'Why We Are Mormon…'
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‘Why We Are Mormon…’ Mariel ~ Or so she says… Melissa ~ 320 Sycamore Becky ~ UCreate Becky ~ The Crafting Chicks Shawn ~ I Wash...You Dry Arianne ~ Still Parenting Camille ~ Six Sisters Stuff Becky ~ Babes in Hairland Emily ~ Is This Really My Life? Leigh Anne ~ Your Shandra ~ Deals to Meals Homebased Mom Shawni ~ 71 Toes Kristyn ~ Lil' Luna Tausha ~ Sassy Style Nikki ~ Chef in Training Redesign Nikkala ~ The Crafting Chicks Lindsey ~ The R House Megan ~ Brassy Apple Krista ~ Budget Gourmet Jamie ~ The Crafting Chicks Reachel ~ Cardigan Empire Mom Aleisha ~ She Calls Me Mama Mandy ~ Sugar Bee Crafts Kelli ~ Lolly Jane Leisha Caroline ~ Armelle Blog Stephanie ~ Somewhat Kirsten ~ The Crafting Chicks Simple Carrian ~ Sweet Basil Melanie ~ Sugardoodle Mel ~ Mel's Kitchen Cafe ~ The personal thoughts of your favorite LDS bloggers ~ If you have any questions about our beliefs, we would be happy to have you contact us. Our email addresses can be found on our blogs. More information is also available at www.mormon.org. No part of this document may be copied, distributed, or shared online without written permission from Mariel Wangsgard. Contact [email protected] Mariel ~ Or so she says… (www.oneshetwoshe.com) My dad always called me a ‘skeptical’ soul. Questioning anything and everything, and never running with the pack. While everyone was tight‐rolling their jeans, I was wearing bell‐bottoms. While everyone was listening to The Beastie Boys and 311, I was listening to James Taylor. While everyone was decorating their room in frills and pink, I chose a black and white checkered floor with striped walls in the primary colors. And, while I was surrounded by Catholic and Baptist friends, I was a lone Mormon. Truly. The only Mormon in my entire school. As far as we know, the only Mormon family in our New York town. I really stood out, but I didn’t know any different. Kids would ask me, ‘aren’t you some weird religion?’ And, I would say, ‘Yep, sure am.’ It wasn’t until I moved to Utah, in high school, where I found my life flipped around. I was surrounded by Mormons. Flabbergasted that there could really be two churches on ONE street. Amazed that my teachers spoke of Mormons in such a nonchalant manner. Upset at the disrespect displayed towards my religion in the newspaper editorials. Excited to have friends that shared my beliefs, but totally weirded out to be in the majority. For the first time I found myself wondering if the way I was raised, if the beliefs I had been taught, were right. It was time that I found out for myself, because I am my own person. A strong‐willed, skeptical, rebellious person. I knew that the best way to find out if the Mormon Church was true was to do everything it asked of me, and see how it made me feel inside. It wouldn’t make any sense to ask people if it was true and listen to their thoughts and opinions. People can be wrong, but God isn’t wrong. I had to listen to myself and The Holy Ghost. The scriptures always said that you have to have faith first, acting as if you believe, and then confirmation will come. If that’s the way it worked, then I wanted to do that. I went to church every Sunday, not because I had to, but with the intention to know the truth. I started reading my scriptures (Bible and Book of Mormon) every day. I prayed daily, attended extra religious schooling. I paid my tithing, went without food on Fast Sunday, and lived my life the way they taught me at church. I can tell you that nothing has ever been more right to me and brought me more happiness. I don't KNOW it because somebody told me. I don't KNOW it because I had some grand "come to Jesus" moment. I know it because of all the little things and because I found out for myself. And, I’m completely sold. I know that The Church of Latter‐Day Saints is God’s church on the earth, the only one that has the whole truth. The more I have delved my life into this gospel and His teachings, the more I know. I feel extremely close to my Savior and my relationship with Him is more important than anything. People can say what they want about my religion, and I expect them to. God’s true church will naturally have opposition. But, I know it’s true. I know it with every ounce of me. I could relay numerous spiritual experiences, so special to me, that brought me that confirmation. But, that is just it. They are special to me and they were FOR me. In my everyday life, I know because it's the peace I feel when I'm reading The Book of Mormon. The insight, lessons, and history found in that book have never ceased to amaze and inspire me. It's the comfort I feel when I pray. I am so humbled to know that Heavenly Father listens to MY prayers and that I can pour my heart out to him any time I want. It's the happiness that comes over me when I look around at all of my many blessings and the trials that have taught me so much. It's the confirmation in my heart that the teachings are true. It's the understanding that I have acquired that He wants us to know the truth. We are so important to Him and if we truly desire to know who we are, where we came from, where we're going, why we're here and what we need to be doing here on this earth...He will tell us. By acting in faith, with a true desire to know, He will let you know too. He will give you confirmations in your life that tell you that you are in the right place and doing the right things. Those experiences will be FOR you. And, the closer you stay to Him the easier it will be to know when things are not right. We are literally His children and His every happiness is for us to live a fulfilled life, understand our purpose, and know of His love for us. I wish I could accurately convey the feelings that well up inside of me, as I write this. It’s frustrating. But, this I know. My skeptical soul has become fiercely loyal. I am a Mormon because the church is true. Favorite Scriptures: Matthew 6:31‐33, 1 Nephi 3:7, Ether 12:27 2 Becky ~ The Crafting Chicks (www.thecraftingchicks.com) Have you ever heard the saying, “If you make a plan then God laughs”? I’m pretty sure He gets a kick out of me. I’m a born planner. I knew what I was going to be when I grew up, what college I was going to, when I would get married, and what my family would look like. Absolutely nothing I planned happened the way I planned it. It happened the way God wanted it and for that I am forever grateful! I grew closer to God and truly understood His plan for me when my husband and I decided it was time to start having children. I was young and naive and thought it just happens, right? Oh I was so wrong. When 3 months passed without a positive pregnancy test I was slightly discouraged. Finally a positive test came, but was short lived as it ended in miscarriage. One more positive pregnancy test 6 months later ended with the same result. I was confused. I wanted something good. Why wasn’t it happening? What was wrong with me? After struggling for 3 years to get pregnant with medical help we turned to adoption as our final hope. We were able to grow closer together and really discuss the issues we were facing. I feel this is one of the greatest blessings from our struggle with infertility. While preparing to have all our adoption paperwork ready I was diagnosed with another minor medical problem. Just having one more medical issue was almost more than I could bear. It drove me to my knees and with many tears I began asking My Father in Heaven for help and strength. Why was I going through this, and how would I make it through? I needed His help and I needed to turn my will into His. Once my prayer was over I felt peace rush over me. I knew that He heard my prayer. He knew what was best for me and He loves me. His plan is in His time not mine. I just needed to submit my will to His. After that prayer I became a happier person. I was able to find joy in the little things in life. I was now using my pent up frustration about being infertile to help serve and lift others. I knew I would be a mother because I had faith in Heavenly Father’s plan for me. The best part of all is one month after my heart felt prayer I took a pregnancy test that was positive. I carried that sweet baby girl for 9 months and gave birth to her and have loved her every day for the last 6 years. Since then we were able to have 2 more sweet girls. I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who has a plan for each of us.