Hi, I'm Katie

I was born in the Southern United States. I now live in a smaller Utah town.

About Me

I am a college graduate. I teach 6th grade in a smaller town in Utah. I am not married. I am very much involved in my ward (congregation). I currently serve in the Relief Society Presidency. I volunteer once a week at the Temple helping patrons with Family History. I am involved with local music groups, playing with a chamber orchestra right now. My favorite musical events are non-denominational hymn singing and annual performances of Handel's Messiah and other great works that share messages of the Savior.
I love the Bible and the Book or Mormon and read from them and ponder the verses everyday.

Why I am a Mormon

I was fortunate to be born into a family of Mormon parents.
My mother is a convert. She was taught by the missionaries when she was a freshman in college. She knew that what they taught was truth (because of answers to prayers and personal revelation) and chose to be baptized. She later met my father, who was raised in the Mormon Church in a family who had been members for a few generations. They were married in the Washington, D.C. Temple.
Membership in the Mormon Church is important to my parents. They taught be about the Godhead: God the Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Ghost. They taught me from the scriptures. They shared with me their testimonies of the gospel. They took me to my church meetings when I was young and encouraged me to go as I grew older.
As I grew and learned from them, I sought to find out for myself if the things they were teaching me and the things I was learning at Church was true. I have prayed and asked God about specific commandments, precepts, and principles taught to me. I have received answers for myself that these things are true. As I live the things I am taught, I am happy--a happiness that I don't experience any other way.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

One of the by-products of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that I have been able to develop who I am and to increase my talents through my service in the Church.
Members of the Church are taught from a young age and play active roles in the Church. Growing up as a member of the Church, I have had numerous leadership opportunities. I have been called upon to lead my peers in class presidencies and in presidencies for our women's organization. Through these opportunities, I have developed communication skills, learned the art of listening, and have been able to better prioritize my life. I have been approached by a handful of people years after the fact thanking me for my sincerity and for helping them to increase in spirituality or to find the courage to change their lives for the better.
I also developed musical talents through my participation in church meetings. I desired to play the piano very much, but my parents couldn't afford to give me lessons. I practiced as often as I could on the pianos at church until my parents were able to secure an inexpensive piano for our home. I worked hard and practiced much in order to play the piano and later the organ for our church meetings (which was spawned by the recognition that no other person was available to play for my class of 11-12 year-olds). I started singing with the church choir when I was in 5th grade. I attribute my success in learning to play and sing to my desire to participate in the musical aspects of church service. Since learning to play, I have accompanied numerous singers as they've sung songs of worship and praise in our various meetings. I have also sung countless times as part of a group or even as a soloist for church meetings.
Of course, I do not limit my use of these talents to my church meetings. I have used the talents I've developed and the skills I've obtained through my involvement in the Church to help and bless others outside of the church. I have shared my musical talents at various locations around town, my favorite places to sing are at Assisted Living Centers. I've used my leadership skills at work, in my relationships with others, and to mentor young people.

How has attending Church services helped you?

There are some Sunday mornings when I wake up and have little desire to go to church. I might be tired or I might have a list of things that I didn't get accomplished on Saturday. Usually what gets me to church on these days is my love of singing. Sometimes the only reason I go to church is to be able to sing my favorite musical pieces: hymns.
However, on these days when I do attend even as I desired to do something else (like sleep in), I seem to have the best experiences. Many prayers have been answered, insight into my life and gospel principles is gained, and blessed interaction occur between me and those in my congregation. Those days tend to be the most valuable in my personal worship.

How I live my faith

I attend my church services every Sunday. My favorite part of the meetings are worshiping through song (hymn singing). I love to sing in congregational choirs. I started playing the organ for our congregational meetings when I was 16.
I have served in a variety of compacities at church. I have worked with the teenage girls as their teacher. I have taught Sunday School to various ages: 12-13 boys and girls, college students, and adults. I currently serve in a leadership position for our women's organization (Relief Society).
I attend the Temple at least once a week. I volunteer at the Temple on Friday nights helping patrons with their Family History.
I work with several people who were unfamiliar with the Mormon religion until they met me. I enjoy answering their questions and sharing my testimony of Jesus Christ with them.
I live the principles and precepts of my Church. I obey the commandments as best I can. I strive each day to live a little better and do a little more.

How are the activities of the Mormon missionaries funded?

Katie answered...

Missionaries, their families, and even their neighbors fund their own missions. Those who have been members of the Church for most or all of their lives will often put aside money to save for a mission. My great aunt set money aside in a trust to be used by her descendants to partially fund their missions and college tuition. My parents made up the rest for my sisters and brother to serve a mission.
In some circumstances, neighbors and friends will help pay for a missionary to serve.
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What is done with the tithing that Mormons pay?

Lot answered...

The money received from members in the form of tithing goes directly to the headquarters of the church where a council decides what will be done with the money. Here are some ways in which the tithing funds are used:
1. Build, maintain, and operate temples, meetinghouses, and other buildings.
2. Provide operating funds for stakes, wards, and other units of the Church. (These units use the funds to carry out the ecclesiastical programs of the Church, which include teaching the gospel and conducting social activities.)
3. Help the missionary program.
4. Educate young people in Church schools, seminaries, and institutes.
5. Print and distribute lesson materials.
6. Help in family history and temple work.

*It is important to note that tithing funds are not used to pay leaders of the church. All leaders of the church are volunteers and receive no form of pay.