Hi, I'm Amelia

I grew up in the South of the United States, in what is famously known as the "Bible Belt", and I am a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up on a farm in the rural countryside of North Carolina, US. Being the youngest in a large family, I have many memories of weeding crops with my fingers, feeding animals, carrying a long procession of buckets of water, and running wild through fields and woodlands with my older siblings.

I love to study psychology, neurology, and medicine, which I current am doing. I am currently a grad student. I love to run long distances. I ran competively back in college. Among some of my other interests is composing music on the piano, writing poetry and prose, and painting. I love to learn many different things, and especially to learn about different cultures and beliefs.

Why I am a Mormon

I was the only Mormon in my high school and at my university. I have been asked several times why I was Mormon and why I could follow a faith that seems to require so much from its members. My answer would always be the same.

Ever since I was little, I have always sought after God and to find out what was true for myself. I read scriptures, asked questions, and prayed about what I was being taught. I did not want to just believe this church was true because my parents did, I wanted to know for myself. After many years of searching for answers, I finally decided to get on my knees and pray to God. When I did, I felt overwhelmed by emotion, my heart feeling it would burst, and tears swimming in my eyes. A feeling entered my heart and that feeling told both my heart and my mind that this church was indeed true. It was a feeling that could not be mimic by anything else, nor could any man ever disway me from knowing that it was from God. I felt His overwhelming love for me, and desire for me to come unto Him. I felt Him confirm the teachings of this church, and that He has once again called prophets to lead and guide us in these last days. It has been that sure knowledge which has helped me in my darkest hours, and giving me hope for a brighter future.

Personal Stories

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

One of the hardest things people from all faiths experience is knowing when God is talking to them through the Holy Ghost. It has been a personal struggle of mine over the years as well. However, with alot of patience, time, and practice, I have come to discern when I am hearing His voice versus my own personal thoughts and wishes. For example, when the Holy Ghost speaks to me, I feel it in the deepest part of me, when looking past my emotions and wishes, I know deep in my heart what is right and what is wrong. What path to follow and what to avoid. I feel it. Many call this instinct, but it is a clear pathway to learning to decipher God's voice in your life. Sometimes the Holy Ghost comes strongly into your heart, telling you something is true. These times are often overpowering and very emotional. Sometimes it is a gentle whispering, deep in your heart of what is right.

Learning to hear the voice of the Holy Ghost has helped me in so many ways. Had it not been for the Holy Ghost telling me to serve a mission, I would have never experienced one of the greatest decisions of my life, and subsquently grow spiritually from it. Then, after much prayer and pondering, the Holy Ghost told me where to go for grad school and what to study. It has constantly given me hope when I feel overwhelmed by dissapointments or struggles. It has told me in advance of temptation and danger, of which after ignoring it and proceding in my path, I would come back and say, "Okay, okay, you were right, I was wrong." The Holy Ghost has been a constant companion and guide. I am so thankful for it.

How I live my faith

I love how my faith has formed me into a better person, to realise what really matters in life, and how I can give more of myself to those around me. Three years ago, I made the best decision of my life. I decided to serve a mission for my church. I was sent to Toronto, Canada. It has been during my struggles and disappointments, while on my knees praying to God for guidance, that I have come to know God. It was also a time inwhich I personally witnessed many miracles, and came to see how God's hand is really in all of our lives. I was blessed with the opportunity to serve and come to love so many people, from all around the world, who lived in Toronto. I felt a portion of God's magnificant love for them, and His desire for them to know Him better.

Since I have been home, I try my best to continue the mission that I started in Toronto. Though I am far from perfect, and often get consumed in the demands of school, I try to take every opportunity I have to help those around me whether in my faith or not. I just want to encourage them and strengthen them as much as I can, showing them how much God loves them and is aware of their problems. I find when I do, it brings a small flip in my heart and smile to my face, knowing that I am making my life more meaningful.

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?

Amelia answered...

Being female, I get asked this question alot. There are those who think that somehow I am be "cheated" out of something. Let me say, first and foremost, that I have never felt like the "lesser sex." Ever since I was a young girl, I was taught that I was a daughter of God, born with divine gifts and talents unique only to me. I was told about how much God loved me and treasured me. During those trying times of teenage years, this knowledge often helped me when I would feel lesser than those around me by not being beautiful enough, or popular, or just not feeling valued by my peers. As I would start to look at all my negative qualities, a voice inside me would remind me of my divine hertiage, and of my great worth to God. It would remind me of all the special gifts God has given me, and stir to my remembrance my divine destiny. The Church loves its women. I constantly hear sermons given to men on how they should love and revere their female companions, respect them, and even try to be more like them.

Many who do not understand why women do not hold the priesthood, have yet to learn the principle behind it. The priesthood is a call to divine service, to use to power of God to help those around them. It takes ordinary men and turn them into divine instruments. The priesthood is their link with God, it helps them become more like Him. That is the purpose of the priesthood, to link God with men. Women, have another divine power given to them, similar and compariable, and equally powerful to the power of the priesthood. It is the power of creation. This power of creation and nuturing brings us closer to God, it is our divine link to Him. Therefore, both male and female, each with their special gifts and divine links, are meant to compliment each other and help each other become more like God, for as Paul said, "Neither is the man without the woman, before the Lord."
Madelyn answered...

I feel that men and women both have different but equally important roles in getting us back to God. In God's eternal plan we were spirits in His presence before this life. To progress we needed to get bodies on this earth, then perform specific ordinances (eg baptism, marriage) to return to God after this life. Women were given the godly power to bring spirits into this world and give them bodies, then nurture and raise these children with God's inspiration and guidance. The men were assigned the responsibility (through the God's Priesthood power) to serve others and administer the ordinances that will bring God's children back to His presence after this life. Both roles are necessary and equally important to God's plan for us.
I don't think women need the Priesthood to be powerful influences and to do God's work in their homes and in the church. I see men grow spiritually, and their characters become more godly when they act in God's name through using the Priesthood.
I have never felt the need to hold the Priesthood myself. I can still receive all the blessings offered by the Priesthood, my prayers can be just as powerful, and I still have access to the inspiration of God in my life.

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

Aubrey answered...

We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. This is an essential nature of the plan of salvation. Families are so important and children can and are only meant to be brought into this world through a man and woman together. This is how God created us. We acknowledge the attractions or inclinations individuals may have, but God has made us to have male/female relationships. We love all of our brothers and sisters. We are all God's children and we should treat each other as such, with love and kindness, but we cannot and will not encourage same-sex relations. We believe in Gay rights and tolerance, as described by Dallin H. Oaks, but will always define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.