Hi, I'm Cheryl

I grew up in Aliquippa Pennsylvania. I am a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My husband and I have been married for 35 years. We have four children and five grandchildre. I enjoy being a grandma, travel, going to concerts with my family, and impromptu get togethers. I am eager to resume quilting and scrapbooking. Most of all I love to read and discuss books and ideas with others. Oh, yes, and talking on the phone to my sisters who live back East along with my children and friends. I just like to talk. Although deaf in my right ear, I love music. My kitchen mop becomes my dance partner or mic stand, depending on the song, since one of the basics for cleaning is having a song in my heart.
I grew up with amazing people as my parents and grandparents. My grandparents were immigrants who went through Ellis Island. My parents came of age during the depression and World War Two. They taught me stamina. I love my fmaily very much.

Why I am a Mormon

I was baptized when I was 22 years old. I am still the only member in my family. The first time I went to church I felt something very special and warm. Later I could name it. It was a feeling of coming home. I had to make a tough decision early; whether to marry in the temple where none of my family could participate or do what I knew my Heavenly Father wanted me to. My husband and I married in the Washington D.C. Temple with my parents and sister waiting outside. That was the best decision I ever made. I love the temple and the strength it gives me. Since families can be together forever and I love my family, this doctrine and this place is is most precious to me. Prayer, scripture study, attending meetings still give me that feeling that I am home.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

Family History is our opportunity to reach back and come to love and respect those who have passed away. We want to remember who we are and part of that is who we came from. Actually, once you begin researching your own family line, you will find that assembling your family tree is facinationg and other things not so facinating, like dinner and ironing may go by the wayside! As Church members we have a special message and take opportunity to share this. Even those who left this life have the opportunity to know of Jesus Christ and make their own decisions if they will follow his gospel. To extend these blessings to them, members will receive the fullness of the blessings in proxy for those who no longer can do it for themselves. We as members weld that family chain, link by llink, so that no one is forgotten or left behind. Temple service is a labor of love.

How I live my faith

I am a visiting teacher to the most wonderful women in the ward. I also teach the totally awesome12 year olds in Sunday School. I LOOOOOVE Family History, whether mine or someone elses! I get overwhelmed with grand plans so I have my goals of reading the scrptures and praying every chance I get. I look for opportunities to bless someones life whether it is to help a woman older than myself load her groceries or smile at a child. I just try to live as if I walked with my Savior everyday and he saw my actions.

Why are only some Mormons allowed into temples? Is there something secret going on in Mormon Temples? What goes on in Mormon Temples?

Cheryl answered...

Anyone can attend the temple. You must qualify with the bishop of your ward and obtain a recommend which is then signed by another Church authority serving in the Stake Presidency. You will find this recommend is given to baptized members who follow the teachings of the prophets found both in times past and these latter days. The opportunity is there for anyone who is willing and obedient. The temple workings and it's blessings are sacred, not secret. I hold them in highest reverence. Many things in our lives are sacred Perhaps it's the first time you held your newborn child, or the whispered conversationof a loved one who passes away. We wouldn't want these precious things spoken about in casual conversation. so it is with the blessing and teachings one recieves in the temple. However, the grounds and the visitor centers are imbued with the peace which is found in the temple. Everyone is welcome to enjoy thid aspect of the temple. Come and see!!
Don answered...

Recently I taught a Sunday School lesson about the Apostle Paul who was cast into jail because of being falsely accused of taking non-jews into the holy parts of the ancient temple. The penalty for doing so was death. It caused me to think of the sacredness of the temple, and that people throughout history have gone through a preparation process in order to approach God through temple worship.

In our time, both members of the church and non-members who have not prepared are turned away from the sacred parts of the temple not because of secrets, but rather due to the sacred nature of the temple and the preparation required to go there. Anyone can go to the temple, given they prepare themselves and demonstrate that preparation in a visit with those responsible for qualifying persons for entrance to the temple.

I love the peace that comes from being in the temple, having prepared myself to approach the Lord in His house. I feel His Spirit there. I am grateful that others who are there have prepared themselves in the same way.

Anyone who wants to know more about the nature of the temples can ask any missionary what it takes to qualify to go there. My personal experience and witness is that it is worth qualifying oneself and experiencing the beauty and peace that is constantly there.

Are Mormons Christians?

Lily answered...

YES. Yes yes yes. What is a Christian? A Christian is a person that believes in Jesus Christ, and believes that Christ did in fact die for us so that we can repent and return to live with him again. He is our Savior and Redeemer. We pray and we worship in the name of Jesus Christ. He is the center of our faith. Jesus Christ is my Savior. He died for me. He loves me. He is my hero, and he is my best friend.