Hi, I'm Rachel!

I grew up in a military family. I am starting college. I love to sing and spend time with my family. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am the oldest of 3 childeren I have 2 brothers who I am very close to. I am in college studying International Studies and Chinese. I have moved a lot with my family. I've live in Germany and lots of places in the US. I also hope to go to China. I speak fluent German. I love to sing that is my favorite way to express the way I feel whether it be about the gosple or about how im feeling. I love life!

Why I am a Mormon

I was born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and because of this many of my friends think I was brain washed into believing into the gosple but that is absolutely not true. I love the gosple because I am able to question it and wonder if it is true or if what I am doing is right. I have done this and I have felt in my heart that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saits is the true church and that it was restored on this earth by Joseph Smith who was a prophet of God.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer is a huge part of my life and God answers so many of my prayers everyday whether they are small like me not knowing where my keys are and I pray for help and I find them shortly after or they a might be a major thing in my life. When I applyed for college I prayed a bunch so I would know what college I should go to. There was one college I wanted to go to because many of my friends were going there but I didnt think my GPA was high enough to get in so I applyed to other schools that I felt that were good but I knew I had a better chance of getting in. After I applyed I prayed and got a confermation that one school was the school for me and I should go there. I was not accepted to the college my friends were at but I have been comforted because I know where I need to be.

How I live my faith

I am one of the teachers for the 4 year old class at church. My little cuties teach me so much about how God loves us and he wants us to return too him. I also try to go to all my church meetings like Young Single Adult activities and church classes.

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

Rachel! answered...

In the Church we believe that marrige is between a man and a woman and that if a person acts on homosexual urges it is a sin. Inspite of us believing that homosexuality is a sin we think that we should love all of Gods childeren and we should not judge a person or condemn them. You can love the sinner and hate the sin. No one deserves to be degraded or bullied even if you dont agree with what they are doing. We are all childeren of God.
Paul answered...

The Church considers homosexuality a sinful practice that is engaged in via the agency of the individuals involved. What I mean is that those who participate in homosexual activities make the choice to do so. No one is born gay as that would be contrary to God’s plan of happiness for His children. Nor would He (God) place someone on earth who was wholly incapable of keeping His commandment pertaining to sexual conduct. Our Heavenly Father has revealed that sex (all forms of intimate relations) are to be exercised only between a man and a woman who are legally married to one another and in no other forum. The genders of the two parties and the exclusivity of their participation in sexual activity is central to acceptable obedience to God’s commands in this area. Additionally the first commandment given to Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden was to “multiply & replenish the earth”. This important commandment is thwarted by homosexuality. While it is no secret that many (including members of the Church) struggle with feelings of same sex attraction this does not (nor will it) change what God has revealed. As a result the Church has (& will continue) spoken out on this subject all the while insisting that the “one man, one woman, married” paradigm is God’s design for the happiness & destiny of all of His children. As far as the importance of the topic goes it is certainly relevant as numerous members of the Church struggle with homosexual feelings or actions.

It is my understanding that as long as an individual does not act on homosexual feelings or tendencies (there’s the agency again/the ability to choose) and conducts himself or herself in accordance with God’s commands no disciplinary measures are taken and standing within the Church is maintained. Members who engage in homosexuality on the other hand face disciplinary measures that may restrict their membership in the Church or remove their membership altogether.

Many people are aware the Church has been active in causes that support marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This institution supports the traditional family composed of a father, a mother, and children. Since we believe the family to be the basic unit of society and the foundation upon which good communities and nations are built we are concerned with any institution that strikes against that model. Homosexuality and same-sex marriage is incompatible with our understanding of the plan God has for His children. A great summary of the Church’s view on families is encapsulated in The Family: A Proclamation to the World (on the Church web site)

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Lynn answered...

Some call Mormonism a cult because it is not a "traditional" Christian church. The primary complaint of the "traditionalists" (generally Protestant Churches) is that we do not believe in the doctrine of the trinity as it relates to the nature of the Godhead. The doctrine of the trinity was codified in the Nicene Creed in 325 AD, many years after the death of Christ and the Apostles. It basically says that the Godhead, The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are one being in "substance." Since Mormonism does not accept this doctrine, they say we believe in a different Christ than they do and therefore are a cult. It is curious that this "trinitarian" doctrine is not taught anywhere in the Bible.

Mormons believe the Bible is the Word of God. The Bible (and the early church established by Jesus and His Apostles) teaches that the Godhead indeed consists of The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. But, it teaches that they are: 1) three distinct individuals as expressed in Acts 7:54-60 where Stephen is being stoned. "He being filled with the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God." And it teaches 2) they are one in purpose, not in substance (John 17 where Jesus offers his intercessory prayer, particularly verses 20-23.) This is what Mormons believe.

It is noteworthy that the early Christians were called the "sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5) and were considered a cult by the Sadducees and Pharisees, the predominant religions of the day.