Hi, I'm Susan

I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ.

About Me

I'm a wife and mother. I enjoy books and music - when I have time. I received my BS in Electrical Engineering, and now I school my children at home. Living out in the country has inspired me to study amateur bird watching and astronomy.
My husband is a farmer, and I'm very glad to be raising my children on a farm. Their ages range from 13 years down to 1 year. We have five sons and one daughter.

Why I am a Mormon

Life gets hard and lonely sometimes, and I need to feel God's love to keep me going. The teachings of the Church helped me find and understand who God is and how He speaks with me.
I remember vividly, after the birth of my fourth son, feeling overwhelmed. I had felt the Holy Spirit before in my life, but it was then, one morning when I knelt to pray, privately and vocally, that I knew God was there. I knew that it was my Heavenly Father telling me He loved me. Since then, I recognize that He also speaks that knowledge to me through beautiful music and spoken truth.

Personal Stories

Could you talk about your baptism?

My baptism was unique. It was unique because where we lived in Egypt, there were no baptismal fonts available. So my dad baptized me in the Red Sea when I was eight.
What's more important than where or by whom I was baptized is what I have come to understand about baptism, though. I felt the Holy Spirit very strongly at my own baptism, but being young I didn't truly understand this. When I would attend other baptisms, I again would have that unique experience. Then as I matured, I remember noticing this special feeling - almost like my whole body is alert - during other times. I now know and recognize this as the Holy Spirit. His constant companionship is the vital gift we receive when we are baptized.
Another thing I've come to understand about baptism is how it is simply a beginning. A baptism is generally such a public celebration that is can be confused with the private process of striving to stay clean afterward. The private process includes repentance, righteous works, and worthily taking the sacrament.

What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?

My husband and I want a strong marriage, happy children, and peace in our home. Because of these desires, we must be careful about what influences are welcome in our home.

About four years ago, we turned off the tv. We spend relaxing time watching wholesome movies, instead. We also are careful about what we allow in our home on the internet, using filters and strict guidelines for our children's use. We have collected good books over the years, and try to preview books we continue to buy or check out from the library. With a lot of open communication, we hope to teach our children why we want to protect ourselves from pornography's damaging effects. Talking openly also helps our children know how to judge for themselves the merit of certain media.

We might be a little obsessed with media cleanliness. But I believe protecting my family from the destructive influences of pornography, violence, demeaning language, or seductive material is vital.

How I live my faith

All my energy is focused on my young family at this time in my life. I believe this is the most important way I can live my faith right now. Why do women choose to live their faith this way when it CAN be a completely thankless job and private sacrifice? I saw the benefits and blessings of this firsthand growing up in a loving home. I can't say that I'm thinking about this when I'm in the middle of a messy diaper or when I'm trying to get a meal on the table or when I'm folding laundry or helping the kids pick up their room AGAIN. However, through small, ordinary efforts great things come to pass.

What is the Relief Society?

Susan answered...

Relief Society is just that, a group of woman dedicating our lives to do as Jesus did when he lived on the earth. My favorite quote describes this society's work perfectly, “Relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance—relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of woman.” (John A. Widtsoe)
At different stages of life, that relief will be offered differently. With young children, most of my 'relief' work is with my family. However, my mother, also a member of the Relief Society, is able to help aging extended family and those in her neighborhood. My older sister makes baby blankets and such for her local hospital. Another sister chooses to get involved in local politics. Each woman has a unique capacity to care for others.
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Karen answered...

To me, Relief Society means friendship. It's an opportunity to know and love and learn from other women from so many different backgrounds and situations and ways of looking at life and yet they are truly my sisters! I can't tell you how many times I have been wrestling with an issue in my own life and there, during the course of our class or other conversation, comes the answer. I know that Heavenly Father so often works through others to answer our prayers, and to me Relief Society is a huge example of that. I'm grateful not only for those who reach out to me, but for the opportunies to reach out to others through Relief Society. It is an inspired program and a wonderful asset to my life!

Why was a Restoration of the Gospel needed? Haven’t we always had the Bible?

Daniel answered...

When Jesus was on the earth he established his church. To guide it, 12 apostles were called by God and had priesthood authority to act in his name. When an apostle died, he was to be replaced so that there would always be 12 “special witnesses” of Christ (this is shown by the calling of Mathias as a member of the 12 in Acts:1)
The early years were troublesome times for Christians. The greatest antagonist to the church was the Roman Empire. During this era of persecution, apostles were killed and priesthood authority was lost. Centuries after Christ was crucified Rome pulled a 180 and adopted its own form of “Christianity” as the mandated state religion. To conform to previously held pagan traditions, ordinances like baptism were changed and creeds of faith, not found in the bible, were established.
Recognizing the discrepancies between this church and New Testament Christianity, righteous people protested and many of their followers formed new churches. This era of protestant reformation was critical in advancing religious liberty. But simply recognizing the errors of a church, does not give one God's priesthood authority (see Hebrews 5:4) Even those with the best intentions of following Christ’s teachings need proper priesthood authority to be baptized. The world needed a Restoration of Christ’s original church, not a reformation of an apostate version of it. And as soon as a nation was established with the religious freedom to allow it, the Lord did restore his church!