Hi, I'm Helen

I am a convert and now I am so happy that I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was raised in the Congregational Church until I was 10. I was then in the Unitarian Church until I went into the Women's Army Corps at age 19. The man I married was a Southern Baptist. All along, since I was young, I had questions that I asked our current pastor. The answers that I received were not totally satisfying me and it left me hungry to know the truth. My husband and I had 5 children. Two died shortly after birth and we got to raise 3 of them. I finally was baptized in the Southern Baptist church but still had unanswered questions. A friend introduced our family to some Mormon missionaries. During our discussions with the missionaries, all of my questions were answered and when I prayed about it, I received confirmation that this church was Christ's restored to the earth and that it was the true church. Every question that I ever had about God was answered! We were baptized and then several years later, my husband and I were sealed together, along with our 5 children, for time and all eternity!
I am now widowed and living in assisted living. My faith grows stronger every day!

Why I am a Mormon

Every question that I ever had about God was answered to my satisfaction. After knowing all that I do about who I am, where I came from, why I am here and where do I go after death, I could not be anything else!
I know that this church is true. I know that Christ lives and that he heads this church. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that we have a living prophet of the Lord on the earth today. I bear you my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

How I live my faith

There is another member here at my assisted living building. We get together once a week for a short message and some fun and treats. We go to church and I send the announcements and a short spiritual message with 4 sisters by mail. I read my scriptures daily and try to uplft peoples spirits whenever I can.

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

Steve answered...

We do not know why some people are attracted to others of the same gender. Is it the way they were born or is it a choice? We simply don't know.

What we do know is that everyone is a spirit child of God, and that He loves all his children. We should love EVERY man or woman who walks the earth, and reserve judgment for our Heavenly Father, who knows and understands all his creations.

At the same time, God has revealed his will on many matters through his servants the prophets. Through them, we know that sexual relations between any but a man and woman, legally and lawfully married, is displeasing to Him. Just as unmarried men and women should remain morally clean, so should those who feel attracted to others of the same gender.
Mary answered...

I have many homosexual friends, and I have best friends who are gay rights activists. They know my stand on same-sex marriage, and I know theirs, but guess what? We are still friends. I hope you and I can be friends too, as I try to explain a portion of what I feel about the issue of same-sex marriage.

According to principles that I believe were established by God to protect both men and women and provide for their temporal and eternal welfare, only marriage between a man and woman is allowed. This marriage must entail complete fidelity from both parties. Just as post-marital sexual desires and impulses should be controlled, pre-marital ones are equally tameable.

The LDS Church penalizes no one based on their sexual orientation. What someone feels is not equal to what they do. Once someone acts on same-sex attraction, they are committing sin. Merely being attracted is not a sin. It is not easy or simple or enjoyable to suppress one's physical appetites. Frankly, I'm not even sure of all the reasons it is commanded that we do so (though I know of the basic reasons). What I do know (and believe me when I say I do know this) is that God has ordained marriage between man and woman. He always has reasons, and we usually don't understand them for quite some time. But I know with all my heart that it is for the good of all people, regardless of sexual orientation, that marriage only be permited between a man and a woman.

What do Mormons believe about the nature of God?

Kathleen answered...

This question is easily answered in the words of one of the children's songs "I know my [Heavenly] Father lives, and loves me too". We believe in a loving God, who knows us each individually. Another way I know that God loves me because he has heard and answered my prayers many times. Some people think that God is angry, but I do not believe that is so. Matthew 7:11 reads, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to those that ask him?" I think that just explains it all- as parents we want the best for our children. God, our Heavenly parent, wants the best for us, too. As parents, we recognize that giving our children everything they ask for isn't necessarily what's best for them. God does this for us also.