Hi, I'm Deborah Dushku Gardner

I'm a stay-at-home mom of 5 kids plus 2,500 Bulgarian orphans. I co-founded "One Heart Bulgaria". I am a Mormon!

About Me

I graduated in Human Development and went on to developed 5 humans. In between car-pooling, defrosting the chicken, potty-training, and folding the laundry, I run "One Heart Bulgaria" which I co-founded with a former mission companion. It has been the most amazing, life-changing journey. I have truly come to understand the profound love that God has for every single one of his children. My other interests include: teaching health/wellness classes, participating in triathlons, playing basketball, dancing to 80's music out on our back deck, reading to our little ones, and eating lots of chocolate. I served a mission in Bulgaria and love, love, love Bulgarians! Oh, and for the fun of it, might I add that we have 5 chickens, 1 tiny frog, and an adorable little doggie.

Why I am a Mormon

I feel at peace in the Mormon church. I have a sense that I am where I belong and where God wants me to be. That feeling is precious! I enjoy the other members of the church who seek to repent, change, be better people and serve others in the world. We are a sort of large family...growing, learning, and supporting each other. I enjoy worshipping along side them each Sabbath day and growing closer and closer to God and ever more grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by serving others in need and bearing my testimony of the gospel. I enjoy helping others find solutions to their problems through the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the Great Healer of our souls. I also love working in the youth programs in our church. I encourage youth to turn to God and discover what their personal missions are in this life and then to go for it!

Are Mormons Christians?

Deborah Dushku Gardner answered...

Yes, Mormons are absolutely Christians! We believe in Jesus Christ, the same Jesus Christ of the Bible. He was born of the virgin Mary baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist had 12 disciples with whom he taught his gospel he lived his life healing, preaching, performing miracles, serving and loving others he died at Gethsemane on the cross three days after his death he rose from the dead and lives again as a resurrected being. He is our Lord, our Savior, and Redeemer. We believe that salvation comes only in and through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
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Charlotte answered...

Living in a place where Mormons are a small minority, this is probably the question I get asked the most. For me, nothing is more sacred and personal than my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe he was born of Mary and is the Son of God. I believe he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the cross on Calvary so that all of us might be saved by the gift of His atonement. I believe he was resurrected three days later and that he will come again. I absolutely whole-heartedly believe in and love Jesus and am teaching my children to do the same.

Generally though, I've found that when people ask me this question more often they are asking what makes Mormons different from other Christians. There are 3 major differences: 1) We believe that God, the father, Jesus, his son and the Holy Ghost are distinct beings (the first two having a body of flesh and blood, the third being a spirit) that are united in purpose. So, we don't believe in the concept of the "Trinity." 2) We believe in an open cannon, meaning that God still reveals scripture. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God but we have companion scriptures as well that we believe are holy and inspired, most notably "The Book of Mormon." It is another testament of Jesus Christ, in addition to the Bible. 3)We believe that God still talks to man. Revelation didn't stop with the prophets in the Bible. When Christ's church was restored through Joseph Smith, prophets once again returned to the earth. We having a living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, to whom God speaks. In addition, we believe in personal revelation. Rather than telling people they must follow unquestioningly like sheep, Mormons are encouraged to ask God themselves about doctrine, actions and anything else they are concerned about. He answers prayers.

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?

Robin answered...

No there is no restriction. Heavenly Father made us all different but we are still brothers and sisters. We have a wonderful melting pot of races and colors. We only see our brothers and sisters.