Hi, I'm Krista

I'm a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I love hiking, camping, and being happy. I'm a physical therapy student. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in a small town in the midwest and never in my wildest dreams imagined I would end up in a big city, let alone one of the hottest places in the country, but you never know where life will take you. I'm a full-time physical therapy grad student, looking forward to the day when I can help people work through the physical challenges they may face. I'm a proud aunt and am at my very happiest when I am with those kids and the rest of my family! They make me so grateful for the knowledge that families can be together forever because there is no one I'd rather be with than mine. Home really is where the heart is for me and I look forward to the day when I have a family of my own. When I'm not studying, I stay busy enjoying the sunshine and the hiking trails the southwest provides in abundance. I grew up playing volleyball and basketball and play either any chance I get, or any other game for that matter! My creative side loves making cards for my family and friends. And I'll always be a small town girl at heart and that part of me loves rodeos and country music! :)

Why I am a Mormon

When I was 20 years old, my best friend in all the world, my Mom, passed away unexpectedly. I was a sophomore in college living away from home and it turned my life upside down. I returned home, took a semester off of school, and really didn't know where to go from there. My brother and sister-in-law knew that I was feeling pretty lost, so they recommended a change. They were both Mormon and suggested I go to Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) where they had both went to school and met. I'm not sure exactly what made me take the complete leap of faith and move across the country to go to school in a little town in Idaho, but I did and it was a choice that has forever changed my life.
I left my family, moved in with five Mormon girls who I didn't know in Idaho. My second day there, I got sicker than I had ever been in my life. I couldn't leave my room, let alone go to any of my classes. I was a complete stranger to my roommates, yet they completely took care of me and even talked to my instructors for me. Once I got better, I started to get to know my amazing roommates, the missionaries (who my brother had sent over to meet with me to answer any questions) and began attending Church with my roommates. The darkest moment of my life finally started to fade, and light and happiness started to enter back in. My Mom had always taught me that God existed and that I could pray to him. Through the teachings at Church, I was able to learn so much more and get closer to my Heavenly Father than I ever had been before. I found incredible comfort and gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I gained an understanding that the Savior atoned for each of our sins so that we might return to Him along with our families to be together forever! I know without a doubt that I will be with my Mom again one day and that knowledge is priceless to me. Becoming a Mormon has brought so much happiness into my life, for which I'll always be grateful.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by trying my best each day to faithfully live the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I look for ways to love, serve, and ease the burdens of others around me. My Mom taught me a long time ago that I "may be the only Bible some people ever read." I'm far from perfect, but try my best to let others see just a glimpse of God's love for them through me.

What is the Book of Mormon?

Ben answered...

We believe in a loving Father in Heaven who desires all of his children to have His precious word. "Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?" (2 Nephi 29:7).

Of course, with any thing concerning God, it is important to find out, personally, if the work is true. What better source can we trust than God Himself? Through prayer we can know, independently of anyone else, where the truth lies concerning any matter.

In the introduction to the Book of Mormon we read: "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost." I testify that this pattern of revelation is true. If we take the time to study it out in our minds, ponder upon the truth and ask God, in faith with desire to act upon our answer, that we will receive. He has answered me, and He will answer you when you ask in faith.
Scott answered...

It is my conviction that if one simply examines the patterns and information given about holy writ in general that they ought to be inclined to ask and pray about whether or not the Book of Mormon is inspired. I say this because the Book of Mormon is not just a book of prayers or ethical teachings. The Book of Mormon is a historical record that has a deep and powerful impact on millions of people every single day. Religion aside, a book as influential and striking as the Book of Mormon is worth the investigation of anyone genuinely seeking truth. There are very few books that have entire study manuals, curriculum, books, thesis papers, scientific research, grammatical and literary research, live performances, and general discussion entirely about its content. The Bible might be the only other thing with as much extensive literature and documentation pertaining to its writings and doctrines. The Book of Mormon is at the very least intriguing when supplemented with archeological finds, external historical information, unique writing patters such as chiasmus, and overall literary competency and beauty found within the writing. From a non-religious stand point it is impressive, but from a religious perspective it is life changing. To have a testimony of a thing is powerful, but to hinge an entire belief system on 530 pages is another thing. To be so emotionally and spiritually connected to a thing is powerful, but when that thing is a book - that book must be something more than just written words. That book must be something inspired by God, preserved by His hand, and prepared by His grace. I believe that the Bible is one of those books. I also believe that the Book or Mormon is one of those books. There is no proving the Book of Mormon just like there is no proving the Bible. We believe that the teachings and doctrines found in the pages of the old and new testament are real and trustworthy. We cannot explain how, except perhaps the mercies and merit of God, the Bible was preserved for our days. But though we cannot explain it, we simply know it. If you ask any latter-day saint to prove the Book of Mormon to be true, they will simply reply that they cannot prove it, but they know it to be true. One should not demand evidence for the bible, they should read it study it and pray to know if it is true. It is the same for the Book of Mormon. Now the interesting thing about the Book of Mormon is that it something that you can feel, see, test, and try. It is real and tangible. I am confident that if anyone who is level headed and reasonable reads what is in the Book of Mormon and then simply asks if it is true that they will have a profound feeling come over them. But this feeling cannot come if there is an ulterior agenda for the reader. If you don't want it to be true or want to find flaws and errors in the text then you certainly will not obtain this profound feeling. You have to grant the fact that all things are indeed possible with God, and that he certainly could provide something more to draw us even closer to his will. Think of the Book of Mormon like the New Testament to the Jews. During the time of Paul and Peter, the Jews were very set in their ways. They had the Old Testament, and that was all that they felt that they needed for salvation. There was no mention of 12 apostles or a New Testament in the Old Testament; it was doctrines that were added upon to bring Gods children even closer to him. To say that the Bible is all that is needed is to say exactly what the Jews said about the teachings of Paul and the apostles. Must we be so quick to limit Gods ability to speak to us? Is it not a blessing to have more of his written word? I can understand a skeptic of The Book of Mormon. Many and man has tried to con the world into believing his new religion. But that is simply not the case with Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I challenge anyone to read unbiased biographies about Joseph Smith and his character. Read the entries of the people who knew him and what they thought about his life and motives. What you will find is not a usurper or power, nor a charlatan, but rather an amazing individual whose life was taken in the pursuit of preaching revealed doctrines. The Book of Mormon is something that people have sacrificed their entire lives for. Its teachings have a daily effect of millions of people worldwide. Its doctrines bring peace and Joy to the hearts of the humble and faithful. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I have to doubt of that.

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Greg answered...

After I joined the Mormon Church I learned about the importance of families. Not long after that I realized that if I was going to follow this teaching I needed to tell my father that I loved him. That was very difficult for me since my dad and I argued so much. I spent the better part of 2 weeks trying to determine how I could do this. When the time came I found that the words came more easily than I had thought. From that point to the time he died, about 22 years later, he and I had an entirely different relationship. We were now friends. And I found how much I regretted all our arguments while growing up. And now I find that I miss him and more fully understand how important our families are.