Hi, I'm Tuulikki

I'm a Finnish feminist socialist environmentalist vegetarian philosopher and mother. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Dislike fitting in any categories so I compensate by mixing several. I have an MA from my studies of Philosophy, with Semiotics and Women's Studies as minors. I also like comic books, computer games and fantasy literature. I love all the arts and dabble a bit in most of them - writing, painting, ceramics, theater, singing and playing the violine. I'm a horrible food and music snob and an opinionated discussion addict, but I also hope to be open to other people's opinions and views.

Why I am a Mormon

My grandparents on both sides originally met with the mormon missionaries in Finland and decided to become members of this church. All honor to them, but I knew I had to decide by myself what I should be. I believe now and have believed earlier that only God can give us information that pertains to him - the human mind is too limited. So I have turned to him and he has answered me by feelings that I don't believe came from me. That is the basis for my faith in God and in Joseph Smith as a prophet, and all the rest relies on those truths.

Personal Stories

What is hope and what do you hope for?

There was a time in my life when I didn't see much hope. I was very depressed and hope is just one of those words that kinda lose meaning. I think that's why I love it now - I can see the difference. Hope means that there is something fantastic to wait for, a brightening in the future. At sad times of ones life it could mean that you know God has better things in store for you. At happy times you still know it. Right now hope is something that makes me feel better about the world. There is so much sadness and despair. My hope is that God will set things right - he will meet out justice for those who need it and mercy for those who need it. He will not just eventually set things completely right, but he is already working on it, often through us. Sometimes it's easier to see His hand in the world, sometimes harder, since this is still a fallen, imperfect world, but he hasn't forsaken it.

How I live my faith

I am an active member in the church and have grown through the different callings I've been able to serve in. I could say I've learned to teach by teaching adults and children at church, although later that skill has come in handy elsewhere.

I live my faith by trying to achieve an ideal every day. I believe we should try to make both ourselves and the world a better place and not to give in just because the task seems daunting.

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?

Tuulikki answered...

I guess that to me, despite being a feminist, the fact that women don't hold the priesthood feels like a "get out of prison" -card in Monopoly. The priesthood is a great thing, sure, but it involves so much service and work...

But ok, I think about the wonderful women in the early ages of the church in Finland, including my grandmothers, and I can imagine that they could have run the whole thing, and would have if it had been possible. There were always more women that were converts. So why not let them run it? I always thought that the men would have no role in this "kingdom of heaven" on earth if they didn't have to have it.

And maybe, just maybe there is something in God's plan for our roles after this life that demands men to learn the things they have to learn when holding the priesthood. You have to understand that in practice it's not only about leading in the church, it's about getting your hands dirty in endless moves and other service projects. So you really learn that to be pleasing in the eyes of God you have to serve and to lead you have to be everyone's slave, in a way.

Women don't get to take over the leadership of the church - and they would! which would mean I'd get even more callings - but they do lead their own organizations. Quite enough work for me... Also the children's organizations are lead by women, although men can work in them.
Kathryn answered...

As a primary president in my ward, I share in the direction and leadership of our ward. I don't feel secondary in any way. Whether you have the priesthood or not, you are still responsible to listen to the direction of the Savior. The priesthood is a tool and power that is the same power of the Savior. It allows the human authority to do work on earth, particularly perform ordinances, and bless others. As if the Savior was here in person during His ministry accounted for in the New Testament. I would use an analogy to compare the priesthood as a car. A car is an amazing tool allowing you to get you from here to there. I don't mind my husband driving and I can offer some navigation or work the radio, as long as we and our children get there.

What do Mormons believe is the purpose of life?

Aileen. answered...

This question started my whole spiritual quest, so it is only most appropriate for me to now answer it.

Mormons believe that we were chosen by the Heavenly Father in the spirit world pre-existence to receive a physical body and to come to Earth to our specific mother and father. We agreed, and we essentially are fighting on Heavenly Father's "side" in the war with Lucifer. It is our spiritual "job" in this world to live a certain way, to use our agency to choose between good and evil, in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father's only son, whom He sacrificed to allow for our atonement to allow for our spiritual progression.

Mormons believe that while here on Earth, we should learn and live more like our Heavenly Father. This is our spiritual quest which is accomplished through our choices. We marry and build our own family, and by following the Scriptures and living accordingly, we receive access to the Temples where eternal ordinances are performed individually and together as a family.

We can be with our family forever, after death, joined together in Heaven, with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. We have greater peace in this life and eternal joy in the life to come. This is the purpose of our life here.

Before I understood this and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my life was reasonably happy but devoid of purpose. Something was missing. I felt incomplete.

Now, I have peace. My soul is soothed.