Darla Petersen is a singer, songwriter, and poet. She was born at the Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1958 and grew up in rose Park and the surrounding area. She attended Granite High School where she was active in sports and enjoyed playing basketball, volleyball, softball. Musically inclined, Darla taught piano for years. She also tuned them. Darla owned an entertainment company in 1987, auditioning and casting performers to entertain along the Wasatch Front. Darla has written over 45 children’s songs. Darla went to Utah State University on a singing scholarship in 1977. It was here that she developed a love for art. Darla loves to paint and draw. She also went to the University of Utah where she excelled in music. She sang a solo at Kingsbury Hall as an angel in the Christmas performances. It was here that she studied art and music history and drawing. She worked with disabled children and loved them. Darla also worked as a model during the late 80s. Darla was called to serve a mission in Italy and went to the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah to learn Italian. Due to a severe sickness, she had to return home early. Darla’s testimony never wavered and she was recalled as a missionary, but this time to Mexico. While there, she contracted the Bangkok Flu and again had to return home. Darla’s faith was strong and she was determined to finish her mission and was recalled to serve in Oregon. While there, her mission was the highest baptizing mission in the United States. Due to the mission’s success, there was a threat made against the missionaries serving in that area and they had to leave abruptly. Darla said it was scary to have to leave so quickly and they did not have time to take anything with them. But she continued faithfully and finished her mission in Washington state. When she returned home, Darla’s health failed again and she couldn’t attend church or go anywhere for eight months. She would later learn that she was showing symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis and that these symptoms had been manifested on and off throughout her life since she was 15 years old. Darla’s conditioned worsened and she found doctors in Las Vegas to help her. In return for the expensive treatments, she worked in their office. Throughout the many illnesses in her life, Darla endured well. She was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1995. Though the Multiple Sclerosis took its toll on her health, it never put her in a wheelchair. She could walk on her own until 1996, when she was paralyzed in a car accident. Though she is wheelchair bound and struggles constantly with her health, Darla continues to endure well. She remains positive and continues to develop her talents. She continues to write and perform music for her family and friends. She writes poetry and has published a book, A Pioneer Family Poetree Treasury, Generations of Rhyme Through Time. In her own words, Darla would like to share her testimony and the reason she can remain optimistic despite the happenings throughout her life: I love the gospel of Jesus Christ with all my heart. I love my Savior Jesus Christ with all my heart I am so thankful for Joseph smith. I am thankful for Moses and Noah and the prophets throughout the ages. I am thankful for modern prophets – I adore them and they’re needed for this day and age. I wish I could do more. I don’t do enough. I want to share this gospel and share that the Church has been restored. The Church of Jesus Christ is the true church on earth. I also know that, not only do we have scripture that is coming to us continuously through prophets, but that there is more scripture out there buried and once it all comes together we’ll have the complete truth. I know that, in temples, we can all be bound for eternity. And I’m so excited to know that. |
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