Hi, I'm Ann

"I belong to the Church to Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I believe in our Savior, Jesus Christ. I strive to follow Him.

About Me

At this point in my life, I am a wife, a mother of six, and a grandmother of ten. My favorite thing to do has always been having fun with and teaching my children ... and now my grandchildren too. I want to create memorable experiences and reserves of love.
I graduated from Brigham Young University as a registered nurse and worked for many years, focusing my experience in pediatrics and mother/baby care.
My hobbies have varied through the years ... making egg ornaments, photography, cooking, sewing, crafts, counted cross stitch, scrapbooking, ocean kayaking, gardening, hiking, biking, snorkeling, reading. There is seldom enough time. I love rocks and geology. I am presently totally involved with researching my Danish genealogy and indulge in it at every opportunity.

Why I am a Mormon

I think I have always believed in Jesus Christ. Since I was a small child I have felt this to be true. I felt His love and believed He was my Savior. I always wanted to do what was right... it was not hard for me.
When I was in High School in Columbus, Ohio, a missionary asked me if I knew that Jesus was my Savior. It bothered me that I only believed... so that night I prayed to know if Jesus was truly the Savior and Redeemer of the world, or if He was just a teacher, a prophet, a man with great philosophies for living. As I lay in bed thinking about it, all other ideas left my mind and I KNEW that Jesus is our Savior, the literal Son of God! I felt it with a strong conviction in my mind and in my heart. There were no doubts.
Another experience at this time in my life also filled me with a strong testimony of Christ. I was reading the Book of Mormon and praying to know if it testified of Christ and if it held the truths of His Gospel. Each day I gained a stronger knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ through the writings and teachings of the prophets of the Book of Mormon. I know that God and His Son Jesus Christ live and love me.... and you.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I studied and prayed and came to a knowledge of the truths of the Gospel of Christ for myself. I have lived by it's precepts and teachings and my life has been blessed overwhelmingly. I know this is His Church.

How I live my faith

The Gospel of Jesus Christ defines my life.
I try to live the teachings of His Gospel in all I do and serve my fellow sojourners on this earth.
Through the years I have worked in and been president of many church organizations: the teenagers, the children, the women. I have enjoyed teaching the Gospel in word and song. I even taught early morning seminary for 5 years. Recently I was chorister for the children's organization on Sundays. It was so fun.
When my children were in school, I volunteered in their classrooms and was active in the PTSA as committee chairs and vice presidents, worked in the Girl Scout and Boys Scout organizations and volunteered in sports and community theatre. There are so many ways to serve the Lord and help each other and the community.
At the present time I am the president of the women's organization of our church in our area. I also help in the temple in Spokane and volunteer as a family history consultant at the local genealogy library.
I have enjoyed every opportunity to serve the Lord and His children.

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?

Ann answered...

God has ordained that men hold the Priesthood and act in the name of Christ and under His direction to bless and serve others and preside over His Church. As a counterpart as a woman I have had many opportunities to lead in Christ's Church and bless the lives of others also. I have been the President of the Relief Society which is the women's organization, the Primary, which is the children's organization, and the young women's (teenage girls') organization. I have overseen programs, taught classes, and given prayers and talks in church meeting. I do not covet the responsibilities of the Priesthood as I have equal opportunities to serve.
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Kara answered...

Women don't hold the priesthood in the church, as this is a teaching that has come from Jesus Christ. However, women have such a significant role to play in the church that personally I have never felt that this is an issue I am concerned with or even think about. My husband and I are equal partners in our family, and the church has such respect and reverence for women and their role in the world. Women in the church also belong to what is called the 'Relief Society' it is one of the largest women's organisation in the world, and fills me with such a desire to serve and do good that when we meet together wherever I am in the world I feel so proud to be apart of it.

What are Mormon women like? Do Mormons believe in equality of men and women?

Kathy answered...

In 1776 the Declaration of Independence declared all men to be equal. However in 1830 when the Book of Mormon was published and the church established women and people of color still had no legal rights. The Book of Mormon declared 'Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one... (1 Ne 17:35) and '..black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile' (2 Nephi 26:33). Joseph taught and lived this. He authorized the Church's women's organization The 'Relief Society'.

When the church moved outside the U.S. borders, they created the State of Deseret with their own constitution which gave ALL adults the right to vote. The State of Deseret was later divided into US states. When the Woman's right to vote began in 1913, women had the right to vote in 4 states: Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and Utah.- all part of the original State of Deseret with their large Mormon populations. The Relief Society actively supported the Sufferage movement.

The church has always encouraged women to develop their skills and education. The Relief Society sent and paid the schooling for one of the first women at Medical School. Nothing has changed. Motherhood is emphasized because it can be a woman's greatest role - for children are our future. It can also be a woman's greatest joy. Jobs, looks, accomplishments etc will fade or be forgotten, but a loving close family won't, And thanks to grandchildren it will continue to expand.