Hi, I'm Kyla

I'm a wife, a stay-at-home mom, a speech language pathologist, an Okie, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in Oklahoma and although I never thought I'd live here as an adult, here I am! I went to BYU for my undergraduate and graduate work and thought it would lead me to different places, but during my last semester of school, plans changed! I was in the process of planning where to move when I started a long distance relationship with Brian- a friend from (you guessed it) Oklahoma. Six months later, we were married and I was moving back! For our forseeable future, Oklahoma is home!

My husband and I have now been married for almost three years. During that time, God has blessed us with two beautiful children, Chyler & Jackson. I'm a speech-language pathologist and love the field, but I've taken a break to be a stay-at-home mom to my kids. Some days I miss my work, but I can't deny the joy my children bring to me on a daily basis. One day I'll go back, but for now my kids are my "clients" and I practice all the things I learned on them. How lucky are they! :)

Every day I strive to be the best that I can be, whether that's making sure the bed is made, putting dinner on the table, doing my daughter's hair, or just making sure I'm dressed. Life can be hard and have its ups and its downs, but the one thing that keeps me going is my faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ. He gives me the strength I need to not only get through each day, but to look forward to the next.

Why I am a Mormon

Like so many others, my parents raised me in the LDS church. I've attended since I was a baby and have rarely missed a Sunday. That being said, I no longer rely on my parent's testimony. I've gained my own through personal scripture study, getting on my knees in prayer, and feeling the Holy Ghost bear witness to me that the LDS church contains the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that it's true and I can't picture my life without it. It has shaped who I've become in every way.

How I live my faith

I strive to live my faith every day through my daily actions. Part of that means kneeling in prayer, teaching my kids about the Savior, attending church on Sundays, and studying the scriptures. But to me, it also means so much more. It means returning money when I've been given too much change, smiling when I pass people in the store, opening the door for someone at the bank, and letting someone merge in front of me on the road. I feel that way because of the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It helps me strive to emulate my Savior and do the things I know He would do.

What is a “testimony” that Mormons speak of?

Megan! answered...

A testimony is the knowledge that a certain principle is true, right, or good. For example, I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He did truly atone for our sins. In order to gain that knowledge, I have studied, reflected on what I learned in my study, and prayed to have that knowledge confirmed in my heart. As an answer to those prayers, (for there were many--building a testimony is an ongoing process) I have felt the truth in my heart.
We can gain testimonies of many principles. Another way is to put that principle into action, as sort of a test. In order to gain a testimony of prayer, we might try praying. To gain a testimony of the principle of tithing, we might try paying a full tithe. (10% of our income.) As we strive to live these principles, the Holy Ghost will confirm the truthfulness of them to our hearts. We will know that they are right; we will have a testimony of them.

Mormons also talk about "bearing testimony." This simply means to share the testimony we have gained with other people, either in a formal setting (like in church) or in a more informal setting (like in a conversation with a friend.)
Jen answered...

The word "testimony" is used frequently by members of The Church. When they use this, what they mean is they have knowledge that a certain principle or doctrine is true because they have studied it, and received a witness of it from the Holy Ghost. For example, to gain a 'testimony' of the Book of Mormon, you read it, study it, and ask Heavenly Father if it is true. He will typically respond with a feeling of peace or happiness. This feeling is the witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. Once you receive this witness, you have built a testimony of the Book Of Mormon. This process can be applied to any aspect of The Church, or your life.

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Greg answered...

After I joined the Mormon Church I learned about the importance of families. Not long after that I realized that if I was going to follow this teaching I needed to tell my father that I loved him. That was very difficult for me since my dad and I argued so much. I spent the better part of 2 weeks trying to determine how I could do this. When the time came I found that the words came more easily than I had thought. From that point to the time he died, about 22 years later, he and I had an entirely different relationship. We were now friends. And I found how much I regretted all our arguments while growing up. And now I find that I miss him and more fully understand how important our families are.