Hi, I'm Angelica Soto

I'm a senior in college, I want to serve a mission, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm currently a pre-law studying Political Science in college, minoring in Chinese and Business Administration. After graduation, I would love to serve a full-time mission and/or church-service mission. The best decision I have ever done in my life was to have converted as a Mormon. I love spending time with my family and friends, reading, playing soccer, going out with the missionaries, helping others and being outdoors.

Why I am a Mormon

Through attaining a personal testimony that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, I have experienced getting to know Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ and their love for me individually. I love knowing that I'm a precious Daughter of Heavenly Father, that He loves me, cares for me, hears my daily prayers and is mindful of me. I love knowing that through my Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement, I can make my imperfections, flaws and weaknesses into strengths and become whole, and be perfected in Him. I love knowing that I have a Prophet whose name is Thomas S. Monson as well as Apostles who are called of God to guide us, bless us, and strengthen us. I love knowing that I can live with my family and friends not only in this life on earth, but for the eternities in everlasting happiness. I love knowing that as long as I stay faithful and worthy, I can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost and that I can marry in the Holy House of God for time and all eternity. I love knowing that I can receive instruction, peace and protection when I go to the Temple, the House of the Lord. I love knowing that the Holy Priesthood is restored on earth, and it is for the blessing of all of Heavenly Father's children. I love knowing where I come from, why I'm here on earth, the purpose of my life, and who I can become if I stay faithful till the end. I love knowing that the Lord Lives, this is His True Church, that His words never cease and His works never end. I have never experienced such love, happiness, hope and progress in my life before becoming a Mormon, and I love knowing that converting as a Mormon and staying active has been the best decision I had ever made and will ever make in my entire life.

Personal Stories

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

The Holy Ghost has helped me in everything and blessed my life so much. He guided those two missionaries to knock on my family's door and to testify about the restored Gospel. He blessed my home with peace and joy as my family and I would learn from missionary lessons. As I sincerely prayed to Heavenly Father, having faith in Christ, to ask the veracity of the Book of Mormon and of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Holy Ghost enlightened my mind and filled my heart with peace and joy. After coming out of the waters of baptism, the Holy Ghost filled my heart and my siblings' hearts with so much pure joy and exceeding gratitude that we couldn't hold our tears back. In the days when I have felt much grief, the Holy Ghost has brought me loving peace and warm comfort. In the days when I have felt weak and wanting to give up, the Holy Ghost has lifted me up, encouraged me to keep trying, and strengthened me with more determination and patience. In the days when I have felt confused or anxious, the Holy Ghost has given me abundant reassurance that everything will work out in the end and has taught me that there must be opposition in all things in order for me to progress. The Holy Ghost helps me to make the right decisions, guides me to be in the right places and protects me to be with the right people, and lets me know how to use my talents to serve others. He has helped me to draw nearer to my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ and get to know them more and understand their will for my life. In many ways and instances, the Holy Ghost has truly testified to me that the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the one and only true Church of the Lord. I welcome everyone to find out about these glad tidings. I'm so grateful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. He will never let us down. I know if you invite Him into your life, He will guide you, comfort you, protect you and testify to you of the veracity of this true Gospel.

How I live my faith

I have been called to be a Branch missionary and I have the opportunity to work with Sister missionaries for branch missionary events, reactivation of members, and fellowshipping. Also, I have been called to be the Relief Society Compassionate Service Leader which I am so excited about and so humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve others. I love visiting teaching and attending Institute classes. I know that each day is a new opportunity to love and serve more like our Savior Jesus Christ and to develop Christlike attributes. Each day I try to help someone in need, cheer someone up, love someone more, and share my testimony about the restored Gospel with someone.

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?

Angelica Soto answered...

I am so happy and grateful to be a Daughter of Heavenly Father! His daugthers are so precious in His eyes and He loves us so dearly and so tenderly. However, He also trusts us greatly to do the work of the Lord on Earth, in His Church and outside of His Church. Mormon women are taught to be leaders not only in the Church, but in their communities and homes. In 1842, women of the Church created Relief Society, which is today's largest women's organization in the world, with the purpose to administer help to those in need, strengthen families, marriages and homes, and prepare us to continue our learning and growth both in the spiritual and secular areas. For men to hold the Priesthood, it entails a great deal of responsbility and priviledge to do acts of service to all those who need it. Heavenly Father has designated for men to hold the Priesthood so that they can serve us and bless us, our homes and our families. We are so grateful for such a blessing and we sustain our husbands, fathers, and brothers to continue exercising their Priesthood. In the Church, both husband and wife are equal and we support one another. Likewise, men support and sustain us in our responsibilities and priviledges in Relief Society.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
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.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Michael Johnston answered...

Because we believe in continuing revelation through Prophets as in the days of old, i.e. Moses, Abraham, this is uncomfortable for some people because media has made our Prophets seem like evil men leading people astray, when they are just trying to teach us correct principles so that one day we all may return to live with our Father in Heaven.

Another reason is because we believe in the sacred nature of temples, meaning only worthy members may enter the Temple so people think that evil rituals are performed. However, in reality the nature of the temple is uplifting and beautiful and gives us clarity to what the purpose of life is, the plan of salvation, and other topics such as life, death, and the atonement of Christ. The temple is not "secret, but it is sacred. However, we encourage all to live so that they may one day enter the temple.

http//www.mormon.org/videos/