Hi, I'm Rachel

I'm a Mormon. I'm a nurse. I'm a hockey player. Those three things pretty much define me.

About Me

I grew up in the church. In fact my great grandmother and grandmother joined the church together so I'm fourth generation in the church. The other big influence in my life has been sports. I started playing hockey when I was about 5 years old, just big enough to hold a stick. Hockey has provided me opportunities to travel around Australia as a player and as an official. What can I say except I'm a wee bit addicted to the sport.

I'm a nurse. I graduated from my nursing degree and was determined to never go back. Then I found my area of passion - intensive care. I began to realise there is so much I didn't know so back to school I went. After completing a graduate certificate, a Masters, I'm now planning my Doctorate and working on research projects. Education is such a huge focus for my family and this comes in part from the gospel.

Why I am a Mormon

While sport has been an integral part of my life, nothing has come close to the influence the gospel has had on my life. It wasn't till I was completing my first university degree, when I was doing my best to go against everything I had ever been taught that I found meaning and purpose to my life. At school I wasn't happy and no matter what I did I kept feeling lost. I was challenged by two friends to really read the Book of Mormon. As I was reading I found peace, I found answers, I found purpose.

I know that I am a unique daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me, I know that I have a purpose and a plan, I know that I am loved both by earthly parents and heavenly parents. I know this church is true, that it helps to guide me, strengthen me and support me.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

Mormons go on missions for many different reasons. I decided to go on a mission after I began working as a nurse. I had accepted a job in a small country hospital in Queensland after I had finished my degree. It was so different to everything I had experienced while I was doing my training and from what I had grown up with. I was homesick, I was lonely and I was wondering why I on earth I was in this place. I was just getting back into the habit of praying to my Father in Heaven, and after one particularly bad day, I was down on my knees and I asked Him why I was there. I would love to say the answer came like a lightening bolt but it didn't, it wasn't until a few nights later when I was up visiting friends that I woke early in the morning. I had dreamed that I was sitting in a flat, opposite a missionary and we were planning the day's activities. I knew then that the reason I was working in this country town was to prepare me for serving a mission.

It sounds like a selfish thing, to go on a mission for myself, but I learnt so much about myself. I learnt to stop relying on myself and to rely on my Saviour and my Heavenly Father. I was blessed to serve in my own country, to serve in regional and city areas. Serving a mission helped show me the love that the Lord has for all of His people, no matter where they are or who they are. Was it hard work, yes but was it worth it? Absolutely, it was something I have never regretted and something I will always cherish. It helped me become the person I am today and it continues to influence my life today.

How I live my faith

Its the little things I do to live my faith. Its about saying a blessing on the food even though I live alone. Its about staying close to my family, involving them in my life. Its about attending my meetings, participating in classes. Its about always remembering and seeing everyone as children of a Father in Heaven and then treating them like my family.

I'm involved in the youth program, specifically the young womens program. Its amazing to be able to spend time with these wonderful women. I am doubly lucky as my oldest niece attends so its extra special to be able to spend quality time with her.

What is the First Vision?

Rachel answered...

In short, a young man asked a question - "which church should I join?" He was confused with all the different religions, with so many people saying "this is true" and "that is true", people who had more education than he did, more learning and more experience. Who could he trust to find an answer? The one source that had promised to answer truthfully, the one source who had promised that all you need to do was ask.

That's what Joseph Smith did, he asked a question, and the response would change the world. The response wasn't just an answer but a witness that we have a Father in Heaven, the His Son Jesus Christ lives and that they are separate individuals who are concerned about us and want to ensure that, while we have the right to chose for ourselves, that we have a path to follow that will bring us joy in this life and eternal happiness.

Why are Mormons asked to donate 10% of their income to their Church?

Megan Cosgriff answered...

Latter Day Saints(Mormons) donate 10% of their income to the church because the Lord has commanded us too! In Proverbs 3:9 it says, "Honour the Lord with substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase." This is talking about tithing, tithing literally means one-tenth, which is 10%. So when the Lord commands us to donate one-tenth of our increase(income) that is what we do. If you look at Malachi 3:8-10 you will see that the Lord is asking for us to give him our tithes (10%) and in return he will open the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings, so many that we won't be able to contain them. Wouldn't you want to receive innumerable blessings for just giving Him 10% of your pay check? It seems like a pretty fair trade to me.