Hi, I'm Connie

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a wife, mother and grandmother to a wonderful family. I work part time at a local clinic and enjoy many hobbies including mosaics, watercolors and acrylic painting, photography, and a variety of other arts and crafts. I love to write family history stories for my posterity to one day read. I love traveling, especially to seaside locations. I love going on a scavenger hunt through thrift stores and finding that amazing old thing that I can take home and reuse or repurpose or redecorate.

Why I am a Mormon

A couple of young missionaries came to our door one day and asked if we'd like to hear about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'd been feeling the need for something more in my life. I felt something was missing. I had a loving husband, two wonderful little children and an extended family and friends. Life was good but I still felt there was something more out there that I needed. After hearing the lessons from the Elders, I knew what they taught was truth. I remember the night I knew. It was late at night. My husband was already asleep and I lay awake thinking about all the things we'd been taught. I remember so clearly the Holy Ghost testifying to me. I finally realized that I was lying there with the biggest grin on my face. In the dark. Grinning like the Cheshire Cat because I just knew that my Heavenly Father loved me and wanted me to join His Church. I had that witness right there in the dark. I knew that the boy, Joseph Smith, truly was a prophet of God and he did see the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ in that grove of trees. I've never lost that truth. It has been nearly 40 years ago but I still know that this gospel is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and testifies of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is so comforting to me to know that we have a prophet on the earth now. We don't have to rely only on the ancient prophets but have one in our time who continues to receive revelation for us now. And I also love the knowledge that we can be together with our families for eternity. I have a Savior who died for me. He willingly took on my sins to atone for them so I would have the opportunity to be resurrected and live again with our Father in Heaven. He is my elder brother. He loves me. I can't imagine not being a member of His true church.

Personal Stories

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

Many different little ways. So often God puts another person in our way and that person is the answer to prayer. Once I was having difficulty with something - I can't even remember what now - but went to general conference and while listening to Elder Henry B. Eyring speak, he talked about the very thing I'd been worried about. He was the answer to that prayer. Some would call it coincidence but I know better. I've had several instances when some little "coincidence" happened to answer my prayer.

Could you talk about your baptism?

My husband wasn't quite as ready to join the church when I was. He wasn't sure he was ready to make such a commitment. I decided to go ahead and be baptized anyway. During my interview with the bishop, he questioned me about my husband. The church does not want to cause rifts in marriages and he wanted to make sure my husband didn't have a problem with me joining the church. I assured him that it was ok with him. I didn't know too many people at church yet but there seemed to be quite a few people there. I was baptized by one of the missionaries who taught us the discussions. It all felt kind of like a whirlwind. I just remember being very happy. Now looking back, I was so young, in my late 20's, but I knew it was the right thing to do. The missionaries were just about the total connection we had to the church and one of them, the one who baptized me, left his mission for home the next day. Also the next day was stake conference where all the wards meet in one place to get instruction. We found out that day that some of the wards were being split up and boundaries changed. Since members of the church go to church within neighborhoods or geographical areas, sometimes they have to change those boundaries because one ward gets too big or too small. Those changes happened the day after my baptism. It was a very hard change for many of the members who had all worshipped in the same ward together for so many years. It wasn't as hard for me because I didn't know anyone anyway. It was a very emotional day for me though. I went to church with my three-year old daughter. My husband and son decided to stay home. After the baptism the night before and then attending this huge conference the next day and not knowing many people at all, I remember emotions getting the best of me and crying on the way home. I hoped my husband would join the church one day and that wish was materialized only three short weeks later when he came to me and told me he wanted to be baptized also.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

We believe the Lord expects us to carry the message of the Gospel to all nations, peoples and tongues. Missionaries are the ones who do this on a full time basis but every member is expected to spread the gospel also.

How has attending Church services helped you?

The most important way is that we get to renew our baptismal covenants each Sunday when we take the sacrament bread and water. Another thing is just the knowledge that I'm obeying the instruction to attend my meetings. And finally, the feelings I have when I'm at church, surrounded by others who believe like I do and who are such good people trying to live their lives according to the commandments of our Father in Heaven. I always feel good when I'm at church.

How I live my faith

My membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is such an integral part of my being that it is hard to think of how my life was before I joined the church. As a member, I don't just go to church on Sunday and then that's it. This Church, this Gospel is a lifestyle. Faith in Jesus Christ is the center of our lives. How I live my faith is by being the best person I can be. It is being kind to others. Loving my neighbors. Following the commandments as best I can. It means doing my best to take care of my responsibilities for my family, for church jobs, for my work and any other part of my life. I go visiting teaching with a companion. This is a way the Church is able to make sure the members, especially the women in this case, are cared for. We take a lesson to the sisters and visit with them. If they are ill or in need otherwise, hopefully we are the ones who get calls for help. We might take in a dinner, give a ride to the doctor, clean a house or any number of other services. Sometimes I've had church jobs that involve teaching. I don't think I'm the best teacher in the world but I know if I pray and study and pray some more, the Spirit will help me and I will give the lesson the Lord wants me to give. Living my faith means to love the Lord with all my heart, mind, might and strength and to love my neighbor as myself.

What is the First Vision?

Connie answered...

Joseph Smith went into some woods near his home one day. He had been trying to decide which church he should join. He had read scriptures that said if he prayed and asked God then God would answer him. So with his young but strong faith in God, he went into those woods. Just moments after kneeling to pray, a light from heaven started to shine down on him and he saw a vision of two personages. They were dressed in white and the glory of them, he said, was brighter than noon-day sun. It was a vision of the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. This is what is known as the First Vision.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Casey answered...

Love the sinner, not the sin. We do not uplift or support it in any way. We try to help those overcome this serious and difficult urge of same-gender attraction. To some it is very serious, they feel they are 'borne' that way. Others feel great peer pressure, some are simply curious. Not matter the case, it is simply wrong. It is not ordained of God, and God does not take it lightly. To those who may struggle with this very urge, as you avoid it, and try to overcome it, God will strengthen you. Some people struggle with an addiction toward pornography, or cigarettes, some it might a seemingly over-powering urge toward alcohol, or to some, same-gender attraction. No matter the urge, they are all not of God and all Satan's devices to bring down worthy and righteous souls down to his level of misery. The family is ordained of God and it is our responsibility to uplift and support the family in any way we can.