Hi, I'm Mariah

I grew up in Oregon. I'm a stay-at-home mother. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My husband works full-time and goes to school. I stay at home with our six month old baby boy. Currently we live with my in-laws. I am a history teacher, but wish to homeschool my children. My hobbies are reading, singing, playing video games, ATVing, scuba diving, and watching movies.

Why I am a Mormon

Without the Gospel in my life, I probably wouldn't be here today. Knowing that I am a child of God and that I am worth it has made my life worth living. Continuing in the Gospel and being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made my life easier and happier.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

Attending Church every Sunday helps me to remember the way Jesus taught us to live and helps me keep my promises I made to God. When I don't attend, I forget to act Christlike, I'm a little more selfish, and it's harder for me to choose the right path. When I got baptized, I promised to take Christ's name upon me. Going to Church services every Sunday helps me do this.

How I live my faith

I choose and conduct music in women's meetings. Music is close my heart and I enjoy freely sharing my talents with others.

Why don’t women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? How do Mormon women lead in the Church?

Mariah answered...

We believe that gender is an eternal part of everyone. We believe that motherhood and the priesthood are also an eternal part of everyone. This in turn means that all women have an eternal right to be a mother, and that all men have an eternal right to hold the priesthood. Women do not hold the priesthood for the same reason that men cannot be mothers. In their own spheres, women lead or preside over other women, young women, and children, and men lead or preside over other men and young men.
Madelyn answered...

I feel that men and women both have different but equally important roles in getting us back to God. In God's eternal plan we were spirits in His presence before this life. To progress we needed to get bodies on this earth, then perform specific ordinances (eg baptism, marriage) to return to God after this life. Women were given the godly power to bring spirits into this world and give them bodies, then nurture and raise these children with God's inspiration and guidance. The men were assigned the responsibility (through the God's Priesthood power) to serve others and administer the ordinances that will bring God's children back to His presence after this life. Both roles are necessary and equally important to God's plan for us.
I don't think women need the Priesthood to be powerful influences and to do God's work in their homes and in the church. I see men grow spiritually, and their characters become more godly when they act in God's name through using the Priesthood.
I have never felt the need to hold the Priesthood myself. I can still receive all the blessings offered by the Priesthood, my prayers can be just as powerful, and I still have access to the inspiration of God in my life.