I'm Rochelle Tallmadge. I'm a redhead, a Texan, and I'm a Mormon.

Hi, I'm Rochelle

I'm a Redhead, a Texan, a Wife & Mother. And I'm a Mormon.

http://www.mormon.org/rochelle

Why I am a Mormon

My family was among the first to be called "Mormons", but that doesn't make me one. My faith in Jesus Christ does.

Though I was born to good parents who were members of the church, I still had to decide for myself if I believed what they taught. I have ancestors who were with the church before it was even a church. One mortgaged his farm to publish the Book of Mormon. But, while my father was raised in this well-known Mormon family, ironically they didn't actually go to church. At 19, he had to get on his knees to determine what was true. First, he simply asked if God was real. Then, he asked if this was His church.

I'm so glad that he did that, because this ended a chain and gave our family a new start. Although his family had a deep Mormon legacy; for generations, the fathers struggled with alcoholism, to the point where many men and families were destroyed.

So, in many ways, my dad sort of taught himself to be a father. As the oldest child, I think it goes without saying that for me, this caused some rocky moments! But, in spite of that, the thing my parents tried most to teach us was how to gain our own knowledge, faith and testimony of Jesus Christ. Very early on, they encouraged us to read the scriptures and pray for our own answers.

I did read the Book of Mormon for the first time when I was in 8th grade. When I finished, honestly I didn't know what I was supposed to feel. I think I was expecting fireworks, or something. But I kept trying to do what was right and over the next few years, through the programs of the church, I had many opportunities to feel the Holy Ghost. At one point, I simply had to ask myself, "Where do you find the most happiness?" I knew that when I obeyed God I was happiest. By the time I went to college, I had a very strong faith in Christ's gospel.

Some people could look at me and say, "Your family on both sides has always been Mormon (since there was such a thing!). Of course, you are Mormon." But, every person has to decide what they believe for themselves. I looked at my ancestors and wondered why one would be willing to lose everything to publish a controversial book? Why another would leave her comfortable home in the dead of winter at the point of a gun? Why not just give up this new religion and go back to the comfortable life before? I had to learn for myself that what drove these people was a fire of faith that burned in their hearts that they couldn't deny.

I now have that same faith. My parents and my ancestors didn't give it to me. They simply gave the tools, and I had to work for it. But it is strong and undeniable. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and testifies of Jesus Christ. I know that this is His church. This faith gives me a peace that drives all my decisions in life and gives me a happiness and joy that is indescribable.

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[MrYuriNate]

I'm Bruce

I'm a billionaire, I'm eccentric, I'm a crime fighter, and I'm batman

[imabadking]

I have to give it to the guy(?) who runs this channel, over 7000 dislikes (well over half of the votes) and tons of mean comments, yet he dosn't disable comments or voting. Kudos guy, kudos.

[RushInthescissors]

@AGuyInAG And I think that is the point. It is to show that Mormons are normal people too. Many think Mormons are weird and live their lives totally different from others.

[partyof7d]

I love her perspective. Thanks for sharing.

[AGuyInAG]

I'm sorry, but I don't like these videos. It's stupid because even though the life story is good, and you can tell they're great people, it has nothing to do with whether they're Mormon or not.

[darkmatterdoesit]

This video has nothing to do with the fact that she is mormon.

[KiraJeanRAF]

It's funny to see so many "Christians" hating on this. Classic.

[n8dogo]

@LiveGamingGuys Are you implying Mormons aren't?

[n8dogo]

@xcoleaaax Speak good English much? Haha but seriously, your making us look bad! ;) I do agree with you though, people do need to bring down their biases and realize we are just normal people.

[Sathrik]

I am shocked on how much people feel so insecure about church and such that when they see this they have to instantly vote thumbs down. And not only that hate on anyone standing up to them. Get it together... Land of the free.

[toju2k]

Christains FTW! No Troll Intended...

[xcoleaaax]

Howcome this got a lot of dislikes? People, i think our church is posting stuffs like these is because we're always get mocked and just to show you guys that we're all the same. We're not cult and that's it. Thank you for reading this