Hi, I'm Shelly Anderson

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

No matter where life takes you, never give up, stand firm in what you believe. Above all remember who you are and what you stand for.

Why I am a Mormon

I know in my heart that the Lord loves us and so does our Heavenly Father. I feel the spirit tell me that this church is right and true. Everything about being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ has blessed my life and the lives of my family. I am a Mormon.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by helping in our Young Woman organization. We help them realize that they do not have to be of the world, that they can be pure and sweet and above all it is ok to keep their morals intact.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Elizabeth answered...

It's funny, I used to call the Mormon Church a cult too. I just didn't understand it.

Mormonism isn't weird or strange. Its members don't perform satanic rituals or brainwash teenage boys into walking around from door to door in suits and name tags (nor is anyone forced to -- everyone who chooses to serve a mission does so out of their own free will and choice).
I used to call Mormonism a cult because it seemed foreign and unfamiliar, which I deemed scary. The same thing happened to Jesus' first followers as well: they were accused of cult worship too! Others who understood little of what Mormons truly believe told me lies about so-called "practices" in the church which, in reality, were just made-up stories and falsehoods intended to give the church a bad name.
When it comes down to it, a lot of people just don't understand this church, and lies about it spread like wildfire. Mormons believe that Jesus is the Christ. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world, plain and simple.
Is that so weird or cultish?
Today, there are close to fourteen million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide, and more live outside of the United States than inside. That doesn't seem very cult-like to me!
Kevin answered...

I suppose that new and different things have always been a challenge for some. It seems possible that the New Testament Christians might also have been called a cult: they were few in number, taught new, or at least different, doctrines and were lead by strong, charismatic leaders (a study of the early apostles like Peter or Paul bears this out).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the Mormon church) follows the teachings of Jesus Christ as contained in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. We do not worship our founding prophet (Joseph Smith) or our current prophet (Thomas S. Monson). We teach that men are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrice on the cross and that as we strive to follow Him and keep His commandments, that redemption becomes personal.

If others persist in defining the Church as a cult, in spite of our rather obvious Christian beliefs and doctrines, then we will simply have to agree to disagree.

What are Mormon women like? Do Mormons believe in equality of men and women?

Angela answered...

Yes! We firmly believe that men and women are equal in the eyes of God and are given separate, but equally important responsibilities here on Earth. Men are given the power of the Priesthood, which allows them to do things for their families and others such as give blessings or baptize individuals. Women are given the sacred responsibility of bringing children into the world and to support their husbands with their responsibilities. Both parents are encouraged to teach gospel principles to their children together and to live in harmony with the Church.
This is not to say women are not encouraged to pursue educational endeavors or career opportunities. Each family is different, we are encouraged to pray and make decisions based on what is best for our families.
Every Mormon woman is different, but we all have something in common. We are all daughters of our Father in Heaven.