Hi, I'm Charla

I'm a singer/songwriter, a college student, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am finishing up my bachelor's degree in Spanish Teaching right now, and I'm currently working on recording my first EP. I love to sing, write music on the guitar and perform. It's therapeutic to express myself through music and to share my love of music with others. When I'm not doing homework, working or singing, I'm usually running a race or doing something active and fun. I love being outdoors and I love a challenge.

Why I am a Mormon

Both of my parents joined the LDS church right before I was born. Growing up as a member of the church, I always felt good about living the standards of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was constantly encouraged to serve, love and help others in all that I do.

As I grew into my teenage years, I began to feel more and more alone in my decisions to stay sexually abstinent, to refrain from using drugs, tobacco and alcohol as I watched many of my close friends do the opposite. One day I came home from high school saddened by the news that yet another good friend of mine had become pregnant. I went straight to my bedroom and began crying at my bedside. Then as I began to pray to Heavenly Father, I explained to Him how alone I felt and how sad I was. While I knelt there weeping and praying, I felt a warm, calming sensation come over me, and my loneliness subsided. I had felt the Spirit comforting me. In that moment I felt Heavenly Father's great love for me, and I knew that He had indeed heard my prayer. I felt courage to continue living obedient to His commandments, and I knew that If I ever felt alone again, all I needed to do was pray.

Throughout my life, I've continued to receive comfort during times of trial as I have remembered to pray. I know that Heavenly Father loves all of His children and that He hears and answers prayers. I have asked Heavenly Father to know for myself if the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith were true, and on several occasions I have felt a strong confirmation from the Spirit that it is. I know that living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has brought more peace, joy and assurance into my life than I could ever hope for. It has been and continues to be a constant source of comfort and inspiration in my life.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

Every Sunday, we have two hours of sunday school wherein we study the Bible, the Book of Mormon and other materials containing the words of the prophets of God. And the third hour of church is called sacrament meeting, in the which we partake of the Sacrament, the bread and the water symbolic of the Savior's sacrifice for us when he atoned for our sins and suffered for our pains, weaknesses and sorrows. Also during Sacrament meeting different members of the congregation are given the opportunity to prepare and deliver 8-10 minute talks. Once a month we open the time we normally use for talks during Sacrament meeting for anyone present to come up and share his/her personal testimony of Jesus Christ.

Attending church every week has helped me strengthen my relationship with Heavenly Father and with my Savior, Jesus Christ. It helps remind me of what is most important in this life, returning to live with God again one day. And it helps me refocus myself at the beginning of every week as I renew promises I have made with God to keep His commandments. Also, I have received great strength simply from interacting with and surrounding myself with other people who are also striving to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How I live my faith

It's all about love. The Savior, Jesus Christ, set the perfect example of love during His earthly ministry. As I begin and end each day with sincere prayer, I make time to think about how I interact with those around me. I often ask myself questions such as, "Was I kind? Was I thoughtful? Is there someone that I need to treat better? Is there someone I can serve or help?" As I pray, I often am inspired to change something that I am doing in order to show more love to my fellow beings. As I engage in this activity everyday, I rememebr to see everyone around me as Heavenly Father's precious children. I am reminded to love them, to help them, and to serve them as the Savior would if He were standing in my place. Additionally, as I strive to show more love to those around me, in turn I feel more frequently the great love that Heavenly has for me as well.

What is the Book of Mormon?

Charla answered...

The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. The Book of Mormon was written by prophets of God who lived in the Americas before, during, and after the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. It contains a record of Christ's visit to the America's after His Resurrection. In John 10:16 Jesus tells His apostles, " And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." During Christ's visit to the Americas he says to them, "And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (3 Nephi 15:21, Book Of Mormon).

As I have read the Book of Mormon, I have felt that the book is true, that it is indeed another testament of Jesus Christ. As Latter Day Saints, we read the Book of Mormon alongside the Bible. I know that anyone who will read the Book of Mormon, ponder on its message, and pray with real intent to know if the book is true, they will receive an answer from God. Because I have personally done this, I know without a doubt that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. As I continue to read from its pages, I am filled with joy, peace and hope, and I am given strength to continue living the Gospel of Jesus Christ as I learn from the example of the prophets who lived in the Americas many years ago. The Book of Mormon can provide us with many answers to the most important questions of life such as, "Where did we come from? Why are we here on earth? What is the purpose of this life? and Where do we go after we die?" If you've ever had any of these questions, I encourage you to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about its message.
Scott answered...

It is my conviction that if one simply examines the patterns and information given about holy writ in general that they ought to be inclined to ask and pray about whether or not the Book of Mormon is inspired. I say this because the Book of Mormon is not just a book of prayers or ethical teachings. The Book of Mormon is a historical record that has a deep and powerful impact on millions of people every single day. Religion aside, a book as influential and striking as the Book of Mormon is worth the investigation of anyone genuinely seeking truth. There are very few books that have entire study manuals, curriculum, books, thesis papers, scientific research, grammatical and literary research, live performances, and general discussion entirely about its content. The Bible might be the only other thing with as much extensive literature and documentation pertaining to its writings and doctrines. The Book of Mormon is at the very least intriguing when supplemented with archeological finds, external historical information, unique writing patters such as chiasmus, and overall literary competency and beauty found within the writing. From a non-religious stand point it is impressive, but from a religious perspective it is life changing. To have a testimony of a thing is powerful, but to hinge an entire belief system on 530 pages is another thing. To be so emotionally and spiritually connected to a thing is powerful, but when that thing is a book - that book must be something more than just written words. That book must be something inspired by God, preserved by His hand, and prepared by His grace. I believe that the Bible is one of those books. I also believe that the Book or Mormon is one of those books. There is no proving the Book of Mormon just like there is no proving the Bible. We believe that the teachings and doctrines found in the pages of the old and new testament are real and trustworthy. We cannot explain how, except perhaps the mercies and merit of God, the Bible was preserved for our days. But though we cannot explain it, we simply know it. If you ask any latter-day saint to prove the Book of Mormon to be true, they will simply reply that they cannot prove it, but they know it to be true. One should not demand evidence for the bible, they should read it study it and pray to know if it is true. It is the same for the Book of Mormon. Now the interesting thing about the Book of Mormon is that it something that you can feel, see, test, and try. It is real and tangible. I am confident that if anyone who is level headed and reasonable reads what is in the Book of Mormon and then simply asks if it is true that they will have a profound feeling come over them. But this feeling cannot come if there is an ulterior agenda for the reader. If you don't want it to be true or want to find flaws and errors in the text then you certainly will not obtain this profound feeling. You have to grant the fact that all things are indeed possible with God, and that he certainly could provide something more to draw us even closer to his will. Think of the Book of Mormon like the New Testament to the Jews. During the time of Paul and Peter, the Jews were very set in their ways. They had the Old Testament, and that was all that they felt that they needed for salvation. There was no mention of 12 apostles or a New Testament in the Old Testament; it was doctrines that were added upon to bring Gods children even closer to him. To say that the Bible is all that is needed is to say exactly what the Jews said about the teachings of Paul and the apostles. Must we be so quick to limit Gods ability to speak to us? Is it not a blessing to have more of his written word? I can understand a skeptic of The Book of Mormon. Many and man has tried to con the world into believing his new religion. But that is simply not the case with Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I challenge anyone to read unbiased biographies about Joseph Smith and his character. Read the entries of the people who knew him and what they thought about his life and motives. What you will find is not a usurper or power, nor a charlatan, but rather an amazing individual whose life was taken in the pursuit of preaching revealed doctrines. The Book of Mormon is something that people have sacrificed their entire lives for. Its teachings have a daily effect of millions of people worldwide. Its doctrines bring peace and Joy to the hearts of the humble and faithful. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I have to doubt of that.

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

Devin answered...

One of the core teachings of the Church is the eternal nature of the family relationship and that marriage and gender play foundational roles in that relationship. Gender is an immutable aspect of our identity that has been part of us from the beginning, before this life. Viewed from this eternal perspective, marriage is more than a contractual arraignment between two people. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, marriage involves eternal commitments, including having children and teaching them to distinguish right from wrong. In addition to the ability to conceive children, Men and women have unique parental characteristics that, when combined, create the best scenario for raising those children. Those abilities and characteristics are not present in same-sex marriages.

As far as same-gender attraction goes, the Church's attitude mirrors that of its attitude to any sexual activity outside of the marriage relationship -- complete abstinence. In that sense, the Church does not distinguish between homosexuals and heterosexuals in how it looks upon sexual activity outside of marriage. It emphasizes the cultivation of heterosexual relationships at appropriate times because it is that relationship that leads to marriage.