Hi, I'm Pam Kebker

I volunteer at a Catholic school, and yes, I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a childhood cancer survivor. Because of that experience I became a Registered Nurse. I have been married for 32 years and have 8 children. Once my first child was born I left my career in nursing to raise my family. I have homeschooled my children off and on for over 20 years. My youngest children currently attend a Catholic school. I love to cook, bake, read, and go camping. We love to travel and anytime we are together as a family, it's a party! I joined the Church in 1990. Next to marrying my husband, it was the best decision I ever made.

Why I am a Mormon

As a young adult, my parents divorced. As my husband and I were raising our own family, we were searching for those truths which are eternal so that we could teach them to our growing family. I wanted them to have a happy and stable childhood and to become successful adults. Somehow deep inside, I knew that successful families usually attend church.....and so my quest began.

Personal Stories

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

I think the thing that I try hardest to do to strengthen my family is to just be there for them. I teach them correct principles, and after that my children must learn to govern themselves and to figure out God's plan for their lives. I strive to be encouraging and supportive...and to respect their individual differences. I don't allow negative talk in our home. No one is allowed to gossip or criticize a family member.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that my children will grow up and leave me, but their father will be my companion forever. Therefore, my relationship with him is paramount. Because of the importance my husband and I have placed on our relationship as a couple, I believe it has strengthened our entire family. I see that example being carried on by my children, in their own lives, as they marry and establish families of their own.
The teachings of the Church have been such an excellent guide for raising children, that I honestly don't know how people get through the process of raising families without the gospel in their lives. I believe wihout a shadow of doubt that my family would not be the strong, stable family we are today had we not raised them in the Church.

How I live my faith

For the last 5 years, I have been responsible for the children's program in our ward which is called "Primary". I love the children of the church. They are our future. I take very seriously my responsibility to teach correct principles and guide children to choose the right. Children face so many challenges in the world today. I want them to know that each one of them is a special child of a loving Heavenly Father and to understand their eternal worth as children of God.

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

Pam Kebker answered...

The Church does not take a position on political candidates or parties. The 11th Article of Faith states that as members of the Church, we are to follow the dictates of our own conscience and allow all others to do the same. In the United States you will find Mormons of all political persuations. However as members of the Church, we are encouraged to exercise our rights and responsibilites as citizens by voting, engaging in the political process, and assisting in worthy causes.
Steven answered...

No, but we are instructed to be involved and to seek spiritual guidance in all political matters.

We believe that the leaders of a nation, state, and community can have a great influence for good or for evil and we need to ensure that they are represent our values and beliefs.

Why did your church previously practice plural marriage (polygamy)?

Leo Ebbert answered...

The short answer is that, for a time, God commanded it. It was a challenge for those families commanded to practice it, but they accepted the challenge with faith.

There have been many times throughout history that God has asked His people to do difficult things or things that go against the norms of society. For example, God has commanded plural marriage in the Bible. He commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, stopping it at the last minute. He commanded the ancient Israelites to destroy all inhabitants of many of the settlements in the land of Canaan when they returned to the promised land.

The knowledge of these things challenges our faith but we must recognize that God's ways are not our ways and He controls all life.

If plural marriage is something that keeps you from the church or keeps you from investigating further, I invite you to consider this: it really comes down to one thing. Was Joseph Smith a true prophet or not? If he was, then the commandment came from God and He restored His church through Joseph. Answer that question and the rest falls into place. I am happy that I did.