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Hi I'm Laura

I'm a performer, reader, and amateur cook. I attended a Catholic high school and am a student at BYU. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a college student but am currently taking some time off to serve a mission for the Church. I love literature so, naturally, I'm getting my degree in English. British Literature is my favorite. I went on a study abroad in Berlin, Germany and fell in love with the country, culture, people and language. I was a performer in high school - dance, cheerleading, theatre. Running early in the morning, before the world wakes up, is one of my favorite things and I watch the Food Network because I love to cook. When I have nothing else to do, I go on long walks. I have two older sisters. My parents, one sister, one cousin, and one aunt are active members, but the rest of my family are not. I went to a Catholic high school and love to study religions and see the similarities and differences.

Why I am a Mormon

I have grown up in the Church, so it's always been part of my life. But that's not to say that I just follow blindly - I made the choice to truly be a Mormon. I have studied other religions and no matter how much I learn about or admire other belief systems, I always feel that something is missing. I have felt the Spirit so strongly testify to me that this is the restored church of Jesus Christ, back on the earth after centuries of being lost. I know that I can draw closer to God through the Book of Mormon than by any other way. I know that Heavenly Father is my spirit father and he knows and loves me.

How I live my faith

I have had the opportunity to be a leader, teacher, and student within the Church. Each of these opportunities have helped me to build my faith and to feel God's love for those that I serve or who have served me. I go to church regularly and attend all the activities that I can in order to better get to know my peers. I love that we get the chance to teach and learn from each other. We are a lay ministry, meaning that the members take turns holding different positions in the congregation. My favorite experience was when I got to teach the women. They all had such interesting viewpoints and insights that I learned and was strengthened. Sometimes it's hard to live my religion every day, being religious isn't exactly "cool" and much of the world doesn't understand why I choose to avoid Sunday activities outside Church and family or why I don't drink or curse or wear immodest clothing. I try to live my faith in a way that people can see how happy I am and want to share in my happiness.

How can faith in Jesus Christ influence us in our marriages and family relationships? in our friendships?

Laura
I once had a teacher who drew an equaliteral triangle on the board. At each point she labeled self, husband, or God. Equaliteral triangles, by defination, must have three sides of equal length. So the closer you draw to Christ, the closer you draw to your spouse or other family member. The way I see it, the closer you draw to someone else, the more you can see the Light of Christ within them and that will draw you closer to God as well. When you know Christ, you can see the love he has for others and it will draw you closer to them. Show more Show less

What are Mormon women like? Do Mormons believe in equality of men and women?

Laura
Mormon women are amazing, and I'm not just saying that because I am one. Never have I seen any other group of women pull together and just get the job done. We may not hold the priesthood, but we accomplish just as much as the men do. The Relief Society is an orginization of all the women over the age of eighteen in the church and our motto is "charity never failith." We work to build up one another and the ward. Whenever the men need something done, they turn to the Relief Society. We take care of one another. If someone is sick or just had a birth or death in the family, we provide meals for them so they don't have to worry about that. We meet together and learn new things. We provide all kinds of service. We believe that men and women are equal, but different. We all have different roles in society that need to be fulfilled and they are the roles are divinely appointed. It used to irk me that women couldn't hold the priesthood until I fully grasped that concept. Just because most Mormon women are stay-at-home mothers doesn't meant that they are of any less worth. Our job is so very important and I'm proud to be a LDS woman. Show more Show less