Hi, I'm Sharisa

I'm a National Merit Scholar and I'm studying molecular biology. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a junior in college studying molecular biology. I have performed some research in a lab on my university campus, and I will be doing more of that this coming school year. In addition to the sciences, I really love to read and write, and I hope to someday publish a book. I enjoy playing the flute and piano, and I'm starting to learn guitar. I enjoy running, hiking, and playing tennis and racquetball. I've also had a bit of instruction in ballroom dance, which I love! One of my favorite things to do is spend time in nature and enjoying the majestic beauty of mountains, stars, clouds, and rain.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a Mormon because I have come to know for myself that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of Christ. I have a firm testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I have read the Book of Mormon many times, and I know without a doubt that it is true. There is so much power in that book. I know that my Savior lives and that through Him I can be saved. I love Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father very much.

Through the teachings of the church, I have gained peace and comfort, as well as direction for my life. Believing in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ gives me understanding of who I am and what my purpose is in this life. I experience so much happiness because of the teachings and truths of the gospel.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

There are certain ordinances such as baptism and temple covenants which are necessary for salvation. God is a just Being, and He has provided a way for everyone to receive those ordinances, including those who died with no knowledge of the gospel. In Mormon temples, we perform proxy work for our dead ancestors, allowing them to enter into the same covenants which we do in this life.

We believe that families can be eternal. In the temples, sacred sealing ordinances are performed through the power of the priesthood. These sealings bind husbands to wives and children to parents, and generations are thus bound together. We do genealogy work and seek out the names of our kindred dead in order to be able to take their names to the temple and perform sacred, saving ordinances for them, and then seal them to us for eternity. Family is central to Mormon doctrine and to God's plan, and we want to be with our families forever.

In addition to performing salvific and sealing work for our ancestors, we perform genealogy in order to learn more about these men and women who gave us their legacy. I know that as I have read and learned about my ancestors, I have felt a deep love and appreciation for these great individuals. Through identifying my ancestors and learning about them, I am able to have a greater understanding of where I came from. I want to live up to the goodness and courage displayed by my ancestors. They inspire me to live my life well and be the person I have the potential to be.

How I live my faith

My faith is a part of everything that I do, from personal prayer and scripture study, to church attendance, to service, to temple worship. My belief in the Savior colors my actions as I strive to live as He did. Because families are central to the gospel, I am preparing to one day be a dedicated wife and mother and raise my children in truth and righteousness.

In our church, members are given a "calling" and asked to volunteer their time to serve others and help at church. I have been able to serve in a number of different capacities, and each calling has given me opportunities to grow and gain new skills. During my freshman year at college, I served as a leader over the women's group in my local church congregation. We planned uplifting activities for our member and offered individual and group service. The experiences of loving and serving I had during that school year opened my eyes and changed my heart. I'm grateful I have these opportunities to serve in my church and be able to better the lives of those around me.

What is a “testimony” that Mormons speak of?

Sharisa answered...

When we say we have a "testimony," we mean that we know something to be true by the power of the Holy Ghost. This testimony usually comes after study and prayer when the Holy Ghost confirms truth. This confirmation from the Spirit often comes in the form of ideas/thoughts, or feelings, such as peace and joy.

The essential aspects of a Mormon's testimony include knowing that God lives and is our loving Father, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith was called of God and restored Christ's church, and that we are led by a living prophet today.

Through praying, reading the scriptures, and seeking to follow Jesus, I have gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. The Holy Ghost has borne witness to me that God lives - I know that He if my Father and that He loves me dearly. I also have a testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I know that it is only through Him that mankind can be saved. My testimony has brought me a great deal of peace and strength as I have gone through my experiences in this life.
Megan! answered...

A testimony is the knowledge that a certain principle is true, right, or good. For example, I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He did truly atone for our sins. In order to gain that knowledge, I have studied, reflected on what I learned in my study, and prayed to have that knowledge confirmed in my heart. As an answer to those prayers, (for there were many--building a testimony is an ongoing process) I have felt the truth in my heart.
We can gain testimonies of many principles. Another way is to put that principle into action, as sort of a test. In order to gain a testimony of prayer, we might try praying. To gain a testimony of the principle of tithing, we might try paying a full tithe. (10% of our income.) As we strive to live these principles, the Holy Ghost will confirm the truthfulness of them to our hearts. We will know that they are right; we will have a testimony of them.

Mormons also talk about "bearing testimony." This simply means to share the testimony we have gained with other people, either in a formal setting (like in church) or in a more informal setting (like in a conversation with a friend.)