Hi, I'm Mary

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a missionary! In reality, that's enough said, but here's a bit more. I enjoy hiking, camping, quading, kayaking, soccer - pretty much any activity out of doors - and reading. I spend most of my free time in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains. I graduated with my bachelors degree in 2011-woot woot.

Why I am a Mormon

We have a Father in Heaven who loves us and wants us to live with Him again. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to live and die for our sins and sorrows. It is that simple. Jesus Christ loves us enough that He came to this earth to make up for our mistakes. He rose again so that we can also conquer death and return to our Heavenly Father and live with our families again. Our Savior is the same yesturday, today, and forever. And because He loves us He has once again called prophets to speak to His followers. He has given us the Book of Mormon to know how we can be cleansed from our sins and become more like our Savior. This is why I am a Mormon; because this is true, through and through. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Through Joseph Smith Jesus Christ restored His church to the earth. I am a Mormon because I have come to know this that this is true.

Personal Stories

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

In so many ways! Sometimes it is through other people that my prayers are answered. Or I get a feeling to go this way and then I receive an answer. When I started my mission, I prayed for love. I asked Heavenly Father to help me love those that I am serving; to love everyone around me. And it worked!!! I have found that I truly love people before I even talk to them or really get to know them. Love is a gift from Heavenly Father and through prayer I was able to have that gift. It has made me a better missionary. I know that every prayer is answered. Maybe not in our time or in our way, but in God's time and in God's way. He knows us better than we know ourselves and He knows what we need. He loves us and He hears and answers our prayers.

How I live my faith

I have taught children, teenagers, and adults. It is all the same information - the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth and we can have joy and peace in our lives. I study the scriptures and listen to the prophet that Christ has called to lead His church. I pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true. I pray for guidance, expecting an answer and doing my best to follow the guidance given. I live my faith by practicing it.

What is the priesthood?

Mary answered...

The priesthood is the authority to act in God's name. While Jesus Christ was on the earth He gave His apostles the authority to conduct His church in His absense. The correct authority is always necessary...think about the Ice Cream Truck man pulling you over and trying to give you a ticket...not the correct authority. On the other hand, imagine the Highway Patrol Officer pulling you over and trying to give you a ticket...the correct authority. The correct authority is so important.
That same authority that Jesus Christ gave His apostles has been restored to the earth. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by that authority. All male members of the Church who prepare themselves are able to recieve that preisthood authority.
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Ethan answered...

I like to approach questions by looking at the words of things

"priest" has reference to either the concept of one who leads, one who is elder, or one who is holy I like to remember that the words 'holy' and 'whole' are linked by a common ancestry. When something is 'holy' it's essentially saying that it's complete, that it's healthy..

And "-hood" makes reference to the state of being, and not just any state of being but a state of being that's worthy or correct for it's placement. That is, that it's done properly.

So one could say the priesthood is leadership or a point of reference that's completely suited to the position in which it's been placed.

Another way to look at it is to say it's God's perfect order. That is, it's God's perfect arrangement.

In our Church we often give a definition of priesthood as being "the authority to act in God's name" and that's exactly what it means to be a part of God's perfect order. If God commands something to be done by you, and you do it, then you are acting under, and with that portion of God's authority that he's permitted you to exercise within his perfect order.

Just as with any instance where someone tries to act in the name of someone else there are bound to be those who try and do so falsely. That's why God has things ordered in such a way that one can know for certain if someone has His God's authority, or not.

Who is the Mormon prophet today?

Amber answered...

President Thomas S. Monson is our current prophet. He is called of God to receive revelation for us today. I am grateful for living prophets and apostles to lead and guide us in this troubled world. I know that they are called of God, and if we follow their counsel we will be happy.