Pero like, what's a Mormon?

"Kristen, why doesn't your family have it's own 'Sister Wives' show?"

"Woah, you're showing your ankles. Won't your priest get angry?"

"I just don't understand why you can't use electricity..."

These are all things I've heard over the years. (I grew up in West Phoenix.. not too many knew too much about my religion except for the fact that I was "The Mormon".)

Why?  Because I am a Mormon.  Well... there it is.

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And I love it.

The LDS church is now more than 15 million strong and increasing in numbers.  We are all over the world.  And still, not many people know who we are, what we believe, or whether or not we drink soda.

With most of my friends being college aged, they will just assume we (LDS college students) roast weenies on the weekends and pray 20 times a day.

But really, this is what LDS young adults look like.  Normal people.  Doing normal things. 

 Every 6 months we have a General Conference.  It is a time when all of the leaders of the church gather together to speak to us, touch on important subjects, and to overall uplift the people. This past weekend was the 184th Semiannual General Conference. 

One of my favorite talks was by an apostle, Elder David A. Bednar.  He spoke about sharing the gospel with our family and loved ones. 

Whenever I hear a song that I just absolutely love, I have to tell EVERYONE. I'll sing it all the time, tweet lyrics, post it on Facebook. Because I love it, and I want you to love it.  Even if you don't love it, I want you to at least know about it. (Listen to Sam Smith's cover of Whitney Houston's 'How Will I Know'.  You're welcome.)

It isn't so much about trying to shove your beliefs down someone else throat, but it's simply sharing something that you love with someone you love.

"Our simple desire is to share with you the truths that 

are of greatest worth to us." -David A. Bednar

So I know that no one has time to read all of my thoughts and beliefs.  Also, ain't nobody got time to read through all of general conference right now.  So here are just a few of my key beliefs.  

•  I believe that this is Christ's church.  Our central purpose is to help all people come unto Him.
• The Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ.  It is the keystone of our faith and a record of God's dealings with prophets and His children in ancient America.
• God has always communicated with His children through his prophets.  I believe that our Lord wouldn't leave us alone, and that he still has Prophets on this Earth today.
• He has given commandments through those prophets to help us live a happy life. Not to restrain us, but to free us.

And last but certainly not least, I know that my Father in Heaven has a plan for me.  That plan is known under many different names, but my favorite is the Plan of Happiness.  I am able to know who I am, where I came from, and where I am going.  I can know that even though times are hard, my family was hand-picked for me.  This is where I belong.  Best of all, I can have hope.  He knows each and every one of us, and that's something I can promise.

Even though he doesn't look too happy, these two are both a part of my Plan of Hapiness.

With all of that being said, feel free to ask any questions that come to mind. The way I see it, this church was restored all because of a 14-year old boy that wasn't afraid to ask a few questions.

 And remember, I love you.

Here is a link to that talk I referenced earlier, watch a few seconds of it.  It's pretty sweet.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=eng&media=video#watch=video

 Food for thought: "We are not here in this life just to waste out time, grow old, and die.  God wants us to grow and achieve our potential." -Elder Carlos A. Godoy