What does it mean to be Mormon?

A friend recently asked me what a Mormon is. Misinterpreting her question, I simply replied, "It's a religion."

She quickly cut in, "No, no, no. I know that, but what does it mean to be a Mormon?"

Despite there being thousands of ways to answer her question, I was at loss for words. I spat out a few quick things about Mormons being family-oriented, believing in Jesus Christ and God as individual beings, and our assertive feelings regarding life after death.

Since then, I have spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on what being Mormon means to me personally.

To me, it means striving to live a life worth living. By that, I mean aiming to be like Christ, by loving and serving others, walking tall with humility, keeping an eternal perspective, bearing faith through both storms and calm seas, and walking with integrity.

Being Mormon means accepting others for who they are, regardless of race, circumstances, and life decisions.

It means having a desire to learn more about God and His work here on earth, and doing what you can to live it.

Being Mormon means knowing deep down that you're never truly alone. I believe that God knows each of His children (us) individually and personally, and that has given me great comfort in my darkest hours.

Well, that's the Reader's Digest version of what being Mormon means to me. :)