Hi, I'm Kristin

I'm from Mississippi. I'm independent, open minded, and outspoken. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am, first and foremost, a mom to a loving little boy, whom we refer to as The Beast. My husband and I basically spend our days running after him. I am also a freelance writer and blogger who enjoys cooking, eating, refurbishing furniture, reading, and watching movies.

Why I am a Mormon

When I was 18, I came to a sort of crossroads. My wonderful parents raised my siblings and me in a different Christian religion. They are very devout and taught me how to be loving, kind, faithful, honest, and virtuous. But I also had questions about my faith and sought answers through prayer.
I struggled with those questions for a long time. Since I was dating a member of the Mormon church at that time, I began to ask questions about his own faith. My interest was piqued and after much prayer, I came to the conclusion that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the true Church of Christ--a continuation of the gospel that was on the earth during Christ's ministry.
Even more important than why I joined the church, however, is why I continue to remain a faithful member. Through all of my highs and lows, I simply cannot deny the answers I have received repeatedly in prayer. Simply put, I know this church is true. I know I belong in it. I know I've made the right choice, and as long as I continue to follow the commandments and remain true to the virtues my parents taught me, then I will never lose sight of that.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer is the lifeblood that keeps me going. When I pray, I feel closer to my Father in heaven and comforted by His presence. He has answered far too many of them for me to consider prayer anything but a direct "phone line" between man and God. Thankfully, He answers the phone a lot.

How I live my faith

I currently serve on a committee that arranges social events for our women's organization. I also visit three women each month, to make sure they have what they need spiritually and temporally. Of course, we go to church each Sunday and attend Sunday School and other meetings as well.

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?

Kristin answered...

This is one of my favorite questions that many people ask, because I'm always so eager to explain it! We believe men and women have different but equal responsibilities. While only men can "hold" the priesthood, numerous church leaders have explained that "men have no greater claim than women upon the blessings that issue from the Priesthood and accompany its possession."
They have also explained that men also NEED the priesthood to make them more compassionate and loving. The Priesthood comes with many responsibilities and duties, and it requires patience, love, and kindness to fulfill them.
Women have many roles in the church and are seen as equal with men. We can teach Sunday School for both adults and children, we head the women's organization Relief Society, offer prayers, give speeches or "talks" in church, and even serve as Cub Scout leaders!
To be more frank, I believe very strongly in the equal rights of women, and those beliefs are not only upheld, but encouraged by the Mormon church.
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Leeny answered...

This is a question I had to really consider before joining the Church. My mother is a non-denominational chaplain, and both my sisters are pastors. Female leadership in church settings is very important to my family.

It is to me as well. I think many people become offended when they learn that only men hold the priesthood because they misunderstand it. The priesthood is a tool given to men in order that they might serve others more. It does not in any way give them power or dominion over women. Those people who suppose the priesthood is a way to control others are deeply mistaken.

My husband is a priesthood holder, this means I am too. I have claim on my husband's priesthood power. Even more than he does. If I am sick, discouraged, or in need of help I can call upon my husband to give me a blessing through the priesthood that he holds. I then recieve many blessings because of my husband's worthiness to work in behalf of Christ. My husband is never able to give himself a blessing though. If he is sick or discouraged he must call on other priesthood holders to administer to him. My husband holds the priesthood so that he can bless me and our child - never himself.

The priesthood is the power of Christ on the earth. It allows those who hold it to serve their families in the same way Christ served the Church. Did Christ do any deed for himself during his earthly ministry? No. Christ spent all his energy serving the people. This is what the priesthood does for my husband. It infuses him with Christ's compassion and ability to love, and then my husband is able to use that celestial love in our family.

Why don't women also recieve this special gift then? The simple answer is women don't need it. As women we are innately endowed with compassion, selflessness, and love. Think about the way a mother loves her child. I believe there is nothing more pure and similar to Christ's love for us, than a mother's love for her children. Women naturally have the ability to love as Christ does.

In an ideal situation, which is what God always intended for us, there are two partners in marriage. There is the husband and father, a priesthood leader who can be called upon to administer blessings and serve in Christ's name. And there is also the wife and mother, who is blessed with the ability to love as Christ loves and sacrifice for her family. These are two seperate and divinely appointed roles. Each complementing the other. Both make a complete home.

Women do not hold the priesthood because they do not need it. Women have other God-given powers that raise them up to the task they are called to. A man is appointed to serve his wife and children - it is the power of the priesthood that enables him to do this.

I am grateful to have a husband who is worhty to use the priesthood in my behalf. It has blessed me many times and I know that it is a special gift from God - not only to my husband, but to me as well.

Do Mormons practice polygamy?

Jon answered...

No, Mormons do not practice polygamy and discontinued the practice over a century ago. Yet, whenever I discuss my faith, often the first question asked is, "how many wives do you have?" It is important to know that the religious groups that currently practice polygamy, as often seen on the news, have no affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Even though some of these groups may claim otherwise.