Hi, I'm Debbie

I'm a Mormon. I was born in Iowa. I am a wife, mother and a nurse. I enjoy organizing events.

About Me

I am a convert to the church of 40 years. We joined the church in New Jersey 1971. I have been married for 43 years and am the mother of 6 children and grandmother of 16 grands-and they are grand! I was a stay at home mom for 31 years and then went back to school and finished my Nursing Degree. I loved being home with my children and spent those years involving myself with community and school activities and tried to help them successfully launch their lives.

Why I am a Mormon

I had been praying for answers for how to achieve a happy marriage. The missionaries knocked on our door and we invited them into our home. The first discussion we had, spoke of the original organization of the Lord's church when he lived on the earth. This included a prophet, apostles, seventies, evangelists,etc. The question that night was, "Did I believe in prophets? And if so, did I think there could still be prophets on the earth today?" I responded yes to both questions. They spoke of an apostasy and a promised restoration of His church and the need for the proper authority to administer Heavenly Father's work on the earth. I was not schooled in scripture, but as I listened to the words of the missionaries, I could feel the truth of their words, as the Holy Ghost bore witness that what they were telling me was true. As the years have gone by, I have read the scriptures, prayed to know there meaning and incorporated the teachings into my life and taught my children. I found the answers I was seeking to strengthen my marriage. We have worked hard to overcome the world and take our problems to the Lord. Temples have been placed on the earth to make it possible for families to live together forever, continuing to grow and love one another. We were sealed together as husband and wife in 1973 and our 18 month old daughter was present that day. She knelt with us at the altar and placed her tiny hand on ours and we were given the promise that if we all lived worthily we could all be together after this existence. Truth cannot be denied and the blessings that have come to us through living the gospel cannot be denied. I know that Jesus Christ lives and watches over us each and every day. I know that he established his church again upon the earth, that we might know Him and enjoy the blessings of the gospel plan. I have read the Book of Mormon and know it to be the word of God and that it is a second witness along side the Bible of Christ's existence. God has called and placed a prophet on the earth, Pres. Thomas Monson. There are apostles, evangelists, seventies, bishops, teachers and priests called and ordained with authority upon the earth today. I found what I was seeking and know peace within my heart.

Personal Stories

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

The Holy Ghost bears witness of truth and directs me in the ways that I should go. It has helped me know how to raise my children, comforts me in times of distress, fear and uncertainty. When I was searching and pondering the scriptures and taking the missionary discussions the Holy Ghost whispered to me that the principles they were teaching were true.
I have found that if I listen to the still small voice that I have success and happiness in my life.

How I live my faith

Since becoming a member of the church, I have served in many capacities including teaching young children, teens and adults the gospel principles. My husband and I have been involved in teaching and helping those who are learning about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a program called Visiting Teaching, which gives us the opportunity to serve other women in our church area. We visit once a month and give a gospel lesson and visit with her concerning her family. We try to help where we can and be a friend she can call on anytime for assistance. I enjoy this responsibility for we all need love and acknowledgment. It gives me an opportunity to make new friends and learn more about her when in her surroundings. I am currently organizing a Family History Conference for our community and am excited to talk with so many who are interested in their families and how to find out more about them. I have found the importance of learning about ones background and who my ancestors were. It has given me more self-confidence knowing about those who came before me. Wherever I am called to serve helps me to grow as a daughter of God and reach a higher potential than I thought I was capable.

Why do Mormon missionaries proselyte?

Debbie answered...

They are searching for those who want to hear Christ's voice and enter into his kingdom from whence they came before they were born. They are teaching Jesus Christ's words and gospel plan so that we all might partake of of the richness of Heavenly Father's blessings while on this earth.
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Nick answered...

Our decision to serve missions is motivated by our belief in the Gospel and our desire to fulfill the Savior's command to "preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15. The Gospel teaches us that we are all sons and daughters of God, and so we feel a kinship with all of God's children and a desire to help them enjoy the peace in this life that the Gospel provides.Our missionaries are not salesman and won't take much of your time, but I know that your decision to invite them into your home will change your life for good!

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

Don answered...

Recently I taught a Sunday School lesson about the Apostle Paul who was cast into jail because of being falsely accused of taking non-jews into the holy parts of the ancient temple. The penalty for doing so was death. It caused me to think of the sacredness of the temple, and that people throughout history have gone through a preparation process in order to approach God through temple worship.

In our time, both members of the church and non-members who have not prepared are turned away from the sacred parts of the temple not because of secrets, but rather due to the sacred nature of the temple and the preparation required to go there. Anyone can go to the temple, given they prepare themselves and demonstrate that preparation in a visit with those responsible for qualifying persons for entrance to the temple.

I love the peace that comes from being in the temple, having prepared myself to approach the Lord in His house. I feel His Spirit there. I am grateful that others who are there have prepared themselves in the same way.

Anyone who wants to know more about the nature of the temples can ask any missionary what it takes to qualify to go there. My personal experience and witness is that it is worth qualifying oneself and experiencing the beauty and peace that is constantly there.