Hi, I'm Emily

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a mom to 3 awesome kids, a wife to a handsome and smart husband. I love to read, play games, watch funny television shows, read and write blogs, and eat delicious food. I am a woman who believes in Jesus Christ.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised in a Mormon family and just always believed. But as I became an adult and started making choices for myself, I realized I didn't just believe. The truths I had been taught all my life were just that--true. God is our Heavenly Father who loves us. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and my own personal Savior, as well as my older brother. As I got older and got married and had children of my own, the doctrines of the LDS Church resonated even more with me: that families can and should be together forever. The thought of not being with my husband or children after we die is heartbreaking. I don't just want them for now; I want them forever.

How I live my faith

At church I serve in the primary (Sunday School) with children ages 18 months to 12 years old. I teach them music each Sunday. We sing fun and silly songs, but we also sing songs about Jesus Christ and other truths of the Gospel. It's a time intensive job as I spend about 2 hours each Sunday with the children, in addition to preparing during the week so that the children will have fun while they're learning. I love singing with the kids and I especially love to feel the Holy Spirit as the children sing about the Savior.

Why don’t Mormons drink coffee, tea, or alcohol? What is the Mormon Church’s law of health and proper diet?

Emily answered...

I believe that my body is a sacred gift, given to me by God. It is my job to keep it healthy. Part of that includes not putting harmful substances--coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs--into my body. We refer to this law as the Word of Wisdom. We are promised that if we obey this law, we would be given health, and wisdom, and protection. I also think it's something that sets us as Mormons apart. It seems to be almost universal these days, if a person doesn't drink coffee, tea, or alcohol, he or she is a Mormon.
Molly answered...

God gave us the ability to choose. There are substances in coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco and other harmful drugs that limit our ability to choose. The intent of the law of health we follow is to preserve our ability to make good choices. This law of health is called the “Word of Wisdom”. It not only guides us regarding the substances to avoid, but also those to include in our diet. We are told to eat fruits and vegetables in their season, include grains, and eat meat sparingly. We are promised that if we follow these guidelines we will be healthy, able to learn and accomplish all that is required of us by our various roles in life. I am grateful for the blessings I receive from following the Word of Wisdom.

As a Dietitian I especially love this law of health because as I’ve seen the US guidelines for nutrition develop they are now aligning with what the Lord told us many years before. I believe that the guidelines set forth in our law of health are the minimum requirements for good health. It may be necessary for some people to avoid certain foods or eat a lower fat diet, or avoid caffeine entirely, but these specifics are not mentioned in the law of health and are to be determined by each individual.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Derek answered...

Are we not all brothers and sisters, with God as our Father? The Lord looks upon the heart, not upon the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). The criteria to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ is based on a willingness to do what he has asked us to do, not based on some outward feature.