Hi, I'm Mandy

I'm a Mother. I'm a runner. I'm a Snowboarder. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I’m a stay-at-home mother of 3 young children. I met my husband 15 years ago, snowboarding. It was love at first sight! We’ve been married 11 years. I served an 18-month mission in Spain for my church when I was 21 years old at the same time he served a mission in Argentina. We still love to hit the slopes together when we can find a babysitter for the kids. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being a mother! My kids motivate me to be a better person. I’m passionate about running. When I’m not taxi-driving, refereeing, cooking, cleaning or helping with homework, I’m training for my next race. Or should I say, "we’re" training for my next race. I’m usually pushing a baby in the jogging stroller, with the others along side on their bikes. Everyone is happier after "our" run! When I do get to run by myself, it’s a very spiritual thing. I love having that time to think. My thoughts typically spill over into my blog, www.themushblog.com. I love writing about motherhood and our family adventures, as well as taking pictures, dreaming of new adventures and learning all I can. There is not enough time in the day! Life is a beautiful thing!

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I did not receive a conviction or testimony of the church however, until I moved away from home, when I was 18 years old. That’s when missionaries from my own church knocked on my door in New York. We spoke. They invited me to read The Book of Mormon. I did. I wanted to know for myself that it was true. So, I prayed to God, to know if The Book of Mormon was true. God answered me with a warmth that only truth can bring. That experience changed my life for the better. I’m a Mormon because I love Jesus Christ. I’m a Mormon because I believe in God’s plan for us. I‘m a Mormon because of The Book of Mormon. I know that it is true. I’m so grateful for it.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

I can’t live without prayer. I don’t know how many times I call on God throughout the day. Besides blessing the many meals we eat, I have a lot of little, under my breath, prayers that I offer, just to make it through some days. It’s not easy being a mother and I need all the help I can get! I know that God knows me. He is eager and waiting to hear from me. And He is willing to help me. Prayer is as important as food in our home.

How I live my faith

Every Sunday I get to spend time with the 3 year old kids in my church while their parents attend gospel classes. I love teaching them about Jesus! Most of all, I enjoy living my faith everyday with my own children, by teaching them how to be good people and how to believe and follow Jesus Christ. They love learning new stories from The Book of Mormon. We pray as a family every day and really try to live a life that is in harmony with God's commandments.

What will the Mormon missionaries talk about when they visit my home?

Mandy answered...

It is such a wonderful experience to have the missionaries in your home! I know from personal experience. Missionaries bring a feeling into your home that is unlike any other. It's...heavenly. They are so close to God and the truth they speak, penetrates the soul. They teach about God's plan for us. The importance of families. They teach about The Book of Mormon. They listen to your questions. They answer your questions. They talk about the importance of Prophets. And most importantly, they talk about prayer and how you can feel and know for yourself that these things are true.
Jordan Christiansen answered...

I served a mission in South Korea for two years, so I can tell you. :) The missionaries will probably be as nervous as you are as they arrive at your home. The nervousness does not come from timidity or a lack of belief in the message they bring, but because they want so much to express their testimonies and the Spirit they feel to you.

The missionaries will likely introduce themselves and get to know you and your family. Though missionaries are called by God to preach His word, they come from largely every-day backgrounds and have lives likely much like yours.

After getting to know your family, they will likely ask what questions you may have about life or the Mormon church. Using the scriptures and their own personal experiences, they will seek to help you find answers. Don't be afraid of asking any question or thinking you may offend or sound silly to the missionaries. They are called to help and serve and are very understanding.

After answering your questions and sharing a spiritual message, the missionaries will ask you to act on the message. A soccer player does not listen to his coach during practice only to go home without kicking a ball, right? In the same way, the missionaries will invite you to read a chapter of scripture or seek for yourself that what they are saying is true. You don't have to just take the missionaries' word in what they say--a loving God is happy to answer thoughtful, earnest prayers seeking for the truth.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Chris answered...

Simple Answer: No.

Detailed Answer: See below.

Saying that Joseph Smith is the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (LDS) may cause a misunderstanding for some. LDS doctrine teaches that Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same church that existed in Old Testament and New Testament times. The "of Latter-day Saints" in the church's name denotes that this is the last dispensation before Jesus Christ's Second Coming, or the last period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the keys of the holy priesthood. The Old Testament and New Testament discuss various dispensations when Christ's church existed on the earth in its authentic state.

So, what is the importance of Joseph Smith in relation to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Like Noah, Abraham, and Moses, Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. He was simply a man called to speak for the Lord and played a key role in the restoration of Christ's church here upon the earth in these latter-days. Like Noah, Abraham, and Moses, we do not worship Joseph Smith, but study his life and teachings to better understand the will of God. Joseph Smith may had been a leader, but he was not and is not the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The head of the church is clearly stated in the church's name. The Church of "Jesus Christ" of Latter-day Saints