Hi, I'm Alana

I'm a young mother of 2 and a family photographer. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a convert that went through many trials before finding my faith. I stay home with my 2 children. I also photograph kids and families on the weekends. I plan to finish college and become an elementary school teacher some day.

Why I am a Mormon

When I was 17 I began my search for the right church. I felt that the churches my family raised me in (Catholic and Episcopalian) were on the right path, but lacking the full truth. After being encouraged to pray about it by a newly returned missionary, I found the truth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

How I live my faith

I am the assistant activities leader for the young girls in my ward. Every other Wednesday night the young girls (age 8-11) in my ward come to the church to enjoy an activity, a lesson and sometimes a snack.

Are Mormons Christians?

Charlotte answered...

Living in a place where Mormons are a small minority, this is probably the question I get asked the most. For me, nothing is more sacred and personal than my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe he was born of Mary and is the Son of God. I believe he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the cross on Calvary so that all of us might be saved by the gift of His atonement. I believe he was resurrected three days later and that he will come again. I absolutely whole-heartedly believe in and love Jesus and am teaching my children to do the same.

Generally though, I've found that when people ask me this question more often they are asking what makes Mormons different from other Christians. There are 3 major differences: 1) We believe that God, the father, Jesus, his son and the Holy Ghost are distinct beings (the first two having a body of flesh and blood, the third being a spirit) that are united in purpose. So, we don't believe in the concept of the "Trinity." 2) We believe in an open cannon, meaning that God still reveals scripture. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God but we have companion scriptures as well that we believe are holy and inspired, most notably "The Book of Mormon." It is another testament of Jesus Christ, in addition to the Bible. 3)We believe that God still talks to man. Revelation didn't stop with the prophets in the Bible. When Christ's church was restored through Joseph Smith, prophets once again returned to the earth. We having a living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, to whom God speaks. In addition, we believe in personal revelation. Rather than telling people they must follow unquestioningly like sheep, Mormons are encouraged to ask God themselves about doctrine, actions and anything else they are concerned about. He answers prayers.
David answered...

Depends on whom you ask. If you ask a faithful Latter-day Saint, the answer will be "yes". The arguments that I've heard against our being Christian are that we believe in the Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ); we believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings with physical, glorified bodies of flesh and bone; we believe that Joseph Smith was called of God in our time as a prophet; etc. The short answer is "yes", we are Christians. I would even go so far as to say we are the only Christians; that is, we are the only church that Christ has given his priesthood authority. If a Christian is a disciple of Christ, then we are certainly striving to be Christians. Certainly, other churches help and serve in ways that are admirable. There are good people everywhere in the world. However, Heavenly Father is a God of order, not chaos. He has established one faith, one church, and one baptism. There are not several roads that lead to His Kingdom; there is one. We all can receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that we are on that one path that leads to eternal happiness.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Deena answered...

No! In fact, the choir I sing with, Saints Unified Voices, is a great example of this. We represent many races and colors--African American, Polynesian, Persian, Native American, Caucasian, plus a few others and we are directed by a wonderful African American woman you may have heard of by the name of Gladys Knight Mcdowell. All of us are faithful members of the church who come together to sing praises to our Father and Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. One of the messages we bring to the world through song and through example is that there are no race or color restrictions as to who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are also no race or color restrictions as to who can hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. In the Book of Mormon we read that the Lord 'inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God' (2 Nephi 26:33). We, as members of His church from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, sing glory to God!