About the Author

Hi I'm Tara Howard

I'm training to compete in TaeKwonDo at the National level, and then later open my own Martial Arts school. And I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My name is Tara Howard. I am nineteen, and currently attending college at the Brigham Young University of Idaho. I am studying exercise physiology and hope to become a personal trainer eventually, once I get my master’s degree. 

 My hobbies over the years have included acting, singing, several musical instruments (including the saxophone and piano), running, writing, and playing pranks. 

 Currently, I am training intensely in TaeKwonDo. I am a Blackbelt and have been doing the martial arts for several years. I have traveled all over the country to compete in various competitions. I have even qualified for, and competed in Regionals, and then the TaeKwonDo National Championships. I would love to be able to compete internationally one day. 

 I also am learning judo and several martial arts weapons as well. I will also eventually learn the system of F.I.G.H.T. (Hand-to-Hand combat). One day, I would love to open my own martial arts school. It is what I love, and I love teaching it to other people too. 

My family was raised in the country. We had a large garden full of raspberries and strawberries, mostly. There were several animals including a big, loyal dog, a lazy horse, and a couple of milk cows. I grew up in a family of ten kids. I am very normal in a lot of ways. I love to laugh, and spend time with friends and family. I like chocolate milk, reading good books, telling jokes, and standing out in the rain to watch the lightning.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born and raised in the church. I have never drifted away. I relied on my parents' testimonies at first, but I eventually gained my own. Although I asked questions, I never doubted. Something about the church always just felt so right, so warm, so good. It made me unafraid of the present, and unafraid of the future. 

I have been around the country, and have met many people. Plenty of Mormons, as well as members of all sorts of other religions. I know that God would never cease to give revelation to His children, unless we were in a complete and utter state of wickedness. That is why I believe that there is a Prophet of God always here on this earth, to receive guidance and direction for all of us. To add to that, we can receive our own personal revelation as well, every single day, in everything that we do. 

I have felt the strength inside of me as I pray and read the scriptures every morning and every evening. I continue to learn, and the blessings continue to be poured out upon me. Being able to go to church, and to be able to continually feel of the spirit and happiness that is there, is the greatest blessing there is. All the teachings of the church feel so right and so true. They are there for our eternal happiness. They teach us the right ways to live that will take the unneeded misery out of our lives that would come from the consequences of sin. I truly believe in the power of the priesthood. I have been healed from physical and emotionally injuries through the power of the priesthood blessings that I have received. Every priesthood blessing that I have ever received has come true, down to the very smallest detail. I believe in it with all of my heart. 

I believe in the church, and I believe in God, and I love Him with all my heart. We are all given trials, and God will help us through all of them. They help us to learn, and to grow. We receive continual revelation for our day, and we can receive personal revelation daily in our lives.

How I live my faith

My callings in church over the years have mainly been to assist and help other young women, like me. We planned activities, spiritual lessons, and service projects that we might participate in. My sister and I would visit the elderly in our ward, and take cookies to those who needed a boost. 

I include God in everything that I do. Every morning and every night, I pray. I also pray before every TaeKwonDo competition that I compete in, and I study the scriptures diligently. I am not afraid to stand up for my religion and for who I am. I am also not afraid to uphold all of the standards that the church has proclaimed. I would follow them anyway, because I know with a surety that they make me so much better than I could possibly be without them. I would never swear, or dress indecently, or consume anything that would contaminate my body. I also avoid things that would contaminate my mind and spirit as well. This is who I am. 

The blessings I've been given, the great life that I've been allowed to live, would not be possible at all without the help, and comfort, and blessings of my God. He is always there for me. I am not afraid to work towards all my hopes and dreams, because I know that He is always there, and He always has my back.

My Mormon.org profile