Hi, I'm Valerie

I'm a wife and Mom. I have five sons and a wonderful husband. I grew up in California. I now live in Utah. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My husband and I are raising five sons together. Our oldest is serving a mission for the Church. We have another son who is attending college. Our other three sons are still at home. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, writing, volunteering, cooking healthy meals and jogging. My husband just bought me a road bike for my birthday and I am looking forward to biking with him. We all love being outdoors together. We have beautiful mountains in our area and enjoy hiking and exploring in nature. We have a black Labrador retriever Kona who loves to hike with us.
I currently serve in the women's organization in our church. It gives me the opportunity to get to know the wonderful women who live in my area. I also like to sing in the choir at church. Music is a big part of my life.
I also enjoy getting involved in local politics and learning about issues that affect my family and community. I like to stay informed and up to date with current events.
I have lots of family in the area where I live so we are always getting together to celebrate something. Family is very important to me. We enjoy hosting family dinners and other activities in our home.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born into a Mormon family, and my parents taught me the gospel of Jesus Christ from the day I was a small child. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel born of study and prayer. That testimony grows stronger every day of my life. I gain strength from the scriptures and from the fellowship of others around me. I am so grateful for my Savior and all that He did for me. His atonement made it possible for me to repent daily and become a better person.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons go on missions?

As members of the Church we are so grateful for the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We wish to share that good news with everyone. This desire in us inspires us to let those around us know that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be happy.
I served a mission in Santiago Chile several years ago. This helped me see that there are good and wonderful people all over the world. I made many good friends and was able to teach the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ individuals and families there. It was one of the richest experiences of my life.
Now that my son is on a mission for the church I can understand what he is going through. I am able to write him letters and encourage him.
Being a missionary is tough, but it is worth it to be able to reach many people and teach them about Jesus Christ.

How I live my faith

I volunteer in our church women's organization in our area. Our organized group has a purpose. It is to give aid, comfort, relief and inspiration to women and families. I am a visiting teacher, which means I visit and deliver an inspirational message to certain sisters in my worship group. I help or give service when needed. I have a partner that visits with me. We take turns coordinating the visits. I also have some sisters who visit me and try to be aware of any needs I might have.
I also enjoy singing in the choir in our worship group.
This participation helps me stay focused on what is really important in my life. It helps me prioritize my activities and keeps me focused outward through service to others.

What is the Word of Wisdom that Mormons talk about?

Valerie answered...

We believe that our bodies are temples and they are special gifts that our Heavenly Father has given us. The Word of Wisdom is a code of health that spells out the substances that should not be taken into our bodies. It also tells us what foods we should eat. It promises that we will be given special blessings if we keep this law of health.
I feel that I have been spiritually and temporally blesses by living this law. I am so grateful for this earth and the foods it produces. I love eating a juicy tomato fresh from the garden. There's just something about growing your own food that makes you appreciate all that our Heavenly Father has given us. I know that we will be blessed if we eat a healthy diet and take good care of our bodies.
Mark answered...

The word of wisdom is the Lord's law of health. We abstain from drugs, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and tea, and are encouraged to eat wholesome food and grains, and not eat excessive meat. I am asked all of the time by my fellow residents at the hospital why I don't drink coffee, and how I can stay awake all night on call without it. I don't consider it a sacrifice, though, and am as awake and perform as well as any. It is true that the body will be more healthy when following the word of wisdom, the but the main benefit is spiritual. The knowledge that you are in line with the the Lord's teaching is the most important thing.

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

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.