Hi, I'm Rachel

I'm a student of human nature. I'm a lover of beautiful things. I try to be a good friend. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My main loves in life are my little family, learning, and finding the places where I can do the most good. For me there are no greater joys than finding the perfect words, being close with my husband and daughter, and any moments where words would be too much.

Why I am a Mormon

I love finding truth wherever it lies. For me, as I learned and grew and explored the world around me, it became obvious that the quest to find truth is the greatest pursuit, and all my searching has always lead back to the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was born to member of the LDS church, and I was baptized when I was eight. My faith in the prophets grew, my testimony grew, and my happiness grew until the day I realized that the gospel, the good news, of Jesus Christ was a part of me--the best part. I truly believe that I am becoming the best person I can be as I try to live its principles. It hasn't been easy, and I haven't always loved the person I've been. But as I worked and prayed, striving to keep the commandments and be faithful, the Lord has blessed me and made something beautiful from my life.

Personal Stories

Think about your everyday activities. What are things you act upon each day where you cannot see the end results? How does faith move you to action?

Each day, as I see the beauties in the world around me, I recognize the hand of God. As I go about my daily tasks, they take on new meaning as I ponder how they are shaping me to become more like my Father in heaven. Something simple like wiping a child's tear, or teaching them a new skill helps me to realize how our Father loves us, wipes our tears, and teaches us. I'm so grateful to be a mother, and to be free and able to teach the precious truths of the gospel to the next generation. I cannot see the effects immediately, but I truly believe that as we understand and apply principles like the power of prayer will bring us closer to God and will open our souls to a greater sense of peace and joy.

How I live my faith

Service is at the heart of how a Latter-day Saint lives the faith. I serve in my congregation by teaching a class once a month in our women's organization or Relief Society. I teach from the scriptures, from the words of the prophets past and present, and from experiences of those we know.
I also serve by being an active member of Relief Society. I enjoy being able to serve when called upon to bring help, comfort, and joy to others who are in need of lifting up. This helps me understand what the Savior has taught us when he asked us through his prophets to "lift up the heads which hang down, and the feeble knees." (Hebrews 12:12)
I have a husband and baby daughter. We gather on Monday nights for Family Home Evening, and every night we read from the Book of Mormon and pray together. This brings peace, comfort, and together time for our little family.

What is the priesthood?

Rachel answered...

The priesthood is a holy order of authority from God. It is the authority to act in God's name and with his power here on Earth. The priesthood is a blessing to all people: men, women, and children. God loves us so much that he even shares His holy power with to bless, to heal, and to protect.
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Ethan answered...

I like to approach questions by looking at the words of things

"priest" has reference to either the concept of one who leads, one who is elder, or one who is holy I like to remember that the words 'holy' and 'whole' are linked by a common ancestry. When something is 'holy' it's essentially saying that it's complete, that it's healthy..

And "-hood" makes reference to the state of being, and not just any state of being but a state of being that's worthy or correct for it's placement. That is, that it's done properly.

So one could say the priesthood is leadership or a point of reference that's completely suited to the position in which it's been placed.

Another way to look at it is to say it's God's perfect order. That is, it's God's perfect arrangement.

In our Church we often give a definition of priesthood as being "the authority to act in God's name" and that's exactly what it means to be a part of God's perfect order. If God commands something to be done by you, and you do it, then you are acting under, and with that portion of God's authority that he's permitted you to exercise within his perfect order.

Just as with any instance where someone tries to act in the name of someone else there are bound to be those who try and do so falsely. That's why God has things ordered in such a way that one can know for certain if someone has His God's authority, or not.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Ryan answered...

To have feelings of attraction for members of the same sex is not a sin. Acting upon those inclinations is. We all are tempted with things that will draw us away from God's plan of happiness if we act upon them. The choice is ours whether to act upon those inclinations or not.

God's plan for us involves the family unit as the primary building block of our interactions with our fellow human beings. Anything that disrupts the healthy creation of those building blocks will frustrate our happiness in this life and in the life to come.