Hi, I'm Colette

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I recently graduated with my Masters in Social Work and am currently looking for a job as a therapist. While this wasn't what I planned on doing originally (I was going to be an English teacher), I've felt very led in this direction. I love being able to counsel with people and help them work through their various difficulties. It's a definite passion of mine.

In my free time, when I'm not working, I enjoy reading and spending time with my friends. I also recently bought myself a piano, so I've been trying to brush up on my piano skills- mainly by practicing hymns of the church. I forgot how much I loved playing the piano. When I was younger, I kind of resented having to practice, but now I wish I had more time to practice!

Why I am a Mormon

Though I was born into into the church, I still made the personal decision and commitment to become a member of the church. My parents never forced me, but they led me by example. And as I did things like attending church meetings and reading scriptures, I gained my own testimony.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.

It may seem unbelievable that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to a 14-year-old boy in a grove of trees in answer to a prayer he had. It may seem even more unbelievable that an angel appeared to that same boy to tell him about a record written by an ancient people that testified of Christ. But I can testify that all of this happened. The true gospel has been restored and it is on the earth. And I also know that anybody can receive that knowledge for themselves if they seek for it. The gospel has blessed my life in countless ways, and it can bless your life as well.

How I live my faith

In addition to going to church meetings regularly, I read my scriptures often and try to attend the temple weekly. I also enjoy doing indexing online, where I transcribe census records on the computer so that people can more easily find their ancestors.

I also currently am a Sunday School teacher in my ward. In this calling, I am able to teach a class of adults every other Sunday about a book of scripture. This year, we are studying the Book of Mormon. My own testimony has continually grown as I have studied and taught the lessons and testified of the truths that these lessons teach. I also am able to learn a lot through teaching, as people share their testimonies and insights.

Another special way I live my faith is through music. I love singing the hymns of the church and I often find myself accompanying others at church meetings. I feel the Spirit so strongly though music and love sharing my testimony through those means.

What are Mormon Temples used for?

Colette answered...

Temples are different than church buildings. Anyone can come to a church building, but only worthy Church members are allowed in the temple. In the temple, members make covenants with the Lord and are able to be close to Him. Members who have already made their own covenants can return and do ordinances for those who have died. We believe that all those who have passed on have an opportunity to hear the gospel in the next life, but they still need these ordinances done for them. Since those who have died don't have physical bodies, members go to the temple to act in their stead and do the ordinances for them. Those who have died then have the option of accepting the work or not.

One other thing to note is that after temples are built, but before they are dedicated, open houses occur. During this time, anyone member or not can go in and receive a tour and learn more abut what occurs inside the temple. I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to go if they have the chance. It is a neat experience.
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Corey answered...

A temple is a house of the Lord, a place where we may worship our Heavenly Father and feel of His presence. It is a sacred place where no unclean thing can enter. Because of the importance and sacredness of the temple, a temple recommend is required and is received based on individual worthiness within the church in order to enter its holy walls.

The temple is where I go to find answers, to find peace, and to feel the Spirit. We are encouraged to go as often as possible and to attend seeking Spiritual guidance. Inside we perform sacred ordinances for ourselves and more often for others, those who are deceased. God requires that all to make covenants in order to return to His presence and many died without the opportunity to make these covenants. In the temple we perform the ordinances for them in their name giving them the opportunity to reject or accept the ordinance and thus enter into the presence of the Father. The temple is a very sacred and holy place.

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Ben answered...

Because family is so important to God. Why do you think God intoduces Christ as His "only begotten SON in whom I am well pleased" and not something more formal like my servant, the Christ? Why in the scriptures is God referred to as "The Father" more than any other title? why is it that naturally we come into this life into a family, whether functional or not? Families are ordained of God. Agency and human nature is what may cause us to believe other wise.
Family ought to be our foundation of education in this life. I've moved around a lot. I've attended many different schools and one thing I've learned is that it is hard to focus on my goals if I don't have a social network providing acceptance and unity. A support group I can lean on and be there to be leaned on at school. It's a miracle that God has provided that support group for the important lessons in life.
If our families aren't what they could be, we can choose individually to be an example and a friend to them as far as possible. practice the principles of repentence and forgiveness. Understanding that our families are meant to be eternal helps us to not allow the small things to obstruct our relationships.