Hi I'm Alethea

The reason I am a Mormon is the exact same reason I chose to be baptized a Mormon at 13 years old because I felt the pure joy that only the Spirit can bring; each time I follow the commandments I feel His Spirit letting me know He is happy with my choices. My childhood was happy despite not having religion taught in the home and until I met mormon missionaries I had never felt any overwhelming feeling of joy whenever religion was discussed or I visited a church - although I did find churches peaceful places. Coming home one day and, before the two missionaries even had chance to speak, I was bowled over by this intense feeling of joy and happiness, and even after they left the feeling lingered for some time. I learned later that feeling was the Holy Ghost or Spirit testifying to my own spirit that these young men had traveled far and given up a lot of things to be able to share with me this one message - the message of Truth, the Plan of Salvation. I couldn't help but embrace it, even with all the opposition and obstacles placed in my way to being baptized and continuing to be active in the church, now I had tasted the Spirit I simply wouldn't live without it. I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored again upon the earth and is practiced in the same way as the ancients of Israel lived in former days, indeed even as Christ taught and lived in His mortal ministry. I know that God lives, I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and through His Atoning sacrifice I know we can live with Them again. I know Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees and, through him, the Gospel was restored again to the earth. I know Joseph Smith, under the inspiration of the Spirit, translated the Book of Mormon - a record of the lives and challenges of followers of Christ who lived on the American continent long before it was populated by Europeans. I know when I listen I can hear the voice of the Lord directing me to make the right choices but ultimately the choice is mine. To follow the Lord is the only way we can return to live with Him again, our most precious goal. I declare this in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I help in the youth program of the church, organizing activities for the young women and sometimes joint activities with the young men, such as camping and weekly trips as well as things to help them learn how wonderful they are. I visit sisters who are neighbors each month and see how they are doing and help them in simple ways that can lift their burden a little. I am working with a team of people collecting toiletries and underwear to make toilet bags and a change of clothes for a local womens and children's shelter.