Hi, I'm Randi

I'm from South Carolina. I'm in nursing school. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Hi!
My name is Randi and I'm 22 years old. I'm scheduled to graduate nursing school May 3rd and I'm super excited to start my career as a RN (real nurse, of course)! I've been looking forward to this day for quite some time now. I will be getting married after graduation in the Columbia, SC temple and then going out to BYU for some time with the husband. I've never spent more than 5 days away from the good old southeast, so this is going to be an experience for me! All the more reason to be excited!

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in a different faith and have been a Mormon since Halloween of 2009. I decided to learn about the Mormon church because I just had SO many questions that my faith at the time could not answer. They were big questions to ask, and no one could give me a straight forward answer until I met a Mormon. I remember talking on the phone for hours about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and becoming completely frustrated with him. He patiently sat with me and did not become flustered at any moment, but simply sat and listened to me vent. I'll never forgot the peaceful feeling that would overcome me the next time I would bring the question up. I knew that what he was trying to teach me was true and I began asking more and more questions. Once I had exhausted the poor guy with questions, he determined I should talk to the missionaries. WHOA, was that an experience! I couldn't wait for our next meeting and I loved every moment with them! I knew what they were saying were true because of the feelings the lessons brought along with it. Once I had decided, after many prayers and tears, that this was the Lord's true church, my next obstacle was my family. I prayed for the strength and courage every night to tell my family about my decision to be baptized. I also prayed for the wisdom to know the best time to tell them, and I was blessed with that knowledge. I told my mom first, while fighting back tears, and my mom was excited to know I was even attending a church! This was amazing to me, due to the fact my mother had argued with me weeks before about Mormons. I KNOW that God hears prayers and answers them in his own time. My mother and father both attended my baptism, they still support me in my membership with the Church, and even correct people when they incorrectly inform my parents about the Lord's church.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

Attending Church services gets me out of bed on Sundays. If it wasn't for Church, I would sleep most of the day away and feel completely unaccomplished. Church has helped me to make my Sunday feel useful as I learn about the gospel and spend time with people who show genuine interest in how I am doing. Attending Church has also brought more trust into my family. My family has mentioned to me on numerous occasions how they trust that I am with good people when I tell them that I am at a Church service or activity. I invite my family and friends to Church with me whenever I can, and I am truly happy when they visit with me. I am sharing a major part of my life and my happiness when I invite family and friends and my greatest hope is that the service can bring happiness to their life.

Could you talk about your baptism?

I had no idea that I was ready to be baptized. I was only visiting with the missionaries because I had a couple of questions and I was told they could answer them for me. I "knew" I wasn't old enough to make such a big decision, so I wasn't going to until I was 20. For some reason, I felt like 20 would make me more adult. After meeting with the missionaries for a couple of weeks though, I felt as though being baptized was the right thing to do. At the time, I wasn't absolutely sure that the Church was actually the Church of Jesus Christ, but I did know that what I had learned so far was true. Knowing that much, I knew I had to talk to my parents. They never did support me talking to the missionaries, but after praying about telling my parents, they gave me their support and was actually at my baptism! I had to be dunked twice because my foot wouldn't go under the water, but I was baptized on October 31, 2009! Through that step I took, I have come to know now that this is the true church of Jesus Christ.

How I live my faith

Living faithfully is not as easy as one would hope. Being a college student, there are plenty of opportunities to become involved in activities that aren't so appropriate for one who follows Christ's teaching, but I know that the activities that are provided by the Church are there to strengthen members.
I go to a class called institute on every Tuesday that I have available. The class is a scripture based class where I can meet up with fellow college students who are Mormon, or who are learning about the church. We learn so much about the scriptures and it provides knowledge and encouragement to make it through the rest of the week.
On Wednesdays, I work with the Cub Scouts at church. Watching the young boys grow up to be wise young men just amazes me and inspires me to be a good example for them by living my faith.
Sundays, I attend church and I invite as many people as I can. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ so much that I'm excited to share it with anyone who listens! Church brings such an amazing, peaceful and strengthening aspect to my life that I'm excited to go every Sunday. The members of my local church, known as a ward, gives me strength to live my faith every Sunday we meet again by genuinely caring, with their words of encouragement, and by living in their own faith as an example to me.

What do Mormons believe about the Holy Ghost? Who is the Holy Ghost?

Randi answered...

The Holy Ghost is a spirit who witnesses to the truthfulness of the gospel and is a gift from God to us. Before baptism, someone can feel and witness to the blessings of the Holy Ghost. After baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost is given to the person as a constant companion for guidance, peace and comfort.
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Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Shannon answered...

No, Mormons or members of The Church of Jesus Christ do not practice polygamy. The church has nothing whatsoever to do with the practice of polygamy. People who practice polygamy are not Mormons or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If any members of the church are found practicing plural marriage, they are excommunicated, which is the most serious penalty the Church can impose. Not only are those involved in direct violation of the civil law, they are in violation of the law of this Church.