Hi, I'm Patricia Potts

I'm a Mormon. I grew up in Utah. I'm a wife, mother, writer and speaker. I've suffered from depression and bipolar illness.

About Me

I am 55 years old and proud of it. Gotta love that Senior discount! I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 35 years. We have 5 children and 8 grandchildren. I am an author, speaker and guitar teacher. Some of the biggest challenges we have faced have involved my bipolar illness, an illness called Conversion Reaction, issues surrounding the adoption of our son, our daughter’s substance abuse, and my brain tumor surgery. Through all of this and more we have been sustained by the love of my Savior, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the faith and support I have found in the gospel. I have also found wisdom through experiences with the Church's 12 step program.

Why I am a Mormon

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been a solid anchor in my family for many generations. My great-great grandparents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and came from England and Sweden to be in America to practice their new religion. My husband's mother and father were converts as well.
Now that we have a family of our own, my husband and I continue to be active in our church because we both have testimonies of its truthfulness. We are also thankful for the ways it enriches our lives not only in providing service opportunities but also in providing a deeper understanding of true principles and in the values it instills in our children. The teachings of Prophets relating to The Plan of Salvation has helped us face deaths, health challenges, and so much more.

Personal Stories

Can you think of a specific challenge in your family that Gospel Principles helped overcome?

When I was in my mid twenties I went through a dysfunctional depression. Through the next 10 years I had relapses. During this process I discovered and applied the principles taught in the Church's 12-step support groups. I learned that I was suffering from approval addiction and that my recovery lay in the application of gospel principles found in the groups. I found strength and understanding in the 12-step support groups.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

I have found that there are many ways my prayers are answered. I may have lost something and prayer for the guidance to find it. It may be a plea for the Lord to give me direction about how to handle a relationship. Sometimes my prayers are pity parties where I pour out my heart to my Father and he listens till all the bad is gone and there is room for more good. My prayers are often answered through my ponder prayer page where I write things down on my planner that are bothering me, things that my Father and I can discuss. Some of my prayers are on my knees, some in the car, while doing dishes, exercising, sighing with a glance heavenward. Some are born silently, some out loud and many are whispered.. the list is endless. One thing is for sure though. As with any relationship, the more time I spend with my Father in Heaven the deeper our relationship grows. When prayer is a constant part of my lie I can echo the words of our Church Children's songs that says "I know my Father lives and loves me too". I hope that if you aren't already experiencing his love you will soon find it. If I can help let me know.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

My ideal days are those where I live prayer by prayer. I love when I am able to begin my day exercising and talking with my Heavenly Father. During this time I share with my Father what's bugging me, my priorities for the day, my concerns about family and friends and whatever else comes up. As the day progresses I stop to think about my priorities and choose the ones I consider to be the most important during the next hour or two then prayerfully asking Father if that sounds right. If I have a good feeling then I proceed with my activities. If not, I try again. After my activities are finished I repeat the process of living prayer by prayer. Obviously my days are not always like this but this has been a rewarding pattern for me for many years. When life gets busy and I am not living prayer by prayer I feel more stressful and try to get back on track. I learned this pattern in the scriptures D & C 9:8 and 2 Nephi 32:9.

How I live my faith

To me the word "faith" is opposite of the word "fear." When I am fearful about my health, my bi-polar illness, my work etc., I find faith through talking with my Father in Heaven as I walk, drive or kneel. I find faith in talking to my husband or calling my friends or family. I find faith when I call my visiting teacher or listening to an inspirational song. I find faith as I lead the singing for the children's choir at church. I find great faith when I attend the church's 12-step recovery support groups http//providentliving.org/content/list/0,11664,4177-1,00.html. I love the bible scripture 2 Timothy 1:7 "God hath not given me a spirit of fear but a power of love and of peace and of a sound mind." The gospel of Jesus Christ helps decrease my fear and increase my faith.

Who was Joseph Smith?

Patricia Potts answered...

Joseph Smith was a prophet. Since I grew up in the church, I took for granted that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It wasn't until I was in my early 40's that I knew for myself. Our family of seven went on vacation to the Eastern United States. We scheduled one day to visit the sacred grove where Joseph saw the Father and Jesus Christ. We each separated to different parts of the grove so we could pray and seek inspiration. I found a small opening between the trees and knelt to pray and ask my Heavenly Father for a witness of Joseph's mission. I waited for some kind of sign or confirmation but nothing came. The only thing that accompanied me were swarms of mosquitos and gnats. Finally I gave up and with a heavy heart started back to the car. The walk along the cement slabs was deserted and nearly the length of a football field with a dip in the middle. As I started down the hill, words came forcefully and clearly to my mind. They were "It is true. It is all true." Light burst into my heavy heart as I received a witness that Joseph truly was a prophet of God and that he saw the Father and Jesus Christ. Of this I testify.
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Mike answered...

Over my lifetime, I have heard countless theories concerning Joseph Smith - his intellect, his integrity, his sanity, everything about him. Some of the stories about him being a prophet sounded convincing... but then, some of the stories of him as a criminal sounded convincing, too. Then I read about Joseph Smith's visitation by the angel Moroni. Moroni told him that his name would be "had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken among all people." Well, that was certainly a true prophecy. So, it seemed, whether Joseph Smith was a prophet or not, tons of accusations and slander would be said against him anyway! That realization made me understand that only God could confirm whether or not Joseph was truly called of him. I got a strong confirmation of that truth. When others tell me that they "know the truth about the Joseph Smith," I always question their sources - it's usually a book or magazine article, possibly even by an esteemed, intellectual person. But I cannot and will not question my source of the real answer.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Dan answered...

I grew up thinking, at one point, Mormonism was cult. I made this assertion based on nothing but hearsay, and didn't actually know any tenets of the LDS faith. Now, as a person who has thoroughly investigated the sincerity and divine truthfulness of this Church, I can resoundingly say that the Church of Jesus Christ is by no means a cult. I find that the major reason why people think Mormonism is a cult is simply due to a lack of understanding of the Church. For instance, not many people really know that Mormons believe in and strive to be closer to Jesus Christ we believe Him to be our personal savior and redeemer of the world. We read the Bible and know it to be the word of God. We take communion. We have an unpaid clergy. We live to serve others as Christ would have done.

When people take the time to understand what Mormonism is really all about, like I did, they will understand that Mormons are normal people with normal problems, and each of us relies on God to be a better, more Christlike person.

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Joseph Smith

As is the case throughout history God has communicated to His children through prophets. God used a humble man as a prophet to restore His Church on earth who ultimately died defending His faith.

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