mormon.org
Beliefs
FAQs
Contact
What Is a Church Community?
Loading.....

The video player could not be built.

Do you want to chat with a missionary?

We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Start a chat or call us at 1-888-537-6600.

Hi I'm Megan Potter

I'm a mom-because after studying Social Work, I decided what the world needed was dedicated mothers. And I am a mormon.

About Me

 I am a mother, a homemaker, an artist in my own kitchen, a beginning gardner, a wife, a returned missionary, a Spanish speaker, a daughter in a combined family, a college graduate of Social Work, and a lover of the outdoors.

Why I am a Mormon

Having been raised in the church, I didn't always practice what I was taught. Like everyone, I had to come to the truth on my own, and dedicate myself to the gospel after a sure and undeniable witness that the Book of mormon was true and that this is the true church. The truth for anyone is as close as a prayer away. All truth comes from God. After reading the Book of Mormon when I was 15 -my mom bribed me with $50 if I could do it in one summer-that was my only motivation, and I thought what would it really hurt? -I had to know for myself if it was all true or not. I did as it instructed, I asked God. I got an answer that was clear as day, like a thought in my mind, but it was not my own. That thought was God answering me, it said, "Yes, it's true, you've always known, but thanks for asking, yes, it's true." There and then, I knew my actions had to change in order to be in accordance with what I now knew and was accountable for. Little by little I got my life in order. And my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ continued to grow. Now, 12 years later living it isn't any easier than living the way just anyone would, by their own will and desire, but it makes sense because I know God has a plan for me and as well as for you. And it IS easier in the sense that I have LOTS of help from Heavenly Father and my Savior, and with God, all things are possible. I know I could never deny the truth of the Book of Mormon, or that this is the true church of Jesus Christ, with the fullness of the gospel.

How I live my faith

Daily scripture study and prayer are my foundation. I attend church weekly and partake of the sacrament. We also have a family night every week, which our two year old has come to love and anticipate. I attend the temple monthly with my husband where I recieve strength, peace, and guidance from above. I also study the gospel and pray daily with my husband and family. We pay 10 percent tithing on our earnings. I serve as often as I am asked and whenever I can. I served a full time mission-18 months- in northern Spain and learned the Spanish language to be able to teach the gospel there. It was probably the most challenging thing I've ever done, but I've also never felt so much love and joy. I have had many callings or jobs in the church but I think my favorites have been when I was teaching sunday school or in the women's organization. My faith has to be strengthened each day, which is why it's so important to make the effort to strengthen myself and live the gospel daily, otherwise my spirit truly dwindles. I am so grateful for a loving and patient Heavenly Father, and a loving and merciful Savior who has taken my pains, sins, and sorrows upon him that I might be happy and able to live with him again someday. I sure couldn't do it without Him, none of us could!

Why do Mormons perform baptisms for the dead?

Megan Potter
What a great question. We believe that The Church of Jesus Christ is the only church on the earth with the FULLNESS of the gospel. We also believe that everyone will have the right and privelage to accept or reject the gospel, weather in this life or the life to come. Think of how many people in the world have died never having the opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. Think of all the people in the world who have never even heard of Jesus Christ. Are they dammed and out of luck? NO! What an unmerciful God we would have if he didn't want to save all of his children. What an unfair God we would have if we didn't all have the chance to come to a knowledge for ourselves of the truth and choose to follow Him. That is why we do baptisms for the dead. Those who have passed on, never having the opportunity to accept the gospel, have that chance after their earth life is over. In the temple we are baptized by proxy, for or in behalf of them, if they choose to accept it. If they don't accept it yet, that's ok, the ordinance has been done for them if they choose to accept it later. Either way, we won't really know in this life, but we have the peace of mind that they can progress in the gospel if they so choose to. We also perform other saving ordinances in the temple for those who have passed on. This is also largely why we do geneology work, to find out who our ancestors are and to perform these ordinances for our own family members in the temple. Show more Show less

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Megan Potter
No, boys are commanded to serve a mission if they are worthy and able between the ages of 19-26. Girls are allowed to serve missions after the age of 21 if they so desire to, but are not commanded. One must go through a series of interviews and health exams to be able to serve a mission. If someone has certain health concerns and it's not advised for them to serve anywhere in the world, they might be called to serve somewhere where necessary health care would be accessable or they might be called to a "service mission" where they don't proselite like normal full time missionaries, but they serve in the church in other much needed capacities. Show more Show less

What is the priesthood?

Megan Potter
 The priesthood is Authority given from God to man to act in his name upon the earth. It is the authority needed to perform baptisms and other saving ordinances. Without the Priesthood, these saving ordinances cannot be performed! The priesthood was lost after the death of Jesus Christ and his apostles hence the "dark ages" and needed to be restored to the earth. It was finally restored after 1820 when a young boy named Joseph Smith prayed, only wanting to know what church he should go to. God told him to join none of them, for none of them had ALL of the doctrine and authority they needed. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored in it's fullness through him, calling him as the first Prophet of this last dispensation. Just as we had had Prophets of old like Adam, Moses, and Noah. No other church on earth has this Priesthood Authority, or permission to act in God's name on the earth. Show more Show less

How are the activities of the Mormon missionaries funded?

Megan Potter
By the missionaries themselves. They either save money before their mission to use, or parents help, or other family members. In the case that one can't fund their own mission or their family, the member's ward or the church will pay for it. Sometimes it's a combination of all three. No missionary would not be able to go on a mission because of lack of funds. All missionaries pay the same amount of money I think it's about $300 a month for a mission, and then the church distributes to each missionary how much they will need depending on what part of the world they will serve in. For example a missionary asked to serve in Chile would not need as much money as a missionary asked to serve in a more expensive country such as France for example, but it's equal because they both pay the same amount so it's fair no matter where you are called to serve. Show more Show less

How do I become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church)?

Megan Potter
Well you are already on the right track. Depending on where you are in your investigation of the church, you will need to learn a little more. That's what the missionaries are for. They will teach you all you need to know before being baptized. You need to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. You also need to pray to know if Joseph Smith really was a prophet and if the prophet today is called of God. There are many other things you could and should pray about before being baptized. When you are ready, that could be a week, or a few more years, you can get baptized. Baptism is a covenant, a promise between you and God that you will keep his commandments and remain faithful forever. When you are ready for that, and truely converted, you will be running to the font to recieve the ordinance of baptism. Part of baptism is confirmation, or the recieving of the Gift of the Holy Ghost to be your guide. Baptism and confirmation must be done by a worthy priesthood holder, you can even choose who you would like to baptize you and confirm you. It could be a missionary who taught you, your father, your brother, your grandfather, your bishop, or a friend. Anyone who holds the Priesthood is authorized to perform baptisms. Once you have been baptized and confirmed a member of the church, you are the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and you will be welcomed with open arms to your new ward family and to the church. Show more Show less