Hi, I'm Laurie

I am a mother, a wife, and a woman who loves to learn, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a happily married, stay at home mom with four sons, ages 21, 19, 15, and 10. I love reading good books, spending time with friends and family, blogging, playing the piano, and working on family history. My 19 year old son just accepted a call to serve a 2 year volunteer mission teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Vietnamese language in the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born into a Mormon family, but when I reached young adulthood, I wasn't sure if it was for me. I stopped going to church regularly, got a job, got married, and moved out of my parent's home. When I was pregnant with my first child, I realized I was not happy. Everything was good. My husband and I were in love, we were excited for the birth of our first child, and all seemed well. But still, deep down, I was unhappy. I realized that I was missing something. It was the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As I started going to church and reading my scriptures, I found joy in my life again. A deep abiding joy that cannot be shaken when things are difficult. As I've moved to different places around the USA, I was pleased to find that the gospel did not change based on who was teaching. My faith in Jesus Christ has grown, and I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know that our Heavenly Father is real. I know that He loves me and knows me as an individual. He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to atone for the sins of the world so all His children have the opportunity to live with Him again. I know that God has a living prophet on the earth today, Thomas S. Monson.

I know that the heavens are open and that each individual can have a relationship with Heavenly Father if they choose to seek it, for God answers prayers. I know that the scriptures are the word of God, and if we live according to the precepts taught in the scriptures, we will gain happiness is this life as well as in the eternities.

I know that families were divinely created and are eternal. I know that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. Families are divinely instituted for our happiness in this life and the next.

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

As the mother of four boys who live at home, life gets crazy. Whether it's boys rough-housing, going to all the activities that children love to be involved in, or just a routine day, our home life is one of action. I have found that as I strive to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there is greater peace in my home. I set the tone with my words and actions.

Another thing that has helped bring peace into our home is daily scripture reading. Reading the scriptures daily invites the Holy Spirit into my home and my children respond. Sure there are tough days, but I find that arguments are fewer and farther between, and when those arguments do arise, they are more quickly diffused.

How I live my faith

In my community, I enjoy volunteering at the local elementary school and with non-profit organizations. In my local congregation, I currently serve as the president of the women's organization. As the president, I assist the Bishop, the leader of the congregation, in accessing and meeting welfare needs (food, clothing, etc.), work with the teachers to ensure class lessons are edifying and gospel centered, and try to help all the women in the congregation feel loved.

What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ? Do Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Laurie answered...

Jesus Christ is the son of God. He lives today. Through His atonement, we can receive a remission of our sins, and can return to live with our Heavenly Father again. Without the Savior, Jesus Christ, and a testimony of Him, we cannot return to live with our Heavenly Father.
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Nathan answered...

I go to college in what many people consider the "bible belt" of America. Many people assume I'm not a christian or that I don't believe in Jesus Christ as the literal Son of God. Most people don't realize just how christian our faith is and they're usually surprised at how similar many of our beliefs are. The truth is Jesus Christ is the Son of God and there is no other name by which people can be saved. Jesus Christ is my savior and the Savior of the world. His goodness is available to all and brings happiness to anyone who reaches out to Him.

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?

Leeny answered...

This is a question I had to really consider before joining the Church. My mother is a non-denominational chaplain, and both my sisters are pastors. Female leadership in church settings is very important to my family.

It is to me as well. I think many people become offended when they learn that only men hold the priesthood because they misunderstand it. The priesthood is a tool given to men in order that they might serve others more. It does not in any way give them power or dominion over women. Those people who suppose the priesthood is a way to control others are deeply mistaken.

My husband is a priesthood holder, this means I am too. I have claim on my husband's priesthood power. Even more than he does. If I am sick, discouraged, or in need of help I can call upon my husband to give me a blessing through the priesthood that he holds. I then recieve many blessings because of my husband's worthiness to work in behalf of Christ. My husband is never able to give himself a blessing though. If he is sick or discouraged he must call on other priesthood holders to administer to him. My husband holds the priesthood so that he can bless me and our child - never himself.

The priesthood is the power of Christ on the earth. It allows those who hold it to serve their families in the same way Christ served the Church. Did Christ do any deed for himself during his earthly ministry? No. Christ spent all his energy serving the people. This is what the priesthood does for my husband. It infuses him with Christ's compassion and ability to love, and then my husband is able to use that celestial love in our family.

Why don't women also recieve this special gift then? The simple answer is women don't need it. As women we are innately endowed with compassion, selflessness, and love. Think about the way a mother loves her child. I believe there is nothing more pure and similar to Christ's love for us, than a mother's love for her children. Women naturally have the ability to love as Christ does.

In an ideal situation, which is what God always intended for us, there are two partners in marriage. There is the husband and father, a priesthood leader who can be called upon to administer blessings and serve in Christ's name. And there is also the wife and mother, who is blessed with the ability to love as Christ loves and sacrifice for her family. These are two seperate and divinely appointed roles. Each complementing the other. Both make a complete home.

Women do not hold the priesthood because they do not need it. Women have other God-given powers that raise them up to the task they are called to. A man is appointed to serve his wife and children - it is the power of the priesthood that enables him to do this.

I am grateful to have a husband who is worhty to use the priesthood in my behalf. It has blessed me many times and I know that it is a special gift from God - not only to my husband, but to me as well.