Hi, I'm Jenny

I'm a wife, a mom, a triathlete, a blogger, and a musician. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I grew up in beautiful Southwestern New York state, and now live in the shadows of the stunning Rocky Mountains. I'm a wife and a mom -- 6 kids: 5 alive, 1 in Heaven. I enjoy music, television, movies . . . most things Pop Culture. I participate in triathlons, drive a minivan, and write a blog. All my life I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, which I am.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born (and Christened) Catholic, and when I was still very young, my parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My family was of average activity until I was baptized at the age of 8, after which my family stopped attending church altogether. At age 12 I was invited to a missionary appreciation dinner as an activity for the Young Women organization (for girls ages 12-17), and it was this activity which began my reactivation. For a long time I was the only one in my family to attend church (even having to get rides because I couldn't yet drive). Attending church and activities, living by the principles being taught at church, and doing it all as a teenager despite my family's inactivity were conscious choices I made for myself. I found that when I was living according to gospel principles, when I was following the commandments, I was happy. It wasn't always the easiest way to live, but it was worth it. I made goals for myself which included being married in the temple, having a family to rear in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to always do my best. I have done, and continue to do those things, and, very simply: I am happy. I know that when we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ we are blessed and happy.

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

Make your home a safe place - no harsh words or actions. Use soft voices. I've heard it said that it's the mother who creates the tone in a home, and I'd like to add that each family member's attitude, actions, tone of voice, etc., contributes greatly as well. Music is also a great influence -- evaluate what role music plays in creating harmony (so punny) in your home.

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

Generally, young men go on their missions at age 19 and serve for two years; women can go if they choose at age 21 and they serve for 18 months. Married couples in a mature (retired) stage of their life may serve together as missionaries, as well as older single women. After preparing and submitting their mission application to the Church Offices in Salt Lake City, they wait to receive their assignment, as far as to which part of the world they will go, as well as which date their service will begin. The mission assignment begins at a Missionary Training Center (MTC), where they spend three to nine weeks, depending on factors such as whether or not they need to learn a foreign language for their mission. There are several MTCs in the world; no longer does every missionary prepare at the MTC located in Provo, Utah. Couples serving as Mission Presidents (the couple who presides over a certain geographical area and bears responsibility for the missionary work and missionaries therein) generally serve for three years.

I didn't go on a mission; in fact, I have said that, "I'm serving my mission now!" (I've said this since I got married at age 20 and had my first baby at age 22.) Still, missionaries have had a HUGE role in my life. My husband was a missionary in Argentina, where he learned to speak Spanish -- he now speaks only Spanish to our children. My brother was a missionary in the South area of Houston, Texas, where he spoke primarily Vietnamese. The missionaries who served in the mission area in which I grew up were influential in not only teaching me and my families important principles of the gospel, but also in being examples of clean living, service and friendship.

How I live my faith

Currently, I prepare and make copies of a monthly newsletter which is delivered to each household in our neighborhood at the beginning of each month. I feel lucky to enjoy this calling as much as I do.

Who are the Mormons?

Jenny answered...

Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The nickname 'Mormon' comes from the fact that we use The Book of Mormon, along with The Bible, as scripture; Mormon is the name of a prophet from The Book of Mormon.
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Why don’t women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? How do Mormon women lead in the Church?

Leeny answered...

This is a question I had to really consider before joining the Church. My mother is a non-denominational chaplain, and both my sisters are pastors. Female leadership in church settings is very important to my family.

It is to me as well. I think many people become offended when they learn that only men hold the priesthood because they misunderstand it. The priesthood is a tool given to men in order that they might serve others more. It does not in any way give them power or dominion over women. Those people who suppose the priesthood is a way to control others are deeply mistaken.

My husband is a priesthood holder, this means I am too. I have claim on my husband's priesthood power. Even more than he does. If I am sick, discouraged, or in need of help I can call upon my husband to give me a blessing through the priesthood that he holds. I then recieve many blessings because of my husband's worthiness to work in behalf of Christ. My husband is never able to give himself a blessing though. If he is sick or discouraged he must call on other priesthood holders to administer to him. My husband holds the priesthood so that he can bless me and our child - never himself.

The priesthood is the power of Christ on the earth. It allows those who hold it to serve their families in the same way Christ served the Church. Did Christ do any deed for himself during his earthly ministry? No. Christ spent all his energy serving the people. This is what the priesthood does for my husband. It infuses him with Christ's compassion and ability to love, and then my husband is able to use that celestial love in our family.

Why don't women also recieve this special gift then? The simple answer is women don't need it. As women we are innately endowed with compassion, selflessness, and love. Think about the way a mother loves her child. I believe there is nothing more pure and similar to Christ's love for us, than a mother's love for her children. Women naturally have the ability to love as Christ does.

In an ideal situation, which is what God always intended for us, there are two partners in marriage. There is the husband and father, a priesthood leader who can be called upon to administer blessings and serve in Christ's name. And there is also the wife and mother, who is blessed with the ability to love as Christ loves and sacrifice for her family. These are two seperate and divinely appointed roles. Each complementing the other. Both make a complete home.

Women do not hold the priesthood because they do not need it. Women have other God-given powers that raise them up to the task they are called to. A man is appointed to serve his wife and children - it is the power of the priesthood that enables him to do this.

I am grateful to have a husband who is worhty to use the priesthood in my behalf. It has blessed me many times and I know that it is a special gift from God - not only to my husband, but to me as well.