Hi, I'm Shelby

I'm a sister, daughter, friend, and student. I love languages. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My name is Shelby. I'm a university student and I love learning new stuff every day. I love languages and teaching. I like to read and write and be outside in the mountains.

Why I am a Mormon

Short Answer Because it's true, and I found that out for myself. Longer answer I've been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2006. I joined the church as a sophomore in college. Before that, I wasn't atheist or anything, I just didn't think much about God or what He meant to me. Being baptized was one of the most significant decisions of my life, that will affect my entire life. And I have never regretted it. I am so grateful to know that Christ is my Savior, and to have Him in my life every day. Here’s a bit of my story People often ask me why I joined the church. The simple answer is that it's true. The longer answer is that I saw the good example of several people in my life. I saw the peace they had and the love they showed, and I knew that what they had was good. I read the Book of Mormon and I met with the missionaries for more than a year. I liked the teachings, but I couldn't decide if it was true. There seemed to be a lot of negative views on the church as well. I knew that if I was going to join the church, then I really needed to know for myself that it was true. I prayed, went to church, read the scriptures New Testament and Book of Mormon, mostly. I searched online and talked to friends. In the end I found that both sides mormons and non-mormons could take any issue and make it seem logically argued from their point of view. I realized that my testimony wasn't going to grow out of that kind of logic. I realized that it really all did come down to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. If the Book of Mormon is not true, then there is no way that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God as he claimed. If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith truly was a prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom upon the earth. There is no middle ground. I continued reading the Book of Mormon and the Bible, and continued praying to know if it was true. One day I came across a scripture from the Book of Mormon in Moroni chapter 7, specifically verse 13 “But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. As I read this verse, I realized that the Book of Mormon, and this church claiming to be Christ’s true church, really did invite me to do good. It made me want to be a good person, serve others, believe in Christ, and to love God. I felt a confirmation, logical and spiritual in my heart and mind that the Book of Mormon truly is from God. I knew that by the same token, that also meant that the church was true, that prophets are on the earth today, that there is the power of the priesthood to bless the lives of all people, and that Christ is my Savior. I knew it then, and I know it to this day. It doesn’t mean that living the gospel is always easy and black and white. But Christ is my Savior, my Pilot, my Friend. There is truth, real, honest, divine truth from heaven and we can know it and we can live by it. I am a Mormon because I know that it is true for myself, not because the world told me, not because members of the church told me, but because my Heavenly Father, who loves me, and sent His Son to die for me, told me through the Holy Ghost, and through my experiences that this is His Church, and there is nowhere else I want to be.

Personal Stories

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

The Book of Mormon was the single most influential thing in helping be come to Christ. In reading and praying about the Book of Mormon I came to know who Christ is and what he did for me and why I should care. I learned that really did die for me, and that through his suffering I can be better. I can repent. I can find comfort in my hard times. I know that I am never along because there is One who truly descended below all things, and who took upon Himself the sins and the pains and the heartbreaks and the inadequaces of all people, including me. The Book of Mormon is truly what it claims to be--another testament of Jesus Christ, our Savior. A person can come closer to God by reading the Book of Mormon than by any other means. The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ on every page. I know that if you will read it with a sincere heart, you will come closer to God as well.

How I live my faith

I try to come closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ everyday. I try to think about what he would do, and I try to have faith in the future. I try to serve other people and I try to stay positive. All that trying sometimes doesn't turn out like I want it to, but I know that I can turn to my Savior and find comfort, peace, healing and change. I remember that faith is for the future.

What is the Relief Society?

Shelby answered...

Relief Society is the women's organization of Christ's true church. It is a society of women that meet as part of church services on Sunday for gospel learning, and get together for other activites, learning opportunities, service projects, and socializing. It is a group of women who strive to be women of Christ, and try to support each other in our sacred duties and daily activities. Charity or the pure love of Christ, is at the center of Relief Society. It is a great support system--spiritually, emotionally, and temporally. Relief Society is one of my favorite things about church!
Dave answered...

Established in 1842 for women 18 years old and older, the Relief Society is the oldest and largest women's organization in the world. The motto: “Charity never faileth.” President Julie B. Beck has taught us: “Relief Society should be organized, aligned, and mobilized to strengthen families and help our homes to be sacred sanctuaries from the world. I learned this years ago when I was newly married. My parents, who had been my neighbors, announced that they would be moving to another part of the world... This was before e-mail, fax machines, cell phones, and Web cameras, and mail delivery was notoriously slow. One day before she left, I sat weeping with her and asked, ‘Who will be my mother?’ Mother thought carefully, and with the Spirit and power of revelation which comes to women of this kind, she said to me, ‘If I never come back, if you never see me again, if I’m never able to teach you another thing, you tie yourself to Relief Society. Relief Society will be your Mother.’ Mother knew that if I were sick, the sisters would take care of me, and when I had my babies, they would help me. But my mother’s greatest hope was that the sisters in Relief Society would be powerful, spiritual leaders for me. I began from that time to learn abundantly from women of stature and faith.” (Daughters in My Kingdom, Pages 96-98.)

I have learned that the women of the Relief Society build faith and personal righteousness and help those in need. They have strengthened my family and my home.

What are Mormon women like? Do Mormons believe in equality of men and women?

Nicole answered...

Mormon women are strong. Mormon women are sure. We are taught from the time that we are tiny that we are daughters of God. Many people question equality between Mormon men and women because we believe in the traditional roles of the family, the classic stay-at-home mom and the working father. It makes me sad that society has degraded the role of a mother and made it seem undesirable and less than an occupation outside the home.

We believe in eternal families. We believe that this life is the one time in all eternity that we are sent to be tried and tested. If those beliefs be true than there is nothing more noble and exciting than being a mother. To be chosen to bring life into the world and to steer that life to goodness and love is one of the greatest and most impressive things that can be done.

I am proud to be a woman. I am excited to be a mother one day. I am an advocate for education and self-betterment for all. I value the differences of women from men. All of these things I learned to do from my religion. If that's not feminism I don't know what is.