Hi, I'm Barbra

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a wife and mother of four children. I work out of my home doing medical and legal transcription. Before having my fourth child, I had been a legal secretary for 17 years and worked at a law firm in downtown Los Angeles. I love to spend time with my family and am so happy I am able to be a "stay-at-home-mom" now. It is nice to be here when my children get home from school every day. I love to read, go to the movies, bake and spend time with my friends.

Why I am a Mormon

I married a Mormon man and I was not a member of this church at the time. We had three children, three boys. For ten years of marriage, I had many sets of missionaries teach me about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As I was investigating the church, I just couldn't make the commitment to be baptized. I always wanted to make sure that if I was going to do it, it would be for me and not because someone else wanted me to. Finally after 11 years, while my husband was the Young Men's President, he was helping the Priests learn the missionary discussions and told them they could practice the discussions on me. So they did. The boys had been in my home many times and were very comfortable there but when they came in to teach me about the Gospel, they were so humble and meek and mild. The Spirit was very strong. My husband told them to skip the part about asking me to be baptized, and just go on to the next lesson. But at the time they got to the "baptize question", one particular priest felt the Spirit so strong that he challenged me to be baptized. I accepted the challenge. Everyone in the room including my husband was surprised. I finally realized that this church was the only true church and after watching my husband and children gain a relationship with our Savior, realized that I was just sitting stagnant, not doing anything about my own salvation and I wanted to have that same relationship with the Savior also. I'm thankful the Spirit was so strong that day, that I was challenged to be baptized and that I accepted. A year later my family and I were sealed in the Temple. We now have our 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl and we are all sealed for time and eternity. I love attending the temple, so much peace there. Many other blessings have come from my becoming a member of the church but the one that means the most to me is that I can live with my family for eternity. I'm thankful for our Savior and Heavenly Father. I'm thankful for the gospel in my life.

How I live my faith

After joining the church 13 years ago, I have served in many callings in the church. I have taught the children ages 7 and 8. I have also taught the youth, ages 12 to 17. I love spending time with children and with the youth. The youth teach me so much. I have watched testimonies build, be strengthened and grow. What a blessing to be able to be a part of this. I also live my faith by attending the temple. I love going to the temple. I try to attend each week, doing some sort of service there. The temple has played a large role in my life. My love for the Savior and this Gospel grows each time I attend the temple. I always leave the temple feeling renewed and refreshed. I feel that I need to improve each time I attend. I also live my faith by reading the scriptures daily. Sometimes I skip a day and I can really feel a difference in my life on the days that I skip reading. For years now, my husband has been reading all four books of scripture every year. He would ask me each year on January 1, if I wanted to join him in doing this. Finally, three years ago, I took the challenge and read all four books of scripture. I have done it now three times. I love reading the words of Christ. I love learning about Him and this Gospel. I know that I benefit every day that I read. Even if I don't understand everything the first time I read it, I eventually get it! This reading program has also brought my husband and I closer. We feel a "bond" because we are doing it together and although we don't actually read together at the same time, we read at separate times and then later in the day can discuss the things we have read. It is a wonderful feeling to share this with him. I also live my faith my accepting whatever comes my way, I am learning to have more faith. I tend to worry a lot and I'm working on this every day. I am trying to have more faith and not worry so much, reading scriptures and praying helps and also talking with my family members helps a lot!

What are Mormon women like? Do Mormons believe in equality of men and women?

Gloria answered...

We believe that men and women are equal in importance, but different in responsibilities and roles. We are two parts of a whole. Women can bear and raise children, men provide and protect. This may seem old-fashioned, but it works! My husband is the President of a company, and I tell him that he is the President at work, and I am the President of my own little corporation at home. I support him in his challenging job, and he supports me in mine. I do believe that "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world"! I am caring for, teaching and nurturing children who will go out in the world and fulfill their own great destinies. I feel a huge responsibility to prepare them for what they will face in the future and to make sure that they have the ability/tools to handle whatever challenges life brings them. I have the greatest and most challenging job in the world!
Nicole answered...

Mormon women are strong. Mormon women are sure. We are taught from the time that we are tiny that we are daughters of God. Many people question equality between Mormon men and women because we believe in the traditional roles of the family, the classic stay-at-home mom and the working father. It makes me sad that society has degraded the role of a mother and made it seem undesirable and less than an occupation outside the home.

We believe in eternal families. We believe that this life is the one time in all eternity that we are sent to be tried and tested. If those beliefs be true than there is nothing more noble and exciting than being a mother. To be chosen to bring life into the world and to steer that life to goodness and love is one of the greatest and most impressive things that can be done.

I am proud to be a woman. I am excited to be a mother one day. I am an advocate for education and self-betterment for all. I value the differences of women from men. All of these things I learned to do from my religion. If that's not feminism I don't know what is.

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.