Hi, I'm Don

I'm an Oregonian, a Texan, a BYU Cougar, an SMU Mustang, an IT analyst, a chess enthusiast, a husband, a father and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I don't consider my background exotic. I feel I live a pretty average life. I grew up in Oregon, surrounded by family. Life consisted of going to school, playing lots of basketball, working around the house and occasionally on my cousins' farm. After graduating from high school, I spent a year at BYU and then left on a mission for the Church.

Guatemala was very different than Oregon. The people we served were wonderful and faithful. My fellow missionaries were exceptional. I am forever grateful to have learned those lessons in Guatemala and to have lived with the Mayans.

After Guatemala, I returned to BYU and within a year I found the love of my life - in Spanish class of all places! She had just returned from a mission to El Salvador. She grew up 60 miles from my hometown - we had a lot in common. A few months later we were married in the temple - a day we cherish in our hearts!

After BYU, we moved to Texas to live and work. I enrolled in graduate school at SMU and graduated with an MBA. We've faced a few challenges and trails since moving to the Lone Star state. The Gospel has helped us understand and overcome these trials. We are grateful for the Gospel and the direction it gives in this turbulent world and society.

Currently, my days are divided between work, family, church, Boy Scouts, coaching, reading and chess. I maintain a few blogs as well which document my scripture studies, spiritual experiences and chess adventures.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for many reasons.

The number one reason I'm a member is because of the Book of Mormon. My entire testimony hinges on that special book. One of my earliest memories as a child is that of wanting to participate in family scripture study with the rest of my family. As I was the youngest in my family, I always felt left out. I tried to be a part of the family by "reading along" in the Book of Mormon with the rest of the family. As I began to learn to read, my parents would help me read from the Book of Mormon. It brought much satisfaction in my life when I could finally read the Book of Mormon all by myself in family scripture study.

Time and time again, as I've read the Book of Mormon, I've felt the Holy Ghost confirm the truthfulness of it to me. I've felt it as a teenager, reading the Book of Mormon late into the night while I was alone in my room. I felt it while studying in seminary class. I've felt it while reading in those early morning hours at the Missionary Training Center. I felt it while reading in the jungles of Guatemala. I've felt it while reading in the library and at home. I still feel it today when I read the Book of Mormon during my lunch break and during my own family's scripture study every evening after dinner. The Book of Mormon is true; it came from God; it is divine and it has made my life better in countless ways.

I'm also a member of the Chuch because of the Priesthood power which seals my wife and me to each other and to our children. I love them dearly and I want to be with them for not only the time we live on earth, but for all eternity. I live confidently each day knowing that we will be together despite death. That same sealing power in the Priesthood also seals me to my parents and brothers and sisters - making those links from generation to generation. Knowing that I will be with my parents and brothers and sisters gives me much peace as well.

How I live my faith

I try to live my faith by serving others. There are so many things to do in today's world. And with the limited free time I have, I do what I can to help others.

When I was 19, I dedicated my life to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. All day and every day for two years, I preached and served.

Since my mission, I have served in many capacities in the Church. I've taught little children during our Sunday services. I've been involved with the Boys Scouts of America as a Scoutmaster and committee member - helping boys earn ranks and merit badges. I've participated in many service projects - helping members of the Church as well as the community. I've given my time to coaching young boys for a basketball team. I've visited widows and widowers; shoveled the snow off their sidewalks, stacked their fire-wood, mowed their lawns and painted fences and homes for them. I've worked on the church farm - pulling weeds from onion and potato fields and laying irrigation pipes.

The list of service seems to go on and on. And this is another aspect that is wonderful about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - it offers so many wonderful opportunities to serve others.

Do Mormons only help Mormons?

Don answered...

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not only other members. The members I know give many, many hours of service that are not "sponsored" by the Church itself. I have participated in many community service projects sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, United Way and even other local churches.

Officially, I know the Church has donated countless hours, dollars, food and materials to people who have been devastated by tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Taylor answered...

Absolutely not! While we definitely serve the members of our own church, we believe that ALL men and women on this earth are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. Therefore, we are all one in purpose. Mormons serve people throughout the world on a local/personal level as well as on a global level. Members of our church are able to donate money, which is distributed throughout the world to people and nations in need, especially in times of trouble and disaster. It is also common for members of the church to organize activities where materials for humanitarian aid are gathered and distributed.

How are modesty and chastity related? How can parents teach their children to be modest in dress, language and behavior?

Janet answered...

Chastity is reserving physical intimacy for after marriage. This sexual intimacy is such a beautiful and powerful display of love that it is to be reserved for that special time. When we do this we are showing the respect and love we have for ourselves and our bodies, as the gift from God that they are. Through our dress, language and behavior we also show our self worth and respect for who we are. The neat thing about being modest is the strong self confidence that is exhibited by your outward appearance. There is a power that comes from knowing that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father. As parents teach their children that simple truth, that self confidence will develop and as the desire to be modest in dress, language and behavior will come naturally. I know that this was the case in my life and am super grateful for the teachings of my parents and the high self confidence it cultivated in knowing of my individual worth as a daughter of God.