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Hi I'm Matthew
I completed graduate studies in anthropology. I like to read and write. I'm an educator. I'm a Mormon.
About Me
I teach college. I enjoy teaching, learning new things, researching, and writing. I have a family and enjoy to spend time with them. I also enjoy running, hiking, biking, basketball, and baseball.
Why I am a Mormon
I am a Mormon because I read the Book of Mormon and prayed about it to know that it is true. I received an answer of its truthfulness. My faith was tried as a missionary, where I saw other people do the same as me--to find out for themselves that the Church is true. I feel of the Savior's love through witnessing of his truth and serving other people. All of these things I have done as a Mormon. Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ has brought me much happiness. When I have fallen, the Lord has lifted me up. I am not perfect, but I know that as I try to be like Jesus and to walk in His ways by following his example and teachings as found in His Church that I have greater happiness than when I don't follow his ways.
How I live my faith
I live my faith by teaching the gospel to a small group of adults on Sundays at church. I also serve in the community and attend to my civic duties.
What do Mormons believe about the nature of God?
Matthew
We believe that God is A Man of Holiness, that he created man in his own image. (Genesis 1:26). God is merciful, kind, loving, all powerful, all knowing, and his presence may be felt everywhere. If we were to see God, he would appear to us as a pure intelligent being that we could speak to face to face like we speak to a friend. God is perfect in love and in all the attributes that the bible attributes to him. God is our Heavenly Father who wants to bless us more than we honestly deserve.
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Who founded Mormonism and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Matthew
Joseph Smith, a young farm boy from upstate New York founded the Church after receiving an answer to his humble prayer in a grove of trees near his home in Palmyra, New York. Joseph Smith received revelations and instructions from Jesus Christ on how to establish the Church of Jesus Christ once again on the Earth.
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Do Mormons regard the Bible as Holy Scripture and the word of God?
Matthew
Mormons believe that the Bible is the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly.
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Why is family so important to Mormons?
Matthew
Families are important because they are among the only things in life that we can have in the next life. Mormons believe that families are sacred and that they can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan.
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What do Mormons believe about "eternal life?"
Matthew
Eternal life is living in the presence of God our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and our families for all time and eternity in a state of never ending bliss and perfection.
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Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?
Matthew
No, Mormons do not worship Joseph Smith. However, we do consider Joesph Smith an important prophet much like Moses, Abraham, and the Apostle Peter. Instead, Mormons worship God the Father and Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.
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What is the Mormon lifestyle like? How do Mormons live?
Matthew
The Mormon lifestyle includes participation in the community through sports, theater, the arts, the political process, and education. Mormons generally have a family night once a week to place emphasis on spiritual learning, and family togetherness. Mormons are encouraged to work full-time meeting the needs of their families in the spirit of true self reliance. Additionally, Mormon's often do much of their chores, and shopping on Saturday's to get ready for Sunday. Sunday is the Mormon sabbath day, or day of rest, where Mormon's attend their local ward/congregation at the local chapel. Such meetings consist of a three-hour block that includes: (1)Sacrament meeting, where members of the church partake of the emblems of the Lord's supper and listen to uplifting talks/sermons given by members of the congregation, and sing worship songs called hymns. (2) Sunday School where members attend a church class that features the scriptures. This years theme of study is the Book of Mormon. (3) Priesthood (men) or Relief Society (women) meeting is where men and women respectively learn additional lessons from gospel principles, and the teachings of the living prophets that help them to be better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and citizens. Children attend primary classes during the Sunday School and Priesthood times. Young Men and Young women attend their Sunday School classes during the Sunday School hour and then split up into either the Young Men, and Young Women groups.
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How can we stop the spread and influence of pornography?
Matthew
We can stop it by not watching movies, or looking at magazines that promote it in anyway. We can teach our children the importance of our bodies, that they are sacred and even the temples of God.
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What is a ward/stake/branch?
Matthew
A ward is a geographical boundary that consists of a local congregation of believers who attend at a local church meeting house. A Stake is a conglomerate of five or more wards or branches that cover perhaps a city or parts of a city limit. A Branch is a smaller version of a ward.
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Do Mormons only help Mormons?
Matthew
No, in fact I have probably helped more non-Mormons than Mormons throughout my life and my missionary service.
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What is done with the tithing that Mormons pay?
Matthew
Tithing is used for the Church building program of temples, churches or houses of worship, maintenance of such facilities, education; both seminary and institutes of religion, and for the longevity of institutions of higher learning such as: BYU-Provo, BYU Hawaii, BYU Idaho, and LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, UT.
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What is the Law of Chastity?
Matthew
It is keeping ourselves spiritually and physically pure in deed and in thought. We are not to commit adultery. We are to keep our marital vows with complete fidelity. We do not believe in premarital sexual relations.
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How do I become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church)?
Matthew
To become a member of the Church you must have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World, repent (ask forgiveness for your sins and misdeeds in your life), be baptized by proper priesthood authority, and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Once these steps are completed you have become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Mormons believe Jesus Christ is their Savior. Why do we need a Savior?
Matthew
We need the savior to redeem us from our sins or misdeeds in this life. For instance, if we break one of the Ten Commandments we need to ask for forgivness to God and promise not to sin again.
In other words, we need to work on being better people, friends, husbands/wives, sons/daughters, brothers/sisters. One time in my life I got really angry at my parents because of a misunderstanding. I went directly to my parents to explain how I felt. I felt left out and misinformed about happenings in the family. I was playing the victim. I went home and I could not sleep. I was festering so much anger toward my parents. I had so much anger I could not sleep and I wrestled with this anger inside me. I was sinning, I could not forgive them. Finally, I could not take it anymore and I prayed. I asked Heavenly Father to help me since I could not sleep. Finally, a scripture came to mind: "Forgive them for they know not what they do." Instantly, the pain was gone, I realized that I had sinned and that my parents were unaware of what they did, that they did not neglect me intentionally. I finally could go to sleep and I woke up happy and reassured that God truly did know all and that I did not need to harbor ill feelings toward anyone.
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Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?
Matthew
No, the Mormon Church does not endorse political parties.
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Why do Mormons perform baptisms for the dead?
Matthew
Mormons perform baptisms for the dead to give all of Heavenly Father's children an opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus taught that unless we are born of the water and of the spirit we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (John 3:5) Therefore, it is necessary to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. Since there are many people who died without ever hearing about Jesus Christ, it is only fair that they are offered an opportunity to hear about the gospel in the spirit world and then be offered baptism through the baptismal ordinances carried out by living people on earth in temples dedicated for such a purpose.
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Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?
Matthew
Yes, families can be together forever through following the commandments that Jesus Christ has given to us, and by keeping our covenants of marriage that a husband and wife make with each other and with the Lord in the temple.
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Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?
Matthew
Mormon temples are sacred places where only the truly penitent and devout members of the Church, who take their sacred duties seriously should enter. Jesus taught his disciples not to cast their pearls before swine. The apostle Paul taught that the followers of Jesus Christ needed to be fed milk before they could ingest the meat of the gospel. So it is with the temple. There is nothing secret about the temples, but they are sacred. The temple is such a sacred place that if the spiritually immature enter therein, they may find themselves bored, frustrated, or just wasting their time. Much prayer, and mediation occurs in the temple. It is a quiet place of instruction, relaxation, and reflection. Yet, at the same time it is a vibrant place of worship and service. Deeper meaning of the gospel and mission of Jesus Christ is found in the temple for those who are spiritually prepared.
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What will the Mormon missionaries talk about when they visit my home?
Matthew
They will talk to you about Faith in God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, the love of God, the prophets, scriptures, revelation and the Holy Ghost.
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What are Mormon Temples used for?
Matthew
Mormon temples are used for instruction, worship, service and training for the ministry. Temples are a "place of thanksgiving for all saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices; That they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry, in theory, in principle, and in doctrine, in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth," (Doctrine & Covenants 97:13-14)
Temples are a place apart from the world where one may better commune with God and ponder the blessings of the gospel and those things that God would have us do to improve our lives and the lives of others. Temples are also designated as holy places where members of the Church may perform saving ordinances such as baptisms on behalf of their deceased ancestors who died without receiving such blessings.
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