Hi, I'm Marci

With 3 energetic kids and a rocket scientist husband, I love music, storytelling and the beach as my outlet. And, I am a Mormon.

About Me

When you have 3 kids, you've got things to keep you laughing everyday. My kids are my alarm clock in the morning, my dinner-bell at night, and keep me hopping through the day...WHEW. They remind me that the "little things" in life, make me happy. My husband and I love attending concerts, museums, hanging with family and friends, and sampling new foods to try. He's a rocket scientist and I'm a communications graduate, so together we are a great match. We are a hiking, cycling, camping, boogie boards at the beach, crazy crew. AND, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Why I am a Mormon

When I find something that helps me be happy, I stick with it. Being a Mormon is more than something that I do...something that I believe with all my heart.

I have always been a believer. I have faith and felt that God loved me. But, to be truly happy I had to be who I was...inside and out. My heart had to be into my actions. Otherwise it was motion, without emotion. When I realized this, it was time for me to be converted. I had to search what I believed and to "experiment" by bringing those beliefs into action. This was something that took time and effort. It didn't come all at once, but the things I am learning from this experience are worth it.

I realized that if something is important to you, it important to God. If you ask questions from your heart you will find answers. Feelings of peace will confirm those answers. You can have spiritual experiences that will help your beliefs grow into actions, and bring peace. The more I learn about Jesus Christ and followed the things he taught, the more I have found happiness and peace. The love God has for us can touch every heart.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

My interest began many years ago, when I was a child. I loved to hear the stories my parents would tell about their childhood. When I was young, my dad would also tell about the "Bear Lake Monster" and we would sit quietly for as long as the story lasted. My mother would tell about my great-grandmother's "treasure room" and going swimming in the local pond. I loved hearing about these stories and wanted to have a way to remember those in my family who have gone before me.

One night when I was young, we tape recorded my dad telling us a few stories. Now, that he has died over 20 years ago, I can play that tape for my children. It's a part of their heritage. They can hear their grandfather's voice and get taste of his sense of humor. I have also recorded my mother telling a few of her childhood stories and about dating and marrying my dad. These records are priceless to me.

Family History work to me is much more than just finding out about the names of your relatives, or dusting off a family Bible. It is work to remember those who hold pieces of who you are. Reading their journals, listening to tapes, and seeing pictures of long ago family outings helps me to gain an appreciation of my family tree. The roots in my tree are made deep through a heritage of struggles and triumphs. I've been collecting their stories from my relatives for years and hope to combine it all into a book for my family and cousins. The cassette tapes are now computerized files, the family photos have been converted to photo format files, and I'm working on scanning the written journals and stories of my ancestors...all in an effort to pass along the lessons learned to our kids.

As I help my children learn more about their "roots" I hope it will inspire them to reach for more. Because, once you learn where you came from, it affects all the decisions in where you are going.

Think about your everyday activities. What are things you act upon each day where you cannot see the end results? How does faith move you to action?

President Thomas S. Monson once said, "I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by."

Difficulties help us to sift quickly the things of greatest worth. I have been struggling with health issues and chronic pain for the past...about 7 years. For several years, we were desperate to find a diagnosis and I had no strength, no energy, and was in intense pain. My children were so young and it was difficult to be in bed most of the day. I could only do the most absolute necessary. One year, my strength had left my body and while I was in my 30's I felt much older and was ready to dye my hair white and live in a housecoat.

After a few years of searching, we found that I had Fibromyalgia and was trying to get the pain and dysfunction to become manageable. As friends would ask me how I was holding up, I had to share with them that I have been learning of God at an accelerated rate. My weakness had brought a greater faith in God, an even greater closeness within my family, a need to prioritize. Even now, working through this trial, I have seen the blessings and miracles that have come through faith in the Lord. Through our weakness, we can be made strong. As we try to come closer to the Lord, we will be able to witness how he blesses our lives. Before these difficulties, I felt like I had endless energy. I was getting a lot done each day, but now I look back...were those things the most important? Now, because my energy and strength are limited, I evaluate my priorities daily: will this bring us closer as a family, will this help me draw closer to God, is this a priority? My strength continues to improve and many of abilities that were temporarily lost have been restored... I realize now that my faith has gotten stronger through my trial of weakness.

How I live my faith

Living my faith is by trying to DO good things.
There are always opportunities to find something good to do. The activities in our church give chances to serve, grow and learn. Wherever you serve within this church, one job is just as important as another. Each job has different responsibilities and no one is paid money for their service to others. At this time, I work with the women of my faith that live within my city. I have been so inspired by the women I met through this service. Recently we hosted a women's conference for about 200 women. Those who attended were from different backgrounds, different stages in life, and even some of different faiths. Through all of those differences, the purpose of attending seemed the same: to learn "tools" that would help us through difficult things in life. I realized at this conference, that coming together in a good purpose can bless lives. There are so many who are involved with doing good things. My family have seen benefits by the simple service from others. Our burdens have been lifted and friendships strengthened by simple acts.
I love how simple acts of service bring people together from all walks of life. Serving is easy, just roll up your sleeves and make good things happen.

What are Mormon women like? Do Mormons believe in equality of men and women?

Marci answered...

What are Mormon women like?
Well, we are normal, fun and happy people. As a woman, each of us are Daughters of God. We have talents to develop, love to share, and help ease the burdens of another. Mormon women are BIG on family, supporting friends (both Mormon & non-Mormons), and helping our children gain a faith in God.

Men and women are both equally important, but have different gifts and talents to bring.
Women get to nurture and help their house become a home and shower with hugs and kisses (even when something is spilled in the car). Men help to protect and provide for the family and give lots of love (and the occasional candy bar). Use your family time to strengthen bonds between the members of the family. Laugh together, spend time together, teach children about your hobbies and interests and learn of their interests.

Go do something together...learn that you don't always have to win at Monopoly and that Bowing with the gutters covered can yield higher scores.
Gloria answered...

We believe that men and women are equal in importance, but different in responsibilities and roles. We are two parts of a whole. Women can bear and raise children, men provide and protect. This may seem old-fashioned, but it works! My husband is the President of a company, and I tell him that he is the President at work, and I am the President of my own little corporation at home. I support him in his challenging job, and he supports me in mine. I do believe that "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world"! I am caring for, teaching and nurturing children who will go out in the world and fulfill their own great destinies. I feel a huge responsibility to prepare them for what they will face in the future and to make sure that they have the ability/tools to handle whatever challenges life brings them. I have the greatest and most challenging job in the world!