Girls Who Choose God

I've often wondered about why there aren't any stories about faithful, and strong, women in the Book of Mormon. If there were stories, I had definitely missed them. It didn't bother me too much because the Book of Mormon is an incredible story regardless. Being a woman though, I would love to know more about the women in those days.

I got incredibly lucky in my search for these stories when a woman contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing her new book. When she told me that it was about women in the Book of Mormon, I jumped at the chance. I couldn't believe that someone had not only found these stories, but actually wrote a book about them as well. I was ecstatic! The best part about this book though, is that it's for all ages of girls, and women.

The "Girls Who Choose God" books are based on the stories of some of the most courageous women that have ever walked this earth. It helps younger girls connect with these women, that we know so little about. 

Each new story begins with the most beautiful artwork you've ever seen. Even if you can't read, this book would touch your heart because of the breathtaking pictures. Little girls will love the pictures, teenagers will love the short stories, and moms will love reading their daughters these stories because they are still so relevant in today's society.

We as women will find strength, and gratitude, for the women that walked our path long before we ever came to earth. They paved the way for us, so we would know the type of women we should be. Each story is filled with courage, grace, compassion, service, and love. These women put everyone else before themselves, and because of that, God blessed them during their lives.

I would highly recommend getting this book if you have daughters, grand daughters, or nieces.  Every girl/woman in your life will treasure these books. I know this because each of my nieces got them from me for Christmas. They've all told me how much they love them. I can't wait to have my own daughter to read these to one day.

When you purchase these books, you will learn all about the amazing strength of the women in the bible as well as the book of Mormon. I highly suggest getting both. You won't regret it. They have definitely become some of my most favorite books. 

To purchase these books, or to simply learn a little more about them click here.

The New Church Policy-No Children Allowed

As most of you that read my blog know, the LDS church just came out with a new, and controversial policy. As most of you also know, I have no issue the LGBT community. My best friends in this world are gay, and I know they were born that way. God loves and accepts them as he does you and me. Now onto the policy and why I'm okay with it.

When the new church policy of not allowing children from Gay couples, to be baptized, I was extremely irritated. I was hurt, frustrated, and extremely confused. Many of my friends posted on Facebook a meme that was Jesus with the Children and basically said that he loves them, but they're not allowed to be with him. In part I completely agreed. That is why I went to my Heavenly Father for counsel.

As I knelt to pray, and ask God to explain this to me, and ease my pain, I didn't received an answer. He didn't tell me why or why not. He simply allowed the holy spirit to comfort my aching heart. Through that Holy Ghost, I was told that there is a specific reason that this policy has been put into place. The church's first and foremost task is to ALWAYS protect the little children. Now, that being said, I don't know how this is supposed to "Protect the Children" but I know it's supposed to.

If you read in 3 Nephi, you'll read about Christ coming to the Nephites. While he is there, he calls the little children to him. He blesses them, loves them, and explains to everyone that the only thing that matters in this world are those sweet, little, innocent children. It's a beautiful story and I'd recommend it to those of my faith, and those not of my faith. You can read it on lds.org

I don't know what the Elders of our church were thinking, but it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter that I don't know "Why?" The reason it doesn't matter is because God knows why. God is in control. He allows us comfort, and peace. He doesn't always allow me to understand everything, but he provides me with the Holy Ghost that brings that peace to my heart that it's okay. This is good. You don't know why, but you don't have to. "Be still, and Know that I am God."

Old Joe Smith

I've often been asked how I can believe in a man that lied, misguided, used people, stole, had many wives, and on and on. My answer to that is always the same. It makes me believe in him more. Let me explain.

When I was growing up I was taught that Joseph Smith was basically "Christ incarnate". That always puzzled me because I thought he was just a man that was doing the will of God. Making him the 2nd Christ led me, and so many others to believe he was something different than a man called of God. It led me to believe that he did nothing wrong. That never sat well with me because that meant I couldn't relate to him whatsoever.

At the age of 14 when I left the church I started to read all about the founder of my church. I started to hate him even more. I started to hate him more not because of the things he did, but because of the way I was taught to believe in him in my youth. Joseph Smith wasn't perfect. That's something I've come to love about him now. As a 14 year old girl though, that went against everything I had been taught and everything I believed. What a found out later in life is that to truly know if something is true, you have to discover it for yourself.

I'm having a difficult time with people these days who leave the church in their later years and say they were lied to. It bothers me because I think, "How did you ever say you believed in something when you knew nothing about it in the first place?" The reason I was gone from the church for 10 years was because I had to do my research. I had to know the good and the bad. I had to know it all, because then and only then could I decide if I believed. At the age of 14 I knew that I couldn't tell people I believed in a church I knew nothing about.

As I grew up and studied more and more about Joseph Smith, the more I hated him. The more his lies, secrets, and actual history, came to me; I despised him. I thought he was a liar, cheat, and a thief. If we're being realistic, he kind of was. The thing that occurred to me though, is that I had never read the Book of Mormon. I had never read the keystone of the religion that I was raised in. If I didn't read their book, how on earth could I know if I believed it or not?

As I started the Book of Mormon, and all the way through, I knew for a fact it was true. I knew these people existed, and that this incredible story was true. What did that change about my feelings towards Old Joe Smith? Not very much. The thing it changed though, is that I knew that he was inspired by God. I know God lead him to that Book, and that it was translated correctly. Nothing else mattered to me. If the Book was true, than Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, and I believed the rest would work itself out, and it has.

After I accepted that the Book of Mormon was true, I started reading every history book about my church that I could. I know I believed the Book of Mormon, but to say I believed in the church meant I had to know about my church. The more I read and learned the more I saw and believed that the church and it's teachings were true.

Let's just say for fun that I didn't believe in my church. I'm still a better person living within the guidelines of my church than I was when I wasn't living them. My church teaches incredible morals, family values, respect, honor, and all the things that I want for my future family. Even if it isn't true, I'm better being part of it than I am being not part of it.

As I've learned more and more (and by no means am I a scholar), I learned how much I appreciate and truly love Joseph Smith. I love him for his imperfections. They're a testament to me that the church isn't made of perfect people that I can't relate to. The church is made up of imperfect women and men that are trying to do their best. What a beautiful way of life. Each of us make mistakes, but we're each trying to do better. I respect Joseph Smith for that. I respect him because he was a MAN, not a God. He was just trying to do the best he could with what he was given.

Our church may not be perfect, but it's the most perfect for me. Our leaders make mistakes, say things that offend, and even make us sound crazy, but we're better being part of this church than we are not being part of it. I'm grateful for those imperfect people because they made me feel a little closer to my Father in Heaven.

I know my church is true. I believe it. I'm grateful for it's teachings, and values. I'm grateful for the men and women that make up this church, and all they teach me. My only hope is that each of us has something that brings us as much joy as my church brings me. If it's not my church that brings you joy, I hope whatever you love brings you peace, happiness, and joy. I'll respect your choice, and I appreciate you respecting mine. What it all comes down to is the 2nd greatest commandment ever given. "Love one another, as I have loved You."

Sexual Sin

I want to start this post with quoting one of my most favorite scriptures, and then talk about how it had affected my life.

Alma 39:5

"Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?"

I never realized how important this lesson was until I married Dave.  I didn't understand why sexual sin was one of the top 3 greatest sins on earth. It was fascinating to me when I read this, this past week while studying my scriptures.

For those of you that don't actively follow my blog, I was born into the church, baptized, but left at the age of 14. From 14-24 I didn't live the Gospel principles and I didn't tell people that I was Mormon.  I never wanted them to think of Mormons by the way I was choosing to live my life. I didn't feel that it was right to claim to be something I wasn't.

When I came back to the church, and went through the temple, it was the first time that the truth of sexual sin became real. It's one of the 3 greatest sins because you're taking the power of procreation into your hands. How amazing is that?! You have the power to create life! What can be more beautiful, more sacred, more loving, and more precious than the gift of a child? It hit me hard.

Yesterday was Mothers Day. I don't have children. I would do anything in this world to have them, but unfortunately Dave and I have not been able to have kids. Again, with having so many difficulties with getting pregnant, I realized how beautiful the gift to create life is. As I watch young mothers give birth to children, I often wonder if they realize how lucky they are. I also realize why it's so vitally important that a child has 2 parents.

The reason sexual sin is so great in my opinion, and why it is to be saved for marriage is because a child needs 2 parents to help raise it.  It needs to learn things from both parents that one alone can't teach it. It needs to have love from people who chose to bring them into this world. The child needs so much from each parent which is why God set it up as he did.

I'm so thankful for the power of procreation. I'm grateful to have learned why it's so beautiful, so powerful, and why it should never be messed with. I'm so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father that forgave me of my sins, and allowed me to enter his temple and be clean. My repentance and the atonement are some of the most special things I've ever been blessed with in my life. It's truly a gift because our Heavenly Father loves us so much. I'm grateful for his love, and gift.

I was Born to do This

I've noticed that we as women tend to let "stuff" get in our way of what we are supposed to be doing.  I was reading a blog by a non-mormon girl that was talking directly about Mommy Mormon Bloggers, and the "Perfect" image they portray.  She said they were fascinating because she'd never known anyone like that. She said she found herself wondering what was so wrong with her that she couldn't manage her life as well.  The truth is that we as Mormon Women Bloggers need to show the truth.  We need to show how crazy, hectic, unmanageable, disorderly, and crazy our lives are.  We need to do as Joan of Arc once stated when it comes to allowing the world to see our imperfection. It can be scary, but be not afraid, for your were "Born to do this."

I recently moved to a new home.  I have loved getting it put together, pictures hung on the wall, letting my crafty side come out, decorating my mantle, and on and on. That's fun, as it should be.  If you leave my front room though you'll see that I'm a wreck.  My jewelry desk that I sit at 35% of the day is covered with random stuff, and completely unorganized. Go to the next room and you'll see the kitchen counter covered in dirty dishes, along with the sink packed.  I have mountains of laundry sitting outside my bathroom, and heaven forbid I have yet to dust.  The blinds are always open though, it's always bright and sunny, and you'll always get a nice cold Pepsi (sorry, no Diet Coke here) when you walk in and sit down. I might even feed you.

I'm not saying I'm perfect.  My crazy house makes me just that, crazy.  I can't let it control my life. I'm not going to just not open the door if my front room is a mess.  I figure if it bothers the person then that's on them, but I'm going to choose to focus on them and give them my love an attention.

This isn't to say that I don't love the pictures of the perfect looking children, or the beautiful houses decorated with the most in style trends.  They're fun to look at, and it's great that people are able to have nice things in their homes. I choose to not let it get me down though. I like to focus on the amazing relationship I have with my husband. Sure, we're not taking family trips to Hawaii or building a new home, but we have a really comfortable bed where we snuggle every night to watch our movies together. I'll take that for right now.

So dear blogger where ever you may be feeling pretty down about your life. I want you to know that that every Mormon blogger out there isn't perfect.  We all don't own a fashion blog, or have our kids pictures taken professionally every week, or have homes that look like they came out of a magazine.  We have heartache and pain, trials, and hard times.  We have pitfalls, and screw ups, and we even put our foot in our mouth on occasion (just ask my sister's and mother in law).  We live real lives just like you do, so don't feel alone.  Because being a member of the church doesn't make us immune to real life.  I like to think it makes us more real. That's who we should be striving to be anyway.