Hi, I'm Anne

Wife. Mother. Baker. Photographer. Do-It-Yourself Enthusiast. Mormon.

About Me

I graduated from college in Human Development. People usually ask what that's all about and I say it's a mix between Biology and Psychology. I love learning about people and really enjoyed my major. I worked at PR firm after graduation for while and now I stay home and "develop humans" as we like to joke. My husband also teases that I don't really stay home much- I'm usually at a playdate, running an errand, or looking for treasures at the thrift store. I love to buy/sell/redo furniture. There's always a few pieces in my garage waiting to be swapped in.

Cooking is my passion and I can make a mean brownie or pan of lasanga. I love to try new things and figure out how to combine nutrition, variety, and frugality into delicious meals for my family.

I really believe that home can be a heaven on earth and I'm working on turning my bustling little house into my own piece of heaven, one project (and day) at a time.

Why I am a Mormon

Living the Gospel brings me peace and happiness- not momentary, but lasting joy. My family is my greatest treasure and knowing we can be together forever is such a blessing. I can't imagine my life without the Gospel of Jesus Christ and am grateful for the knowledge, relationships, and blessings it has brought to my family.

How I live my faith

I work with the children at Church and love it! They make me laugh, cry, and try to be better.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Joshua answered...

I am sexually attracted to other males. For awhile, I struggled with how a loving Heavenly Father could allow for me to be attracted to other males, and then ask me to abstain from same-sex relationships. However, as I have tried to deal with my attractions in a Christ-like manner, I have found that He really does love me. I have grown so much spiritually as I have learned to deal with my same-sex attractions. I now understand that everyone has challenges in this life. I am no different.

The Church has a high standard on morality. The only sexual relationships that are permitted are between a man and his wife. This may prove difficult for both people with same-sex and opposite-sex attractions. However, I believe that by obeying this law, we can gain greater peace and happiness. God does know what is best for us, and He gave us this law to bless us.

Same-sex marriage distorts what marriage is all about. It is based on the lie that because you are attracted to the same sex, you need to be in a same-sex relationship in order to be "true to yourself". Many members of the Church can testify that this is not true. Some have found peace and joy in celibacy, and others gone on to have faithful and fulfilling marriages. For a long time, I thought I couldn't get married, but the Lord has blessed me to develop a sexual attraction to a beautiful woman and we have a wonderful marriage.
Paul answered...

The Church considers homosexuality a sinful practice that is engaged in via the agency of the individuals involved. What I mean is that those who participate in homosexual activities make the choice to do so. No one is born gay as that would be contrary to God’s plan of happiness for His children. Nor would He (God) place someone on earth who was wholly incapable of keeping His commandment pertaining to sexual conduct. Our Heavenly Father has revealed that sex (all forms of intimate relations) are to be exercised only between a man and a woman who are legally married to one another and in no other forum. The genders of the two parties and the exclusivity of their participation in sexual activity is central to acceptable obedience to God’s commands in this area. Additionally the first commandment given to Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden was to “multiply & replenish the earth”. This important commandment is thwarted by homosexuality. While it is no secret that many (including members of the Church) struggle with feelings of same sex attraction this does not (nor will it) change what God has revealed. As a result the Church has (& will continue) spoken out on this subject all the while insisting that the “one man, one woman, married” paradigm is God’s design for the happiness & destiny of all of His children. As far as the importance of the topic goes it is certainly relevant as numerous members of the Church struggle with homosexual feelings or actions.

It is my understanding that as long as an individual does not act on homosexual feelings or tendencies (there’s the agency again/the ability to choose) and conducts himself or herself in accordance with God’s commands no disciplinary measures are taken and standing within the Church is maintained. Members who engage in homosexuality on the other hand face disciplinary measures that may restrict their membership in the Church or remove their membership altogether.

Many people are aware the Church has been active in causes that support marriage as a union between one man and one woman. This institution supports the traditional family composed of a father, a mother, and children. Since we believe the family to be the basic unit of society and the foundation upon which good communities and nations are built we are concerned with any institution that strikes against that model. Homosexuality and same-sex marriage is incompatible with our understanding of the plan God has for His children. A great summary of the Church’s view on families is encapsulated in The Family: A Proclamation to the World (on the Church web site)

Are Mormons Christians?

David answered...

Depends on whom you ask. If you ask a faithful Latter-day Saint, the answer will be "yes". The arguments that I've heard against our being Christian are that we believe in the Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ); we believe that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings with physical, glorified bodies of flesh and bone; we believe that Joseph Smith was called of God in our time as a prophet; etc. The short answer is "yes", we are Christians. I would even go so far as to say we are the only Christians; that is, we are the only church that Christ has given his priesthood authority. If a Christian is a disciple of Christ, then we are certainly striving to be Christians. Certainly, other churches help and serve in ways that are admirable. There are good people everywhere in the world. However, Heavenly Father is a God of order, not chaos. He has established one faith, one church, and one baptism. There are not several roads that lead to His Kingdom; there is one. We all can receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that we are on that one path that leads to eternal happiness.