Several Mormon women writers wrote about some of our basic beliefs in a one-day “blogfest” on April 27. We wanted to share links to (and snippets from) their posts here.

The Book of Mormon and missionary work with Kayeleen Hamblin: “Missionary work is a pretty big focus of the LDS Church. It’s not that we’re trying to be pushy or tell everyone they are wrong. It’s that we have something amazing and want to share it with everyone…. [When I was a missionary] one of the things that I spent months sharing with people is the Book of Mormon. It tells the story of a people who who lived in the American continent. They believed in and waited for the coming of Jesus Christ and their experiences of faith and testimony have changed my life.”

Faith in Jesus Christ with Myrna Foster: “There have been times in my life when I’ve struggled with depression and the hopelessness that goes with it….I don’t want anyone who’s reading this to think I’m suggesting that they or someone they know should stop taking medication and pray more often. While praying more often won’t hurt, not taking a medication that keeps them from the edge of the abyss might. But praying does help. Reading my scriptures helps. Reaching out to help other people – especially when I feel rotten – makes me happy. Singing hymns of praise can lift me out of the abyss.” [Those who struggle with depression in particular might appreciate this post.]

Families with Charity Bradford: “‘The greatest work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home’ (David O. McKay). This is something that I believe and take very seriously. … My family will always be the most important thing in my life. So how am I going to do this?” [Charity shares her goals on being the best wife and mother she can be, and includes powerful quotes from The Family: A Proclamation to the World]
Family history with Laura D: “I can see the difference searching and finding my family has made in my life. It makes me whole. Words can’t express how much love I can feel in my life. Love for myself, love for my family and love for the family I didn’t know I had.” [Read more about Laura’s love of family history, and the significance it has in our doctrine.]

Joseph Smith with Annette Lyon: “My topic is one near and dear to my heart: The Prophet Joseph Smith. But to talk about Joseph Smith, I have to back up a bit….” [What follows is a thorough explanation of why the prophet Joseph Smith’s role was necessary– including explanation of the Great Apostasy and the Restoration of Jesus Christ’s Church.]

Restoration of Jesus Christ’s church with Kelly Bryson: “For months I thought and prayed to know if what they were telling me was true, I watched the movies and hung out with Mormons, and read the entire Book of Mormon, but nothing had changed inside me. Then one February day I was walking back from Russian class and the sun was shining so bright….” [In this post, Kelly shares about her own personal spiritual journey and subsequent conversion as a college student to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which she calls miraculous.]

Stories from the Book of Mormon with Kathi Oram Peterson: “In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints part of our scripture study is The Book of Mormon. One story I particularly like is the stripling warriors.” [Read why this story is meaningful to Kathi.]

Temples with Krista V.: “Within a temple, members perform five ordinances, all of which are associated with specific covenants, or promises with God: baptism and confirmation, initiatory and endowment, and sealing. The first time you go to the temple, you perform these ordinances for yourself. On every subsequent visit, you perform these ordinances on behalf of a deceased ancestor (which is why Mormons are so interested in family history).” [Read a little more about each of those five ordinances to understand a little more about what goes on inside LDS temples.]