Hi Larissa..great post. My brother and I were introduced to the church when we were teenagers. I had been going to a simple church with a friend and really enjoyed it. The youth leader asked if I would like to be baptized so I talked with my parents about it. That's when they decided that my brother and I needed to be baptized in the Mormon church. I really wish they had raised us in the church because there's so many things I don't understand about the church and I never felt a connection. My dad was raised LDS and my mom converted when they got married. They were just never active in the church. My parents wanted us all to be sealed with my dad's family so that's why we were baptized and started going to church as teenagers. Anyway, now I'm married to a Catholic, LoL :-) We're not church going people but I do miss the little church I attended when I was younger. I could see someday finding a nice church and going again.
Very good post, thanks for sharing. I found your blog from Six Sisters.
October 14, 2014 at 2:53 PM
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We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, otherwise known as "The Mormons". We are proud of this part of who we are! We are excited to team up with over 65+ of us strong... to extend an invitation to see a film. A film entitled "Meet The Mormons". This film is not meant to be an "in your face" - you must join our church film. It is simply designed and produced to uplift and inspire you through six stories of those of our faith who have followed promptings to follow Christ more fully in their lives. We hope you take the opportunity to enjoy this film. We hope your hearts are made light as you feel the goodness that comes from following our Christ and Savior. All proceeds from the film will be donated to The American Red Cross. So not only will you be uplifted and inspired, your money will be going to an amazing charity!!
We also would like to take a moment and share our personal testimonies, stories of our own personal conversions, and our own stories of how following our Savior, Jesus Christ has changed our lives. The light of the gospel of Jesus Christ offers a joy and hope that only following him can provide. We hope as you click through and read our stories and testimonies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, you will feel uplifted and encouraged. We are by you! We love connecting with our readers, that is why many of us do what we do! Please be kind and considerate in your comments. It takes great bravery for us to open our hearts and our mouths to share with you such a tender and personal part of who we are. We share because we feel strongly the need to share the peace and the hope that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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I am so excited to be joining a great group of bloggers not only the celebrating the release of a very inspiration movie, Meet The Mormons, but also in sharing a bit about ourselves, our beliefs, and who we are.
My name is Larissa. I am a wife. A mother. A daughter. A sister. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in other words I am Mormon. On the blog I frequently mention being Mormon, serving in the church, and my gospel beliefs. However, today I want to go a little deeper and share with you what I believe and know, why I believe, and how believing has influenced my life.
I am sharing from the heart today, and I hope something I write touches your heart.
The gospel of Jesus Christ brings joy to my life. All that I have I owe to the gospel and my knowledge that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that I have a Heavenly Father who loves and knows me personally.
I am here on Earth as a Daughter of God to experience sorrow, joy, trials, and success. I am here to learn and recollect about who I am and Whose I am. I have the ability to choose good. I know that the ability to choose is a gift. Every day I am faced with choices I have to make. I have guidance in those choices through the Holy Spirit, the scriptures, and counsel from living prophets. This means that I am not left alone having to figure out what to make of the world around me. Heavenly Father loves each one of us so much that He is constantly showing us the way towards joy and happiness.
I know that the scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, are the word of God. The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith under the direction of the Savior. The scriptures bring me peace, and I know that the peace comes from the counsel I receive from reading them.
I know my Father in Heaven hears my prayers, as I know He hears all His children. Nothing is too small to go to Him. After all, He is our Father.
I know the Temples of the Lord are houses of God. They are a sanctuary from the storms of the world. In the temple I can make promises and commitments that allow me to be with my husband and children forever. Families are forever. How amazing is that?!?
I know there are living prophets on the earth. I know their counsel comes directly from the Lord. Since I know my Savior loves me, I have faith and trust in this counsel. I gain courage from the knowledge that the Lord speaks to modern day prophets.
I am not perfect, nor am I expected to be. However, I can be perfected over time through the Atoning sacrifice of my Savior. He died so that I may live. Live with both Him and my Father in Heaven. I may overcome my mistakes through repentance and I can avoid sin through obedience to God's commandments. Commandments that are life preservers keeping me afloat amidst the storms of the world.
I also have the example of my Savior. I can be who I am meant to be and act how I am supposed to act by following His example. My Father in Heaven sent His son to Earth so that we can return to live with Him because we are His children.
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I am a Daughter of God. All I need to know, all the peace and comfort I ever need is met with that statement.
I came to know all of this for myself through my own experiences, prayerful conversations with my Father in Heaven, scripture study, and personal revelation. No one can take this away from me. My beliefs and knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ are personal.
When you know who you are and Whose you are, there is a power, a peace, and complete joy. Life is still life, but knowing who I am has made it more full. This knowledge has helped me find more joy in happy moments, and peace and comfort in moments of hardship.
If you have any questions, Mormon.org is a great place to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I am so grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. The gospel makes me happy. Thanks for letting me share with you what makes me happy.
"Meet This Mormon"
6 Comments -
Well said, I am so thankful for the Gospel that has guided our family for all of these years!
October 10, 2014 at 1:24 AM
Hi Larissa..great post. My brother and I were introduced to the church when we were teenagers. I had been going to a simple church with a friend and really enjoyed it. The youth leader asked if I would like to be baptized so I talked with my parents about it. That's when they decided that my brother and I needed to be baptized in the Mormon church. I really wish they had raised us in the church because there's so many things I don't understand about the church and I never felt a connection. My dad was raised LDS and my mom converted when they got married. They were just never active in the church. My parents wanted us all to be sealed with my dad's family so that's why we were baptized and started going to church as teenagers. Anyway, now I'm married to a Catholic, LoL :-) We're not church going people but I do miss the little church I attended when I was younger. I could see someday finding a nice church and going again.
October 10, 2014 at 7:46 AM
Adrienne, Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I hope someday you find a nice church and add to all the happiness I am sure you already have!
October 10, 2014 at 8:15 AM
That last picture of Christ totally brought me to tears! What a powerful picture! Your testimony is amazing and so are you! Love you girl!
October 10, 2014 at 9:08 PM
Excellent Larissa! Just excellent!
October 13, 2014 at 4:40 PM
Very good post, thanks for sharing. I found your blog from Six Sisters.
October 14, 2014 at 2:53 PM