Hi, I'm Chloe

I grew up in Pennsylvania. I studied Geography. I love my family and genealogy. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am married to the most wonderful man alive, Ryan Coles. He is dashingly handsome and the kindest man I know. I love him dearly. I hail from the beautiful eastern coast of the United States in lovely Pennsylvania. I am graduated with my Bachelor's Degree in Geospatial Intelligence.
I am currently working for an NGO called Zaytoon International. I will be spending my summers in Jordan teaching the wonderful people there about social entrepreneurship and basic business principles.
My husband is starting his Master's and then getting a PhD in Business. Life is wonderful together and it is all thanks to our faith and this Gospel!

Why I am a Mormon

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints because I know it is the only true and complete way to return to our Father in Heaven and be with Jesus Christ. I have come to know the Savior and His love through this Gospel and the experiences I have had cannot be denied.
I know this because I lived for so long without knowing the power of His Atonement. Thought I was born a member of the Church, I did not grow up active. I know the emptiness that one can feel when they do not have the Holy Ghost with them. I know the sadness that is a broken heart and one that is anxiously seeking for relief. I know the burden that sin and heartache can be on your shoulders. But, I also know with all my being the relief and joy that can and is felt by one who accepts the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and gains a testimony of His true church. It is overwhelming and enveloping. I do not know where I would be today if it were not for the patience of those around me who brought me back into the Church and into the loving arms of my Savior.
I know Jesus Christ lives today and that He loves us. I know He restored His living Gospel to the Prophet Joseph Smith and that He continues to lead and guide His church today through living prophets and apostles. I know the Book of Mormon is the true word of God. I have prayed about it and have felt the overwhelming confirmation of the Holy Ghost that has led me to choose the path of discipleship in this, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

Mormons participate in family history because we believe in eternal families. To me this is greatest joy of the Gospel to know that we can be sealed to our loved ones for time and all eternity and never be separated if we are true and faithful.
We believe that our hearts should indeed be turned to our fathers and to find out where we come from and who we are.
We know we are children of our Heavenly Father. Our genealogy brings joy to our lives when we know the stories of those who have gone before us.
Once we research and 'find names' we take those names to our temples and perform priesthood ordinances vicariously for them. We do this in a reverent and peaceful setting that allows for respect and joy to be felt by all thos ein attendance.
As an avid family historian, I can bear witness that family history is one of the most fulfilling duties. I love the realtionship I am able to build with those who I have yet to meet. I believe that the power that is found in families is unbreakable and that true power is indeed found in one's posterity.

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

In my home, the greatest harmony is felt when the Holy Spirit is a permanent resident. This is done by having family prayer and scripture study. Personal prayer and scripture study and by holding regular Family Nights. On our family nights we like to sing a hymn, pray, share a lesson or thought on the Gospel and then hold an 'activity.' This is so simple as playing a game, watching a movie together, sharing stories about experiences we have had. We have also taken this time to work on family issues, laugh and joke and continually grow to love each other more.
Harmony is created when love is always present. When others feel welcome and comfortable in your home, however humble it may be. This is easily felt by keeping a clean and neat home that is orderly and inviting. It is such a refuge from the world, and in my home, we try and keep the bad part of th world out as much as possible.
But most of all, harmony is felt in our home when there is harmony between the parents and with Heavenly Father. This relationship is the keystone to happiness and success in the family.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by keeping the commandments of God every day. I keep myself clean and worthy to have the Holy Ghost with me at all times to lead me to those around me in need.
I stay clean by keeping the Word of Wisdom and abstaining from alcohol and drugs.
I pay my tithing to the church which helps those in my community who are in need. It helps build temples, send missionaries around the world and give humanitarian aid to those in need.
I live my faith by committing myself to complete my family history and then seal my family together in the Holy Temple into an eternal family.
I live my faith by sharing the Gospel with those around me at church, school and work. I try and do this both by word and deed by being a good example of a member of Christ's church and by exemplifying what we are asked to do.
I live my faith by reading and earnestly praying to my Heavenly Father daily both with my husband and personally. I attend my church meetings and the temple and live worthily to participate in all the ordinances therein.
But most of all, I live my faith by every day making the decision to pray for a missionary experience, to find another line in my family tree, and to help those who are praying for a miracle themselves. That is what living my faith is all about.

What do Mormons believe about Jesus Christ? Do Mormons believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Nathan answered...

I go to college in what many people consider the "bible belt" of America. Many people assume I'm not a christian or that I don't believe in Jesus Christ as the literal Son of God. Most people don't realize just how christian our faith is and they're usually surprised at how similar many of our beliefs are. The truth is Jesus Christ is the Son of God and there is no other name by which people can be saved. Jesus Christ is my savior and the Savior of the world. His goodness is available to all and brings happiness to anyone who reaches out to Him.
Jonathan answered...

We absolutely believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believe that He was the God of the Old Testament. Under the direction of the Father, He created the earth. He spoke to the Old Testament prophets such as Noah, Abraham and Moses. He was born to the virgin Mary in Bethlehem. He walked among the people of Palestine, working many mighty miracles. He suffered and died for our sins. He rose from the grave and ascended to Heaven to stand on the right hand of the Father. We believe that He appeared alongside the Father to the prophet Joseph Smith. Today, He is at the head of our church and leads it through the prophet and twelve apostles. He will come again to reign upon the earth with all those who have faith in Him. Through Him, and Him alone, we can be forgiven for our sins and receive eternal live in the Kingdom of God.

Do you really believe there is a prophet like Moses alive today?

Ryan X Allred answered...

Absolutely. If God loved his children in ancient times enough to send them, does He love us any less?

Prophets serve at least 2 purposes.

In the past, Christ Jesus personally called prophets, apostles, evangelists, teachers, deacons, etc, according to the Apostle Paul. He uses such leaders to help move His great work forward, because it is through selfless service that we develop Christ-like qualities and allow us to be one with Him so that we may be One with the Father. Having a living prophet allows the Father to teach hitherto new principles or doctrine to all His children. We can always interpret scripture to meet our intimate needs through personal revelation via prayer and communion with the Holy Ghost. But the greatest acts of service are always done through the synergistic power of communities, whether they are a family or a nation. Our Father in Heaven understands this and he communes with his living prophet, Thomas S Monson, in order to bless the lives of all His children regardless of their circumstances or creeds.