L!$@'s Life: Who I am Wednesday...I'm a Mormon

Today is a little different. I am still doing my post but you will find it over at Anna's blog.

We've swapped blogs for the day.

Anna is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as Mormons.

We both grew up in Mormon families and so we decided to talk about it was like growing up in the faith.

Without further adieu, here's Anna.

-----------------------------

Hello! I’m Anna from The Days When I’m Not a Nurse!

I’m a 23 year old currently ~~stuck~~ living in Idaho and I’ve been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints my whole life.

Religion is one of those things I never really expected to blog about. It’s one of those sensitive topics…like politics. Or money. Or war.

According to the internet (because the internet is always right), the way to bring up a sensitive topic is to say things like, ‘I need to talk to you for a minute,’ or ‘there’s something you should know.’

So, readers… Can I talk to you for a minute? (Ha. I just think it makes it more awkward.)

I’m a Mormon.

Where's Waldo Anyone?

This is my family. I’m the youngest of eleven children. I’m an aunt thirty-three times over.

At this point you’re probably saying something like, ‘bless your mom’s heart.’ I couldn’t agree more. I don’t feel like growing up Mormon was that different: it meant 3 hours of church every each week, no dating until 16 yrs old, early morning seminary through high school, spending spring break at the family history center in Salt Lake City, no cussing/smoking/drinking, and chili/popcorn on Sundays. Ok, the last one was just a weird family quirk; it had nothing to do with Mormons.

My parents did an excellent job teaching us to love each other. For example, as children, if we did something mean to a brother/sister, our punishment was to name 5 nice things about the other person. It was hard sometimes (and probably a little insincere) but it put the focus back on positive qualities. Somehow we all formed friendships to some degree and now, as we’re all older, we still get together at least once a year and reconnect. Since we believe that families can be together forever, we better get used to it now. :)

Married since 2008

I met husband through singles ward at church. He grew up in a Mormon family too. You know how great it is to automatically have something in common with the cute boy you’ve got your eye on? And part of growing up as a Mormon, you’re taught the importance of marriage. This quote from one of our church leaders sums it up nicely: “Latter-day Saint spouses should do all within their power to preserve their marriages…they should be best friends, kind and considerate, sensitive to each other’s needs, always seeking to make each other happy.” (Dallin H. Oaks)

Here’s the most important thing I’ve figured out in my years of being a Mormon:

I like who I am.

I like the kind of person I’ve become, and it’s all thanks to the way I was raised and the way I live my life. I’m happy. Content. I’m thankful for the experience of growing up in a Mormon family and for what it’s done for me. I couldn’t imagine myself any other way.