Hi, I'm Kimberly

I studied Russian and public diplomacy & love interfaith efforts. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a soon-to-be-mom! I love reading and meeting new people. I graduated with a BA in Russian and a master of public diplomacy. I have lived in Russia twice and hope to work more with non profits in Eastern Europe.

Why I am a Mormon

The doctrines of our faith have helped me become the person I am today. It was in the Church that I learned to have greater charity and serve others. It was here that I learned more about my identity as a child of God, and that everyone I come into contact with is a child of our Heavenly Father, deserving of respect and love. As I have read and reread the Book of Mormon, I have been amazed at how the doctrine contained therein helps me understand my Savior's love for me. I have felt the truthfulness of the scriptures and have been amazed at how much the Book of Mormon is in concert with the Old and New Testament. The continuity of doctrine and the completeness of the plan of our Heavenly Father has given me the desire to seek more from the scriptures to find truth and what I can do to serve Jesus Christ. I love that God loves us enough to have called a prophet in our day, as He did in the Old Testament--one who receives revelation as the ancient prophets did, to guide and direct us in our day. The doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that families can live together even after this life, and that ALL will have an opportunity to receive salvation if they desire it. The inclusive nature of the gospel, welcoming all to accept it, is a part of our doctrine that I cherish. My oldest brother died when I was only 12. Knowing that this life isn't the end, and that I would have the opportunity to see him again helped me through a very difficult time. Now I am married and about to have my first child. Knowing that I can help my children understand their worth to our family and to our Heavenly Father makes me so happy. Knowing that I can live with them beyond this life gives me so much hope.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

I love family history work! Family history shows our dedication to the belief that our Heavenly Father loves each of His children and desires for their happiness. One thing I love about the gospel is that we believe that ALL have the opportunity to hear and accept the gospel. This is a choice each will be able to make, whether or not they had the opportunity to hear about it in this life or the next.

Family history gives me the opportunity to learn more about my family. I have learned about a great-great grandmother who went with a handcart company to Utah, about a great-great grandfather who left his family in England to come to America for his faith, and more about who I am because of them.

The beautiful, and perhaps most misunderstood aspect of family history work is doing vicarious ordinance work for our ancestors. What this means is that we give them the opportunity to choose if they would have wanted to be baptized. We do not force any part of the gospel on any one who doesn't want it. We merely provide the opportunity for them to accept or reject ordinances like baptism and eternal marriage. It can be compared to missionary work. We ask others if they are interested in learning more. They have the choice to come and learn or decide it is not for them. Performing work for our ancestors no more forces the gospel on them than would asking a friend if they would like to learn more about the Church. A major aspect of Church doctrine is agency. Through family history, we not only learn more about our ancestors, but give them agency, or the opportunity to choose for themselves.

How I live my faith

I am the secretary in our women's organization. This gives me the opportunity to get to know the women in my area better. It allows me to serve and learn more from each of them. I have also served on interfaith councils as a Mormon/LDS representative. I lived in various cities in Russia as a missionary, where we taught people how they could strengthen their families, give up addictions, and we had free weekly English lessons open to members of all faiths. I returned to Russia three years later to work in public affairs. One major event we hosted was a conference on religious freedom in Eastern Europe which leaders of other faiths, lawyers, journalists, and politicians attended.

What is a ward/stake/branch?

Kimberly answered...

A gathering of members of the church in a geographic area. A ward/branch can be compared to a parish or congregation. Wards differ from branches in the number of members who attend, a ward being larger than a branch. Within a ward or a branch, members are given different callings, or ways they are asked to serve. Different areas of service include teaching, which is divided by age level--children, young adults, and adults; organizing committees, such as activities planning committees, service committees (in the community, to the members, and so on); playing the piano, etc..
Siegfried answered...

To make the administration of this world-wide church possible, the church is organized into geographical regions and sub-regions. The most basic administrative unit is called the "ward". The wards in the church vary in size but are comprised of a geographical area with anywhere from 300 to 700 members. The ward is presided by a bishop. A group of five to twelve wards are combined to form a "stake". A stake is presided by a stake president.
In regions of the world where there is a lesser concentration of members, "branches" are formed. These branches are equivalent to wards but usually have less members. A branch is presided by a branch president.
This organization makes it possible for 14 million members to each have local leaders that can provide guidance, teaching, and administering of the sacred ordinances of the gospel

How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ?

Mark answered...

How do you increase your muscle mase? You work out, eat healthy, keep your mind sharpe, and do things right and correctly. Same thing is with our faith in Jesus Christ. We need to use our faith in Him. We do that by doing what he has asked us to do, and follow His example in all things. We will not know what life holds for us until we go and do things to expand our knowledge. The same thing is with faith. Try accomplishing one of His commandments, and see the miricles and blessings and knowledge from doing it.