I've started this blog because I'm notoriously shy about sharing my beliefs with others. I also don't get many opportunities to share or spend time with people who are not of my faith because I am a stay at home mother. So this blog is an opportunity to share with everyone what I believe and why.
I need to start with a few explanations/disclaimers:
- First: This blog is entirely my own opinions. I am commenting on doctrines of my Church and my feelings on different gospel subjects, but ultimately, if what I say disagrees with what the officially stated doctrines of my religion are, then I am the one who has the doctrine incorrect.
- Second: This blog does not accept any reader comments. At all. I have three children, a homestead and a busy life. I'm active in my Church, in my children's lives and in my hobbies (most notably my membership in the Society for Creative Anachronism, or SCA). In years past, when I was younger, I wasted a lot of time as well as emotional and mental energy arguing with people about my faith online. It got me nowhere and caused a lot of undue stress, and I do not want to recreate that with my blog. If you know me in real life, you are welcome to contact me personally if you have any questions or would like to have a discussion about something I've posted. If you do not know me but you have questions about what I've posted, please visit either mormon.org or lds.org, where you can find the answers to most questions as well as information on how to contact the LDS missionaries closest to you with any other questions you may have.
- Third: When I refer to the Church in capital letters, I am referring to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known by its nickname the Mormon Church, of which I am a member.
Now that that's out of the way, here is a brief introduction to who I am and where I am in the context of my religion.
My name is Beth and I live in Maine. I am a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have been for 10 years. I was 18 when I joined the Church. Prior to becoming a member of the Church, I was a member of the American Baptist Church for my entire life.
I am the only member of the Church in my family. I am a stay at home mother and an amateur homesteader.
I have been married to my wonderful husband for 9 years, and we have three children, two boys and a girl.
We met before I graduated from high school, got engaged three days after my graduation, and attended Brigham Young University in Utah together. I graduated with a degree in Italian.
We are both originally from New England: I grew up in Massachusetts and he grew up in New Hampshire, and this is where we call home.
I am a Christian. I believe in Christ, and I do my best to follow Him in all that I do. I try to love my neighbor and serve others, and I acknowledge my constant imperfection and my need for His love and the salvation He offers me.
I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother, and although we don't talk about Her much out of reverence, She is most definitely a part of our doctrine, most notably mentioned in the hymn "If You Could Hie to Kolob". As such, I have a divine destiny and potential that I am seeking to fulfill.
I hope that sums me up fairly well. I didn't cover everything I believe but I hope to do so in more detail as I write in this blog. I make no guarantees as to the regularity of my posts, particularly during planting season when I'm outside during every minute of daylight.
Happy reading and God bless!
