Hi, I'm Desiree

I love to travel and garden and sing. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in Arizona. My father is a history buff and a pilot so he got me hooked on travel immediately. My mother is a collector and a naturalist- she got me interested in science and the outdoors. I'm married to a wonderful man and we have two sons. I work freelance for a local book editor.

Why I am a Mormon

When my parents divorced I was suddenly exposed to two very different lifestyles. I was free to choose at 15 if I wanted to live the religion I was taught as a child or branch out into more wordly pursuits. Being so confused and angry at my parents, I chose to trust God instead. I decided I would read The Book of Mormon completely and let that be the determining factor. I didn't even have to finish it before the Spirit was witnessing to me that it was true. I decided then that I could learn for myself what was right and went on to study and practice other doctrines, praying for understanding as I went. Honestly, I'm not surprised that I could be so strongly converted at such a young age. No one on earth is asking "why" as honestly or desperately as a confused teenager. Heavenly Father answered my prayers and I've never looked back.

Personal Stories

Could you talk about your baptism?

I was baptized at 8 in a church building. My father forgot the prayer, which at the time was very embarrassing. I didn't feel the "whoosh" I was expecting when I was confirmed a member of the Church. So maybe it doesn't sound very spectacular, but I remember being very happy. I knew I had done the right thing. I begged my mom to let me be baptized cause she was taking her sweet time getting it organized. How grateful I have been ever since that day to be able to take the Sacrament and renew the covenants I made at that unspectacular baptism decades ago. The day can be amazing or not, it's what we do in the years following that make it personally meaningful.

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

My children are still young, but right now I'm trying to teach them good manners and forgiveness. Keeping hate and anger out of the house is my foundation for later principles of trust and personal moral cleanliness. We also attend church weekly, pray as a family and as individuals, read scriptures and teach the doctrine. These are all done quickly because of short attention spans, but I hope when they start to ask the big, eternal "why" questions that I will have given them the tools to make good choices. We also don't have T.V., video games or spend much time on the internet. They'll probably be very unpopular in school!

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

Every page testifies of Christ. My life has purpose and joy as I read of Him. This daily awareness has given me a more eternal perspective of my life and that has brought me closer to God.

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I discovered that I couldn't claim to have a testimony of The Book of Mormon if I didn't have a testimony of Joseph Smith. I got straight to work learning his story and praying to know if it was true. It took time, but the more I read The Book of Mormon and was blessed by its teachings I knew it had to be divine. Those peaceful, encouraging feelings were the start of my testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet and translator.

How I live my faith

Every morning I get to recommit to living my faith by starting with prayer and scripture study. My current struggle is learning to love and parent my children as Heavenly Father loves and parents us. A three-year-old unendingly tries my patience and it is in this cause I most often seek the guidance of my Father. I live my faith by finding ways to make my marriage more loving and stronger. I live my faith by attending church weekly and accepting responsibilites as they are asked of me. I currently work with the youth, planning Sunday and weekday activites that build faith, good character and are, hopefully, lots of fun. I look for ways to serve my neighbors and I try to make my home inviting.

What is the Church's position on abortion?

Desiree answered...

Life is sacred and cannot be taken lightly. To interfere with someone else's life is a serious sin. Therefore, abortion is a heavy issue. Abortion is a sin and should not be practiced unless approved of in the special cases of rape or incest. The key position is what the Church believes before someone reaches a point where they would want an abortion. Abstinence before marriage is urgently and widely taught while unwanted children are discussed on an individual basis.
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Charis answered...

The Church recognizes some circumstances that may justify an abortion, such as when pregnancy is the result of incest or rape, when the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy, or when the fetus is known to have severe defects that will not allow the baby to survive beyond birth.

Human life is a sacred gift from God. Elective abortion for personal or social convenience is contrary to the will and the commandments of God.

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

Keith Proctor answered...

In the Temple we are taught some pretty powerful truths about who we are, where we came from, and why we are here. It's not the kind of experience you can just walk into and get. There is significant spiritual preparation and learning needed first. It's better to be prepared and enjoy the fullness of the experience than to rush into it too quickly and end up confused. The ordinances in the temple also require that you prepare yourself to have a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. The best way to prepare for the Temple ordinances is to begin living their teachings consistently before entering the Temple. This is your way of showing Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father that you love them, obey them, and are ready for additional light and knowledge. Without this preparation, any ordinance of the Gospel would be an empty set of rituals. The Temple, in its fullest sense, prepares men and women to return and live with God as His sons and daughters. Anyone in the world can experience the power and beauty of the Temple, but a wise Heavenly Father has set out certain guidelines for their personal preparation first. Those who love Jesus Christ and walk in His ways will find in the Temple a power beyond their comprehension and a closeness to God not possible anywhere else in the world.