Hi I'm Shelby

Short Answer Because it's true, and I found that out for myself. Longer answer I've been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2006. I joined the church as a sophomore in college. Before that, I wasn't atheist or anything, I just didn't think much about God or what He meant to me. Being baptized was one of the most significant decisions of my life, that will affect my entire life. And I have never regretted it. I am so grateful to know that Christ is my Savior, and to have Him in my life every day. Here’s a bit of my story People often ask me why I joined the church. The simple answer is that it's true. The longer answer is that I saw the good example of several people in my life. I saw the peace they had and the love they showed, and I knew that what they had was good. I read the Book of Mormon and I met with the missionaries for more than a year. I liked the teachings, but I couldn't decide if it was true. There seemed to be a lot of negative views on the church as well. I knew that if I was going to join the church, then I really needed to know for myself that it was true. I prayed, went to church, read the scriptures New Testament and Book of Mormon, mostly. I searched online and talked to friends. In the end I found that both sides mormons and non-mormons could take any issue and make it seem logically argued from their point of view. I realized that my testimony wasn't going to grow out of that kind of logic. I realized that it really all did come down to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. If the Book of Mormon is not true, then there is no way that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God as he claimed. If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith truly was a prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom upon the earth. There is no middle ground. I continued reading the Book of Mormon and the Bible, and continued praying to know if it was true. One day I came across a scripture from the Book of Mormon in Moroni chapter 7, specifically verse 13 “But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. As I read this verse, I realized that the Book of Mormon, and this church claiming to be Christ’s true church, really did invite me to do good. It made me want to be a good person, serve others, believe in Christ, and to love God. I felt a confirmation, logical and spiritual in my heart and mind that the Book of Mormon truly is from God. I knew that by the same token, that also meant that the church was true, that prophets are on the earth today, that there is the power of the priesthood to bless the lives of all people, and that Christ is my Savior. I knew it then, and I know it to this day. It doesn’t mean that living the gospel is always easy and black and white. But Christ is my Savior, my Pilot, my Friend. There is truth, real, honest, divine truth from heaven and we can know it and we can live by it. I am a Mormon because I know that it is true for myself, not because the world told me, not because members of the church told me, but because my Heavenly Father, who loves me, and sent His Son to die for me, told me through the Holy Ghost, and through my experiences that this is His Church, and there is nowhere else I want to be.  

I try to come closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ everyday by seeking out His love, recognizing my blessings, and reaching out to other people. I serve actively in His Church, prioritize my family relationships, and regularly try to make friends with new people. Life is happier and more fun when we spend it with others, lifting one another to a better place, and I think that's how Christ intended it to be. So I try not to let other people feel alone, whether it's at Church or work or somewhere else. I try to think about what Christ would do, and then do it. I try to serve other people and I try to stay positive through whatever life has in store (which is not always easy). All that trying sometimes doesn't turn out like I want it to, but I know that I can turn to my Savior and find comfort, peace, healing, forgiveness, and the courage to change. I remember that faith is for the future and my Heavenly Father has a glorious plan for me that I can't full understand right now. His ways are higher (and better) than my own, so I am patient with myself and others in our mortal experiences. I trust in the good in people and try to open my heart to love and be loved by those around me, and especially by my Savior Jesus Christ.