Hi, I'm Dee

I'm a Mormon. I was born in Omaha and joined the church almost forty years ago when there were not many members in the area.

About Me

I always knew I was supposed to be Mormon. When I was in grade school I was drawn to stories of the Mormon pioneers and especially the prophet Brigham Young. I did not personally know any Mormons until I was an adult and worked with a man that was Mormon. I started going to church and then I met my future husband who lived in the same apartment complex. Guess what? He turned out to be Mormon. The Lord placed those people in my path and I'm glad he did. I was baptiized many years ago and the gospel principles I have learned have helped me make the right decisions when I have been faced with tough decisions.

Why I am a Mormon

I love the family values and the virtuous ideals of the church. I feel it has helped me raise my children and now my grandchildren with the light of Christ shining in their eyes.

How I live my faith

I try to lose myself in service by doing something for someone else every day of the year. I am much happier when I am helping others and not worrying about myself. I have been blessed with a wonderful family and friends because of my association with the Mormon Church.

What do Mormons believe about family?

Dee answered...

The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has shown me how to be a good mother, wife, and grandmother by teaching me forever principles. Because I know that I can be with my family members forever I treat them differently and with more respect and love. We help each other and bouy each other up in times of trials. I know we are all Heavenly Father's children and can live with him again in Heaven.
Bradley. answered...

The family is a key component to support us in God's plan for gaining immortality and eternal life. All of God's children (all the inhabitants that lived, are living, and will live on Earth) are inseperably connected to each other, both (physically) by our Earthly families and (spiritually) by our Heavenly Father.

Families help us to understand our divine heritage. In this, life takes on purpose and meaning. Our immortal spirits were created by our Heavenly Father before Earthly existance, and we are directly connected to Him in this way. As a spiritual family, our collective purpose on Earth is to follow the commandments of God that lead us to live in heaven with Him again.

Our spirits need to progress, learn, and grow. In order to achieve that, Earthly existance was created as our test. Our Heavenly Father knew that being exposed to opposing forces on Earth was the only way for us to gain knowledge and wisdom.

However, we will not always choose righteousness, and so our Savior, Jesus Christ, is that great mediator to pay the debt of our mistakes. He is the only way by which we can be saved from our sins and transgressions. He is the ultimate example by which direction we need to live our lives. With the support of our earthly kin, we can learn from each other, serve each other, and strengthen our mortal weaknesses by being disciples of Christ. Our families are a gift from God, and we can be together forever.

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

Shannon answered...

Because the Lord commanded it for a period of time. It wasn't easy for those who practiced it. Many, even Brigham Young (the second prophet after the death of Joseph Smith) had difficulty accepting the revelation. It took a great deal of soul searching and personal submission and communion with God for many of those individuals to reconcile themselves to the practice of plural marriage.

Even in ancient times, when the practice was culturally accepted, plural marriage was difficult. Moses, Abraham, and many others who practiced plural marriage because of God's commandment all experienced personal challenges arising from their family situation. But sometimes life is such: God requires difficult things. The difficulties never seem appealing to us, but if we are faithful, we will find that God had reasons for the challenges He gave us.