Hi, I'm Katie

I'm a gymnast, I am currently a missionary for the church, I'm a mormon.

About Me

I am the middle child of 5 girls. I have a very close-knit relationship with my sisters and my parents. I am currently serving as a full time missionary in Wisconsin. Before serving my mission I was a college student majoring in Business Administration. I love to travel and experience new things. I also love hiking, camping, shopping, and spending time with my friends and my family.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however I view myself as a convert. When I graduated high school and moved out I could no longer rely on my parents' testimonies. I quit going to church for several months, but not long after I realized something was missing in my life. I didn't feel true happiness. I read the Book of Mormon for the first time and I began to pray with full intent of my heart. I began to feel a change in my heart and I knew the feelings I was feeling was the spirit of God testifying to me of the truthfulness of the gospel. I had never felt so happy before.

I do know that this church is true. I know that through Joseph Smith the gospel was restored to the earth in its entirety. I know Joseph Smith was called of God to translate the Book of Mormon. And I know the Book of Mormon contains words of prophets of God. I know my Savior loves me and that he suffered and died for me, and that I can repent of my sins.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ has become more real to me as I have been able to apply it to my life and feel the effects of it. I know that whatever sins we have commited can be swallowed up in the Atonement. And it brings peace back into our lives, and we can move forward. We don't need to dwell on our past sins, because God remembers them no more.

I know that when I pray that Heavenly Father hears me and that he answers my prayers. I can testify of these things because I have found out for myself. And I know that God will answer the prayers of anyone who asks.

Personal Stories

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

I share the gospel with my friends because I know how much the gospel has blessed my own life and the lives of my family members. It's like when you go see a really good movie; you want to tell everyone about it and try to persuade others to go watch the movie as well. That same principle is true in regards to sharing the gospel. After having the faith to read from the Book of Mormon and praying to know that it is true and receiving my answer, I have felt so blessed by being a part of this church. I know now, with assurety, what things I need to do in my life to help me return to live with my Heavenly Father. And having that knowledge has made me very happy. I want that same happiness for my friends and neighbors. So I do my best to be an example to others and show them what a difference it has been to me, then I invite them to find out for themselves and take the same steps I did to gain their own testimony by reading from the Book of Mormon, praying to know it's true, and going to church.

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer is so important to me. I know that when I pray I am literally speaking to my Heavenly Father. Just like any father, God wants to hear from us on a regular basis. Prayer strengthens my relationship with my Father in Heaven and I receive necessary guidance for my life. I know when I pray that he listens to me and answers me through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. I feel close to my Heavenly Father and my Savior when I pray, and it reassures me that he is there, and that he loves me.

How has attending Church services helped you?

I've heard a lot of people say that they don't feel like attending church each week is necessary. But from my own experience I know that church attendance is vital. After a long week of stress through trials, I can go to church, feel the spirit and receive personal revelation- or answers to my prayers. I can mingle with other people who believe the same things I do and be spiritually uplifted by their testimonies. But the most important reason I attend church every week is to be able to partake of the sacrament, which helps me to remember Christ and what he did for me, and I can renew the covenants-or promises- I made with God at my baptism and strive harder each week to be more like Christ.

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

I'm currently serving as a full-time missionary for the church in the state of Wisconsin. As I have had the opportunity to share my beliefs with many, I can see the need to tell people about the gospel. There are currenlty over 52,000 missionaries across the entire world who are trying to find those who are looking to learn more about Christ and his church. We want to give everybody the opportunity to learn and to know what they need to do to return to live with their Father in Heaven, or God. It has been such a wonderful experience for me to find those who have a desire to learn, then excercise their faith in God by reading the Book of Mormon and praying to know it is true, then once they receive their answer they are willing to take the step of preparing to be baptized by someone who holds the priesthood (or authority to act in God's name).

How I live my faith

Currently, I live my faith by serving as a full-time missionary for the church. I get to teach people about this gospel and share my testimony about it for 18 months. Before I decided to serve a full time mission the way I lived my faith was by being a good example to others and live as Christ would want me to live. Actions speak louder than words.

How is the Book of Mormon different from the Bible? How did Joseph Smith obtain the “golden plates” or Book of Mormon?

Katie answered...

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is proof that God loves all of his children. The Bible is centered around His children in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. The Book of Mormon is made up of accounts of Prophets in the American continents. The Book of Mormon helps support the Bible, but it also helps to clarify certain points in the Bible that can be interpreted different ways. But the most important thing about The Book of Mormon is how much it does testify of our Savior.
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Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Tember Skye Harward answered...

Mormon's are viewed as a cult by some because we do not adhere to the fundamental creeds established by the other Christian churches, such as the Nicene or Athanasian Creeds, and their view of the Godhead. Latter-day Saints are viewed by other Christians just like the early Christians were viewed by the Jews and Romans of the time, which was as a cult, because they strayed from what seemed to them orthodox Judaism. Much like the Pharisees and Sadducees, who viewed orthodoxy through the lens of the rules laid out in the rabbinical law and their interpretation of the Law of Moses, the Christians of today view orthodoxy through the lens of the creeds that were established hundreds of years after the death of Christ under the opinion and counsels of men.