Hi, I'm Kate

I've just returned from working in an orphanage in Uganda. I'm a recent college graduate. I'm a ballroom dancer. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I just graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Health Science. I've been living in Uganda for the summer working in health education, and in orphanages. I am now back in my beautiful Seattle preparing to go to nursing school. I was born with a genetic disorder called Moebius Syndrome which comes with facial paralysis so I can't smile. It's been a difficult road for me, but I am so grateful to have the love and support of my family and friends and church members to help me to feel loved and accepted. Most of all, I've been able to depend on my Heavenly Father for guidance and understanding of my trials, and now I can honestly say that it is one of the greatest blessings in my life. I have been able to experience what it's like to be instantly judged as someone who is grumpy or sad, rather than who I really am: Someone who loves to make friends and be happy! Because of this understanding, I have been blessed with the ability to relate to others who are struggling in this sense, and to work toward becoming like my Savior by reaching out to others who are in need. I have come a long way, and still have a long journey to make, but I know that if I keep my hand in the hand of my Brother, Jesus Christ, I will be able to conquer anything in my path, with a smile.

Why I am a Mormon

I was fortunate enough to be born into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After living in Uganda, I have really realized what a blessing that is! Although I have always been a member, I decided that I needed to find out for myself if this church is true or not. I had always relied on the testimony of my parents, but I decided it was time to know for myself. I struggled for a year with reading The Book of Mormon a few times on my own, and really studying what the doctrine of this gospel was all about. It was at one of the lowest points of my life, that I decided to be like Joseph Smith, and go out into nature, away from all the distractions of the world, having done my part in reading the scriptures, and then ask the Lord if the Book of Mormon was true. I have never felt a more intense feeling of peace in my entire life. I got a very strong message from the Holy Ghost telling me that in fact, I already knew the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true all along! I knew it because I could see every day the joy and peace it brings to my family and I. I can see daily, in the choices that I make, that the Lord gives us guidelines to give us the best lives possible, free of the worldly things that so easily bind us. I am a Mormon because I know that I have the chance every Sunday to partake of the sacrament and be clean and pure again, and that when I make mistakes, my Savior is there to help me to become better, and that I can wash away the sins I have made so that I can return to him again. I know that Jesus Christ loves me, personally, enough to give me every opportunity possible to come back to him. I am a Mormon because I want to be with my family forever. I am a Mormon because I know it is the true gospel of Jesus Christ restored on the earth so I can return to my Father in Heaven. I am a Mormon because I need the daily peace and reassurance the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings to my life.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by helping missionaries to find people who are interested in hearing about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I try to be a good example to others so that they will know that I am striving to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am assigned two women in my church to go an check up on and deliver a message to monthly, as her "visiting teacher". I also live my faith by reading my scriptures and praying daily and going to our temple in Bellevue as much as I can, and by babysitting children of couples who wish to go to the temple as well. I volunteer at the local soup kitchen and in rehabilitation programs, because I want to give back to my Heavenly Father because of all the blessings he has given me, and I know that the only way I can serve God is by serving my fellow brothers and sisters.

What is the role of the husband and the wife in the family?

Jocelyn answered...

The role of husband and wife in the family is to first and foremost love each other! Wow, revolutionary!!!
I have found that when there is love and complete commitment between my husband and I, there is no problem that we cannot face together. It is much easier to teach the children with love and to handle life's challenges.
My husband and I are equals. I feel loved, respected, and appreciated by him. I hope he feels the same things from me.
Katie answered...

Husband and wife in a marriage are meant to be equal, partners. The husband is the head of the household and is responsible for the temporal welfare of his family. His role is to support his wife. The wife is also to support her husband and to nurture her family both spiritually and emotionally. Husband and wife are meant to work side by side in providing a safe haven from the world for their family. Their roles are different, but equally important and essential to building the family and the community.

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

Maia Lynay Rodriguez answered...

Many of the prophets of the old testament practiced plural marriage under Gods direction; among them Abraham, Issac, Jacob, David and Solomon. It is an ancient practice. I know that God only allows it's use under his authorization. There have been instances, one in the Book of Mormon to be exact (Jacob 2:27-30) where God has condemned the practice. Given the fact that God has, throughout history, alternately prescribed and condemned the practice I believe that it is a situational doctrine where God, having all of the information, and us not having it all, reserves the right to make a judgment call, taking all things into consideration, and either prescribes it or ends its use, basing his decision on the needs of the moment and all other factors involved. So the answer to this question is that the church practiced polygamy because God prescribed it at that time, and we don't anymore because God revealed that the practice was to be discontinued. When plural marriage was practiced only a handful of men were selected by God to participate. It was, by far, not practiced by all men or women in the church. The ones who participated were obeying a commandment from God, not necessarily seeking out the practice.