Hi, I'm Susie Robbins

I grew up in southern California. I'm a kidney donor. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a grandma in small town middle America now, but I was raised in California. I am married and have several children, some still in their teens. I love games and puzzles, poetry, good chick-flicks that have no embarrassing scenes (think "Emma," "Sense and Sensibility," "Sabrina," etc.), soft rock music, some pop, a few particular country songs, and my hubby is teaching me to enjoy a little classical music. I'm a full-time mother, and that keeps me very busy. I'm also intermittently working on a bachelor's degree.

Why I am a Mormon

My mother joined the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was two. However, when I was 14 I reached the point a lot of teens reach, when they're sure their parents are wrong about most matters. I decided I'd better find out for myself whether the church was based on truth. I decided to read the Book of Mormon (a crucial book of scripture in the LDS faith that goes hand in hand with the Bible). I figured if the Book of Mormon wasn't true, then the rest wasn't either. So I read. And I prayed. I received a very clear answer from Heavenly Father that the Book of Mormon is true. It was not an emotion, but rather knowledge that filled my mind and heart with certainty. It would have been nice if I'd always lived like I knew what I knew, but we humans are inconstant, and I'm no exception. As years have passed I've learned, through repentance, the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I've also gone through difficult trials, both as a teenager and as an adult. Through those trials the most important thing I've learned is that Heavenly Father's ideas are always better than mine. I gain more happiness in life, regardless of the circumstances around me, when I live the way God wants me to live. We are taught that Heavenly Father wants our happiness, and I see the truth of that with every passing year.

Personal Stories

Can you think of a specific challenge in your family that Gospel Principles helped overcome?

My son was born with a chronic kidney condition resulting in pain, dialysis, two transplants, financial setbacks and physical separation from family members. It is a great temptation to become bitter, to blame others, or to believe that God has abandoned you when everything seems to be going wrong. But the Mormon church teaches that God allows us to suffer so that we can gain experience. Perhaps we gain patience while waiting on the Lord. Maybe we learn to judge more gently, or to be humble about our own faults. Most importantly, I've learned that while God looks at our struggle with an eternal perspective, we are much more limited in our view. He sees not only what happens around us, but what happens in us. He sees what we are becoming through our suffering. His goal is not only to see us return to Him, but to help us become like Him. We do that through trial and strife, as well as through triumph and joy.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

When I wanted to know for myself if the gospel of Jesus Christ was true, I prayed. The Holy Ghost testified to me that it is true. I do not have to rely on any person's reasoning or debates. I know this truth independently.

When I have felt alone and forgotten by everyone, the Holy Ghost comforted me. He helped me sense my Heavenly Father's love for me, and assured me that everything that seemed wrong could be made right.

When I or my family member's were in unseen danger, the Holy Ghost warned me, letting me know what to do to avert disaster.

When others needed my help, the Holy Ghost whispered to me, telling me what I should do to serve Heavenly Father's children.

When I have forgotten important truths of the gospel that could help me make difficult decisions, or share important knowledge, the Holy Ghost has reminded me of what I had forgotten, or just brought something to my notice that I had previously not seen.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

One of the Savior’s teachings that has most affected me is that I am a child of God. As Paul taught the Romans:
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
How many ways this affects my life I cannot say, but here are a few:

When I am discouraged, or have failed again and again, I remember that I am a child of God. I am His offspring, and, though I am not glorious and perfect like He is, I have within me the capacity to be perfected and made glorious, through the redemption of Jesus Christ. The power is in me to do many good things. I have a little paper on the wall by my bed that says, “I am a child of God and I can become more ________.” I fill in the blank with whatever it is I’m trying to become, whether it’s more organized, more patient, more creative, more gentle. Whatever it is, I know the power is within me because it is inherent in every child of God.

I also know that our Heavenly Father wants me treat all His children with kindness and dignity. As a mother I have felt the anger and sorrow that comes when someone hurts my child, so precious to me. I have also felt a deep and abiding love for those who give my children friendship, tender guidance, or joy. Knowing we are all children of God, helps me know how Heavenly Father wants me to treat you.

Another way this teaching affects me is that I don’t view God as a distant or strange entity. I view Him as a loving parent. It only makes sense to me that He wants my happiness, just as I want the happiness of my children. I feel comfortable with my Heavenly Father, knowing that I once lived with Him as His child, and that I already have a dear and long-standing relationship with Him. I can go to Him with any problem, whether it’s embarrassing to me, or I fear He’ll think it’s silly, or it's so important I don’t know if I can trust anyone else with it. Heavenly Father loves me and understands me and wants my joy. He will grant me small blessings to give me joy. He will help me through problems big and small. He’ll teach me, comfort me, strengthen me. He loves me because I am His child.

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

The overall mission of the Church is to bring people to Christ. Three aspects of that mission are to perfect the members of the Church, to share the gospel with those who don’t have it, and to help those who have died to receive the ordinances they need to progress in God’s kingdom. I hadn’t really thought about it before, but I guess I help in all of those aspects.

The biggest way I help perfect the members of the Church is by working on myself. I try to do good, help other people, and I seek the Lord’s forgiveness when I do wrong. In addition, I teach principles of the gospel to the young women in our congregation, and to my family.

I help with sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who don’t have it by talking to people. If they have questions, I’m glad to answer the best I can. Of course that means I need to know what I’m talking about, so I try to study the scriptures daily. I also send my children on missions. I have a daughter who taught the gospel to Spanish speaking people in Chicago, Illinois, USA. I have a son who taught the people of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Africa. And I have a third son who was not able to leave home because he’s on dialysis, but he shared the gospel with people online. He was like the people you can chat with when you click on the chat button on this site. By supporting them both emotionally and financially while they served missions, I feel I was helping the cause of sharing the gospel with others.

We Mormons believe that baptism and other ordinances are requirements to return to God’s presence. We also realize that the vast majority of people who have lived on this earth never had the opportunity to receive those ordinances. And we believe that God is just and would not hold it against someone if they never had the chance to receive those ordinances. We believe it is our obligation, as members of Jesus Christ’s church, to perform those ordinances for those who have died. Then those spirits have a choice to accept or reject the ordinances, as they choose. That’s the work we do in temples. So I go to the temple once a month, sometimes more often, and do ordinances for specific people who have already died.

These are some of the things I do to help the Church bring people to Christ.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Wikipedia says, “Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.” I think that’s a good definition.

I do not hope to become perfect in this life. I do not know that is possible. I do, however, hope, with my Savior’s help to become a better and better person, so others can feel Heavenly Father’s love through me. When I feel God’s love, I yearn to be with Him always. So I hope to return to my Heavenly Father after this life. I hope Jesus Christ will stand by my side when I stand before the judgment bar and will plead my case, based on His sacrifice, because I know that my own efforts, however sincere, fall short of what’s needed. I hope that, through Jesus Christ’s atonement, I can be made clean, so I can re-enter Heavenly Father’s presence. I hope I can live with Him, and be like Him.

I do not have a vain hope, but, like the definition above says, I have a belief that what I want can be had. I believe any of Heavenly Father’s children who want these blessings can have them. Jesus Christ has shown us the way. All we need do is follow Him.

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

The atonement is key in developing greater harmony in our homes. If we remember how much our Savior loves us, we are gentler, we have more hope for happiness and are therefore less troubled by selfish concerns, and we see a bigger picture than this minute and its relatively small fears.

We can gain more harmony be praying together, studying scriptures together, and uniting in our purpose to become like Jesus Christ. So when problems arise, we can believe that each family member is striving for good, rather than casting blame or doing any of the other destructive things we could do in such situations.

What's more, we know that Jesus Christ has overcome all things. So whether our struggles are caused by circumstance or another family member, we can be secure in the knowledge that it can be Jesus Christ has the power to make it work to our good, both as individuals and as a family.

To recap:
1. Remember how much Jesus loves you and your family.
2. Be gentle.
3. Keep the hope of the atonement alive in your heart.
4. See the bigger picture.
5. Pray together.
6. Study the scriptures together.
7. Try to become more like Jesus.
8. Trust in the goodness of your family members.
9. Trust that Jesus can overcome all things.

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

I love to share the gospel with my friends. I happily answer any questions they may have regarding our religion. I try to show them what my faith is all about by the way I live. I try to help others in time of need. I invite them to join in activities, both religious and non-religious. Since my faith is an integral part of my life, the topic comes up readily. Sometimes I feel awkward because I don't want to be pushy, but it really does come up a ton in my life, so I try not to get all hung up about it. Happily, people generally are very nice and just tell me they have their own faith or aren't interested if that's the case.

I want to share the gospel for several reasons. First, the gospel makes me happy and I naturally want that same happiness for my friends. Secondly, I love Heavenly Father. He wants all His children to return to Him, and so do I. Third, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a loving gospel, and the more we love one another, the happier this world will be.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

We go on missions because we want to share what we know with anyone else who wants to know it too. We want people to know that God loves them, that He has a plan for His children, that this life is a part of that plan. We want people to know how to return to live with God and how to become like Him. We think people are happier when they learn the wonderful truths of the gospel, and we love to see people happy.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

I have prayed so many different prayers in my lifetime, and had them answered so many different ways, that it’s hard to sum it all up in one little posting. My most heartfelt prayers have always been answered in powerful ways, though not always immediately.

Sometimes when I pray I receive the desire of my heart through another person. Sometimes, I am taught by feelings and thoughts that come to me. Sometimes I find I must wait patiently while Heavenly Father puts matters into place to grant me the desire I have laid before Him. Sometimes I receive comfort through the Holy Ghost as I learn that my desire is not the same as God’s and I must turn my will to His.

One thing I’ve learned from every prayer I’ve ever given is that Heavenly Father’s plan is always better than mine. If I ask for some small blessing, when He grants it, the blessing is so much more than I dared to ask for, so much more beautiful and fulfilling and joy-giving. When His answer is no, even that becomes so much more beautiful and good than if He had granted my request.

I trust Heavenly Father. I know He loves me and I know He loves you. He wants our joy even more than we want it.

How I live my faith

I pray and study the scriptures to stay close to my Heavenly Father. I seek the Lord's help as I try to become more what Heavenly Father wants me to be. I try to help others when they have a need. I love my family and try to show them in as many ways as I can. I love God, and trust that in all my endeavors, Heavenly Father's plan is always better than mine. I try to follow where He leads.

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

Susie Robbins answered...

Nope. It's that simple. Every election year, in the United States, we usually get read a letter from the prophet reminding us to participate in the election process. That's all. We are also taught to be tolerant of people with different beliefs than ours, whether religious or political.

Have you ever heard of the Desiderata of Happiness? It's not a Mormon document or anything, but there's a line from it that I think fairly represents what Mormons are taught. It says, "Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others."

Having said all that, I should warn that there are places where the people living there are a pretty homogeneous group, just because of the culture. It would be easy to confuse the cultural leanings with religious beliefs. So this is a very good question. It's important to know that the leaders of the Church never endorse political parties or candidates, and anyone who says otherwise is probably mistaking what they think are church teachings with what are really cultural leanings.
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Dallin answered...

The Mormon Church does not endorse political parties. It does, however, strongly encourage political participation. We believe that one of God's greatest gifts to his children is the freedom to choose. With this gift comes the responsibility to do our part to make good choices. It is a great blessing to live in areas where we have the opportunity to vote for our leaders.

What are Mormon women like? Do Mormons believe in equality of men and women?

Kathy answered...

In 1776 the Declaration of Independence declared all men to be equal. However in 1830 when the Book of Mormon was published and the church established women and people of color still had no legal rights. The Book of Mormon declared 'Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one... (1 Ne 17:35) and '..black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile' (2 Nephi 26:33). Joseph taught and lived this. He authorized the Church's women's organization The 'Relief Society'.

When the church moved outside the U.S. borders, they created the State of Deseret with their own constitution which gave ALL adults the right to vote. The State of Deseret was later divided into US states. When the Woman's right to vote began in 1913, women had the right to vote in 4 states: Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and Utah.- all part of the original State of Deseret with their large Mormon populations. The Relief Society actively supported the Sufferage movement.

The church has always encouraged women to develop their skills and education. The Relief Society sent and paid the schooling for one of the first women at Medical School. Nothing has changed. Motherhood is emphasized because it can be a woman's greatest role - for children are our future. It can also be a woman's greatest joy. Jobs, looks, accomplishments etc will fade or be forgotten, but a loving close family won't, And thanks to grandchildren it will continue to expand.