Welcome!

Welcome to the State College Latter-day Saint member missionary blog! As the inaugural post, allow me to introduce myself and the purpose of this blog:

This blog was created as an electronic outlet for local members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) to share why they believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ with their friends and neighbors. As global interest in the LDS church rises, we wanted to take the opportunity to answer questions, clarify misconceptions, and share how Jesus Christ's teachings have influenced our lives for the better.

I am a rising 3rd year law student here at Penn State Dickinson School of Law, a husband, father of one boy (soon to be two boys!), and one of the local mission leaders in the State College area. The Gospel of Jesus Christ goes to the very core of who I am. As a 14 year old boy, I read the Book of Mormon for the first time, and after as much consideration, pondering, and prayer as my adolescent mind could muster, received a witness that it is a true book of scripture. The entire purpose and focus of the Book of Mormon teaches of Jesus Christ and his Atonement for our sins. One passage especially emphasizes this purpose: "...there is no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." (Mosiah 3:17) At that time in my life I decided to put my trust and faith in Christ, to build my spiritual foundation upon His rock.

Since that time I have experienced my fair share of trials and hard decisions. At every low point, when I can't think I can get any lower, I hit my rock Jesus Christ, and because of him I am unable to go any lower. Because he overcame for me, I am able to pick myself up and move forward, better and stronger. At every twist and turn I have been able to reference Christ as my true North. I am and will forever be in His debt. I am grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

-Ben Van Noy