Hi, I'm Shelli.

a college graduate, aspiring author and avid blogger. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I work as the office manager in an architectural firm where we specialize in educational facilities. I graduated with a B.S. in Geography and have yet to decide what, if anything, I'm going to do with that degree. I've recently self-published my first novel. And I hope to be publishing many novels in the future... if only for my own benefit.

Why I am a Mormon

Being Mormon was never something I questioned growing up. I felt the Spirit, I knew what it meant, and I never denied the truth. We live in a turbulent world, and it is a great comfort to me knowing that we are led by true Prophets. That we have the full knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And we have the Authority of the Priesthood as was given to the disciples of Christ. I am Mormon because it what makes the most sense to me. I know that Heavenly Father is our literal Father. And that His son, Jesus Christ, came to earth and atoned for my sins. I am Mormon because I know that they appeared to the boy Joseph Smith and restored Christ's church on the earth.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

Church services are not foreign to members of other faiths. Three hours of church every Sunday (more if you have other meetings, depending on what capacity you serve in the Church) might be. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Sacrament meeting is a place where I renew the promises I made at baptism to follow Jesus Christ, remember him always and try to be more like him. Sunday school is a place where I can more closely study the scriptures. And finally, Relief Society - the woman's organization in the Church - is a class where the women get together and share their testimonies and come together as women of God. Throughout the meetings, I love singing the hymns. They bring peace and conviction, testifying of the Savior and this work. At the end of church, I feel spiritually fed and rejuvenated, with renewed energy and commitment to do more and be better. I have found that attending church services gives me strength to make it through the week, and by the end, I'm often looking forward to attending again.

How I live my faith

I attend church every Sunday. I look forward to General Conference, held twice a year, for the leaders of our church to hold meetings through televised broadcasts and give counsel and encouragement. I've taught gospel doctrine on Sundays, helped with genealogy and indexing and used to run weekly activities for my peers who are living away from home and cannot participate in Family Home Evening.

What do Mormons believe about the Bible? Do they regard it as Holy Scripture and the word of God?

Shelli. answered...

The Bible is the word of God. In it, we have the prophecies of Isaiah and the documented life of Christ. By studying it, we can come to understand the Jehovah of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ of the New Testament, and as a companion to the Book of Mormon, we have the full compilation of scriptures preserved for us. But the Bible has been around for hundreds of years, and has been translated and re-translated over and over again, and as such has been subject to the ideas and interpretation of men. The Bible has so much, but doctrine has been lost or misunderstood over the centuries. That is why, when coupled with the Book of Mormon, we have a full set of scripture.
Richard Gaffney answered...

As a convert I was concerned that the bible was replaced by the Book of Mormon. How far from the truth that concern was, as the Bible is the LDS primary teaching tool and the Book of Mormon is simply another testament of Jesus Christ and serves to verify the truths found in the Bible. Cerrtainly the Bible is Holy Scripture and the Word of God, as is the Book of Mormon. I have come to love the Book of Mormon and cross-reference the Bible and Book of Mormon finding the same truths in both volumes of scripture.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Deena answered...

No! In fact, the choir I sing with, Saints Unified Voices, is a great example of this. We represent many races and colors--African American, Polynesian, Persian, Native American, Caucasian, plus a few others and we are directed by a wonderful African American woman you may have heard of by the name of Gladys Knight Mcdowell. All of us are faithful members of the church who come together to sing praises to our Father and Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. One of the messages we bring to the world through song and through example is that there are no race or color restrictions as to who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are also no race or color restrictions as to who can hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. In the Book of Mormon we read that the Lord 'inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God' (2 Nephi 26:33). We, as members of His church from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, sing glory to God!