Hi, I'm Amber

I'm a Mormon Mom of three little angels.

About Me

I am a stay-at-home Mom of three (5,3,2), and I own my own business. I love to learn, teach my children, eat good food, and organize (wierd, I know). My hobbies are reading, playing sports, and creating beautiful things.

Why I am a Mormon

My testimony of the Gospel is my life. It is who I am through and through. It directs my thoughts, daily decisions, how I raise my children, and why I do the things I do. Although I was born into the church, I am a Mormon because I have learned for myself that it is true. I know it is. How? Because the Lord answers prayers. Because the spirit wispers it to my heart. Because it makes perfect sense. Because I love the way I feel when I follow it's teachings and try and be more like my Savior Jesus Christ.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.

The idea that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel may seem like just another story, but it is the foundation for my tesimony. I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, restored the Gospel to the earth, and traslated the Book of Mormon. I know because every time I read the Book of Mormon, I follow the council within to ask God if it is true. Everytime I ask, I get a burning in my heart from the Holy Ghost, and I know that it is. Because I know these things about Joseph Smith, I know that everything he taught is true and comes from God. I know that Christ is my Savior and that he died for me. I know that we have a true and living prophet on the earth today. Because I know that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel, I know everything else that goes along with it is true as well.

How I live my faith

I live my faith through serving others. First, I am a wife and mother. I have infinate opportunities to serve my family and teach my children the truth of the Gospel and how to follow Jesus Christ. I am also a Youth leader. I try to help the young women feel God's love for them and know exactly who they are- daughters of our Heavenly Father. Laslty, I try to follow Christ's example by serving others who are in need.

What is a ward/stake/branch?

Amber answered...

A ward is a group of people who live in the same area who are assigned to go to the same church building at the same time. A branch is similar to a ward, but may have fewer people. A stake is a group of wards and branches that work together.
Adam answered...

There is a lot of vocabulary that is unique to Mormonism, including the terms we use for our congregations.

A ward is a local congregation, usually made up of between 200-600 members. Wards have specific geographic boundaries, so which ward you attend would depend on where you live. A ward is presided over by a lay priesthood holder called a bishop.

A branch is similar to a ward, except it is smaller. They range in size from a single family to the size of a small ward. Generally, branches are in areas without a significant Mormon population, specific to a language, or for individuals who are single. Branches do not have bishops, but are presided over by a branch president.

A stake is a larger organization in the church. Several wards and branches, frequently around 12, will comprise a stake. The stake is able to support the wards and branches through additional resources and leadership. Stakes are presided over by stake presidents.

Where did Mormonism and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin?

Bari answered...

In the early 1800´s a wave of religious interest known as "The Great Awakening" swept the United States, and with it several new Christian churches. With so many different opinions on The Bible, many people were confused about which church was true. A young man named Joseph Smith lived in upstate New York with his family. They visted several churches and listened to several different preachers, but still came to no conclusion. A Bible passage in the first chapter of James reads "If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God," and upon reading this and feeling very impressed by it, Joseph Smith decided that he could only get an answer through God. One day in the spring of 1820, he went into a grove near his house and began to pray. Unexpectedly, he was visted by God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who told him that the Church organization Christ established on the Earth, the Priesthood authority to do sacred things, and many simple doctrines had been lost after His death and that of His Apostles. Christ also told Joseph Smith that with time, He would restore His church with the proper authority again on the Earth. After this visit, Christ sent other heavenly messengers inclding Peter, James, and John to lay their hands on Joseph Smith´s head and give Priesthood authority just like it was given in times of old. Over the course of 10 years, the same church that Christ established in His Earthly ministry with all its offices and the fullnes of the Gospel was restored.