Hi, I'm Shanna

I'm a wife to a wonderful man of 3 years, a soon to be mother, and a Mormon.

About Me

I was born and raised in Southern Oregon and met my husband in High School. I am the oldest of eight children and have the most amazing parents! I love my family so much and am so grateful for their love and support all my life. After High School I went to 3 different colleges in Arizona, Oregon and just finished with my husband at BYU-I. I also taught English in China (I wouldn't trade that experience for anything!). I have worked with children all my life and have such a love for them; there is something about special needs children that puts a quick eternal prospective on things. After I was married in June 2008 I struggled carrying a baby into the second trimester and was devastated. After 3 years of waiting and a few miscarriages we are finally expecting our baby in April 2012! I'm so happy and am wanting to learn as much as I can about being the best mother I can be. I come from a very musical family so naturally I am very grateful for music. I love to play the piano and sing, as well as reading and writing. I'm still learning how to become that perfect homemaker but find it most important in striving to become a better wife and mother.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born and raised in the Church but didn't develop my own personal testimony until about my Senior year in High School. My parents took our family on the Church History tour and while sitting in Carthage Jail we listened to the song "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" and the feelings of the spirit overwhelemed me. I had felt the spirit many times before but knew that day that Joseph Smith really did sacrifice his life for the Lord and for the continuation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith wouldn't have sacrificed so much for something he knew to be a lost cause. Moroni and many others spoken of in scripture wouldn't have lived the life they did if they thought God didn't love them. I know that everything my parents have taught me are true and that they too sacrifice their lives for the Lord everyday. I choose everyday to be a member of this Chuch because without it I am miserable. Without it I have no direction in my life. I strive to live a Christ like life because that is the only way to be truly happy. I know that Satan is real and strives to bring down the church everyday by darkening the doubts in the followers of Christ. I also know that Christ is real and loves all his children regardless of their background, what they look like, and even what they do with their lives because Gods love has no boundries. He believes in me and loves me even when I don't believe or love myself. I know that the people in the church are not perfect but I know that because of Gods perfect love for us it is okay. The Book of Mormon is true and I know that so many sacrificed their lives to bring us the wisdom written in it. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and His great sacrifice of Love that brings me peace and happiness. I'm also grateful that families can be together for eternity. What a beautiful thing to know that I can live with my family forever.

Personal Stories

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

I have had many blessings come from having faith in Christ but something I've recognized a lot in my life is the blessing of an eternal prospective. I think that without having faith in Christ the many challenges that have come my way would make me miserable but instead have given me even greater prospective on this life. My family has benefited greatly because we choose to have faith in Christ. We kneel in prayer together as a family and because of that we are blessed with love and harmony in our home. We have faith in Christ and His perfect ability to help us through hard times. My parents lost their 7th child a few years ago and I saw the devastation on my mothers face and the sadness in my fathers eyes but because of their undying faith in Christ they are happy. They know that through Him we can all see her again and knowing that is a beautiful blessing in itself. I believe the many blessings that I recieve are only offered to me when I strive to live a Christ like life. Satan is real and will do everything he can to doubt my faith in Christ but he only has the power over me that I give him. Blessings come from having faith in Christ and I'm forever grateful for that.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by accepting callings that I know are a challenge for me. I'm the ward choir director and know this to be the hardest calling I've had in the church. I have felt inadequate and insecure but I have also felt the joy of sharing my talents with others and giving an oppertunity for others to share theirs as well. Visiting teaching is another way for me to participate in strengthening the church and living my faith. Each month I visit 2 woman in the church. They are my [sisters] and heavenly father wants them to be happy so he calls woman in the church to help strengthen them.

What do Mormons believe about family?

Shanna answered...

Mormons believe that families are forever. This means that there is no "death till you part". My husband and I were sealed for time and all eternity. I have promised my heavenly father that I will do all I can to stay worthy of this blessing. Geneology is also an important part of the Mormon church and because of that it is important to keep the bonds of family strong. In the church we call each other "Brothers and Sisters" because we believe that together we are a family. Heavenly Father is indeed our (Heavenly) Father and we are His sons and daughters. We are asked to treat others with respect and love just like we should within our families at home.
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Bradley. answered...

The family is a key component to support us in God's plan for gaining immortality and eternal life. All of God's children (all the inhabitants that lived, are living, and will live on Earth) are inseperably connected to each other, both (physically) by our Earthly families and (spiritually) by our Heavenly Father.

Families help us to understand our divine heritage. In this, life takes on purpose and meaning. Our immortal spirits were created by our Heavenly Father before Earthly existance, and we are directly connected to Him in this way. As a spiritual family, our collective purpose on Earth is to follow the commandments of God that lead us to live in heaven with Him again.

Our spirits need to progress, learn, and grow. In order to achieve that, Earthly existance was created as our test. Our Heavenly Father knew that being exposed to opposing forces on Earth was the only way for us to gain knowledge and wisdom.

However, we will not always choose righteousness, and so our Savior, Jesus Christ, is that great mediator to pay the debt of our mistakes. He is the only way by which we can be saved from our sins and transgressions. He is the ultimate example by which direction we need to live our lives. With the support of our earthly kin, we can learn from each other, serve each other, and strengthen our mortal weaknesses by being disciples of Christ. Our families are a gift from God, and we can be together forever.

How can we increase our faith in Jesus Christ?

Mark answered...

How do you increase your muscle mase? You work out, eat healthy, keep your mind sharpe, and do things right and correctly. Same thing is with our faith in Jesus Christ. We need to use our faith in Him. We do that by doing what he has asked us to do, and follow His example in all things. We will not know what life holds for us until we go and do things to expand our knowledge. The same thing is with faith. Try accomplishing one of His commandments, and see the miricles and blessings and knowledge from doing it.