Hi, I'm Sandra

I'm a mother. I'm a very passionate American. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a stay at home mom, who loves to study history. I graduated from BYU-Idaho in Social Studies Education. I met my husband at that wonderful school, and we now have one beautifully silly girl. I spend my time playing with my little squirt and occasionally babysitting other kids. When I'm not playing with kids, you can find me reading on my Kindle and just maybe, if you catch me at the right moment you might find me painting or sewing, but those two hobbies don't happen much. I blame our small apartment living. I also spend a lot of time keeping up on current events online and write lots of letters to congressman about causes I am passionate about. On the outside, I look like someone who has life figured out. I look confident and happy and appear to always enjoy the moment. The truth is I struggle a lot with life and the atonement is the only way I can find peace. As I have my own family now, I am SO grateful that I get to be with them forever. I love my husband and daughter so much. They make my life so happy. I couldn't imagine life without them. I know that because we were married in the temple I can be with them forever.

Why I am a Mormon

Why am I Mormon? Well, I was raised Mormon, but it goes much deeper than that. I grew up in the bible belt and was often asked questions about my beliefs. I learned to question things, but also sought out answers. In my searching, I found truth in what my church teaches. I found happiness. When my mother passed away, I had to really decide if what I believed was true. Did I believe in life after death? Did I believe that Jesus made it possible for all of us to live again and be with those we love forever? Did I believe that I could find comfort and peace in my Savior's Atonement. As I struggled, I found peace and comfort that only comes from God. I knew it was true. I felt love from my Heavenly Father telling me that I had found truth. It has been my goal ever since to continue to learn more truth. As I continue to search the doctrines of my faith, I have no doubt it is true. Everything just makes sense.

How I live my faith

I take time every day to talk to my Father in Heaven and to learn about him through reading scriptures. I take time to serve those around me, whether it be my family or friends or people living close by. In a typical week, you might find me with my little girl in her car seat giving someone a ride to an appointment or talking on the phone to someone who has had a rough day or bringing food to our upstairs neighbor who recently was diagnosed with cancer.

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

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.
Braden Scothern answered...

We do not drink coffee, tea, alcohol, use tobacco, or illegal drugs because of a commandment known as the Word of Wisdom.

The Word of Wisdom was a commandment revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. It tells us the importance of keeping care of our bodies because they are temples. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

We know that while from the outside it may seem restrictive it really gives us freedom it blesses us physically and spiritually. The things that we are counseled to stay away from in this law from our loving Heavenly Father help us keep our agency. When you are addicted to something you have given up some of your agency, it controls you. Satan tries to use addictive things to bind us down so we cannot focus on our relationships with the Lord.

In addition to us keeping our agency we are promised these things in the Word of Wisdom: "all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments... shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures... And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." (D&C 89:18-21

So those who keep the commandment are able to be in tune with the Holy Ghost more. That is a great blessing because it is the Spirit that helps us stay on the path to eternal life and teaches us all spiritual truths.