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Hi, I'm Roberta
I am a returned senior missionary and am now serving as a Church-service missionary. My life is God & family. I'm a Mormon.
About Me
I am a convert to the Church and have completed two missions as a senior missionary with my husband. These missions have been the greatest growing experiences and blessings of our lives (aside from marriage and children). We have 12 wonderful children between the two of us, all of whom are 100% loving and supportive. We have 26 grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Family means everything to us, but we left our family for a little while to take the gospel to others so they can know about God's great plan of happiness whereby we can have our families with us forever.
None of my relatives are members of the Church, so I have a lot of family history and temple work to do for my ancestors.
I love nature, reading, writing, and photography. My professional career was school counseling and I still enjoy helping people find success in life.
My life is now dedicated to watching over my family and using my time and talents to serve my Heavenly Father and fellow human beings in whatever way possible. One way I hope to brighten up even a tiny spot in the world for someone is through my new blog--Happiness-Faith-Hope.blogspot.com.
Why I am a Mormon
I am a Mormon because I searched for truth all of my early life and found it when introduced to Christ's Church at 18 years of age. The Church is just as Jesus Christ organized it when He was on the earth. It is His only true and living Church, with prophets and apostles, and the priesthood authority to act for God.
Knowing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's Church upon the earth today means everything in my life. Without it, I would have no hope for a better life after death. I would not know I have a choice as to what mansion of Heavenly Father's I may live in some day--that I can actually live with Him and Jesus Christ, if I continue in faith on the strait and narrow path and endure to the end doing all of those things that have been revealed to me that must be done to gain Eternal Life
I know that God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate individuals united with one purpose--to bring to pass the eternal life of mankind. For some reason, I always felt this was true and the teachings of the Church verified it. This is another reason why I am a Mormon--the puzzle pieces fit together when the plain and simple truths were presented to me. Now, things make sense!
The Book of Mormon is the only book with a promise that we can know it is true! I found out, through the Holy Ghost, that it IS true! The Book of Mormon is a second testament of Jesus Christ, who appeared to people in the ancient Americas after His resurrection. It contains the word of God with the most accuracy of any book of scripture on earth because it has only gone through one translation, which was done by the power of God by Joseph Smith, the prophet. Yes, prophets and apostles are once again on the earth to teach and guide us in these last days!
Personal Stories
How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?
Family Home Evening (set aside Monday night for the family to all be together) is the best thing to do with families. This is where you can teach and draw your family together for fun and learning once a week. Another way to create harmony in your home is to have meals together and listen to one another. Other tips that worked as my children grew were are the following: Involve the children in service to others; teach children to work and carry their fair share to benefit the whole family; help them to be responsible towards others and not to have a selfish attitude; help them to become "other" focused.
Of course, we parents have to set the example. At the time, you may wonder if anything you teach or do is getting through to your children. The answer to that comes years later when they are adults and you see the good hearts they have developed and the love and support they give each other.
Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.
I found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints everything that is talked about in the Bible that I couldn't understand fully until I read the Book of Mormon. Because we have living prophets in Christ's Church, I also continually gain further insight on how to live in order to gain Eternal Life.
Before I joined the Church, I knew there were things spoken of in the Bible that seemed lost in the religions I knew about. It is clear a restoration had to happen for Christ's Church to be back on the earth so saving ordinances could be properly performed. Man had corrupted so many things over the centuries. It took God the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son, to appear together to clear up the confusion created by lost knowledge. I will be eternally grateful that I now have confirmed what I spiritually knew all along--the Godhead consists of three distinct, perfected beings, each with his own purposes to fulfill.
To absolutely know that Jesus Christ lives and cares about the old world, the new world, and all the isles of the sea helps me know he cares about even me. I am so grateful he has once again provided his power of the priesthood for men he calls to do his work, and through this authority we can receive the word of God and directions for today through a living prophet and apostles.
I feel like dancing for joy and my heart certainly does as the Holy Ghost whispers daily to me of the truth of the restoration. So many have given their lives for me to have this Gospel that I must never forsake it. It brings the greatest blessings that can be imagined and more!
Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?
My husband and I are home now after serving our second mission as a senior couple. Our first mission was in the Atlanta, Georgia mission serving at Ft. Benning in Columbus to support the soldiers in their basic infantry training, jump school, Ranger training, and officer candidate school. We also served as non-denominational chaplains at the Army hospital.
We were called as proselyting missionaries on our second mission in the England Manchester mission, first in the Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-Uner-Lyme wards, then working with the Young Single Adults in Chorley, near the Preston Temple, and in Blackburn Ward.
Everyone should have the opportunity to be a full-time missionary at least once in their life. If they cannot do that, they can serve part-time or at home. There are so many things that missionaries can do being involved in accomplishing wonderful things for the Lord on the earth. There is nothing more faith promoting and enhancing of one's spirituality than to dedicate yourself fully in the service of the Lord.
Bringing souls unto Christ is the ultimate career. A mission is hard work, but shedding the things of the world allows you to enter into a world of miracles recognized on a daily bases. Unless you've been there, it is difficult to explain the blessing it will be for the rest of our lives and forever. A mission will change your life for all of eternity to come when it is accomplished with total obedience, faithfulness, and hard work.
Oh! And associating with the young missionaries is the frosting on the cake. They are spiritual giants, so pure and full of faith. The leadership, teaching. and training we received from them is as competent as any we could receive anywhere in the world, and we have both received top-notch training in our previous careers, so this says a lot for 19-25 year-old men and women missionaries.
How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?
The Book of Mormon has brought into my life enlightenment and truth that before was not as clearly understood with just the Bible. It opened the door to better understanding of all the scriptures. It provided the pieces that were missing from my personal puzzle of the plan of salvation where I could know I truly am a child of God. It gave me a father I didn't have through a better understanding of God's nature and his great love for his children.
Most of all, The Book of Mormon verifies that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that he lives and loves me. Knowing more clearly the relationship of God, the Father, to his Son, Jesus Christ, provides a true sense of their roles in the eternal scheme of things and I know I am part of a heavenly family from whence I came and to which I wish to return. How to do that is clearly spelled out. Having this sense of security has helped me communicate with my Father in Heaven and to know he is as real as any living person I know.
How does making right choices help us make more right choices?
The more we choose correct principles by which to live, the better our outcomes are, which produce positive energy that propels us towards seeking for more of the same. When we receive a payoff for correct choices in life, it makes us want to repeat whatever it was that brought the reward. The trick is to be aware when the bonus for the correct choice arrives and celebrate it with intentions to be grateful for the blessing of enlightenment that takes us to a higher place with steps leading in the right direction.
How can your talents and gifts bless others?
I've been told I have a gift of being able to empathize in a broad range of circumstances people experience. It is probably possible to relate to many difficult situations due to my background and life experiences. I am a good listener and also know how to help others become more self reliant and build their self worth and confidence. Through this gift, others can receive joy, peace, love, and hope in their lives. To be available to be used as an instrument in the hands of our Savior, I must constantly strive to live worthily to serve his children on the earth.
Several other talents, such as photography and writing, can be used to bring light and joy into others' lives. I like to feel I'm adding positives into the world to combat the negative influences that so often win the attention of media and cause people to lose sight of the good that is around us.
Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?
God is my Heavenly Father. I am his daughter. He is the only father I have I can trust and who loves me unconditionally and only acts for my welfare. Without being able to speak with Him and count on Him to answer my prayers, my life would be desolate. I would not have the strength to face the trials and heartaches I have endured. Only through prayer can I have assurance my family is being watched over and that the things I pray about will be tended to. He always listens. He is always there. Prayer is my lifeline.
How has the Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?
It has helped me know the full plan of salvation clearly. I know how I must live and why I must keep the commandments. It is like a road map that provides details that were left out or lost from the Bible. The Bible and Book of Mormon together provide the complete instruction manual whereby one can be directed and kept on the path to Eternal Life.
I understand that my purpose on earth is to prepare to meet God someday and be worthy to live with Him, to learn all I can, to be tried and tested to prove my faith in Jesus Christ, to experience pain and sorrow and happiness in order to grow and appreciate blessings, to gain a body for my spirit, to be obedient in keeping commandments, to love and teach others the gospel, and serve all of God's children.
In what ways have your prayers been answered?
All my prayers are answered with a yes, no, or wait. Peace is spoken to my mind and I can have faith that all is being taken care of in the way that will benefit me the most in the eternal scheme of things.
What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?
To shield my family from unwanted influences, I have relied on teaching them right from wrong and why certain things are not good for them. We always had Family Home Evening regularly as the children grew up. We have taken them to church every Sunday, taught them the commandments, and set the example ourselves. We have also regulated television and access to negative materials. We tried to do many things with the family and keep track of where our children were at all times when away from home.
What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?
Having Family Home Evening, teaching the gospel to our children loving and serving one another are some ways we have developed greater harmony in our home. A huge contributing factor was having me home instead of working elsewhere. I was there for the children and our home was open to their friends. My life centered around them and having the time to truly enjoy them as they grew up.
What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?
I keep in constant contact with my family and, of course, share our mission experiences and teach the gospel to them every chance I get. Letting them know what I know about our Savior and the great plan of happiness our Heavenly Father has for us and why it is so precious to me is the most important thing I can do for their sense of well being and peace.
Prayers for my family are at least a twice-a-day necessity.
We share uplifting stories and thoughts with one another as well as funny things that happen. My family says the mission blog helped them share our mission and appreciate another culture. The new blog is still gospel oriented and keeps the family connected. It gives me the opportunity to share photographs and thoughts to enrich their lives.
Can you think of a specific challenge in your family that Gospel Principles helped overcome?
We have some children who have severe bipolar illness. Because of the nature of bipolar, these children have not always made good decisions to benefit their lives. Consequently, they have complicated their lives tremendously and caused great pain and suffering not only for themselves, but for the whole family. We love and pray for them. They know we love them unconditionally and want what is best for them, but we do not support their self-destructive behavior. Do you wonder how we cope with this?
We have learned to love our children in this way through gospel principles and the Savior's example. We have to honor their right to choose for themselves. Because of Jesus Christ, we know it is possible for repentance and a way back. After all that we have done to teach our children, we know we can put our faith in our Savior that all will work out for the best in the end. We do not give up hope because all burdens can be placed upon our Savior's shoulders. He gives us the strength to carry on in spite of tragedy and heartache. He does send the Comforter in time of need. Prayers are heard and we are given what we need to know and do. Scriptures provide insight and direction for coping from day to day.
Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?
I share the gospel with my friends because it is the greatest gift I can possibly think to give. I think it is important to let others know what we know through latter-day revelation. It can be a great comfort and one never knows if a friend would like to know more. I never preach at them or push my beliefs on anyone, but I do stay open for teaching opportunities ( ; .
The main way I share the gospel is to try and set a good Christian example and be available to answer questions when asked. We talk about our beliefs and respect one another. My friends feel comfortable enough with me to joke about some of the unique things about being a Mormon.
Could you talk about your baptism?
Being baptized five days before the birth of my first child was gloriously symbolic personally because I started my life as new and clean as a newborn child. Realizing my sins would be washed away brought the most marvelous joy unspeakable. Coming up out of the water started me on a path in life of growth and blessings and happiness I could never have imagined.
Baptism was the first step in committing my life to trusting God completely. After baptism, I was confirmed a member of Christ's Church and received the "baptism by fire," which is to receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those holding priesthood authority.
At baptism I promised God that I would take upon the name of Jesus Christ, always remember what the Savior has done for me and to keep His commandments. This promise I made at baptism is called a covenant. A covenant is a binding and solemn agreement between God and man. I agreed to keep this covenant and God blesses me for doing so.
Before I accepted baptism, I stubbornly fought the message of the restored gospel when the missionaries first came to me. Being brought up Lutheran, I believe there would be no more prophets, no more revelation, and no more scriptures. What a silly thing to believe, now that I look back on it, but tradition dies hard when you've been brought up in a different religion, even if it didn't make sense with the three-gods-in-one (Trinity) teachings.
Being stubborn and stiff-necked, as stated in the scriptures, I attempted to prove The Book of Mormon wrong by using the Bible. Instead, it proved itself true, but not until I was willing to take on the promise and pray, asking God if it was true. Trying to find truth intellectually will never reveal things that are spiritual. The Holy Ghost witnesses it to me very powerfully and I could not deny the truth of it. Since The Book of Mormon is true, all others teachings of the Church are also true. There's no way around it.
What is hope and what do you hope for?
Faith is things hoped for that are true but are not seen. Hope is the abiding yearning for things to turn out in the end, no matter what we endure in this life because our Savior promises it will be so as long as we have Faith in Him. Hope is trust in Him that He keeps all of His promises. Faith and hope go hand in hand, since we have to have faith to hope for Eternal Life, which is the greatest gift offered by God--a place with Him, our Savior, and our loved ones for all eternity.
I hope for all of God's children to know they are His children, that He loves them, and that He sent His only begotten Son to suffer and die for us in order to atone for the sins of everyone who ever lived. Jesus Christ not only conquered death, but he also made it possible for us not to stay separated from God due to our separation from Him (spiritual death). We will all be resurrected to immortality and, depending on our making correct choices and keeping the commandments, we can also return to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I would hope people would know they must have faith, repent, be baptized by someone having the proper authority to do so, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end in faithfulness in order to gain Eternal Life.
How has the Holy Ghost helped you?
He has saved my life--literally. He warned me of a danger that would have taken my life. He has comforted me in sorrow and assured me all will be well. The Holy Ghost guides me as to the needs of others and helps me in all righteous doings. Without the Holy Ghost, I would not know The Book of Mormon is true. I would not know that Jesus Christ lives, if the Holy Ghost had not witnessed it to me. The Holy Ghost is the guiding wisdom and comfort in my life. He helps me understand the scriptures and makes it possible for me to discern between good and evil, truth and lies.
How has your knowledge of the Plan of Happiness changed/benefited your life?
The Plan of Happiness give my life focus. Before I knew of it, I was adrift as to what my life was supposed to be. It seemed like life was too short to accomplish all that my heart desired. I felt empty in not knowing for sure what I was supposed to do with my life and where I'd end up after this life. It was scary thinking about death. The troubles in life and in the world seemed senseless--all for nothing. The Plan of Happiness gives me a reason for living my life in the best way I can and striving to be a better person. It gives me joy and a taste of what is to come.
Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?
We do this work because it is fun to connect to one's own people AND it fulfills a higher purpose--to provide an opportunity for our ancestors to accept the saving ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When during family research, names are researched and families are linked and exciting discoveries are made as to where people came from and what their lives may have been like. It builds a huge appreciation for those who made it possible for us to be born.
Names can be sent to a temple and saving ordinances performed there by proxy (which means a live person takes upon the name of the deceased person to do the temple work for him or her). Since Jesus Christ said that there is no way back to our heavenly home unless we enter the "gate," which is baptism, those who have not had that opportunity must be given the chance to accept baptism and the other ordinances necessary to inherit the highest kingdom available. Baptisms have been done for the dead throughout history. Read 1 Corinthians 15:29 and ask yourself why this should be mentioned if it wasn't important. Why would Christ preach to the dead if they do not need to hear the gospel? See 1 Peter 3:18-21.
Think about your everyday activities. What are things you act upon each day where you cannot see the end results? How does faith move you to action?
Trying my best to live the commandments and follow the example of Jesus Christ each day is something I do and only know the end results of it through faith that what is promised through the teachings of our Savior will be given as a results of being faithful.
I follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost and do what I feel is right in recognizing where help may be needed by someone. I will go about my daily activities with the intent of watching and listening for promptings that lead me to do certain things, of which I do not understand the outcome. Writing a simple note to someone, stopping by someone's home, calling someone on the phone, or preparing some special thought and not knowing when or where it may be used.
I cannot see the end results of any given day or activity, so I try to just do the things I know I should do as far as living the commandments and know the promises are true that the end results will be positive when we do so.
Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?
The Savior's teachings that have influenced my life the most are those teachings which give me hope, direction, counsel, and understanding of the plan for us living on the earth and how to gain Eternal Life. The scriptures are my road map for life. For me, I see the whole plan in the following scriptures, thus these particular ones have had the greatest influence in how I act and live.
Four teaching that have been important in my life and have helped me stay on the proper path are the following:
*I have the Holy Ghost to guide me while on the earth because it was given me as promised by our Savior.
* There is hope we can be forgiven for sins when we repent because of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us.
*The Savior taught us to pray to the Father in His name. Knowing I can talk to God at any time and in any place as if I were speaking to Him face to face helps me meet each day with strength to carry on. I know my prayers are always answered for my best interests. It is a secure feeling to know I can put all trust in knowing He is watching out for me and others and taking care of everything as it should be.
*Jesus Christ always taught about "immortality and eternal life." Knowing the difference between immortality and Eternal Life has made the biggest difference in how I live because I know I have a choice as to where I live in the hereafter. The understanding of all the guiding principles our Savior taught are solidified through knowing we can earn a place in the highest degree of glory--the best mansion where The Father and The Son reside--by being faithful to all the commandments and teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Knowing I can live with Them and my family members who are faithful is the greatest goal worth working towards. Anything else is second best!
How I live my faith
Serving 100% for the Lord on a mission is the ultimate spiritual experience. Sometimes in everyday life, it is hard to capture that level of spiritual awareness, but it can happen when I am aware of the everyday miracles happening around me each day. I can live my faith most fully by keeping the Holy Ghost with me so I can be guided to be an instrument in God's hands. The only way to do this is to live a Gospel-centered life.
When I am not on a mission, there are many missionary things I can still do as a member missionary and as a Church-service missionary. I also enjoy teaching at church on Sunday in the class for the ten-year-old children. The Sunday School program for the children is called Primary. My life has always been focused mainly on working as a leader or teacher in programs for young adults, youth and children in and outside of the Church.
Living faithfully means exercising faith by praying night and morning (and during the day when something comes to mind), reading scriptures and pondering them daily, keeping the Sabbath Day holy by attending Church meetings, serving others, repenting daily, striving to follow the Savior's example, and living the commandments. These are the gospel basics that keep me strong. My motto of faith to follow the Savior's example is: LOVE MUCH AND DO THE BEST I CAN TO BE LIKE HIM.
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What do Mormons believe happens to us after we die? What do Mormons believe about life after death?
Roberta answered...
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What do Mormons believe about family?
Bradley. answered...
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