Hi, I'm Olie

I'm a Mormon. I grew up in California. My mother had six children.

About Me

I celebrated 50 years as a member of the Church in March 2011. I'm a teenage convert. My mother, sister and I joined after my older brother and his wife had been members a while. I have seen my three children baptized. I'm currently a civil servant and work full-time where my children were raised. Because of a mother who loved to travel I've been back and forth to Washington numerous times and driven with her twice to Ontario, Canada, the second time going to the 48 states. Because of this trip and my journal I'm a published author. I've traveled and worked in Europe 13 months and have since been to my last two states, Alaska and Hawaii. I'm a visiting teacher and ward missionary in my ward.

Why I am a Mormon

Having joined the Church as a 14-year-old I learned about it from the elders and by attending seminary. By reading, studying and praying to know if the Church is true I gained a testimony that has never left me. The joy of the gospel and true Church is wonderful. I've read the entire standard works of the Church: the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. I also love reading the official Church magazine, The Ensign. By reading 20 pages every Sunday I complete it cover to cover. The temple is a holy place, about as close to heaven as I can get, and I give service there on Saturdays.

Personal Stories

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

The Holy Ghost is why I have a testimony. He has confirmed to me the truthfulness of the gospel.

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith was a man, a prophet, and we do not worship him. He was instrumental in the restoration of the gospel to the earth and translated the plates for the Book of Mormon. I revere him as a prophet of God. It has been said that you can't give a bad talk about Joseph Smith. Here was a humble boy in a large family who with little education was called to become the Prophet of the Restoration. He was exceedingly forgiving, even to former friends who left the Church and wanted to return. He had time for playing stick ball with children and running foot races. His vocabulary is astonishing considering his lack of formal education. He was taught by a higher power. A favorite scripture is Doctrine and Covenants and I love reading the words of Christ and the words of the prophet, both so eloquent. I personally love the prophet and enjoy reading about him and what he himself wrote of his life as well as the biography written by his mother, Lucy Mack Smith.

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

We tried to do the best we could over time by bringing our family to church every Sunday, to baptisms, having the missionaries over for dinner, attending all ward activities and events, and encouraging participation in Primary, Mutual and the Scouting program. Being on temple grounds is especially beneficial because of the Spirit that prevails there. This gives a family roots and should they stray they will remember where they came from and hopefully return.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

From the time children are young they are encouraged to serve a mission. Serving helps share the gospel of Jesus Christ in concentrated efforts and a very disciplined lifestyle. It builds confidence and through organizational skills learned many return more mature and able to compete better in school and work.

How I live my faith

I attend church every Sunday and my social life tends to revolve around activities and socials as well. I've made temple attendance a priority in my life. Being a visiting teacher I keep in touch with several other sisters in the ward and give them a spiritual message each month, make sure they know about events, offer them rides, and in general be of help or get help for them if needed.

What are Mormon Temples used for?

Olie answered...

Temples are houses of the Lord wherein sacred ordinances are performed for both the living and the dead, by proxy. Baptisms for those who have passed on are performed, endowments and sealings of families are performed by proper priesthood authority. I would love to be in each and every temple in the world.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Corey answered...

A temple is a house of the Lord, a place where we may worship our Heavenly Father and feel of His presence. It is a sacred place where no unclean thing can enter. Because of the importance and sacredness of the temple, a temple recommend is required and is received based on individual worthiness within the church in order to enter its holy walls.

The temple is where I go to find answers, to find peace, and to feel the Spirit. We are encouraged to go as often as possible and to attend seeking Spiritual guidance. Inside we perform sacred ordinances for ourselves and more often for others, those who are deceased. God requires that all to make covenants in order to return to His presence and many died without the opportunity to make these covenants. In the temple we perform the ordinances for them in their name giving them the opportunity to reject or accept the ordinance and thus enter into the presence of the Father. The temple is a very sacred and holy place.

Who is the Mormon prophet today?

Mark answered...

God through out the ages has spoken to His children through living prophets. We have a prophet today, named Thomas S. Monson. He is a prophet just like Moses, Abraham or Peter. My wife and I, were blessed to be personally called by President Monson to serve a mission. For 2 hours we sat in his office as he taught us. We felt his spirit and his love. I know that he is a prophet. This is the Savior’s church and He leads this church just as he did anciently through a living prophet. As we follow President Monson’s teaching and example we will be blessed to draw nearer to the Savior.