Hi, I'm Keli'i

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a 22 year-old student at Brigham Young University - Hawai'i majoring in Hospitality & Tourism Management and minoring in Spanish. I love surfing, boogie boarding, playing volleyball, watching movies, and spending time with good friends and my wonderful family.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised Mormon and always believed that the Church was true, but there came a time when I really wanted to know for myself whether or not the church was true. I decided to study the Book of Mormon for myself and to sincerely pray and ask God to know the truth. As I read, I could feel the Spirit of God come over me. It felt at times as if Heavenly Father Himself was speaking to me through the ancient prophets who wrote that inspired book. I knelt down and prayed with all my heart and immediately felt an incredible feeling of peace. I knew that God was giving me the answer that the Book of Mormon is true. My testimony of the veracity of the Book of Mormon and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grows stronger everyday. I can't see myself without the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ; it has blessed my life tremendously. I know God lives and that he is my loving Father in Heaven. I know that He sent me a Savior, His Son Jesus Christ. I know that through Christ I can be cleansed from my sin and return and live with Him again. I am so grateful to know that I can be together forever with my family if we live faithful and follow God's Plan. This is why I am a Mormon.

Personal Stories

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

One of the missions of the Church is to take the gospel to all the world. I served as a full-time missionary for the church for two years in the California Arcadia Mission. These were the best years of my life thus far. It was such a great blessing to be involved in the service of the Lord full-time. I know that the work I did during that time period truly was the Lord's work. I felt his hand in my life, leading and guiding me. I continue to receive blessings because of the service that I gave.

How I live my faith

I am far from perfect, but I do my best to try to follow the perfect example that my Savior Jesus Christ left for me. I love attending Church every Sunday and meeting with other people who help strengthen my faith in Christ.

What is the Book of Mormon?

Keli'i answered...

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is another Testament that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. It was written by ancient prophets who lived on the American Continent. This book was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was preserved for our day to come forth and clear up any confusion or argument about the Savior's teachings. It contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is true! I have read it and prayed to God to know for myself of its veracity and God has answered my prayer through the Power of the Holy Ghost. I testify that the Heavens are open to all who wish to receive this same confirmation through the Holy Spirit. This book truly is of God!
Ben answered...

We believe in a loving Father in Heaven who desires all of his children to have His precious word. "Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?" (2 Nephi 29:7).

Of course, with any thing concerning God, it is important to find out, personally, if the work is true. What better source can we trust than God Himself? Through prayer we can know, independently of anyone else, where the truth lies concerning any matter.

In the introduction to the Book of Mormon we read: "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost." I testify that this pattern of revelation is true. If we take the time to study it out in our minds, ponder upon the truth and ask God, in faith with desire to act upon our answer, that we will receive. He has answered me, and He will answer you when you ask in faith.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Dan answered...

I grew up thinking, at one point, Mormonism was cult. I made this assertion based on nothing but hearsay, and didn't actually know any tenets of the LDS faith. Now, as a person who has thoroughly investigated the sincerity and divine truthfulness of this Church, I can resoundingly say that the Church of Jesus Christ is by no means a cult. I find that the major reason why people think Mormonism is a cult is simply due to a lack of understanding of the Church. For instance, not many people really know that Mormons believe in and strive to be closer to Jesus Christ we believe Him to be our personal savior and redeemer of the world. We read the Bible and know it to be the word of God. We take communion. We have an unpaid clergy. We live to serve others as Christ would have done.

When people take the time to understand what Mormonism is really all about, like I did, they will understand that Mormons are normal people with normal problems, and each of us relies on God to be a better, more Christlike person.