Hi, I'm Tori.

I'm a wife and Mama trying to be Christ's in deed. And I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am the wife of a genuis man who has chosen to apply his prodigious intelligence to food as a Chef.

I'm a homeschooling Mama of three girls and one boy. Being a Mama is harder than I ever would've thought, but I'm ever grateful that my hubby busts his bum to make it possible for me to be home with our kiddos!

I love to read and write. I also crochet, bake LOVE sour dough!, cook, garden, watch my chickens, and I LOVE love LOVE to learn.

I did not consider myself Mormon for nearly 10 years, even though I was raised in the Church. I've been attending church again for the last 6 years and probably gave my heart most fully to Christ about 5 years ago. Of course, it's a daily effort to continue to give my life and heart to God, but that is one effort I know is worth making.

Why I am a Mormon

When I returned to church attendance, I didn't have a testimony of anything. I did, however, have a 3 month old little girl. I loved her more than myself. I knew I needed the help that people with similar beliefs would offer and provide. So, I went back to church.

It was only a couple months later that I felt compeltely unnoticed and unloved by the Ward in which I lived. I decided one Sunday after church that I would not go back. My decision remained made until that Friday night. I had a dream.

In a very long dream, my eldest daugther spoke to me. In the dream she was an adult. Upon waking, I could only remember one little bit of what she said to me. My adult-dream-daughter told me, "You're going to be my Mama. You have to make sure you're going to church so that I don't have to find it."

Because I KNEW then and KNOW to this day what it meant, I'll tell you what it means. This dream was a glimpse Father God gave me into the moments before I left my pre-mortal life. He allowed me to remember this interaction so that I would not leave it for any reason - ever. He knew that when I had made the decision to stop going to church, I would make a new decision when I remembered that my Spirit Sister, my friend, who would become my daughter, urged me to make sure I was going to church for her, that I would do it.

I made up my mind that Saturday, that I would go to church the next day and that I could keep on going to church every Sunday because that's where I needed to be. No matter how many people noticed me. No matter how many people cared about me. I would go.

I know the whole Gospel of Christ is alive and well in the LDS Church. I'm glad I've returned and I'll continue to go to Church and the temple for the rest of my days. I know that there is no other way that we can complete the necessary saving ordinances, but through the Temple of our God, which attendance is available to worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

I believe that attending Church can be likened to going to dinner at Mom and Dad's place. I mean, if my kids were all living away from home, I would want to look forward to a time that they would all gather together with me so we could associate together... and eating is even better because of the oxytocin/bonding benefits!

Also, I have come to see church attendance as a sort of battery recharging station. We are all rechargeable batteries working on becoming power generating stations. Well, if we're rechargeable, that means we need to go somewhere to recharge and I believe church is where we get the most "juice" for the time invested. As we progress we move from rechargeable batteries to generators or varying sizes and eventually become (hopefully) a power generating station.

As for me, I think I'm currently in the stage of a smallish generator (they need something to get going and need periodic refuelings, so church is still really necessary to refill energy depleted by making energy, as it were.

So, going to church (AND attending the temple) helps me feel Spiritually re-energized. And since we know that all things temporal (physical) are spiritual, I'm physically made better, too.

How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?

Since my return to activity, reading the Book of Mormon has been one of the meditative repetative efforts I've made to spend time with the Lord. It is His word, so spending time reading it is nigh on spending time with Him as are prayer, reading the Bible, attendance at Church, family devotionals, etc. I know in my life such activities are cumulative. Sort of like the straw that broke the camel's back, BUT in a REALLY positive way. I know that reading the Book of Mormon has dramatically changed me - over time and in combination with the other daily, weekly, and monthly activities I participate in because I desire to become Christ's in deed, not only in word.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Mormons go on missions to be obedient and fulfill commandment. For men, they are commanded, of the Lord, to serve a full-time, two-year mission to bring others to Christ. Those women and couples who serve missions more than likely believe that they have been led of the Lord to do so.

How else could anyone willingly sacrifice 18months women to two-years men, pay for the whole affair, and pay to serve and teach others?? A puny belief could not and would not complete such a task with penache and success.... but a strong, firm, steadfast, and immovable belief will do it for far longer than the length of missions for men, women, OR couples!

How has The Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?

"Adam fell that men might be and men are, that they might have joy." What more is there to say?! Actually, there's a ton, but that one pretty much sums it up for me. You can find that verse at 2 Nephi 2 25. And for context, you can pop on over by way of http//lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2.25?lang=eng#24

It's true. All of it. I've felt the witness of the Spirit, which is how I know it. Now you just need to get on your knees and ask for yourself! Oh, but you have to make sure you first REALLY want to know AND you're willing to do any and everything necessary to then take the required steps to become a true Disciple of Christ by being baptised and living His Gospel.

What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?

My stage of parenting is a bit easier for this than some... but still.

We do not watch TV. We do have movies, but even those are more and more often watched irregularly. My daughter declared it a huge triumph that she was able to watch two movies in two days recently. I used to be a TV-aholic, so this was a pleasure to hear!

Our children do not have free access to the computer/internet. They rarely use it and when they begin to use it more frequently, they will have limited amounts of time to use it.

We listen to very specifically selected music. The radio is always tuned to z88.3, which is a Worship Music radio station. During our recent move, we listened to the radio that station so often that my daughters were singing the little advert jingles of the station like, "Safe for the little ears in the back seat." Such fun! They also sang some parts of some of the songs, which is a joy to me!

We homeschool. I was a teacher for a year and a half. After that experience I desire to never send my children to public school. Thus far, Heavenly Father has confirmed that His Will is for our children to learn at home. It's so much more fun that way and I am so blessed with a man who will support our family with all he is that we may continue to fulfill the Lord's Will for us in this way!

My eldest daughter is 7, then 4.5, 2.5, and we have an 11 week old boy at this writing. So, this stage is a bit easier to shelter, but I have hope that with the Lord's guidance, I will be able to continue to shelter them as much and to the degree that he would have them protected from the outrageous influences of the world.

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

The Gospel of Christ brings Joy. I would be the greatest hoarder on earth if I refused to share that which has brought me tremendous joy, hope, faith, peace, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and love. I refuse. I want to share all the best in and of my life and this is the biggest of all the best!

I live and speak my life. I speak what I live and I live what I speak as perfectly as I'm able being the fallable human I am!. So, when I'm talking with people, my beliefs just spill out. There's always an opening in which I might mention something about the Gospel of Christ. If someone speaks with me for five minutes, they'll walk away knowing I'm a Believer. I cannot think of an exception. There may be, but I try to make sure others know where I stand regarding Christ. He is the reason I can hope. I owe Him everything... that's the LEAST I can do in my effort to bring others to Him!

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Huge. A HUGE part! Prayer is the first or second thing I do almost every single morning the other is reading my Book of Mormon. I do I before I leave my room each day because I know without it, I will not be as patient as I need to be with my 3 girls. My baby boy is still so young I have no problem having the patience of Job with him!

I pray with my husband during our morning couple's scripture reading and prayer time. I pray with my family during our morning devotionals. I pray every time I think of it during the process of my day. I want to and feel the desire to do this more often, but my post-partum brain forgets EVERYthing lately - even this! I pray with my children over meals. I pray with my family during evening devotionals, with my husband during our evening scripture and prayer time, and again by myself before I go to sleep.

I love to pray in the temple because I feel so much clearer in my mind. Both clearer to know what I desire to know and understand the response from Father. Thankfully I get to go to the temple once a month because of my sweet supportive husband. We DO have our problems, but he IS a GOOD man!

Basically, prayer is my most used Spiritual tool!

I have endless experiences of Father God answering both the prayers of my heart un-uttered by my mouth or purposefully phrased in my mind as a prayer and prayers specifically constructed as such. God is great and even as low as I've been and as worthless a servant as I will always be because I will forever remain indebted to Him, He still Loves me perfectly and answers my prayers. He answers ALL prayers! I know it. Cause I know I'm not any more special than anyone else here in this fallen world!

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

Worship of the Lord through all the means and modes available!

Parents have authority in their children's lives because God has assigned it to us. As I have taught my children this truth, they have acknowledged and respected my authority to direct them with far less resentment, testing, disrespect and disobedience than that which I faced before I taught and reminded them from whom my authority originates.

Reading scriptures together, singing hymns about the Gospel of Christ and in Worship of the Father and the Son, praying together, going to church together, eating together as much as possible, and going on temple trips together are those things that we have worked up to doing together that have made and continue to make the biggest difference in our home.

If I were to choose one thing to begin doing to increase Peace and harmony at home, I would suggest praying together. If no one will pray with you, then pray in the living room, out loud and do it before everyone else is asleep. If the TV must be turned off, do that first, of course. MAKE SURE to invite everyone to join you EVERY time before you begin. You never know how many times you'll need to invite before one who is resisting will participate!

After that, I would add in scripture reading... and then keep adding in a little here and a little there. It's much easier to maintain a slower stride when beginning an effort than to jump in full-throttle! Sorry for the mixed metaphors!

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

On a daily basis, I ask for guidance over one thing or another. I always receive an answer to the yes/no questions asked in a moment. Sometimes the tougher questions take more time for me to understand the answer... more often I just have to ask a question rather than simply puzzle over a problem... or ask the RIGHT question!

Recently, I was concerned about clothes for my eldest and prayed that the Lord would send some for her by way of one of His earth angels. The next day someone gave us a couple pieces of clothing for her. A few months later, a friend gave me two black garbage bags full of clothes for her. Often, the answers come in His time, when the need is REAL and not just expected or projected by my mind's eye.

Could you talk about your baptism?

No. Not very eloquently, for certain. I was baptised when I was eight years old, but I only remember one thing about my baptism or confirmation! Honestly. The only thing I can remember is the "ceremony" of my Mom and Dad giving me a brand new set of white scriptures with my name embossed in gold on them.

How does making right choices help us make more right choices?

It's cumulative. When you make a right choice, you increase the Light by which you may judge truth and error. I'm speaking figuratively AND literally. Our Spirits are full of Light when we are doing and living right with the Lord. As we apply more "right-ness" to our lives, we increase the Light that comes into our lives. When we have more of something we draw more of that thing into our lives. Like attracts like. Jesus told us so numerous times and in numerous ways. For instance, "By what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you," is an example of like attracting like. So, when you may right choices, you are empowered by the greater Light that is within you to choose Right more frequently because you are attracting more RIGHT to your life.

Unfortunately, because there must needs be oppositition in all things, the same is true in reverse. So, make sure to avoid knowingly choosing wrong to be rebellious!!!!

Can you think of a specific challenge in your family that Gospel Principles helped overcome?

Lying. In living the Gospel of Christ, there is NO room for untruth.

The Gospel of Christ straightens out every crooked person who truly applies the Principles Christ taught to their life!

How I live my faith

In my daily life, I read the Book or Mormon and pray on my own morning and night. As a family, we pray together at least twice each day, sing hymns twice each day, read scriptures twice daily (those three things are often combined into a family devotional time), and eat as many meals together as we can.

I'm a homeschooling Mama, so even doing "nothing" for me is a full day. Doing "nothing" really means doing nothing out of the ordinary. Our regular day includes the items above as well as school for my two elder daughters. The eldest is almost 7 and she reads, completes Math, Science, History, Language Arts, Spanish, Piano, and penmanship according to a schedule we have established. The second oldest usually doing reading and penmanship class. She is itching to start Math now, too. Our "baby" who just turned 2 is asking to do penmanship and reading class now!

I've been attending church again for around 6 years, now. Since I've been attending, I've been a teacher of the adult women (Relief Society for women 18 and older), a teacher for the tiny tots (Nursery is for 18 months to 3 year olds), the Secretary for the young children's program (Primary is for ages 3 through 12), the Chairperson for the Activity's Committee (planning activities with other leaders for the whole church group called the Ward), and now the Compassionate Service Leader for the Relief Society (the women's group, in my calling I really just try to help people feel that they are noticed, loved, missed, and I do whatever I can to help them in any way I see a need).

Officially my current calling requires me to learn how to better organize people for service. The Compassionate Service Leader is supposed to be responsible for organizing meals around birth and deaths in families as well as helping to provide whatever a family may want in terms of a funeral meal and/or service.

What are Mormon Temples used for?

Tori. answered...

Redeeming the dead.

I go to the temple to prepare the way that those who did not receive the Gospel of Christ in life might have the opportunity to do so on the other side of the veil... the one they are on when they are dead. Because Baptism and Temple Ordinances are temporal ordinaces, I act as proxy for dead women. I may be baptised, complete the steps prior to and then complete the process of being endowed, and also complete sealings for women who have passed away without having completed these ordinances themselves.

They are all opportunities to make convenants two-way promises with the Lord, which are necessary for exhaltation. Next to being a wife and helpmeet to my man and being a mother, it's one of my greatest joys.
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Corey answered...

A temple is a house of the Lord, a place where we may worship our Heavenly Father and feel of His presence. It is a sacred place where no unclean thing can enter. Because of the importance and sacredness of the temple, a temple recommend is required and is received based on individual worthiness within the church in order to enter its holy walls.

The temple is where I go to find answers, to find peace, and to feel the Spirit. We are encouraged to go as often as possible and to attend seeking Spiritual guidance. Inside we perform sacred ordinances for ourselves and more often for others, those who are deceased. God requires that all to make covenants in order to return to His presence and many died without the opportunity to make these covenants. In the temple we perform the ordinances for them in their name giving them the opportunity to reject or accept the ordinance and thus enter into the presence of the Father. The temple is a very sacred and holy place.

Where did Mormonism and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begin?

Bari answered...

In the early 1800´s a wave of religious interest known as "The Great Awakening" swept the United States, and with it several new Christian churches. With so many different opinions on The Bible, many people were confused about which church was true. A young man named Joseph Smith lived in upstate New York with his family. They visted several churches and listened to several different preachers, but still came to no conclusion. A Bible passage in the first chapter of James reads "If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God," and upon reading this and feeling very impressed by it, Joseph Smith decided that he could only get an answer through God. One day in the spring of 1820, he went into a grove near his house and began to pray. Unexpectedly, he was visted by God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who told him that the Church organization Christ established on the Earth, the Priesthood authority to do sacred things, and many simple doctrines had been lost after His death and that of His Apostles. Christ also told Joseph Smith that with time, He would restore His church with the proper authority again on the Earth. After this visit, Christ sent other heavenly messengers inclding Peter, James, and John to lay their hands on Joseph Smith´s head and give Priesthood authority just like it was given in times of old. Over the course of 10 years, the same church that Christ established in His Earthly ministry with all its offices and the fullnes of the Gospel was restored.