Hi, I'm Walt

I grew up in Indiana (except for 2 years in Canada). I teach mathematics. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in a typical Protestant family. We never went to church as a group, but I went to Sunday School and worship services with my friends. I am not married and do not have any children. I love to take short trips and to attend single adult activities. I graduated with a degree in mathematics and physics. It is fun for me to work with and calculate numbers without using a calculator. My church family is very important to me. I like to attend high school athletic activities. I once ran cross-country (a long time ago!!).

Why I am a Mormon

My parents died when I was in my late teens, so I had a lot of freedom and independence. In high school, one of my closest friends joined the church. During one of the summers as I attended college, my friend invited me to travel with him and his fiancee to Utah as a chaperone. They were getting married in a temple. I wasn't present at the wedding, but I did receive a Book of Mormon and met many nice people.
Years later, missionaries came to my door and taught me the doctrine of the church. At the conclusion of their first visit, they asked me to pray to Heavenly Father to know if what they had taught was true. I did pray, and I felt something that I had never felt before. I knew the God lives and that he loves me.
I was soon baptized and have now been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints for more than 33 years. My church family is extremely important to me!!

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

We believe that the gospel must cover the earth, so the church sends missinoaries to all nations who will accept them. Young men and young women and retired couples trade in their normal lives for up to two years to share the doctrine and their testimonies in place (frequently far from home) at their own expense. Many missionaries later say that this service is the best time of their lives.

How I live my faith

I attend church every Sunday. I currently serve as the executive secretary within the Branch Presidency. The church gives us an opportunity to serve one another and our community in important ways. I was able to serve as a full-time missionary in Canada for two years. I know that when I live my faith, I am blessed. When we serve each other, we strengthen our personal testimonies and help others to see the love of the Savior. this past summer, I helped along with other church members to help clean up a cemetery. I also enjoy doing family history research. This helps me to understand who I am.

What do Mormons believe about family?

Walt answered...

We believe that families are eternal. The most important work that we do is within the walls of our homes.
Bradley. answered...

The family is a key component to support us in God's plan for gaining immortality and eternal life. All of God's children (all the inhabitants that lived, are living, and will live on Earth) are inseperably connected to each other, both (physically) by our Earthly families and (spiritually) by our Heavenly Father.

Families help us to understand our divine heritage. In this, life takes on purpose and meaning. Our immortal spirits were created by our Heavenly Father before Earthly existance, and we are directly connected to Him in this way. As a spiritual family, our collective purpose on Earth is to follow the commandments of God that lead us to live in heaven with Him again.

Our spirits need to progress, learn, and grow. In order to achieve that, Earthly existance was created as our test. Our Heavenly Father knew that being exposed to opposing forces on Earth was the only way for us to gain knowledge and wisdom.

However, we will not always choose righteousness, and so our Savior, Jesus Christ, is that great mediator to pay the debt of our mistakes. He is the only way by which we can be saved from our sins and transgressions. He is the ultimate example by which direction we need to live our lives. With the support of our earthly kin, we can learn from each other, serve each other, and strengthen our mortal weaknesses by being disciples of Christ. Our families are a gift from God, and we can be together forever.

Why do you have 12 Apostles? They were just meant to be around for the time of Jesus Christ, not to be replaced with new apostles.

Scott Jackson answered...

When Jesus Christ was on the Earth, He established an organization of prophets, apostles, teachers, and other leaders to lead and guide the members of His church (the body of Christ, as it is referred to in the New Testament). When Judas died, and Jesus had left the Earth, the first order of business for the other 11 apostles was to fill the vacancy. They did so by praying and seeking out revelation. They eventually decided on Matthias. This example shows us that apostles were not only to be used for when Christ was on the Earth, but that God wanted Apostles to lead His children at all times. Unfortunately, apostasy stirred within the early church, and the apostles were killed one by one. The world was left without Priesthood leadership, until the time of the Restoration, when this same authority was given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery from the very same Peter, James and John (as resurrected beings). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints has 12 apostles, just like in New Testament times. These special witnesses of Christ bear solemn witness that Jesus is the Christ. They help the Prophet and President of the Church to share the Gospel message to the four corners of the Earth.