Hi, I'm Tanya

I 've lived in Australia all my life. I homeschool my children.I' m a Mormon.

About Me

I am a mum, a wife, a tutor, a teacher by trade and all things in between.....a cook, a family taxi driver, a washing folder etc. I LOVE my family first and foremost! I enjoy quilting and stitcheries and the occasional dig in the garden patch. As a new member of the Church, having joined only a little over twelve months ago - I can vouch that my family and I have no regrets. To openly enquire about the Church has been one of the best decisions of my life for me and my family.

Why I am a Mormon

To deny that the sun rises and sets each day would be easier for me than to deny the 'truth' of the Gospel and how it is proclaimed within the Latter Day Saint Church. Having spent a great deal of time pondering and questioning if I should or shouldn't join this Church lead me more and more to the decision that to reject the Church I would be rejecting the fullness of the 'purpose in life'.
As a mother, I know I have not only a responsibility to bring my children into this world but to also guide them through it. I am grateful to have found a Church that supports me in this role as a mother and a wife.

Personal Stories

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

Firstly let me assure you that any 'rule' is a choice and not a punishment. The guidance of 'how' to live and 'keep' the commandments for example is very personal.However, it is directly influenced by our choices. For example 'to remember the Sabbath and to keep it holy' is effected by my choices...do i just sleep in,or do I get out of bed and go to Church to grow.
At one point our family was like most bombarded with life and little family time let alone prayer or spiritual time...We chose to turn the television off for thirty days, creating time for more family board games discussions ,talent / music sharing etc...we became a better and stronger family for simply choosing to turn the tv off for a few weeks. Incidently prayer as a family and harmony in our home increased along with individual self worth for all of us. At the end of the 30 days we continued for 3 and a half months - honestly it was like extending a holiday. Periodically when tension grows in the home, the first thing to go is the tv now. By choice we are happy to not be bombarded in our lounge room with the tv/ worldly values that tv invites into a home.We much prefer Gospel values peace, love,harmony humour,talents and each other without it.

How I live my faith

Although I was raised a Christian, since becoming part of the Latter Day Saint Church I am living a more 'in tune' life with the teachings of Jesus Christ. We now 'make' more time for each other as a family, one way we do this is by sharing one night a week together as a family maybe playing a game, sharing thoughts on Gospel values, praying together or just catching up. Life is so full of busy meetings ,television routines and work deadlines it is great to be part of a Church that encourages us to put our families first in ways such as 'Family Home Evening'.

Outside of our home and family I try to be responsive to needs in our world and community as they arrise.Sometimes, making a casserole for a friend who is sick reminds me so much of our need to serve others and not just ourselves!
I do go to Church on Sunday for not only the sharing of Sacrament but also choose to stay most weeks for the 'Sunday School' lessons provided for all ages and stages of faith development. It is great to be part of such an active group of people that excercise their faith and spiritual growth not just on Sunday but all week long.

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Tanya answered...

I believe all things are possible - just like air,we can't see it or touch it but we know it is there. I believe that families can be together forever.
Having had my dad die some years ago I soon came to know that even death cannot seperate that which is linked in love. Because this Church is not scared or doesn't 'shy away' from the topic of death I know that there is a fullness in what is proclaimed.
I am looking forward to the day I am re- united with my dad. I know my family and I will do all we can to strengthen the links we have to our ancestors. I am glad the Church supports me in this. Yes families are forever!
Daniel answered...

When married by earthly power and the authority of man, our vows are "Until death do you part."

We believe that families can be together forever as part of our Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness. His Work and His Glory is to bring to pass the exaltation and eternal life of man. He wants us to be even as He is and to return home to live with Him again.

Through the ordinances of his Holy Temples, God's son's and daughter's are able to make covenants. Through the power of His Holy Priesthood, be sealed together for all of time and eternity as Husband and Wife, parents and children.

Families were designed and instituted by God with the intent that they be forever. The love we feel in this life does not need to be cut off when we die. Those who have already died are not lost us forever. God has mercifully made a way by which all who would accept these saving ordinances can do so, living or dead.

We perform these ordinances for those who have in the past died so that they may have the opportunity of accepting them on the other side if they so choose to do so.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Lynn answered...

Some call Mormonism a cult because it is not a "traditional" Christian church. The primary complaint of the "traditionalists" (generally Protestant Churches) is that we do not believe in the doctrine of the trinity as it relates to the nature of the Godhead. The doctrine of the trinity was codified in the Nicene Creed in 325 AD, many years after the death of Christ and the Apostles. It basically says that the Godhead, The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are one being in "substance." Since Mormonism does not accept this doctrine, they say we believe in a different Christ than they do and therefore are a cult. It is curious that this "trinitarian" doctrine is not taught anywhere in the Bible.

Mormons believe the Bible is the Word of God. The Bible (and the early church established by Jesus and His Apostles) teaches that the Godhead indeed consists of The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. But, it teaches that they are: 1) three distinct individuals as expressed in Acts 7:54-60 where Stephen is being stoned. "He being filled with the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God." And it teaches 2) they are one in purpose, not in substance (John 17 where Jesus offers his intercessory prayer, particularly verses 20-23.) This is what Mormons believe.

It is noteworthy that the early Christians were called the "sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5) and were considered a cult by the Sadducees and Pharisees, the predominant religions of the day.