Hi, I'm Eric.

I'm a husband, father of three, a technical salesperson, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up on a farm in Indiana. I have always enjoyed sports with basketball being my favorite. I attended Purdue University where I graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Electrical Engineering. After my freshman year at Purdue, I took two years off to serve a mission for my church in Munich, Germany. When I returned from my mission, I got married. We have three children now and have been married almost 25 years. My professional career has taken me from being a systems software developer, to a consultant, and now technical sales for Microsoft. I am also a Scoutmaster working with the 11-year old scouts which has been surprisingly quite enjoyable.

Why I am a Mormon

My family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when I was 6 years old. Previously, we had been members of the Catholic church due to our Italian heritage. However, we had questions regarding some of the Catholic beliefs so when the Mormon missionaries knocked on our door in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and provided us answers, it didn't take us long to know of the truthfulness of the gospel and join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Ever since that time, I have had several experiences which have strengthened my testimony, including my two year mission to Munich, Germany. Indeed, I have witnessed miracles through the application of the Priesthood and prayer. The gospel is a huge blessing to my and my family.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

We go on missions for two reasons. One, it is a responsibility of all male members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Lord's Church has always had missionary work as one of its three core responsibilities since the beginning of man. The second reason we go on missions is because as individuals who have been greatly blessed through our membership in the Church, we have a strong desire to share it with others so that they too can receive those blessings. In some ways, it is no different than telling a friend about a great movie you watched or vacation you enjoyed. You simply desire to share amazing experiences with others.

How I live my faith

I live my faith in everything I do. It's not something "extra" for me. Rather, it is who I am. I exhibit this testimony and Christian Values at home, work, and play. It influences what movies and television shows I watch, how I act as a husband and rather, and how I perform my job. Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect, but I do hold fast to my beliefs in all I do. My faith is simply my foundation. I start and end my days with prayer so that I can call upon His help in all I do. I know as I continue to live my life in this manner, that I will continue to have happiness.

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

Eric. answered...

One of the most important beliefs in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the knowledge that families are meant to be eternal in nature. In other words, our family relationships that we establish in this mortal life through marriage and having children in that marriage are still in tact after we leave mortality. When we marry, we do so in one of the temles of God and use the phrase "for time and all eternity" and not "until death do you part" in our ceremony. Families have been ordained of God since Adam and Eve and it provides a lot of comfort to know that those relationships can last forever.
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 do some call Mormonism a cult?

Scott answered...

Perhaps because they see how close-knit we are as a community, and it can be somewhat hard to understand this support network if you have never been part of something quite like it.

Sometimes we hear that some others may perceive or presume that members are 'brainwashed' with information and forced to conform to some standard. To those I would say that is exactly the opposite of what actually occurs under the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You see, Satan's way is to force people to conform. Study the life of Christ and you'll understand that He never forces, but instead always invites.

Freedom to choose is something that we believe is one of God's greatest gifts to mankind, and is fundamental to our faith. All people (Church member or not) are always free to choose what to believe and how to act (we call this agency) and are encouraged to seek understanding of the reasons for any invitation that Christ or the living Prophet extends to them.