why I'm mormon // ((a member of the LDS church))

If you want a (roughly) 6-12 hour lecture on any given spiritual DEEP topic ever,

I AM YOUR GIRL.

Am I Mother Theresa reincarnated??

I meannnnnnnnnnn the jury's still out on THAT but I AM a very starry-eyed, believing person who will go to the depths of the galaxies in conversation. My typical first conversations with people usually go something like::: "WOW, DEBORAH, how are you, how's the kids, but also do you believe that soul mates exist? Do you believe in an afterlife? DO GUARDIAN ANGELS EXIST??"

But truthfully, I think my blistering gravitation towards depth is all because of my religion. I've talked about my deep devotion to my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (commonly referred to as the mormon church), several times on this blog.

But, I've never specified WHY I love my church so much.

Why did I join a church that is often misunderstood & seen as strict or strange?

(picture of the Nashville Mormon Temple.)

1. We believe God loves ALL his children equally.

Despite race, economic standing, sexuality, religious affiliation, weight, age, or any other manmade division, GOD LOVES US ALL. This may be the belief of my church that I hold closest to my heart. Isn't that the most marvelous concept? My church truly believe that we, as human beings, are all equal in the eyes of a God who loves us because he CREATED US.

Though we as human beings have the capacity to love until our heart gives out (I mean think about Harry Styles, for INSTANCE. jk.), we will never truly understand the inexplicable purity in which our father in Heaven loves us. His love is all encompassing and reminds me that I'm not worthless. We spend our whole lives searching for this bountiful love story, but the Creator of the Universe ALREADY adores us, which sends our worth through the roof. I am mormon because I believe that God should love all of his children & because I believe he DOES.

2. We believe families can be together forever.

This belief is one so joyous, so raw, that I tear up when thinking about it. Unlike most Christian denominations, my church believes that we can have the ability to be with our families FOREVER.

We believe this life is not the end. Death will not sever the relationships we create in this life. Because of my church, I will also get to see members of my family who have passed away once more. We strongly believe that this life is not the end of all the endings, & that is one of the most hopeful of all our beliefs.

3. Our church is centered around the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

A foundational belief in the mormon religion is that Jesus Christ died for our sins & is the savior of the world. I have always felt a very profound and sacred connection with Jesus Christ. He died so we could all live again. He sacrificed everything for me, for you, for our messy & unruly & dumb souls.

I love him more than words could ever possibly convey.

I am Mormon because we have a strong central belief in Jesus Christ.

I have experienced healing that has rendered me wordless because of Him.

4. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn about this gospel.

Our missionary program is exponentially enormous, with young men & women serving, teaching, and helping worldwide to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I graduate high school, it is my hope to spill my heart out & tell the world of this beautiful gift. We believe that everyone should hear this gospel, because it offers immense healing power & happiness. It brings light into your life.

Currently, mormonism is the most rapidly growing religion in the United States of America, and I am so unbelievably proud of the missionaries in my church for filling this world with goodness.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to be happy.

We additionally believe that if someone lives & dies without hearing the truthfulness of the gospel (with billions of people who've lived & will live, this is entirely probable) they WILL have the opportunity to hear it in the next life.

Heavenly Father loves ALL his children. We believe he will give each of his children the opportunity to bring light into their world, whether it be through this life or the next.

5. Our church teaches the exact same principles worldwide.

If you walk into a Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building in Alabama or Paris, we will be teaching the exact same principles.

We are all set up the exact same way, and have a very structured way of running things. Often times, churches vary from denomination to denomination, but ALL MORMON CHURCHES teach the exact same principles. I think this is pretty dope, because we all have the same belief system. Our beliefs don't differ from speaker to speaker. Our doctrine is universal.

6. It feels like home.

I feel a PROFOUND sense of peace, comfort, love, generosity, clarity, & brilliance whenever I'm learning about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The most euphoric experiences of my life have been because of my Heavenly Father. When I have a horrible day, I get on my knees and pray and feel inexplicable warmth. When I read the scriptures, I genuinely feel a deep sense of understanding.

This world is a whirlwind of differing opinions, wars, fires, heartache, hate, & chaos.

We don't have a choice in which planet we get to live on (I WOULD CHOOSE NEPTUNE IF WE DID), but we do get a choice in whether we believe in a Creator.

We get to choose love, to choose peace. Life still sucks; none are exempt from struggling. But, as Al Fox said;

"It isn't that the gospel prevents us from the blows of life; it's that it gives us a profound sense of peace & light in every dark moment."

We don't have to go through this life alone.

Through every step of the way, we will always have a loving Heavenly Father who cares about us more than humanly possible. It is never too late to come home.

"The story of the Prodigal son made one thing clear; whatever you've done, just come home."

I love my church. I was fortunate enough to be raised with this gift, and my heart feels like it's going to burst with the exertion of trying to sum up a FRACTION of WHY I'm mormon. It is a part of who I am. It has saved me so many times & will continue to do that for the rest of my life. It makes me see through a lens of love; love for others, love for God, love for myself.

I am Mormon because I believe in love. I believe in second chances. I believe we were all created equally. I believe Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I believe we are meant to have joy.

If you have any questions about my religion, please never hesitate to ask me. It is my heart.

XOXOXOXOOX, Skylar McKellar.