Hi, I'm Shaela

I'm an incurable optimist and I laugh at myself a lot. I'm passionate about my faith, my art, my family, and my life.

About Me

I have been married to my sweetheart for almost 8 years, and currently I'm a stay-at-home mom to two young children, a boy and a girl. I studied Theatre and English Education in college but wasn't able to finish my degree before marriage and children took precedence in my life. I love all kinds of crafts and sewing, but I especially love papercrafting: making cards, scrapbook layouts and other little crafty knick knacks. I also love the outdoors: camping, rock climbing, hiking, skiing... just about anything "fun" that you can do outside! I'm also a singer/songwriter and I love to play the piano and guitar.

Why I am a Mormon

My parents were both raised in different faiths, but they and their families joined the Mormon church when they were growing up. So my siblings and I were also raised in the church. I went to church and lived the principles of the Mormon faith while growing up, and I always believed it to be true. It just made sense.

But I knew that it was important for me to have my own testimony of the gospel, and not just to live it because that's what I was born into. So as a teenager, I read the Book of Mormon and I prayed about it. There weren't any bolts of lightning, but every time I prayed I felt peace in my heart and mind, and a calm assurance that this was the Lord's church and that it was right to be a Mormon.

Throughout my life I have had many experiences that have strengthened my testimony of the gospel. I have found that my life is full of peace and joy, even when I'm going through difficulties, by living the standards of the gospel and by obeying God's commandments. I know that He loves me, and that because He loves me He has given me a roadmap to return to be with him again someday: the scriptures, a living prophet, the Holy Ghost, a Savior. I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died for me so that I might repent and return to live with him again. I know that there is a prophet on the earth today, just like in Moses' and Abraham's time, to guide us and direct us in accordance with God's will. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I have prayed about it, and felt a warmth and peace in my heart that I know to be confirmation of this truth. I know that The Book of Mormon is true, that it is God's word to us today and that it is truly another witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the earth today, and I am grateful to be a member of it.

How I live my faith

I belong to a small ward (congregation) in a large stake (a collection of wards) in a VERY large city! Currently, my calling (assignment) in the ward is that of a Cub Scout Den Leader. I enjoy working with the boys in the Scouting program and look forward to the time when my own son will be old enough to join the Cub Scouts.

My hobbies allow me the privilege to work for several papercrafting/stamping companies and rub shoulders with a lot of amazing women around the world. I try to share my faith and beliefs with them and answer questions when they have them (like why we don't drink coffee) and it is nice to dispell some of the "myths of mormonism" that are out there.

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.
Aaron answered...

This issue is one that is rife with misunderstanding to outsiders. First, let me say here that we love and accept all of God's children, regardless of beliefs. That being said, we affirm that the central purpose of life is to make and keep covenants in a family relationship. By extension that means bringing children into the world, born in loving families with both a father and a mother.

We believe that our genders are an essential aspect of our eternal identities, that we were male and female even before we came to this earth. Neither sex is more important than the other; both serve the purpose of God to save His children. Both priesthood and motherhood are essential in the rearing of children.

I myself am unspeakably grateful for the blessing of having both a loving father and mother. They each supported me in different ways, unique to their identity as a man and a woman.

Mormons believe Jesus Christ is their Savior. Why do we need a Savior?

Trisha answered...

There are doctrinal answers to why we believe we need a Savior to redeem us from the Fall of Adam and to return us to our Father in Heaven that you'll probably come across here. But let me tell you why I need a Savior personally and what He does for me. Christ suffered personally for my pains, sorrows, and sins so that if I ask Him too, He can take them from me. I have been the victim of abuse in my life, and yet through Him I have been able to lay it all at His feet, freely forgive, feel peace, find love, and understand how important negative life experiences can be in teaching us humility. Daily He takes my pain and replaces it with pure love so that I am no longer a victim, but a victor. I need a Savior because He knows me, and through him my flaws become strengths and my pain becomes peace.