Hi, I'm Crystal Carol

I love to cook, run, read, blog, and garden but mostly I just love being a mom. I'm a mormon.

About Me

I graduated from college in Elementary Education and taught for a year before becoming a mom. I met my husband at college and enjoy an amazing relationship with him. I loved teaching but am now doing the best work I could, being a mom. I am passionate about cooking and love to try new recipes. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, blogging, gardening, and visiting with friends. I just ran my first 1/2 marathon and am excited to do more.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a Mormon because I know that I am most happy when I am following the Lord's principles. I have felt the spirit and know that I am in God's true church and that He is pleased with me.

Personal Stories

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Sometimes in the world, hope is an uncertain thing, like, "I hope I get a big raise in my job." But in the gospel and in my life, hope is an expectation. Hope is knowledge that as you trust in God and follow Him you will receive be able to receive Eternal Life because of the sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I love Romans 12:12 which says we should be "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer." No matter what trial comes, when I have hope in Christ I KNOW everything will work out and as I am patient and prayerful through my tribulations, God will provide for me.

I hope for eternal life and know that I will recieve it and much more as I place my faith in God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. This hope drives my life and is the reason why I am always so happy because I know everything will work out for our good as we follow the commandments.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

My prayers have always been answered - whether immediately or in God's time - but I know He hears our prayers and does what is best for us.

My most influential experience was when I was a teenager and I was struggling with self-esteem. I was very critical of myself and didn't know if I was even doing the right things. I was overcome with depression and knelt and prayed through my tears. When I finished my prayer, I looked at the picture of Christ above my bed and felt a warmth around me like a hug and I knew Christ was aware of me. The next morning I went to the temple and as I was sitting there, I said another prayer, and felt very distinct words in my mind, "Crystal, I am pleased with you."
I knew God had spoken to me through the Holy Ghost and I gained an added measure of confidence knowing that God knew me and was watching out for me. Since that day, wheneve I struggle with self-esteem I think of that experience and I can still feel the warmth of the hug and those words and I know God loves me despite my flaws.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by attending church every Sunday, teaching my children about Jesus Christ, and striving to be more Christ-like.

How can I know Mormonism is true?

Crystal Carol answered...

I know Mormonism is true because I have prayed to God asking if it is true, and have received an answer to my prayer. I felt a warm peace settle over me and I know that God heard me and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.
Because of that feeling, I know that the Book of Mormon is true because I've read it and followed Moroni's promise written in the book, "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. " Moroni 10:4-5
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Sean answered...

Before I was baptized, a missionary told me that I could read the Book of Mormon and find out for myself if it was true. I liked that idea. I've always been a person who wanted to know the truth for myself. After the missionary had suggested I read it, I decided to try. It was a big step of faith to pick up a book and read it without knowing for sure. Over time, I developed a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true.

The same goes for knowing if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Christ once again established on this earth. A simple prayer to your Heavenly Father can open so many doors of truth.

The real way that I know it is true is how it has helped my life. Without the Church, I'd be lost. I am grateful for it, and for the knowledge I have that it is true.

What are some things that tell to you there is a God?

David H. answered...

I identify with Fyodor Dostoevsky, who once wrote: "It is not as a child that I believe and confess Jesus Christ. My hosanna is born of a furnace of doubt." I respect people who find it difficult or impossible to believe, because of the incongruity of so much unjustifiable hurt and pain in the world or because the affirmative evidence for God's existence does not seem compelling. But yet I believe. I believe in a God who is powerful, knowledgeable, loving and good. I see God in the heavens and earth. I see God in the principles of physics, evolution and natural selection, psychology, engineering, mathematics, the arts and the humanities, among others. I see God in the multitude of faith (or nonfaith) traditions throughout the world and among all peoples, giving meaning, purpose and direction to God's children and creations. Yes, there is much inexplicable hurt, pain and injury in the world, and yes, God's respect for our free will and freedom to believe requires that the evidence for God be noncompelling. I do not pretend to know easy answers; I look forward one day to receiving explanations or understanding of those tough questions. In the meantime, I am grateful for the whisperings from God's spirit and for occasional experiences that, to me, seem like "postcards from God", confirming to me God's love and care for me and for all creation. I have never seen God personally, but I have experienced God and I have met God's children and seen God's creations.