Hi, I'm Lyndsay

I'm a graphic designer by trade, a mother at heart, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My days are spent chasing little ones, escaping laundry, and pursuing the creative. I'm loving life in California where my talent of a husband fulfills his dream of becoming a cinematographer. I'm learning to balance form, function, and family as a stay/work-at-home mom. I am a convert to the Church. And my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ defines who I am as a wife, a mother, and a daughter of God.

Why I am a Mormon

I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2002. I grew up in a loving home, where I was taught to have a relationship with God. I attended church fairly regularly at the Episcopal church close to our home. I was active in my youth group, and often read books about spirituality. But certain questions repeatedly went unanswered. Though I was very happy, I felt there was more to faith than what I was finding.

When I was about 21 and in Graduate School, I started wondering if there is a church today that is similar to the structure of the church when Christ was on the earth. Wouldn't that offer some definitive answers? I just didn't connect with the youth programs on campus, and didn't attend church. But I thought about spiritual things often—quietly feeling a void that needed to be filled.

Then I met my (future) husband. There was an instant feeling that I knew him. There was no question that something was different about him and our relationship. There was one small detail, though. He was a Mormon. I didn't know much about his faith or the LDS Church. His faith was very important to him. And since he was so important to me, I wanted to learn a little more about what it meant to be Mormon. He didn't push his beliefs, and was patient and answered questions when I asked. When I felt I was ready, I began to attend mid-week bible study for students (called Institute), and Sunday services.

I recognized immediately that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints felt truly genuine. Here were all of these students my age, like me in many ways, but they were so dedicated to their faith. And they were so NORMAL! I felt a real connection with the friends I was making, and the principles I was learning. The LDS Church was a very natural fit. It was then that I asked to take the missionary discussions and learn more. I was especially careful to express that this was my own choice. I was not doing this for anyone else. I wanted to do it for me.

I began to meet with the Sister Missionaries—two young women my age, who were dedicating a year and a half of their lives to sharing the message of the Gospel. I tried to listen to what they had to say with an open heart and mind. Consistently, our weekly meetings brought clarity and answers to questions I had been looking for. It felt just like "remembering." And when I didn't understand something, I was encouraged to pray about it, and receive an answer for myself.

I learned some very significant things. I learned that the LDS Church is a restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today. That God knows and loves me, and has a plan for me. I learned that I can ask anything in faith through prayer, and it can be answered. That our families can be sealed together for eternity. I felt at once a happiness and an urgency. I knew what I was hearing was important. I knew I wanted to be a part of it, and that it was already a part of me.

I made the decision to be baptized. It was not without personal sacrifice and concern for my family's feelings. But I wanted to do what I knew was the right thing for me. I remember being confirmed as a member of the Church—the day after being baptized—when worthy hands of the Priesthood were placed on my head, and the gift of the Holy Ghost was bestowed upon me. I felt a literal rush of warmth and peace. That day I was gifted with the guidance and comfort that I had been looking for.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

I don't think I could make it through the day without prayer. I remember praying from a very young age. I just felt like I wanted to talk to God. I try to pray every morning and night. But even more than that, I find myself just talking to God in my mind. I send small thanks. I tell Him when I am frustrated. I ask questions. Sometimes I receive answers immediately. Some answers I am still waiting to receive. But the important thing is just to keep up the communication. The more I pray, the more I understand God's will and plan for me. The more I pray, the more He is able to bless me.

How I live my faith

Faith is not something only reserved for Sundays. It is an integral part of our lives. We live our faith in the way we care for our family. We strive to be good neighbors and members of our community. We pray together as a family, and even our very young children have learned to bow their heads or say "amen." Faith, the principles of the gospel, and spiritual themes are a regular part of our conversation and day-to-day life.

We are also active in our church. The church building is just down the street. In our ward (another word for congregation), my husband teaches Sunday School. And I serve in the presidency of our Young Women program. I organize activities, teach occasional lessons on Sunday, and provide support and guidance for the girls.

Why don’t women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? How do Mormon women lead in the Church?

Lyndsay answered...

My favorite answer to the first part of this question is something my husband likes to say, which has a sweet and honest sentiment: "Men need the priesthood so that they can be more like women." The priesthood is the authority to act in the name of God. This, for example, is used in ordinances such as baptism, or to give blessings of health and comfort.

Women have innate qualities in our very nature which are essential to the balance of the Church. I have personal gifts as a woman that my husband doesn't have. I can serve in capacities that he cannot. In no way do I feel left out, or of less significance because I don't hold the priesthood. I have been given equally important blessings and abilities as a woman, wife, and mother.

Women have innumerable opportunities to serve and lead within the Church. Holding the priesthood does not equate to holding a position of power. Women are asked to serve within the church in many important capacities, including performing sacred Temple ordinances reserved only for women. The Relief Society is the global organization for women within the church. And it's one of the largest women's organizations in the world. Womanhood and motherhood are celebrated, respected, and honored. Women are considered equal in the Church, and there is no sexual discrimination. And while men administer the actions of the priesthood, both men and women receive the same blessings of the priesthood. Together, we are able to support and sustain each other.
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Madelyn answered...

I feel that men and women both have different but equally important roles in getting us back to God. In God's eternal plan we were spirits in His presence before this life. To progress we needed to get bodies on this earth, then perform specific ordinances (eg baptism, marriage) to return to God after this life. Women were given the godly power to bring spirits into this world and give them bodies, then nurture and raise these children with God's inspiration and guidance. The men were assigned the responsibility (through the God's Priesthood power) to serve others and administer the ordinances that will bring God's children back to His presence after this life. Both roles are necessary and equally important to God's plan for us.
I don't think women need the Priesthood to be powerful influences and to do God's work in their homes and in the church. I see men grow spiritually, and their characters become more godly when they act in God's name through using the Priesthood.
I have never felt the need to hold the Priesthood myself. I can still receive all the blessings offered by the Priesthood, my prayers can be just as powerful, and I still have access to the inspiration of God in my life.

What are Mormon church services like? Are visitors allowed at church meetings? Can I attend church?

Brad answered...

Our fundamental religious service is what we call our Sacrament meeting. Anyone is welcome to join us in Sacrament meeting as well as our other Sunday meetings at any of our buildings. Sacrament is a time when we ponder and reflect on Jesus Christ's atonement for our sins, for He is the path by which we can repent of our wrongdoings and begin anew on a correct path with additional guidance from our Heavenly Father. Furthermore, on Sunday we have general Sunday School meetings where we talk more in-depth about the various doctrine of the gospel as well as meetings where we meet in groups of similarly-aged individuals to learn and discuss gospel topics more focused to each particular age group. We welcome anybody and everybody and would love to see you in our congregation spiritually connecting with your loving Heavenly Father and drawing nearer to him and his son, Jesus Christ.