Hi, I'm Lesley

I'm a special education aide, a mom of 4 kids, a kayaker, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I love to kayak, but only on lakes. (No white-water please - 'cause I really don't like to swim or get wet!) I'm married and I have four incredible kids, who keep me busy, and laughing, and focused on living life! I work as an aide in a special education preschool and learn something everyday from those amazing children.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born into the Church, but for whatever reason, my family became inactive when I was about 11. Over the years I would attend different churches with friends and go to our local community church for their Chrismas musical, but with each of these experiences, I always left with the feeling that something was missing. I could never quite put my finger on it, but I was always left with the feeling that there was something more.

I had pretty much forgotten all the teachings of the Mormon church, but I knew the basics. When I finally did go back to the LDS church, I realized that the other churches didn't have the fulness of the gospel. That's what was missing! I felt it was right from the very day I started going back, and knew that I had finally come home!

How I live my faith

As a visiting teacher, I have women that I visit each month and share a gospel message with. Some women have been inactive for a while and are not that comfortable with a formal message, so sometimes I just visit and laugh with them, or offer encouragement or just a hug.

I also teach in the women's class one Sunday a month. I enjoy teaching the Gospel Principles, whether it be about the Atonement, or Sacrifice or Service, the topics are always relevant and help us learn more about Jesus Christ and the gospel. We have such a strong feeling of sisterhood in our class.

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Lesley answered...

I think family is important to everyone, Mormon or not. We do however, know that we can be a family forever. We look upon the family unit as eternal and work hard to have harmony and love in our homes. Having a close family is like having a glimpse of Heaven on earth.

The Church nurtures us and our families. I love that there's not just a "nursery" for children to be out of the way during church time, but that each child is taught gospel principles, and is valued as part of the congregation. This gives the feel that the congregation is also an extended family and that everyone is regarded and appreciated.
Greg answered...

After I joined the Mormon Church I learned about the importance of families. Not long after that I realized that if I was going to follow this teaching I needed to tell my father that I loved him. That was very difficult for me since my dad and I argued so much. I spent the better part of 2 weeks trying to determine how I could do this. When the time came I found that the words came more easily than I had thought. From that point to the time he died, about 22 years later, he and I had an entirely different relationship. We were now friends. And I found how much I regretted all our arguments while growing up. And now I find that I miss him and more fully understand how important our families are.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Daniel. answered...

No. I've never even met the man.

One night I was on the front row of a concert. A big star came to the edge of the stage and held out his hand. EVERYONE rushed forward, climbing over each other, pushing and wedging themselves along, just to touch him. I almost got caught up in that too, and was about to rush ahead when a little voice kicked in "He's just a man. What's the big deal?" At that moment I vowed to never adulate anything less than deity. I will not go to my knees for anyone but a Loving God.

I respect Joseph Smith like I respect any man who tries his best to live according to his conscience. I hope maybe one day I'll get to chat with him over lunch--or over whatever kind of meal they offer in the life beyond. But I cannot worship a man, for why should I place and value one person any higher than another?