Hi, I'm Marla

I love to sing, cook, take pictures, and learn crafty things. Mostly, I love my family. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a 40-something wife to a great husband, and mother to 6 great kids. Mostly, I am a stay-at-home mom, but I do work part-time as a crossing guard to help make ends meet. I'm also working toward becoming certified as a doula, or professional childbirth support person. I love, love, love to sing! I'm also a great cook, like to take pictures, read, and enjoy spending time with the fam on the beach. My newest interest is learning to be crafty...not like a fox, but like Martha Stewart! Who knew it was so much fun?

Why I am a Mormon

I was born into an active Mormon family, so for my childhood, I was a Mormon by default. However, as I grew up, and especially after I left home after high school, I began to have personal experiences when I could feel the Holy Ghost testify that I was in the right place and following the right path for my life.

When I was 21, I decided to serve a mission for The Church. It wasn't an easy 18 months for me, but it changed my life. During that time, I learned what it truly means to stay close to the Lord, to rely on Him for all of my needs, and to rejoice with Him and praise Him for all of my joys and successes.

In the years since then, and especially since I've become a mother, my sure conviction that this is God's true church on earth has only grown and strengthened through both times of trial and times of peace and happiness. I rely on guidance from my Heavenly Father to help me know how best to teach and raise my sweet children. I also trust that as my husband and I work together to serve God, He will help our love for each other grow and our marriage strengthen.

Most important to me is the knowlege I have that I can be with my husband and my children forever, even after this life. Because of our temple covenants, there is no "until death do you part". Our family is for time AND all eternity. It is my motivation for everything I do. My family is my greatest joy in this life and I am so very happy that they are mine forever.

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

I think one of the greatest things we can do for our families is to make them the #1 priority in our lives. My father was a wonderful example of this. I grew up in a family with seven children. My father was a police officer. To make ends meet, he always had at least one part-time job, often two, and occasionally three. So he was gone a lot. However, when I think back to my childhood, I do not remember ever feeling like he was absent. I believe that is because if my dad was away from our family, it was because he was working to support our family. If he wasn't working to support our family, then he was with our family. Always. Without exception. Without ever having to ask or be told, I knew that our dad wanted to be with us over any other interest in the world. Knowing that, how could I help but love him back, and respect him, and want to do things to please him? I think if our family knows that everything else in our lives takes a back seat to them, the love within our families can only increase. Increased love naturally will lead to greater harmony.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

I've had my prayers answered in many ways. One experience comes to mind at the moment. It was a time when I was a young adult and I had taken on some responsibilities that would have a pretty big impact on the lives of other people. After some time, the job at hand seemed to far exceed my abilities. I began to feel very incapable and alone. One afternoon, I found myself alone in a quiet room. My feelings of loneliness and inadequacy overcame me and I fell to my knees. I looked up and prayed over and over, "Heavenly Father, please help me. I can't do this. Please help me!" After what seemed like quite a while, but, looking back, must have been only a few minutes, a calmness came into my mind and heart. At that moment, the words, "I'm here," came to my mind. It may seem small, but it was everything I needed. I still did not know how my abilities could match up to the task, but that was okay. I was not going to be left alone to fail. The Savior would be with me, guiding me as I moved forward with faith in Him. I left that room at peace and more confident and ready to face my responsibilities. And I did not fail, just as I knew I wouldn't.

What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?

We have the internet in our home. There are many fun, educational, and beneficial activities in which to participate on the internet. However, we are very aware that the internet can also be the door to many dark or unsavory activities such as pornography or connections with those who seek to do harm. We've decided that in our family, all computer activity will take place in the main living areas of the house. There are no computers behind closed doors in private bedrooms. It is our belief that it will be far more uncomfortable for any member of the family to view/participate in inappropriate internet activity if someone is likely to walk by and see it at any time. Our children are also instructed to let us know before they go to any website they've never been to before. That way, we can sit with them the first time they access that site and quickly look it over to make sure it meets the standards we try to maintain in our family.

How I live my faith

My current calling, or volunteer position, in our congregation is 2nd counselor in the Young Women's program, the Church's program for girls ages 12-18. I love working with these girls and helping them find a positive path through the precarious teenage years.

As a family, we have also started a little service project. We're collecting aluminum cans that we find while walking through the neighborhood. After filling three or four garbage bags, we take the cans to a facility that buys scrap aluminum. At the end of the year, we'll take all the money we've earned and donate it to a yet-to-be-determined charitable cause. It's a great way to spend time together, help others in need, and do a little something to take care of our community.

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

Marla answered...

The Church does not endorse political parties or individuals within political parties, not even those individuals who are members of the Church. As individuals, we are encouraged to play an active role in our communities and to take part in the political process. At election time, we are encouraged to get to know the candidates to the best of our abilities, study the issues that are important to us and where each candidate seems to stand on them, and then vote for the individuals who we feel best represent the priorities and values most important to us.
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Dallin answered...

The Mormon Church does not endorse political parties. It does, however, strongly encourage political participation. We believe that one of God's greatest gifts to his children is the freedom to choose. With this gift comes the responsibility to do our part to make good choices. It is a great blessing to live in areas where we have the opportunity to vote for our leaders.

Are Mormons Christians?

Richie answered...

Yes. We believe Jesus Christ is our Savior and we follow His teachings. We believe He is essential for salvation.