Hi, I'm Kelli

I am a Registered Nurse, happily married, with 6 kids and 13 grandkids! I love the gospel!

About Me

Very Happily married to the love of my life for 31 years.
Mother of 3 boys and 3 girls, all over 18 now.
Grandmother of 13. Love being a "Grammy."
I was an Licensed Practical Nurse for over 25 years, when I decided to finally finish that coveted Registered Nurse degree. I graduated on my 50th birthday and now work in Home Health. I love interacting with the patients in their own environment. My work allows me to gain patience, tolerance for others, and a compassion that helps me gain a glimpse of what is meant by "Christ-like love for your fellow man."

Why I am a Mormon

My parents joined the church when I was 4 years old, so I pretty much grew up in the church. I have always felt, even as a very young primary student, that I was of great value to my Heavenly Father. I knew there was more to this life than what I was experiencing at the time. I knew that I had a full life ahead of me and I always wanted to make the best of whatever I experienced.
I have had my struggles with depression, poor choices, and watching some of my grown children wander. But I always find great solace and comfort in holding to the truths that I know in my heart are of God. The gospel message brings more than anything else, a peace and comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ's mission was for everyone certainly, but even for little me. I take it very personally. He suffered and died that I might not suffer and that I may live again with Him and with my Heavenly Father.

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

Family means everything to me. You don't have to be LDS to believe that. But some encouragement from our leaders have helped our family stay close. Family time was always valued, we always took vacations together, studied the scriptures, had family prayer in the morning and in the evening, and we always tried to eat at least one meal of the day together. Take the steps to show your children that they come first in your life. Not work, not social activities, not sports, and not hobbies. And... most important, love your spouse like no other. I believe the most important thing you can show your children, is that you love their mother, or their father. That will help them feel secure and desire the same kind of marital relationship when they are adults.

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

Most of our 6 children are grown and have families of their own. We schedule a family reunion once every 18 months. This allows for a Christmas together every 3 years, and a summer together every 3 years. It lasts only a week, but we make the most of it. It doesn't matter the destination and it certainly doesn't have to be expensive. And most important, we have fun. We've gone to the coast, to the parks in Southen Utah and Arizona, and we have all spent time at our home. We strive to make all important events like marriages, and the blessing of babies.
We have a family blogspot where we share milestones. And my husband and I make an effort to call our married children once a week. We speak to our grandkids at that time too. We share important events and we share the everyday things as well. We give advice when asked, but we don't interfere. We also just take an occasional trip to just have fun and visit.

How has the Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?

The Book of Mormon is most definitely a companion to the Bible and it truly is another testament of Jesus Christ.
The Bible is filled with prophetic words of the prophets in the Old World. They testify of Jesus Christ and his Divine Mission. In the Bible, Christ states "Other sheep have I which are not of this fold." We believe that Christ is speaking of those in the Americas at the time. Why would God not have prophets on the other side of the world? Why would those people be deprived of a Savior or of the words of the prophets? They certainly did not have the advantage of the internet or the postal service. How else could they be reached? God spoke to prophets in the old world as well, and Christ visited the people in the Americas after he was resurrected. He taught them the same things He taught the people in the Old Word. And, God spoke to the prophets in the Americas and they wrote them down just like the prophets of the Bible did. This is what the Book of Mormon contains. And it reiterates the same gospel messages as the old World prophets do in the Bible. This only serves to cement those truths found in the Bible.
The Book of Mormon again testifies to me of the Divinity of Christ and how much He loved all people, even those who were of another fold.

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

The most poignant time that I recall where my belief in Jesus Christ and his mission truly turned my life around was about 20 years ago. I had been suffering with depression for years. However, after my 5th child, it became severe. I never thought of suicide, but I did make a plan to leave my family because I felt I was so unworthy of them and that I was causing my husband and 5 small children at the time, great grief. I was so consumed by my self-doubt and unworthiness that I believed I was no longer capable of being the type of wife and mother I knew that I should be.
I am not really certain why I was feeling this way, except that I was raised in a home where there had been some abuse. I couldn't reason having a Father in Heaven who really loved me when my earthly home was less then what it should have been. ( I have since learned to appreciate the good things my parents did and not dwell on the mistakes of the past.) For whatever reason, I felt incredibly alone and worthless, in spite of a husband who always treated me with the greatest respect and stood by me through all my struggles.
When I let my spouse in on my plan, he was devastated and pleaded with me to please seek counseling and get an appt. with a physician to find out if there was any help for me. I had tried this before and felt there were no answers. But I promised I would try again. I felt as though I were in a deep dark hole with no way out. I really held out little hope that I could feel any different. However, I begged and pleaded with the Lord to please help me find the answers I needed to feel the love I wanted to believe He had for me. I went to counseling provided by our church, and I was put on an anti-depressant.
While it seems so simplistic, I literally woke up one morning and my life and mission and its connection with Jesus Christ's mission became as clear to me as glass. I felt an incredible burden lifted from me and felt the Savior's love envelope me. At that moment, I was able to forgive all those who had hurt me. I recognized that the Savior suffered not only for the pain that I was feeling, but the hurt that was caused by others. I realized at that moment that nothing that "happened" to me, was as important as what the Savior did for me. I knew from that moment and to this day, that I was important and that my mission in life was to bring this message to my children and those who I come in contact with. My eyes were open to the sweet peace that is offered only through Jesus Christ our Savior. I felt complete and utter peace. And I have never forgotten that to this day.
I have a renewed sense of self worth, recognize my value in this life and in those who mean the most to me, such as my husband and children. I KNOW without a doubt that my Heavenly Father and my Savior KNOW me personally. They are with me throughout my struggles. And I know that if I will try to live by the Savior's example, with compassion and forgiveness for all, that I will be successful and I will recognize my own worth as well as everyone elses.

Could you talk about your baptism?

I was baptized when I was 8 years old, as is traditional in our faith. I can't say that I necessarily knew what I was promising at the time, but I certainly had faith that it was the right thing to do. I have never regretted that decision and my faith has continually grown since that time. I know I am where I am today because of my faith in Christ. My baptism was a necessary formality.

How I live my faith

I have held various callings in church. I've worked in the program for women, the Young Women's program which is a program for youth, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and now I am a Primary Teacher. I teach the Sunbeams, the 3 year olds. I have 4 little girls in my classroom and I love them! I enjoy watching their eyes light up when they share their personal stories about their families, their pets, and their unique experiences that only a 3 year old can have!

Mormons believe Jesus Christ is their Savior. Why do we need a Savior?

Kelli answered...

We must have a Savior because we are not perfect. We will make mistakes in this life because it is a learning experience. We cannot become better unless we experience both the good and the bad this life has to offer. I don't mean that we must purposely seek to do wrong, but we will experience happiness and sadness, sweetness and bitterness. And we will suffer. That suffering could be our downful, if there wasn't a Savior to lift us up, ease our burdens, and pave the way for us to overcome all the evil in this world. Christ died and was resurrected so that we too, can be resurrected. He broke the bands of death. Christ will, if we allow Him and turn to Him in our times of sorrow, ease our suffering. He will take the pain away so that we may go forward with renewed assurance that there is peace to come. We can let go of the past mistakes, the pain we have caused by our own transgressions, as well as the pain we suffer at the hands of others.
I know this to be true because I have experienced it in my life. Jesus Christ truly does do what He says He will do. It truly is Amazing Grace.
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Meaghan answered...

Have you ever met a perfect person? I doubt it. Why? Because everyone makes mistakes. When you make a mistake or are confused on what you should do, you want someone to help you, right? We all need someone to help us. We all need a Savior. We always hear that Jesus Christ saved us, but what does that truly mean? It not only means that he suffered and died for you personally, it means that he lived and lives for us too. He wants to help us. Jesus Christ is the only one who underestands everything that we go through. He not only wants to make up for the mistakes we make, but he wants to carry our burdens too. All we need to do is let him carry our burdens. Everyone faces personal challenges and Jesus is there to help. Everyone makes a mistake qa some point in life too. The beauty of having a Savior, is the fact that we can be forgiven. Sometimes our hands get dirty, but they can always be washed clean.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Christina answered...

Mormons believe that we are commanded to love all people as sons and daughters of God, regardless of age, sex, race, or sexual orientation. However, we believe that homosexual behavior is a serious sin and in direct violation with the commandments of God. We believe that marriage, between a man and a woman, is ordained of God.