Hi, I'm Helen

I am an ophthalmologist, a developer , a researcher, a mother, a grandmother and a visionary. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. After attending a Catholic Grammar School and a Catholic High School, I wanted nothing to do with religion of any type. Completed a BA in Biology, a BS in Biomedical Sciences and a Medical Degree. I am a mother of two sons ages 34 and 14, and a grandmother to two boys 13 and 15. I am very interested in my family genealogy and love to travel. Music, dance, and reading romance novels fill some spare moments. I am a boating enthusiast and enjoy cabin cruisers but also take lessons to learn the true art of sailing.

Why I am a Mormon

After searching for many years and trying sevral different churches that met my criteria, I did not find the "Spirit ogf God" that I was searching for until I came to this Church. I was introduced to the Church through my ex-husband who had been a membrer for 18 years before we met. I liked his lifestyle. He did not drink or smoke and was not running around. He was a widower. H e told me that he was a Mormon and I told him that I would not hold it against him! He told me he had the priesthood which was impressive although I did not know then what he meant. We dated for several months and then was married. Years passed before I decided to go to visit the Church. When I did I was faced with the Book of Mormon and wanted to read the book but instead read just the Book of Alma and then I prayed to find out if this book was true. The answer that I received was "that the author is the same (as the Bible)" Once I received the answer, I knew what to do next. I wanted to be baptized!

Personal Stories

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

I am so thankful to have a 14 year old son who knows and loves Our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He is a young man raised with Christian values who is looking forward to college, serving a mission and his community and finding a good wife so that he can be good husband. He will not only be a husband but a father and a priesthood holder .

Based on my Savior I am not afraid to try new ideas even if it may not be the popular choice. I believe that all things are possible through Him. There are so many blessings of protection that come from having a guideline for living.

It has been only because of Him that I have accomplished what I have .

How I live my faith

Over the past 14 years of membership, most of my callings have been as a teacher most often with adult women but I have had the opportunity toteach the Young Women and Primary age children. After volunteering for several years performing eye exams at the community hospital, I had the opportunity to start an eye clinic for the community at large. We focus on diabetic patients since diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in America. My research is focused on closing the health care disparity gap that exists in this country. In addition, my dream is to develop the prototype of a health care system that focuses on prevention and using non-invasive alternate treatment modalities where indicated on the first line.

How can faith in Jesus Christ influence us in our marriages and family relationships? in our friendships?

Helen answered...

I have learned through family history that as we live our families should get larger and larger especially if we grasp the idea that we are all from the human family. My faith has helped me to see that we are unquestionably created by God and placed here with the task of learning how to love one another. That would also require us not to judge other people by outward appearances. He sets the example of how we are to treat one another. We are all sisters and brothers, all descendants of Adam and Eve placed here for a human experience and to love one another as Christ has loved us.
Brennan answered...

Jesus of Nazareth was, and still is, the great healer. It is our faith in Him which enables Him to perform miracles in our lives. Often that miracle is a change of heart which allows us to forgive, see others in a new light, or feel an increased measure of love. Having faith in Jesus as our divine redeemer enables Him to bless our marriage and family relationships with an increased measure of unity and love.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Lynn answered...

Some call Mormonism a cult because it is not a "traditional" Christian church. The primary complaint of the "traditionalists" (generally Protestant Churches) is that we do not believe in the doctrine of the trinity as it relates to the nature of the Godhead. The doctrine of the trinity was codified in the Nicene Creed in 325 AD, many years after the death of Christ and the Apostles. It basically says that the Godhead, The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are one being in "substance." Since Mormonism does not accept this doctrine, they say we believe in a different Christ than they do and therefore are a cult. It is curious that this "trinitarian" doctrine is not taught anywhere in the Bible.

Mormons believe the Bible is the Word of God. The Bible (and the early church established by Jesus and His Apostles) teaches that the Godhead indeed consists of The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. But, it teaches that they are: 1) three distinct individuals as expressed in Acts 7:54-60 where Stephen is being stoned. "He being filled with the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God." And it teaches 2) they are one in purpose, not in substance (John 17 where Jesus offers his intercessory prayer, particularly verses 20-23.) This is what Mormons believe.

It is noteworthy that the early Christians were called the "sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5) and were considered a cult by the Sadducees and Pharisees, the predominant religions of the day.