I Know Who I Am

You know what, I have never come right out and said on this blog (although I am sure that you all already knew.) I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints……(I kinda hoped you sang the song when you read that.)

I read a lot of blogs (including yours!) but one of my favourites includes a special posts called True Story. The True Story posts interview people of interest, whether it is someone who started their own magazine or someone who is a cancer survivor. Just every day people telling their own story. A few weeks ago the interviewer posted a long list of people she was looking to interview. I scanned the list to see if there was something that I could be interviewed on. I am an orphan…nope. I’ve been in drug rehab…nope. I scanned the list of things I wasn’t and most of them never hoped to be until I saw the one I could be interviewed about. I am a Mormon…yup! I emailed the interviewer and suggested she ask me all about my faith. But sadly she didn’t choose me. (From all of the comments, there seemed to be a lot of Mormons who wanted to be interviewed.)

A few days ago, while reading my long list of blogs, I saw that True Story was featuring the Mormon!

So since I wasn’t the chosen interviewee, I decided to answer all of the questions asked, just for you all. (Yes, I have taken some of them out since the person who was interview is now a former Mormon.) Enjoy!

For those of us who don't know about it, could you give us a brief overview of Mormonism?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it is officially called, is the same gospel as organized by Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. In the spring of 1830, a 14 year old farm boy, Joseph Smith, confused about what church he should join went to the woods to pray and both Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and told him not to join any church, but that the gospel of Jesus Christ was to be restored to the earth once more.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized including the translation of an ancient record called the Book of Mormon (Wonder why we are called Mormons?) that tells of Christ’s visit, after his death, to the people on the American continent.

We continue today, with prophets and apostles. We have congregations, called wards and stakes, all over the world. We have over 100 operating temples and missionaries that teach of this restoration throughout the world.

What are the biggest misconceptions about Mormons?

We are everywhere. Seriously. I am sure that all of you have run into a Mormon or two in your life and might not have even known it. Maybe it’s your doctor, your mailman or that person standing next to you in line at the store.

We also consider ourselves Christians. We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of our church. We believe in his atonement and resurrection. While we do have other scriptures in addition to the Bible, we do study the Bible. (In fact I teach a Sunday School class all about the Old Testament this year.)

How did you come to be Mormon? Were you raised in the Mormon Church?

I was born and raised in the Mormon Church. I have pioneer heritage on both sides of my family. My parents met at BYU. You can’t get anymore quintessential Mormon than that.

How does being Mormon affect your daily life?

I don’t know that I think about being Mormon every day. I don’t come to the office and think, “Now, don’t drink coffee today.” Being a Mormon is just who I am. Just like my name is Denise, or the fact that I am Canadian.

Just like any religion, I'm sure there are varying degrees of commitment to the Mormon Church. Did you ever drink alcohol or coffee? Smoke?

No, I have never had alcohol or coffee and I’ve never smoked. I don’t drink Pepsi or Coke. But there are lots of people, even people who are not Mormons, who don’t drink or smoke. I don’t feel like I am missing out in life. I guess we know how to have a good time without those things.

What does the Mormon religion bring to your life?

Peace and a plan.

Sure there are still decisions I have to make about my life everyday. Where am I going to live, what am I going eat, but for the most part I have plan for my life. I have an end goal. I am not afraid of the future.

What advice would you give to someone interested in joining the Mormon Church? 

Give us a try, it might just be what you have been looking for. Keep an open mind. Don’t worry about what you will be missing out on or giving up. I promise you that we are not an oppressed people. Talk to the missionaries, talk to other Mormons. Join us on Sunday to find out what we are all about.