Hi, I'm Elyse

Ivy League grad. Scientist. Musician. Convert. Above all else, I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I majored in neuroscience, so I know all sorts of awesome things about the electric piece of flesh in our skulls. I spent a lot of my collegiate time doing research and had amazing experiences come from it.

I've been playing music since I was in elementary school. I've done lots of competitions and done a bunch of semi-professional stuff in the last few years. One my dreams is to go to a conservatory for a grad degree and then spend my life as a professional musician.

I love doing volunteer work and helping people. Spending my life doing full-time humanitarian work is another dream.

Most importantly, I'm a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I joined the church during my junior year of college. It's unequivocally the best decision I've ever made in my entire life. The gospel has brought me more happiness than I had ever imagined for myself.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in a nonreligious family. I am incredibly skeptical and thought religion was useless. I was frustrated that there was so much fighting and dischord, even within the same denominations. The same scripture could mean 50 different things to 70 different people. The religious disparities were frustrating and so I didn't think any religion was true or worth following.

I learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I got to college. I started going to different church activities with the other Mormon students and was impressed with their depth of knowledge of the gospel--so many people I'd met before couldn't tell me why they believed what they did. I also visited other religious faiths and their worship services.

After spending months hearing Mormons talk about this being the truth, I wanted to challenge them. I wanted to find out if they were right or if they were fools. I was expecting to find out that they were wrong. After reading the Book of Mormon and asking God, I received a real, tangible answer from God that this work was, in fact, true.

I love that this church is not a "religious buffet," picking and choosing which things we'd like to follow or deciding which commandments are convenient. We are united under the umbrella of truth--there is no confusion or infighting like I had seen before. I know it is a church truly led by Jesus Christ.

The thing I love most about the gospel is that you don't have to take my word to know it's true--you just have to do the same thing I did. Challenge me. Read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it's true. Everyone can get an answer.

We do not have a monopoly on truth--there are definitely pieces of truth found in many places within many groups of people. But there is only one place on earth where every piece of truth and light is unified and brought together--and that's why I am a Mormon.

Personal Stories

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

There have been big moments in my life where I've received answers from the Holy Ghost--like the knowledge that the Book of Mormon was true, that I should be baptized, and what to do after college graduation. But there are countless small moments in my everyday life where I receive promptings from the Holy Ghost.

A particular event occurred prior to the death of my grandmother. I kept feeling prompted to call my her. I had just talked to her the day before and I thought I'd be bothering her. But I still kept being prompted to call her. I did...and 5 hours later she died. I am so indescribably grateful that the Holy Ghost gave me those last moments to talk with her before she unexpectedly died.

On an everyday basis, I am protected by the Holy Ghost--it has warned me to avoid situations or places that I didn't know were actually dangerous. It increases my knowledge and testifies that the things I learn and hear are true. The Holy Ghost has prompted me to call or visit people who were in need of help. It prompts and inspires me to say the things my friends and family need to hear. Anytime I need to make a decision, I pray about it and the Holy Ghost impresses upon my mind what I should choose.

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I am very grateful for the sacrifices made by Joseph Smith. I know he was a prophet called of God. During the course of my conversion, I've been touched by different parts of his life and this has added to my testimony of his divine calling.

He translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. There is absolutely no way he made this book up. It is teeming with literary and Semitic references that a man of his limited learning would not have known. He translated the 531 page book in a few short months--anyone with his education would not have been able to write a 531 page book in a few years, much less, months.

I've prayed sincerely to know if the Book of Mormon is a true book of scripture and to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet. By the direct revelation given to my soul, I have an everlasting testimony that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer is a very sacred act to me. It is the time where I am closest to my Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ. In prayer, I express gratitude for all of the amazing blessings and opportunities in my life. I ask questions and seek guidance. Most importantly, I pour out all of the contents of my heart and mind--from my greatest disappointments to the highest desires in my life. There is nothing I keep hidden in prayer. I am completely honest. Prayer gives me a relationship that I could never have with another person. Prayer gives me all of the answers I'm seeking and heals me in any situation I'm in.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

In everyday English, we use hope with a hint of uncertainty--like we hope the weather will be better or that a friend will call. But in the gospel of Jesus Christ, hope is sure and unwavering. When we have hope, we trust in God and His promises. Such hope comes through the Atonement of Jesus Christ--indeed, hope, in the highest sense, is the anticipation of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

I have hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have hope that all of my challenges and sacrifices will be compensated for in the end. I have hope that my family will sealed together for eternity. I hope for an eternal marriage in the Holy Temple and to be an amazing wife and mother. I hope for a fantastic career and the ability to develop the interests that I love. I hope for opportunities to use my talents and abilities to serve others. Most importantly, above anything I hope for myself, I hope that those who have been prepared to hear the message of the restored gospel will have the opportunity to learn for themselves and receive the greatest blessings and happiness they could imagine.

How I live my faith

The biggest part of living my faith is two-fold-- 1. keeping all the commandments and the promises I've made with God, and 2. following the example of Jesus Christ.

I've promised God that I will do certain things, while abstaining from others. I do my best to keep those promises everyday. It can be hard, but I know it's worth it. I've been incredibly blessed for making those hard choices.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, I try to follow the example of the Savior. I strive to be meek, patient, and slow to anger. I seek out opportunities to help and give service. I'm certainly not perfect at it, but I'm trying to be better everyday.

Are Mormons Christians?

Elyse answered...

Absolutely.
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Rob answered...

Christ said that his followers would be defined by their adherence to his teachings. Growing up as a member of the Church, I learned that Christ is The literal son of God and that through His Atonement we can somehow be forgiven of our sin and allowed to enter back into the presence of God, if that is what we want. Everything I ever learned at church or in my home was centered on the life and ministry of Christ.

Several years ago, we moved to the Southeastern United States and encountered the idea that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints are not Christians. Although I don't understand the need to define certain groups in or out of Christianity, especially given The Lord's frequent admonitions not to judge the faith of others, I understand this idea is rooted in some esoteric academic objections to certain gospel principles such as our belief that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate individuals united in purpose and power. My experience has been that this idea is often passed on among those who have not met or do not have close relationships with members of the church.

Once people get to know what we teach and believe and how we live, they come to understand that we are Christians. While, The Lord has asked us to let our light shine so that others can see it and take strength from it, I believe that ultimately Christ, will judge our Christianity as individuals based on the thoughts and intents or our hearts.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Jim answered...

Mormons see Joseph Smith in the same way Jews see Moses - while we respect and honor their lives and their contributions, we understand that they are real people, worthy of our veneration but not our worship. We understand that they were selected for important duties that God called them to complete and we respect the work that they performed. Joseph does occupy a unique place in Mormon theology because so many doctrines of the re-established church can be traced to revelations that were given to him. The scriptures tell that it is "by their fruits" that an individual will be able to determine if someone is acting on God's behalf, and this is one of the central messages of the re-established church, we invite all men everywhere to read and pray about the Book of Mormon since it a tangible fruit of the prophet Joseph Smith's calling as a prophet and restorer of Christ's church. It is my witness that if you do so you will know that the book is true, Joseph is a prophet and the church he founded is true.