Hi, I'm Marilyn

I'm a mother, a speech pathologist, a music lover, and I'm Mormon.

About Me

I am a mom of four kids who are mostly grown, with one son who is still in high school. My husband and I are glad to have him home, as the two men can talk sports together. We have a married son and they have a little boy who just turned one. One of our daughters is currently serving a mission and the other is getting started on her career.
I am a speech-pathologist in a preschool for children with disabilities. I am a late bloomer in trying my hand at composing music. I have always loved to play the piano and sing, and the composing has been a wonderful creative outlet for me.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born and raised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with wonderful parents and family. I have chosen this path because I believe it is true and feel so richly blessed to be a member. I love the teachings of Christ and I love being around people who are trying to follow Him. I'm grateful have a Prophet who is truly inspired. The Book of Mormon, the Bible and other scriptures are a true guide to me and help me feel closer to my Heavenly Father, who is always there for me in every circumstance. Where so much is shifting in our society, I know that the basic truths will never shift and I can rely on the doctrine that is taught in the Mormon Church.

How I live my faith

As a family we attend church weekly and carry out assignments or "callings" in various positions to help the church function. As a typical Mormon, I have had many callings through the years that have allowed me to work with people of all ages. Currently I serve in a leadership position of the Relief Society, the organization within the church for women. I enjoy that calling, because I get to know the women in our ward.
Scripture study and prayer are important practices to me individually and part of our family routine. In my daily actions, I try to live my life in sync with what I believe.

What is the Relief Society?

Marilyn answered...

Relief Society is the Mormon organization for women. It is led by women under the direction of the Priesthood.
Relief Society meetings are held each week during the Sunday block of meetings at the same time the men are attending their priesthood meetings. The lessons are taught by women who are called as teachers, using the same manual of instruction that the men have. In addition to the Sunday meetings, other activities and get-togethers are planned to strengthen and build our bonds of friendship, enrich our lives, and sometimes to do humanitarian projects.
Most women are also called as "Visiting Teachers" and are assigned a few women (usually two or three) to visit monthly and to befriend and provide support for the ladies they visit.
Each ward has a Relief Society President who works closely with the Bishop of the ward to oversee welfare and other needs that families may be experiencing. In those cases, she will visit the home to help the Bishop assess the need so that food and other necessities can be provided.
Relief Society "sisters" (as we call each other) do a lot to help each other out, providing meals, friendship, emotional support, and love when in times of need. Some of the service is organized and much of it is just done because we get to know and love each other, especially through visiting teaching.
Karen answered...

To me, Relief Society means friendship. It's an opportunity to know and love and learn from other women from so many different backgrounds and situations and ways of looking at life and yet they are truly my sisters! I can't tell you how many times I have been wrestling with an issue in my own life and there, during the course of our class or other conversation, comes the answer. I know that Heavenly Father so often works through others to answer our prayers, and to me Relief Society is a huge example of that. I'm grateful not only for those who reach out to me, but for the opportunies to reach out to others through Relief Society. It is an inspired program and a wonderful asset to my life!

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Ryan. answered...

No. Mormons do NOT practice polygamy. There are many people outside the Church that say otherwise, but that doesn't change the truth of the matter.

There is nobody living on this earth right now who can truly claim to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who practices polygamy. It is against the law, both of the land and of the Church. We do not approve of such things.

There are some groups of people who do practice this and also claim to be Mormons, but I assure you that they are not in any way affiliated with this Church.