Hi, I'm Cassidee

I love to go boating and I love doing yoga: I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was raised in southern Utah and I love to go boating and swimming and most things outdoors as long as the weather is good. I don't really like snow or cold, unless it means sitting next to a fireplace, drinking hot chocolate. I also love doing yoga! I think more people need to take time out and breathe.

I like to read-or more accurately listen to audiobooks, and I enjoy writing-but I think its still a skill in training. History, Discovery, Travel, and TLC are the channels that you'll catch me watching. I kinda fell off the movie bus-but Disney is usually a safe bet. Music is an ever changing world, but Classical and Show Tunes will get me every time.

I love to spend time with friends and even more with family. Being with people you love is a big plus in life.

When I grow up I hope to be a Mom-I can't think of a more important job. I still need tons of training, but I'm sure 'on-the-job' is the best kind.

I thank Heavenly Father everyday for my many blessings. He is so good to me and I try to make him a proud father.

Why I am a Mormon

I was blessed enough to be born into a Mormon family or in the Covenant, and was raised in Utah all my life. Some people could say I was sheltered or that Utah is a bubble, but I disagree. Sure my trials were different than those of my husband who was raised in California, however all anyone's trials really are-are tests of faith and agency. Who can say one is harder than another?

I can tell you that my testimony is no longer my parent's testimony. I have developed and earned my own. I am a Mormon because I want to be and because it feels right. I have had conformation after conformation from my Heavenly Father that what I believe in is true.

My younger brother is serving a mission in Buenos Aires Argentina right now. I know he is faithfully and diligently serving the Lord. He asked me a while ago to give him a written copy of my testimony. After many months of pondering and trying to remember every little thing, this is what came out:

"I don't know how I am so lucky to have the love, knowledge, and support I do. I guess lucky isn't the correct term-blessed must be it! And I suppose if I think about it for a second, I do know how I was so blessed-because my Heavenly Father loves me. Because I did something great before coming to Earth. Because I will never be tempted above what I'm able to overcome-even with His help. I know that my family loves God. I know I have a long way to go and a lot of work to do, and I know I'm not perfect nor is anyone. But I also know with God's help, and the support of my loved ones-I can be home with Him again. Me and everyone else who embraces His plan and lets His love be a part of their life. My testimony is broad and ever-changing, not the 'major' or 'main' things, but on all of God's tender mercies and 'love-notes'. The things I need to work on as well as the things that have been made clear to me. I know that I love God and Christ. I know I am imperfect and need the atonement to be saved. In order to take part in the blessings offered to me, I need to love and serve and repent. I know the prophets love the Lord and serve Him and His children. I know that if I trust in their council, I will be led closer to Christ. I know these things to be true and I am thankful for them. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Personal Stories

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

In God's Hands
Sunday January 25, 2009

There are times in one's life when you have to throw every bit of logic out the window and survive simply off faith. I need times like that in my life to kick me back into gear and remind me what it's all about-family, love and the gospel.

Family is a blessing beyond measure. My father's new blessing as first counselor in Washington's stake presidency, has brought our family together. Not just physically, but spiritually-I know that to be the pivotal point. For whatever reason we do the things we do, be it driving down just because God prompted us to, cook Sunday dinner Saturday night, or wake-up at 4:30 am and drive thru Utah weather-we all did it because of family. We came together in support of our family, supporting the gospel.

Love cannot give definition enough to the feeling it represents. When you can't contain your emotion, when the spirit has impressed your heart and mind, and when the tears are coming with a smile on your face-love is the only word we can express. However it is not enough. Hope, charity and love-three of the crucial laws to live by in our church. January 25, 2009 was a day for all three.

The gospel is what I want my life to revolve around. Today was a great supporting detail of why I believe what I believe, why I am who I am, and why my goals are what they are. Not for one minute today did my faith in our sure foundation ever waiver. Not one time did I ask was it worth it. Not one time did I feel today to be a wasted, rushed or awkward trip. All one has to do is ask God in sincere faith why and he'll tell you why and then there is no reason to doubt.

The Primary Choir was a great inspiration to me. How easy it is to forget those everyday lessons learned in Primary. As I listened to them sing, "If The Savior Stood Beside Me" I was reminded of the earliest step of righteousness. The easiest and most instilled qualities that are expected not only of our youth, but should be daily habits for us adults.

"If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example? Would I live more righteously,
If I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?"

The meeting of the Washington Stake was a humbling, educating meeting. We heard from some of the church's greatest men and women. And as Elder Holland reminded us, "this meeting is not about the new or old stake presidency, this meeting is not about me or the other brethren on the stand, it is about Washington. We are all on a team, just like a track team, and today is President Ellsworth's turn to run the quarter mile. Down the road it will be another's turn to run."

"Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him...For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."
-- Alma 34:19, 32

How I live my faith

Going to church once a week is the most rewarding event in my regular schedule. I have friends there and giving service always makes me feel good.

I also love going to institute-which is like Sunday School, but more of a classroom setting. The teacher has degrees in what they are teaching and its a great companion for college students. Its just one more class in school, but I can reconnect with God and put my focus on happier things than homework and grades. Its kind of like a continuation of high school seminary classes.

I also try to be an example in the everyday community. Some might think that the entire community of Utah is the example, but I don't do it for outward appearances. I want to be a good example because I am representing my Father. I am a daughter of God! Whoa! There is a lot of responsibility and respect wrapped into that title. I try my best to not let Him down, which in turn lifts me up. It does get easier the more I work at it and the saying goes, 'practice makes perfect'-that is my ultimate goal. With Christ's help I have the opportunity to be perfected and make it to Heaven.

Who wrote the Book of Mormon?

Cassidee answered...

The Book of Mormon was written by many different prophets of God, and the stories told in the Book of Mormon were about people on the American Continent. Each book in the Book of Mormon was a prophet and the writings within were usually theirs. For example, Nephi is the first book in the Book of Mormon. Nephi was the son of Lehi who, at the time Nephi writes of, was the prophet. Nephi then became prophet after his father died. After the two books of Nephi, his younger brother Jacob took over the prophet position and he is the one writing after Nephi. Many generations after Nephi, the prophet Mormon was commanded by the Lord, to compile the many different writings of the prophets into one book. He was to edit and organize the books. His son Moroni is the last prophet and author in the Book of Mormon. He was commanded to hide the book in a place that he would later show Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith was the prophet who restored the gospel after it was lost. He was also commanded to translate the Book of Mormon with the help of the Holy Ghost and a few tools from the Lord. Joseph Smith did not add anything to the testimonies of the prophets from long ago, he did however write his testimony and the introduction that was then published with the ancient, translated, texts. These testimonies and books make-up our Book of Mormon today.
Casey Dickson answered...

The Book of Mormon is a record of the ancient inhabitants of America, and their dealings with God; namely, the native Americans. God is no respector of persons; He loves all His children. He wants us all to make it back to live with Him; the Book of Mormon is proof to me that God loves all people of all nations; why would he only give His Word to just the Children of Israel?
The Book of Mormon was written by the prophets that were called of God on the American Continent; they too testifed that Jesus is the Christ, and he would surely come to redeem us from our sins. The book gets it's name from the prophet Mormon, who collected the individual records kept by prophets throughout the centuries, and complied them into one volume, written on gold plates. He gave them to his son, Moroni, who buried them in a hill by what is now known as Upstate New York. Centuries later, a young man named Joseph Smith, who wanted to know which church was true, had a vision of God the Father and His Son, who told him the truth was lost over the years, and he would be a tool in the Lord's hands to restore what was lost. A few years later, that same Moroni who buried the plates, visited Joseph as an angel of the Lord, and directed him to the ancient record. Through the gift on power of God, he was able to translate the book into English. The Book of Mormon helps us understand the fullness of the Gospel; with the Bible, we can discover God's will for us.

How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ?

Jason answered...

Simply by trying to. If you have a desire to increase your faith in Jesus Christ, try to do it. Start by praying. Read his words in the Bible. Try to put them into practice. For example, he told us to "love one another." Try and follow that teaching. Be nice to others, help people who might have less than you, smile... As you do so, you will notice a change come over you. You might feel more peace in your life, a calm enter your mind, or a warm feeling that seems to say you're doing the right thing. These things help you realize your faith is growing. Faith is an action word. If you put action behind your belief, I have found that it will grow.