Because, I'm Happy!

This made me smile so much today, I decided to bring the blog out of retirement.

Happy Easter weekend, everyone.  May you have a good conference, and enjoy the solitude in remembering our Savior.

Mormons are not weird. But I am. *grin*

I promise I've not gone away and left this blog to wither away as a dry reed.  I've not given up on my already embraced weirdness, nor the weirdness of the people around me. 

Truth is, I've just been busy.

While that is not about to change (not by a long shot, considering I've recently decided to go back to school and finish my degree), I do hope to get back to posting here regularly.

I realize there are a lot of blogs out there like this one that are written by Mormons like me with a love of the Gospel and the desire to share it with others - even if it is in their own weird little way.  I started writing this blog for my daughter who was trying to overcome the stigma of being a "weird" Mormon, but I think it's actually started helping me to define more thoroughly who I am, and helped me to become more comfortable in sharing the basic foundations of what I believe - not only behind the anonymous walls of cyberspace, but in person - face to face - when others ask or question, or simply want to know what it is that makes me - well, me.

So, I'm a mom, a daughter, a wife, a science fiction geek, have an almost incontrollable sweet tooth at times, I like fried foods, dancing to music with the kids ( and without) I believe in being honest with my fellow man, I rather enjoy attending three hours worth of church each Sunday, I believe my family is forever - and that makes me happy rather than terrifies me (although, I have to admit at times it is  the latter...) I like to stay busy with mindless television from time to time, I'm a student (both literally and figuratively), I'm a little strange, a lot weird...

and I'm a Mormon.

Mormons are not weird. We love our Dads.

I was perusing facebook this morning, and there were so many wonderful Father's Day wishes out there - It was very touching. There were of course the many "Happy Father's Day to my Dad/Husband/Brother" you are an amazing/wonderful/thoughtful person and I can't imagine my life without you." sentiments. There were a few photos of families, photos of fathers who have long since passed from this earth, photos of fathers with new born babies in their arms, photos of soldiers stationed far away. And then there were the songs posted - Dad's favorite song, songs that remind us of dad...songs about dad. So many loving tributes to our fathers and how much they mean to us.

However, those are not the things I want to share with you today. Rather, I would like to share with you this prayer, by President Gordon B Hinckley:

"God bless you, dear fathers. May He bless you with wisdom and judgment, with understanding, with self-discipline and self-control, with faith and kindness and love. And may He bless the sons and daughters who have come into your homes, that yours may be a fortifying, strengthening, guiding hand as they walk the treacherous path of life. As the years pass—and they will pass ever so quickly—may you know that "peace... which passeth all understanding" (Philip. 4:7) as you look upon your sons and daughters, who likewise have known that sacred and wonderful peace. Such is my humble prayer, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen" ("'Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children'," Ensign, Nov 2000, 50.)

Happy Father's Day.

Mormons are not weird. They bake great cookies.

I'm sorry.  I can't have a blog named "Mormons are Not Weird" and not include some humor once in a while.  I saw this today, and it made me laugh...one because it's snarky and clever.  Two...because I happen to be making cookies. Right. Now.

Mormons are not weird. MormonsMadeSimple.com

The purpose of creating this blog for me was to help my children understand and respond to some of the questions they face about our faith. I have also learned so much as I continue to write and read and pray about the things which I write here. It's truly a humbling experience.

If you have landed on this blog because you have questions about the church, or because you heard something you just weren't sure about, I applaud your efforts to discover the truth behind a myth rather than taking it at face value. I believe very strongly in the power of education and understanding. If you have come here because you are discovering your own faith, or because you are investigating the LDS church, I welcome you as well. I can honestly say my faith is a huge part of who I am and I am genuinely happy because of it.

With all that being said - (it was a rather long introduction to this video clip - apologies.) Please enjoy this video made by the folks at www.mormonsmadesimple.com. There are several videos listed there about our worship services, the missionaries, our beliefs in general, and many other topics. In short three to five minute videos, they explain in simple terms a lot about our faith. Of course, if you ever have questions about the church, there are many avenues you can take for answers. Ask a Mormon friend, talk to the missionaries, visit www.LDS.org or www.Mormon.org. We are always happy to answer any questions. Mormons are not weird. We are ready to help you understand and answer your questions.

Mormons Do Celebrate Easter. Day Seven.

From www.facebook.com/Mormon

Jesus was taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. His disciple Peter denied he knew Him. Jesus was then questioned by the governor, Pilate, and by King Herod. He was condemned to die on the cross. Jesus was crucified. A rich man named Joseph of Arimathæa laid Jesus in his tomb. Jesus’s mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene visited the tomb.

I think this day is the hardest of all for me to express my thoughts.  Every year of my life, and as far back as I can remember – my parents used to sit us all down to watch Ben Hur.  And every year of my life, as far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a hard time viewing the scene where Christ is marched through the streets in a crown of thorns, carrying His cross.  The whole scene makes me very emotional – and just picturing it in my head now is bringing uncontrolled tears to my eyes.

It is hard for me to watch.

Why?

The treatment He endured was unkind, and inhuman.  It was cruel and torturous.  No man should have to endure such pain, mockery and humiliation.  It would be hard enough He was just an ordinary man, a common criminal of the day led to his execution (as that is what they did with criminals) but He was no ordinary man.  He was no common criminal.  He is Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, and He is my brother.  And, He did this willingly.

Mormons have a lot of kids.

This is my absolute favorite statement – of all time.  Seriously.   It comes in a lot of forms  -

“When God said to multiply and replenish the earth, he didn’t mean YOU personally!”

“You do know what causes that, right?”

“You have (fill in the blank) kids?  You must be Mormon.”

One thing that makes me laugh about this – I have friends who are Catholic, Baptist, Christian, Jewish, and yes – atheist, with more children than the average Mormon family and yet the first conclusion drawn when most see a large family is that they must be Mormon.

Why do Mormons tend to have large families?  Contrary to (very) popular belief, Mormons are not required to have large families.  They are not requested to do so.  Couples are not counseled on the number of children they must bring into the ‘fold.’   Parenthood and family size is entirely a personal decision made by each family with the assistance of prayer.

Gordon B. Hinckley stated:

“The Lord has told us to multiply and replenish the earth that we might have joy in our posterity, and there is no greater joy than the joy that comes of happy children in good families. But he did not designate the number, nor has the Church. That is a sacred matter left to the couple and the Lord”

I had heard once that Mormons don’t believe in using birth control.  I’ve not found a single instance or statement to that fact.  I do know that each couple is counseled to consider family planning methods very carefully, in keeping with the health and safety of both the mother and her future children.  Permanent birth control methods (such as tubal ligation) should be considered with prayer – and why not? It IS a major surgery.  Each family is different.  Every mother and father is aware of their own abilities.  I can’t imagine that our Loving Heavenly Father would want us to take on more than we can physically or emotionally handle.  But, he does not want to be left out of that decision either.

What about those who do not have children either due to medical complications or for other reasons known only to themselves?  Are they considered “less Mormon” or “bad” church members? 

Absolutely.Not.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks said in a conference in 1993:

“How many children should a couple have? All they can care for! Of course, to care for children means more than simply giving them life. Children must be loved, nurtured, taught, fed, clothed, housed, and well started in their capacities to be good parents themselves. Exercising faith in God’s promises to bless them when they are keeping his commandments, many LDS parents have large families. Others seek but are not blessed with children or with the number of children they desire. In a matter as intimate as this, we should not judge one another”

I have a few very dear friends who have tried for years, unsuccessfully to have children of their own.  That has not stopped them from sharing their years of knowledge and experience, nor has it stopped them from having an influence in the lives of others – for the good.  They have learned to teach and share their experiences in other ways.  Together as a couple, they are a family, however their extended family has become their ward family.  They have become parents to many young people and young adults.  They are greatly loved.  The ward is their family.

Do all Mormons have a lot of kids?  No. It’s a generalization that makes us seem weird.  Large families are not weird.  Using prayer, discussion and thought as part of your family planning process is not weird.  Taking your kids to school with curlers in your hair and a cleansing mask on your face – that’s weird (but also very, very fun.)

Mormon families are not weird.  They are Peculiar.

Mormons. Are. Weird.

How many times have you heard this? Growing up in a not-so-LDS community, I heard it quite a bit. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, many of us often find ourselves responding to many questions about our faith – and many misinterpreted “facts.”

I love these discussions, for the most part – as long as the person asking the question is willing to listen, and as long as the questions aren’t coming as part of an attack on me, my family or my faith. These are opportunities, to me, to teach others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ – the one I love so dearly, and believe KNOW with all my heart to be true. These discussions give me an opportunity to share with others why I believe what I believe – and what it is that makes me so happy.

It’s taken a long time to come out of my shell when it comes to talking about the Gospel. As a child, I attended church regularly until my parents divorced – when I was three. That’s right folks – my entire childhood primary existence stopped when I was a sunbeam … which is no wonder I still remember church as a child so fondly, when I was in Primary, I still got snacks every Sunday…

Anyway – the divorce was a long, drawn out, icky mess which I do not care to discuss – but long story made even longer – my mom stopped attending church after that, which meant I stopped going too. From time to time a well meaning friend or primary leader would come and take me to church or activities etc. but for the most part – I was not an active member as a child.

Flash forward to age 11. I moved in with my father (who no longer was a member) and began attending church with some friends. I tried other religions – nothing seemed a good fit. My parents supported whatever I did…and at 13 I made the decision to be baptized.

I. Became. Weird.

In a good way of course. Suddenly there was this whole new world of amazing people, friends, confidants – family. Since my own family was such a shattered mess – this just felt like home. My testimony grew. I grew. I was happy. (I am happy). I attended church by myself for a while, without family support – and eventually attended highschool and seminary. My knowledge of the Gospel grew and became more a part of me than I ever imagined. It was impossible to separate me from the Gospel.

Impossible.

I still had a core group of friends that were not members of the church, and many would ask questions to which I’d try to answer to the best of my ability. I didn’t have the support of family home evening, or family prayer – I didn’t know that these things were actually taking place in homes (I thought they were more of a kindly suggestion, or a pretty thought…) I just knew that I had the truth, and it was something I was going to hold dear to forever.

I’ve had many who support, many who laugh, many who are inquisitive, and many who are just mean. I’ve been called strange, stupid, moron (nice little play on words, no?), and of course weird. There have been many who seek me out only to tell me what I believe is wrong, and I’ve also been told I’m not Christian.

But. I. Don’t. Let. It. Bother. Me.

This is what I know to be the truth. Jesus Christ is my Brother, and the Son of the Living God. He suffered the sins of the world that I might be able to be forgiven of mistakes and return to be with Him. Joseph Smith was and is a true prophet of God in the Latter Days. Because of the Plan of Happiness – I can be with my family forever. We have a living prophet on the earth today.

I do not drink (alcoholic beverages anyway). I do not smoke. I do not partake in coffee or tea. I don't swear. I dress modestly (even if it means that I am not always up to date with the latest fashion trends). I have five kids. I enjoy one night a week dedicated to family board games or togetherness time. I pray with my family. I am a mother, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a friend. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints...I am a Mormon.

Mormons. Are. Not. Weird. They We. Are. Peculiar.