Hi, I'm Julie

I am a tom boyish southern belle at heart. I am a Certified Pharmacy Technician. I am a single mother. And I am a Mormon. D

About Me

I'm a single mom of a beautiful 19 month old baby girl. She is my everything, my precious gift from God. I am Certified Pharmacy Technician. I learned how to speak Spanish over the last decade, I'm very proud of my ability to communicate effectively with native speakers. I love to garden, swim, talk with others, do creative/artistic things and watch good family movies.

Why I am a Mormon

I am a "Mormon" because of faith and fate. I was born into an LDS family, but it wasn't always the happy picture that everyone idealizes that Mormon families have. One of my parents was very frequently inactive and even withdrew membership at one point when I was very young. My parents divorced. I went back and forth between the both of them frequently through my growing up. It was somewhat of a tug-of-war between my 2 parents on the topic of religion. I actively attended church throughout my young years during grade school until I was forbidden. I felt the desire to keep attending church, any church and so I church hopped. If I felt out of place, I left. I attended many different sects. It was almost like something out of the pages of Joseph Smith's account. I often attended the Church of the Nazarine because I felt content and close to my friends. I felt safe, but I still felt something missing. Children are very perceptive and I knew what felt right and what didn't. When I was 13 years old I moved from down south up to New England to be closer to my extended family. I immediately took the chance and started going back to the mormon church. I started seminary, a kind of youth bible study and I decided that I needed to pray about my beliefs. And so I did one late evening after finishing my homework and seminary study. I felt the Spirit telling me it was true and I never doubted it.

Personal Stories

Could you talk about your baptism?

I was baptized July 21, 1996 in Plano, TX, by my dad. I think I had a greater appreciation for my impending baptism because it had been withheld from me due to some legalities in my parents divorce. So needless to say I might have been somewhat of a pain when I was 8 years old because I was unable to be baptized. However, I think that it made me stronger and gave me deeper faith in my covenants with my Heavenly Father in taking upon myself the name of Jesus Christ. So when it came time for me to be baptized, I had an understanding of the Gospel unlike most converts, but I still had the chance to develop a stronger testimony and appreciation for my membership because I had to take the missionary discussions. I finished them and 3 very extraordinary things came into play. First of all, my dad decided he was moving away from Plano and so I would not be able to have my friends. I begged to have my baptism there because I obviously didn't know anyone or had any connection to anyone from where my dad was moving to. Second, my grandpa was visiting from California at that time and I was especially close to him. He was not a member and had been opposed to my dad's membership in the church and things were a little strained in the beginning years prior, but my dad and i weren't sure if he would have the desire to come to my baptism and witness my "rebirth". But he did accept my invitation and was there. Third, even though I had only known the girls from my young women's class half a summer, they still felt close to me and all chipped in to get me a few things. Writing their testimonies in the front pages of my journal was amazing to me. I couldn't believe the love and inspiration that poured out those pages. I truly felt loved. And that day I realized a deeper connection to my friends and family and of course to my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

When I moved into my new apartment, one of the first things I did was have it dedicated. I had the bishop come over and give a prayer to protect our dwelling from evil and malice, to keep it safe and in harmony. I try very hard to keep the spirit here in my home, to make it a place of peace and refuge. It is not a perfect practice, but I try very hard to have Family Home Evening every Monday Night, to have prayer and do things that are in Harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ. I want to build my life up so that it will be easier for me to implement the same practices in my home when I find that special someone and share a family with them. I feel that keeping the influence of Christ and Heavenly Father in your home helps greatly to keep harmony there. I have pictures hung of the Savior around the house and of course like I said before, Family Home Evening. Family Prayer and personal prayer is important, keeping close to the scriptures and listening to the Spirit.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

I love having the Holy Ghost with me. He is the Comforter, the inner still small voice that speaks to your soul. There have been many times where it has helped me. There have been times where I have been scared and I will pray and the calm will come upon me. I have had to ask for guidance and suddenly things seem a little clearer. When I listen to the still small voice, things work out for the better and when I don't, things flop, sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. He is the lifeline to our Father who art in Heaven. We should always try to listen and the more we listen, the easier it is for us to discern it.

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

Ha ha! This is a great question. When I was a senior in high school in Vermont, I had a lot of free time on my hands because I was ahead in electoral credits for school and my guidance counselor found out that I could do Genealogy. So she wrote me a pass to come to her office and teach her how to do it. Of course I used the Church Family History site because it's easier and it's FREE! She was amazed at my knowledge, for something for me that is so simple. We believe that Families can be eternal through special ordinances in our Temples and doing our Family History allows us to find those members who may have become "lost" in time and give them the opportunity to be together in the Life here-after, when we return to God.

How I live my faith

Right now I do not have a calling but I do everything I can to serve and love my neighbors and friends. Whether it's taking a meal over or giving someone a ride or visiting to cheer someone up or listening to someones current challenges, I know I am serving them by being a friend. That's what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about- loving your neighbor as much as you can.
I was the ESL teacher in my Spanish Ward for the better part of last year. Before that I was 2nd Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency, which I enjoyed very much because I was able to be a good influence on the young girls in teaching them correct principles and how to deal with this crazy world. I love being an ESL Instructor now because I am able to give a service in teaching my native language to those who are struggling with it. In the same moment, I am learning more Spanish and helping with families and individuals who are just dealing with their own situations. These students of mine are more they are my friends, my family members, my brothers and sisters and we care about one another.

Can husband and wife be together forever? Do you believe that families will live together in heaven?

Julie answered...

I know that a husband and wife can be together forever through the blessings of the temple. When a couple is sealed for all time and eternity, they can not be separated at death. I, myself, am definitely not a poster child for exemplary relationships and that is something I am dealing with personally. However, as a member with a Temple Recommend, I am able to enter the doors of the Temple and perform ordinances. I often find myself reflecting on what is to come concerning relationships and marriage. I know through prayer and feelings through the Holy Ghost that I will be able to enter into the temple with someone and be sealed for all time and eternity. I know that that person will be very special and our children will be sealed to us as well. Families can be together forever. It is the desire of Heavenly Father for us to be together beyond our earthly life and return to Him. It is God's Plan.
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Matt answered...

The Lord would not command us to love each other so much during our lives only to tear us apart in the next life. We are one flesh just as the Lord is one with his church. The scriptures say that we are not to be put asunder.
Christ gave his apostles special revelations on this subject:
Matthew, Chapter 16:
Jesus said to his apostles:
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

What else would his apostles bind, and what else could the Savior mean, if not marriages? Christ put no limit on their binding power to bind relationships and covenants. Their power extends into heaven.
And he continued by saying:
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
– because some things are kept sacred until later times when the world is ready to receive them.
Temple sealing and eternal marriage are primarily the subject of modern revelation through prophets in our time.

In the latter days, according to prophecy, Elijah has returned to join families together. Malachi 4:5-6. We believe that prophets in each age bring new revelation from God. Amos 3:7.
This latter day revelation has finally made clear how families are kept together in heaven—something people have wondered about throughout the ages. (Ephesians 5:32, wherein it says that the subject of marriage in Biblical times was “a great mystery”). In our time, the purpose of marriage and family is clear: ordinances are being performed to unite the whole human family throughout all dispensations of time. It is a unique work for the latter days. These modern revelations free human kind from the depressing, and divorce-promoting idea that the family becomes meaningless in the life hereafter. The Lord would not put us in a world so alien to our heavenly home. In heaven, families are the eternal organizational unit in his kingdom.

Mormons believe Jesus Christ is their Savior. Why do we need a Savior?

Meaghan answered...

Have you ever met a perfect person? I doubt it. Why? Because everyone makes mistakes. When you make a mistake or are confused on what you should do, you want someone to help you, right? We all need someone to help us. We all need a Savior. We always hear that Jesus Christ saved us, but what does that truly mean? It not only means that he suffered and died for you personally, it means that he lived and lives for us too. He wants to help us. Jesus Christ is the only one who underestands everything that we go through. He not only wants to make up for the mistakes we make, but he wants to carry our burdens too. All we need to do is let him carry our burdens. Everyone faces personal challenges and Jesus is there to help. Everyone makes a mistake qa some point in life too. The beauty of having a Savior, is the fact that we can be forgiven. Sometimes our hands get dirty, but they can always be washed clean.