Bio of Steve Christensen

Family: Spouse: Marilyn. Nine children: Matt, 23, home from a mission to New Mexico and the Navajos -- attending Salt Lake Community College; Becka, 21, attending the U of U; Liz, 21, attending the U of U; Mike, 17, Jr. in High School; David, 15, 9th grade; Peter, 12, 7th grade; Jacob, 10, 5th grade; Sarah, 8, 2^nd grade; and Anna, 4, at home, and firmly convinced that the other 10 of us were sent to Earth to prepare the way and serve her. We oblige.

After returning from Costa Rica, I met my old high school sweetheart and we began to date again. Her mission papers were already submitted, and she was soon on her way to Quebec. I wrote her faithfully, which is more than I can say for her during my mission. Recognizing that she would never marry me after her mission if I gave her time to figure out what type of person I was, we were married soon after she came home. No one can figure out why she married me. Seriously. But, she has made covenants and isn't the type to break them. She has real faith in the resurrection, and hopes that I'll be more normal in the next life.

In spite of my contribution to their genetic makeup, we have been blessed with wonderful children. About 18 years ago, we decided to move our family from Salt Lake to an ancestral home of Marilyn's family in Farmington. It is now a thinly disguised slave labor camp for children. Marilyn and I spend our time running between soccer games and practices (5 currently play), school, church, and making sure the cow is milked, the beef cattle are still in the pasture, the eggs gathered, and gardens and orchard weeded and watered.

Church: In spite of the fervent prayers of 500 wonderful people, I am still the bishop of our home ward. I've served for 2 1/2 years. The ward members would appreciate it if you would unite your faith with theirs in praying for relief in the form of anyone else as bishop. I previously served on the high council, in several bishoprics, ward and stake young men's president, high priest group leader, scout master, and elder's quorum president a couple of times.

Education: I received a finance degree from the U of U, and a law degree from BYU.

Work: I now practice in Salt Lake with an emphasis on corporate and real estate law, which basically means that I represent developers of shopping centers, office buildings, subdivisions and assist in forming, buying and selling businesses.

Hobbies: I guess my family is my hobby. My kids wish I would find a new one that doesn't include them so much.

Comps: My mission was a life-changing experience. I was blessed to have great companions: Tony Colindres, Elder Aguilar, David Laron Anderson, Forest Williams, Steve Berner, Fernando Lanza, Ken Baugh, Stuart Smith, Chris Seibach, Gaylen Darrough and Mike Lacey. I hope I didn't miss any. I look at the list and realize I must have been a problem elder who needed strong companions.

Areas Served: I served in Alajuela, Heredia, Panama City, La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula, and Los Yoses, with a little time in Liberia, Costa Rica, and a few little towns in Northern Nicaragua.

Memories: Thanks to all of you for the great experience. It's still true.