Hi, I'm Casey

I love life. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a senior in college, majoring in Latin American Studies. I fell in love with the language, music, and culture while serving an LDS mission in southern Chile from 2007-2009. I enjoy running and being outdoors, as well as writing, traveling, studying other languages, and being with my family and friends.

Why I am a Mormon

There was a time in my life when I wasn't sure if God really existed. I knew that lots of other people said that they strongly believed in Him and in the teachings of the Church, but I didn't understand why some people would act the way they did if they really knew what they claimed. When I decided to find out for myself if what I had always learned at Church was true, I set a goal of daily studying the scriptures, reflecting, and praying, with the intent of feeling God's love and knowing that I was His daughter. After working hard to find out for myself, I recognized the feelings of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and faith Gal. 5:22-23, and with time I came to know that it was true--that God is our loving Heavenly Father, that we are literally His children, and that He has again put on the earth the same Church that Christ established when he was here. I know that God calls prophets, who are good men that receive revelation from God to guide us here on earth so that we can return to live with Him, because He loves us and He has a plan for us. Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. I have come to know from experience that obedience to God's commandments is the only way to be truly happy in this life, and that the fullness of His teachings, His gospel, is found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

I went on a mission because when I discovered for myself that God exists, that He loves me, and that He has a plan for me as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I wanted to share that knowledge with others. I knew that everyone could receive inspiration from God to know what He wants them to do in their lives, and that the people who are honestly searching for answers about their purpose in life or to know what God wants them to do with their lives can find it if they put in the effort. I went on a mission because I wanted everyone to know that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us so that we could return to live with Them, if we will obey the commandments He has established in the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How I live my faith

During the past year, I have been a Sunday School teacher at church. I had never done it before, but I have come to love it. As I have prepared lessons from the scriptures to share with my peers, I have found that meaningful questions and personal stories from everyone help us to have great discussions and to feel God's love for us individually.

What is the First Vision?

Casey answered...

The First Vision is the event that started the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. In 1820, a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith wanted to know which church he should join, since there was a lot of religious confusion in the area where he lived in upstate New York. He came across a scripture in James 1:5, which reads: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Joseph was impressed by the scripture, and in his own words, Joseph said, "Never did any passage of ascripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine" (JS-H 1:12). He decided to pray vocally to ask God which church he should join. Joseph went to a grove of trees to be alone, and he offered up a prayer to God. While doing so, a light descended and two people appeared to him. One of them spoke to him, calling him by name, and said, pointing to the other, "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (JS-H 1:14-17). God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son appeared to Joseph Smith. They instructed him that he should not join any of the churches at that time, for they were all wrong. A few years later, Joseph Smith was called by God to be a prophet and to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. Twelve apostles were called, just like in the days of Jesus Christ, and under the direction of a prophet and 12 apostles with the authority of God, Christ's Church was once again on the earth in 1830.

What are some of the ways that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helps those around the world?

Collette answered...

Check out ldsphilanthropies.org for some of the official ways that Mormons help. Our help is directed to anyone in need, regardless of religious affiliation.

We believe in being 'anxiously engaged' in a good cause. I have enjoyed serving the people of Guatamala and Peru on serveral occasions, to help train dentists, provide dental work to people who have no access to it, and to deliver much needed humanitarian supplies to orphanages and churches. I have felt joy in serving my brothers and sisters in other lands. I hope to get a better handle on the Spanish language, and return again soon to Central or South America.