Hi, I'm Brad

I'm from PA. I'm currently a Roofer full time. I've been learning Financial Services part time. I'm happily married. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm from PA. I'm currently a Roofer full time. I've also been learning and working in Financial Services part time. I just got married for the first time last year! I have a wonderful wife who I met through Church activities. I love to spend time with my wife and our families, and I like to build, create, repair, organize, analyze, and learn things. I also like activities such as frisbee, mini golf, walks outside. I currently spend much of my time and energy working and studying, but I take time to enjoy a nice dinner with my wife almost every night, which I enjoy helping to cook and plan sometimes. Every Sunday we go to Church and sometimes visit family or others. On Monday nights we have FHE, which usually involves a brief spiritual lesson, prayer, and fun activity together at home. We pray and read the scriptures together at least a little bit every day. Friday nights are date night and we sometimes do other fun things on Saturdays when possible. I'm from a religious backround and parents that taught me strong values and faith in God and the Bible. I've kept those things with me through life and I believe it has spared and sheltered me from a lot of problems people can sometimes have in the world. I have some interesting past experiences such as living in Altanta for a year as a volutary service missionary and working in a variety of jobs including Janitorial, Metal fabrication, Drafting and Design, Heating and Air Conditioning, Excavating, and Roofing.

Why I am a Mormon

I had come to a point in my life where I had developed a strong belief, interest, and knowledge of the Bible, and faith in the Lord. One of the recurring verses that continued to come to my attention through personal and group studies of the Bible was Jeremiah 33:3: "Call unto me and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Around that time I became acquainted with a Mormon in my neighborhood who became a good friend. He shared his faith with me, which I was curious of. But I didn't want to leave the Church I was from. I didn't even know if Mormons were Christians. But I agreed to meet the missionaries. They shared their message with me. I liked how they were not high pressure, but simply invited me to pray to God for a confirmation of their message. They introduced me to the Book of Mormon. I found it to be full of the same things the Bible teaches about Jesus, the same One whom I had come to love and serve. I decided to visit the Church, and found the teachings and the people to be sincere followers of Christ. Through much more questioning, prayer, and searching the scriptures I experienced confirmations I couldn't deny. I found that the Book of Mormon did not compete with or replace the Bible, but was indeed Another Witness of the same Jesus Christ and an account of His minsitry to some of His "Other Sheep". Also some of the negative cristisms against the Church I found were not always true, but reminded me of those who reacted negatively to Jesus as the Bible records. In my experiecne with the Church I saw the Mormons demonstrate the Love and truth of the Spririt of Christ. I prayed if their message is true and I received answers which I eventually recognized and acted on. I am a Mormon because I believe that Jesus is who the Bible and Book of Mormon say He is, and that the Church is really what it claims to be - a Restoration of the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Personal Stories

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

Because I want to share what I've found in the Gospel, and believe it is life changing, the power of God unto salvation, and beause there seems to be a great need for it all around. the Gospel has answers that can really help people find purpose in life, be delivered from sin and sorrow, and find joy and peace in life.

I try to speak up and let others know of my faith, and to not be ashamed to be associated with Christ.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?

Psalm 1 blessed is the man who does not sit in the seat of sinners or mockers but his delight is on the word of God, on it he meditates day and night.
Matt. 6:33 seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you
Isaiah 58:11 is not this the fast i have chosen...
Mosiah 4:29 it is not requsite that a man should run faster than he has strength, but all things must be done in wisdom and order.
Proverbs stay away from Red wine, do not gossip, many other great teachings
There are a diveristy of gifts but the same Spirit

many many others too many to list!

What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?

Prayer, reading the scriptures, attending Church, keeping Sundays holy, refraining from pornogrophy, alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, getting enough rest, eating healthy, exercise.

How does making right choices help us make more right choices?

When you step out in faith towards Christ, he is always faithful to fulfill His promises. You gain a testimony of a commandment by doing it. He said that if anyone keeps His doctrine he shall know the truth of it. When you experience this confirmation of the Holy Ghost, it is very joyful and peaceful and you realize this is really want you want in life. At least that's how its been for me, as I've made conscious decisions to follow the gospel, I find it to come true by experience, and this in turn motivates me to grow closer to the Lord and be more obedient.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is the belief that good is coming, it is a confident optimism based on truth. It can be for things in this life or even after death. It can be for such as righteous desires as love, family, friends, marriage, financial provision, freedom from sin, oppression, burdens, trials, and victory over sin and evil through the grace and power of the Lord.

Some things I hope for is as continued long term companionship and love of my wife and family, and abundant financial provision to meet all our needs as well as being able to help others around us who need help, and after this life to have eternal life in Heaven with God and Jesus and those I love. I love Alma 40:12, which says that it shall come to pass that the spirits of those who are righteous, after they have departed this life, shall enter into a state of peace, happiness, and rest.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by believing in the Lord, prayer, scripture study, Church attendance and participation, but also everything I do revolves around my faith in the Lord. I go to work everyday to earn an honest pay in return for my honest work. I always try to treat others around me with respect and kindness. I educate my mind to improve my options and work toward a higher income to provide for my wife and myself so as not to be a burden on anyone, and to be able to have enough to share with those in need. I refrain from things the Lord has revealed that are harmful or sinful. I sincerely ask forgiveness and repent of anything unpleasing to the Lord. I try to follow all the counsel of the prophets and apostles. I go to the Temple with my wife occasionally to participate in special times of worship, prayer, etc. I help others who are in need when it is in my power to do so. My wife and I also have a calling in the local Church as Emergency Preparedness Coordinators, where we work on organizing and preparing members and those in our community for emergencies to make sure they have everything they need. And last but not least, I live my faith by striving to be a loving husband to my wife.

What is a ward/stake/branch?

Brad answered...

A ward is a local congregation. A stake is a group of wards. Wards and Stakes are organized geographically. The term Stake is from the Old Testament in Isaiah 54:2.
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Adam answered...

There is a lot of vocabulary that is unique to Mormonism, including the terms we use for our congregations.

A ward is a local congregation, usually made up of between 200-600 members. Wards have specific geographic boundaries, so which ward you attend would depend on where you live. A ward is presided over by a lay priesthood holder called a bishop.

A branch is similar to a ward, except it is smaller. They range in size from a single family to the size of a small ward. Generally, branches are in areas without a significant Mormon population, specific to a language, or for individuals who are single. Branches do not have bishops, but are presided over by a branch president.

A stake is a larger organization in the church. Several wards and branches, frequently around 12, will comprise a stake. The stake is able to support the wards and branches through additional resources and leadership. Stakes are presided over by stake presidents.

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

John answered...

We want everyone to be able to enter the Temple and feel of the sweet and beautifully peaceful aroma and spirit there. A Temple is a holy and sacred place. Unlike regular church buildings which are also sacred, Temples are specially reserved as places to be separate from worldly influences. Therefore, only those who are living such a life may enter, so as to preserve the Temple's sacredness. But we want everyone to qualify so that they may enter and feel of that spirit. It isn't hard to qualify, but it does take some effort. All that is required is for one to live a Christlike life with a heart that only desires to do good.