek communion with Him on a daily basis through prayer and scripture study which helps me feel the Holy Ghost in my heart and inspires me to be better today than I was yesterday and treat others with more love. This faith in Christ makes me happy! I enjoy going to church every week and partaking of the bread and water in remembrance of Jesus' great sacrifice for me. Through this sacrament I receive peace in my heart that everything will be work out OK in my life. As I think about Him, I know who I am and what my potential is in this life and the next.

What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ? Do Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Chris answered...

Jesus Christ was born of Mary in Bethlehem in the meridian of time. His advent was predicted years and years earlier by prophets who looked forward to the day when the Savior of mankind would come to earth and sacrifice himself for the sins of the world. He is the Son of God who was always about His Father's business. He only did those things that pleased His Heavenly Father. He taught by word and deed, being a perfect example of how one should live a life of service; being anxiously engaged in helping, lifting and strengthening his fellow brothers and sisters. His mission was to do for man what he could not do for himself. He was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world, a sinless sacrifice to satisfy the demands of the law which required punishment for sin. Through his merciful act, He took upon himself the sins of mankind preparing a way for man to overcome the devastating and eternally damaging effects of sin. His resurrection from the dead ensures redemption from the effects of mortal death and his suffering on the cross and shedding of blood provide means whereby man can overcome his sins and return to live with Him and His Father once again.
Gary answered...

Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God. His birth, life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the many prophecies contained in the scriptures concerning the coming of a Savior. He was the Creator, He is our Savior, and He will be our Judge (see Isaiah 9:6, 53:3-7; Psalms 22:16-18).

Under the direction of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ created the earth (John 1:10; Hebrews 1:2).

When Jesus lived on the earth (approximately 2,000 years ago), He led a perfect life. He taught by word and example how people should live in love of God and others.

Through His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and by giving His life on the cross—that is, by performing the Atonement —Jesus Christ saves us from our sins (1 Peter 2:21) as we follow Him. Because of the Atonement, you can be forgiven of your sins when you sincerely repent (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 26:30).

Through His Resurrection, Jesus Christ saved us from death. Because He overcame death, we will all be given the gift of resurrection, that is to say our spirits will be eternally re-united with our bodies (Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:22). When life on this earth is over, Jesus Christ will be the final Judge (Acts 17:31; John 5:21-22; Acts 10:42).

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Matt answered...

We believe that family relationships are the sources of life's greatest joys. We also believe that families can be together forever.