Hi, I'm Emily

I am a wife and mother and the executive director for a very special non-profit

About Me

I would describe myself as a uniquely ambitious and outgoing woman. As a young child I was always thinking of little businesses to run. As a teen I learned that free agency isn't really free. Just after college I had a dream of opening a very special home for at-risk youth. My ambition drives my strengths as well as my challenges. I'm loyal, sensitive , and generous and enjoy leadership, challenges, and teaching opportunities.
I'm a daughter of my Heavenly Father, a wife, and a mother of three children. My husband and kids are outstanding, and my extended family are a solid source of strength for me every day. I'm a sprint triathlete, a regular beach lover, and a resident of Durham, North Carolina. I founded a non-profit twelve years ago that serves at-risk youth and families. I've learned valuable life lessons from all twenty-five foster youth who have lived with our family for varying seasons over the past decade.

Why I am a Mormon

It's in my nature to question and critique everything, but I've always had an undying testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ. I've felt his love for me and have felt the power of the Atonement in my life both in being forgiven and in being able to forgive others. I feel I'm in my infancy in learning about the power of the Atonement. His church keeps me grounded in carrying out His mission for me here on earth. My membership in the church gives me all the support and love I need to continue to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Personal Stories

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

Proverbs 3:5-6 reads "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." During these tough economic times, I've really come to rely on this scripture and just how often it's necessary for me to acknowledge Him in this journey of life. Where I'm at now and where my family is at now is not a mistake or a chance occurrence, but a part of the Lords' unique and divine mission for me. Who I am is not a mistake or chance occurrence but a unique combination of what makes me able to most effectively carry out His plan for me. My mission here on earth is special and unique and precious. I sincerely believe that the Lord has a mission for each of us, and that only through being in tuned to the Holy Ghost can we carry out His mission for us to its fullest potential.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

I feel that having the gift of the Holy Ghost has blessed me in being able to live the principles outlined in Proverbs 3:5-12; my favorite scripture. I've recently been working on asking the Lord in my prayers each morning to inspire me through the Holy Ghost to know what His plan for the day is for me rather than what my plan is. This prayer has helped me feel more at peace with both small and big decisions.

How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?

Many years ago my husband and I were in a pattern of conflict and frustration. For years I had heard the council from our apostles to pray and read scriptures daily but never really saw its value as my kids were young and I didn't think much would be learned. In addition, I just thought our family was too busy. I decided with my husband one day to challenge this council and try it out for our family. We used a calendar to mark each day we did our family prayer and scripture study. Reading the Book of Mormon daily that first year saved my marriage, and brought our family closer to God.

How I live my faith

I love the gospel principle of personal revelation and feel that the Lord has inspired each path of my life thus far. When my husband got into medical school two-thousand miles away, I remember telling my wise grandmother about my worries in being able to support our family and my sincere desire to stay home with my three year old son. She put her hand on my knee, looked me directly in the eyes, and said, "your desire to support your family and stay home with your son is a righteous desire. You don't need to worry Emily, the Lord will help direct your paths".

What do Mormons believe happens after we die?

Emily answered...

My favorite part of the gospel is the Plan of Salvation. Through Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice for me, I can live with my family for all eternity. I consider my family not only my biological family, but my current family with my husband and three children, the family I have who are related to me but have now died, my in-laws, and all the brothers and sisters I have the privilege of living with, working with, and learning from throughout my life. Each of them I hope will choose to choose to live up to their righteous potential so they can be exalted and live with their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ once again. Through my professional experience I've learned that each of us has potential for good and that ultimately, the Lord is the only person who is qualified to judge our choices through His unique and special knowledge of our capacities, experiences, and abilities here on earth. We all need each other to thrive and each of us is blessed with special talents to serve as examples of Jesus Christ so we will be worthy to return to His presence once again. The Plan of Salvation gives my soul hope, optimism, purpose, and a resonating peace.
Raewyn answered...

We were so very sad when our very special eleven year old grandson died in 2009. He suffered from life threatening asthma from birth and was often in hospital. He caught a virus which attacked his heart causing it to go into a dangerous rhythm, which eventually stopped his heart. Every attempt was made to save him but to no avail. The night he died, I thought I might die too - I was so overcome with grief. I was grieving not only for him but for our daughter and her family too. I received enormous comfort from my family and friends, especially those in the church and the outpouring of love and support was indescribable. However, the most comfort I received was my knowledge that I absolutely knew that we would see him again in the next life and that our family would be together forever in the eternities. I was also comforted to know that our grandson would be free from his health problems and be able to have peace. Even though I miss him terribly, I know he is happy and with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I feel his spirit around me often. I know with total conviction that the Lord has unconditionally supported all of our family through this trial and continues to do so daily.

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

Jenny answered...

My father is gay and I have many friends who are gay. Though we have some differing opinions and beliefs, we have a great relationship - each respecting the other's right to choose their own way. Its no secret that the Church does not support gay marriage. We believe that God's plan for the family is, always has been and always will be a man and a woman and their children. However, the perception that the church is anti-gay is inaccurate. We support the rights of all men and woman to exercise their free agency and be entitled to the same legal rights as anyone, as long as they don't erode the principles on which our country was founded - freedom of religion. The scriptures affirm that homosexual behaviors are a sin, but I believe Christ understands the extreme difficulty that a gay person would experience refusing to act upon their same-sex attraction. I also believe that through Him, all things are possible and that no person is unworthy or undeserving of His love and the benefits of His atonement.