Why I am a "Mormon"

     I think some might wonder why I have chosen a Mormon lifestyle. I feel impressed to make a post on the matter. So here I am.

     Some might say that I am a Mormon because my my parents are and I was brain washed into it or I am just trying to please them. This couldn't be farther from the truth, though I do like to make my parents happy after all the sacrificing they did for me, this is not a way they taught us to make them happy. They taught us that they would love us no matter what and that their house was a place where we were always be welcomed and loved. They encouraged us to find our own testimony of Christ.

     When I was about 13, my curiosity started to grow. I had friends that challenged my belief. There were people at church that behaved in a way that made me wonder why I was going there. I started to pray to know what was true. My parents were very good at allowing me to attend other churches. I went to several, a Catholic church, a Christian church, a Jewish church, a Baptist church and a few others. A close friend of mine had a wonderful mom who would tell me to go to church and look for ways to help others. I truly wanted to know where God wanted me to be. I remember asking Him to write it on my wall if the LDS faith was where I was supposed to be. Though this prayer was not answered in the way I wanted the answer came over the next few years through a series of experiences. I did what the gospel of Christ taught. I prayed, read the scriptures, fasted, attended the temple.

     God gave me some amazing leaders and friends from unexpected places. One of these friends was not always the best influence, but challenged me in ways that gave me the burning desire to know for myself. Without this friend I don't know if that desire would have been so strong.

      I knew that the Book of Mormon was supposed to be the "keystone of the LDS faith". So I needed to read it. I started with a little bit at a time each day. I was not an avid reader at this time and this is what I could handle. God knew me and guided me to the scriptures I needed to read. I read things like "I am encircled about eternally in the arms of His love" and "receive the Holy Ghost, it will show you ALL thing what ye should do." and "be familiar with ALL and free them with your substance, that they might be rich like unto you." and "yea, thus we see the gate of heaven is open to ALL, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God". It teaches over and over that Christ loves all and is waiting for you to look for him and love him back. The Book of Mormon and it's teachings made the gospel of Christ easier to under stand. If filled in some missing parts. The history and the way it was compiled and written in it's self is a testimony of the miracle that it came about. There is no way that a young farm boy who did not have access to undiscovered world history could have made this up. There was no turning back. I knew it was true.

     The LDS faith teaches and encourages people to pray for themselves to know. To read and to study it out in their minds. Not to contend with other in the matter of religion, but to teach "by persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, by kindness." No other church offered this in my experience.

     I was eventually diagnosed with Lyme disease which gave me a lot of opportunity to put my faith to the test. I was given a husband that could handle the situation and has helped me to climb out of my shell. I have had many other chances to evaluate my beliefs and each time I look to the gospel principles to help me. They always work. Sometimes it takes some perspective to understand a situation, but if I approach difficult circumstances with gratitude and a prayer I always come out of it feeling the love of God.

     I am a Mormon because of my faith in Christ, not man. Man cannot inspire me and comfort me like He does. Sometimes His comfort and inspiration is through man because I am young in understanding when it comes to hearing Him. He knows how to reach me and it's up to me to "see" it.