Hi, I'm Mary-Kate

I'm a loving, friendly, artistic, creative, outgoing, goofy, perfectly imperfect young lady and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a Californian, born and raised! I am a convert to the church and on October 26, 2011 it will be seven months since I've joined the church. My missionaries were Elder Saager and Elder Malietoa and even though they've moved on in their mission and one has even finished his mission. I am still very very close to both of them and I love them both with all my heart.
I come from a very rough background and a broken family/home. But I take it as a great learning experience and I try to put it to the test by making it so I can help others since I have experienced so much in my short years that I have been on this earth in this mortal form. So far I seem to be doing a great job by creating eternal friendships and bonds with people in the church I have taken into my lives and formed a true family with. Along with the amazing missionaries I have met so far on this journey home.
A little about me in more of a simple form. I love to draw, play/listen/make/sing/write music and I love to write. I'm very friendly, goofy, loving and caring. I love animals and nature, especially when it's fall. I really want to make a difference in the world and inspire and encourage as much as the wonderful people in my life have inspired me.
I absolutely adore Missionary work and Missionaries themselves. Whenever I am presented the opportunity to talk to and get to know the elders or sisters I grab it immediately. I love this church and I know it's true.

Why I am a Mormon

The church was placed in my life during a period of time where I was struggling a lot with my depression, anxiety and family/friends. I felt as if I had hit rock bottom, with nothing left to live for and nothing was helping me feel motivated or even worth being around for. Fortunately enough, I had one friends that I could really count on and her name is Savannah. She brought me to her church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that it where I found true happiness. That is where I met the missionaries and finally felt the love of our Heavenly Father. I can't very much say why I am a Mormon, but I can say that it was the best choice I have ever made in my entire existence, right next to deciding to follow our Father in Heaven and come down to earth to take on his presented challenge.
Even though I can not quite give you a reason to WHY, I can give you this.
http://eyesofaconvert.blogspot.com/
This is the ling to my blog where I have decided to share my story of my conversion and my experiences of living my first year ever as a member of this true church. Feel free to read, share with others and follow. I really hope that it makes a difference and a positive impact on your life like it has had on mine and several others so far.

Personal Stories

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

Just the week before I went this church for the first time ever, I prayed to Heavenly Father. Asking Him if he could help me, if there was some way for him to reach out to me and find true happiness. I wanted him to help me want to live again and give me motivation to actually stand up, brush myself off, put on a sincere smile and move on. Since I didn't feel like I could do it without Him, I asked him to send something my way and help me make the change that I so badly needed and wanted to make in my life. Then less then a week later, I was in the Del Cerro ward of this church with my best friend Savannah. That very day was the answer to my prayers and the start of a whole new beginning and journey. Heavenly Father continues to this day to answer my prayers by helping me become the person I want to be and growing as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But this was the first time I ever experienced our Father in Heaven answering my prayers.

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

When I first heard of Joseph Smith, I knew that I definitely wanted to learn more. I wanted to know more and I wanted to learn fast! The love that I have for Joseph Smith and the love that I have to learn more and as much as I can about him. The work that he put towards making the restoration of the Gospel happen and to spread the word as much as he can really touches my heart and I really cannot wait until the day that I can meet him in Heavenly Father's Kingdom.

How I live my faith

I've only been a member for a little over half of a year, so far I have not been able to do a lot regarding my calling and teachings. But I have recently just received my first calling ever as ward communicator specialist and that is the very first of many. I haven't done much but I am looking forward to the opportunity to do as much as I can to contribute to this amazing church that I love so much!

What is done with the tithing that Mormons pay?

Mary-Kate answered...

Tithing that members pay only go towards the expansion and growth of our church and it's community. With the 10 percent of our paychecks that we pay, we are able to help pay for the Gospel to be spread even further around the world by having our money go towards missionary funds, temple construction, education, and use for anything within the church that money is needed for. By using every bit of the contribution that every member is hopefully giving, we are able to grow and help out members of the church, potential members of the church and share the Gospel everywhere around the world. It also helps build charity within the member that is giving their money towards tithing!
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Lot answered...

The money received from members in the form of tithing goes directly to the headquarters of the church where a council decides what will be done with the money. Here are some ways in which the tithing funds are used:
1. Build, maintain, and operate temples, meetinghouses, and other buildings.
2. Provide operating funds for stakes, wards, and other units of the Church. (These units use the funds to carry out the ecclesiastical programs of the Church, which include teaching the gospel and conducting social activities.)
3. Help the missionary program.
4. Educate young people in Church schools, seminaries, and institutes.
5. Print and distribute lesson materials.
6. Help in family history and temple work.

*It is important to note that tithing funds are not used to pay leaders of the church. All leaders of the church are volunteers and receive no form of pay.

What is the Book of Mormon?

Scott answered...

It is my conviction that if one simply examines the patterns and information given about holy writ in general that they ought to be inclined to ask and pray about whether or not the Book of Mormon is inspired. I say this because the Book of Mormon is not just a book of prayers or ethical teachings. The Book of Mormon is a historical record that has a deep and powerful impact on millions of people every single day. Religion aside, a book as influential and striking as the Book of Mormon is worth the investigation of anyone genuinely seeking truth. There are very few books that have entire study manuals, curriculum, books, thesis papers, scientific research, grammatical and literary research, live performances, and general discussion entirely about its content. The Bible might be the only other thing with as much extensive literature and documentation pertaining to its writings and doctrines. The Book of Mormon is at the very least intriguing when supplemented with archeological finds, external historical information, unique writing patters such as chiasmus, and overall literary competency and beauty found within the writing. From a non-religious stand point it is impressive, but from a religious perspective it is life changing. To have a testimony of a thing is powerful, but to hinge an entire belief system on 530 pages is another thing. To be so emotionally and spiritually connected to a thing is powerful, but when that thing is a book - that book must be something more than just written words. That book must be something inspired by God, preserved by His hand, and prepared by His grace. I believe that the Bible is one of those books. I also believe that the Book or Mormon is one of those books. There is no proving the Book of Mormon just like there is no proving the Bible. We believe that the teachings and doctrines found in the pages of the old and new testament are real and trustworthy. We cannot explain how, except perhaps the mercies and merit of God, the Bible was preserved for our days. But though we cannot explain it, we simply know it. If you ask any latter-day saint to prove the Book of Mormon to be true, they will simply reply that they cannot prove it, but they know it to be true. One should not demand evidence for the bible, they should read it study it and pray to know if it is true. It is the same for the Book of Mormon. Now the interesting thing about the Book of Mormon is that it something that you can feel, see, test, and try. It is real and tangible. I am confident that if anyone who is level headed and reasonable reads what is in the Book of Mormon and then simply asks if it is true that they will have a profound feeling come over them. But this feeling cannot come if there is an ulterior agenda for the reader. If you don't want it to be true or want to find flaws and errors in the text then you certainly will not obtain this profound feeling. You have to grant the fact that all things are indeed possible with God, and that he certainly could provide something more to draw us even closer to his will. Think of the Book of Mormon like the New Testament to the Jews. During the time of Paul and Peter, the Jews were very set in their ways. They had the Old Testament, and that was all that they felt that they needed for salvation. There was no mention of 12 apostles or a New Testament in the Old Testament; it was doctrines that were added upon to bring Gods children even closer to him. To say that the Bible is all that is needed is to say exactly what the Jews said about the teachings of Paul and the apostles. Must we be so quick to limit Gods ability to speak to us? Is it not a blessing to have more of his written word? I can understand a skeptic of The Book of Mormon. Many and man has tried to con the world into believing his new religion. But that is simply not the case with Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I challenge anyone to read unbiased biographies about Joseph Smith and his character. Read the entries of the people who knew him and what they thought about his life and motives. What you will find is not a usurper or power, nor a charlatan, but rather an amazing individual whose life was taken in the pursuit of preaching revealed doctrines. The Book of Mormon is something that people have sacrificed their entire lives for. Its teachings have a daily effect of millions of people worldwide. Its doctrines bring peace and Joy to the hearts of the humble and faithful. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I have to doubt of that.