Hi, I'm Jen

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am currently a 25 year old undergrad studying theatre education. I have already received a cello performance degree, but decided that wasn't enough! Sometimes it seems like it is taking forever to finish school, but I absolutely love learning. I also love movies, music, books, and theatre.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life. I can honestly say that it brings peace and happiness to my life.

Why I am a Mormon

To put it quite simply...

I am a Mormon because I know that this church is true.

As I mentioned before, I grew up in this church, but when I was about 12 or 13, I decided that I really wanted to know for myself if what I had learned about, and what I was doing, was right and true. If it wasn't, I wasn't going to be a part of it. If it was, then I would commit myself completely to living in the way that God asked. I read the entire Book of Mormon, and then I kneeled down and prayed to God. I asked Him if The Book of Mormon was true. . . because I understood that if the Book of Mormon was true then everything else was as well. After I prayed, I just stayed where I was an listened for an answer. I didn't hear anything, but I felt something. It wasn't huge or grand. . . it was just this quiet, peaceful feeling inside. It was a feeling that I knew could only come from God.

A while later I was reading Joseph Smith's story, and as I read about a young boy seeing God and Jesus Christ, I felt that same quiet, peaceful feeling. . . only this time, it was a little stronger!

That feeling was the Holy Ghost testifying to me, personally, that what I was asking about was true! I have never had one, huge, grand moment in which I knew, without a doubt, that the Church was true. I can't actually pinpoint the day I knew. Instead, I have had thousands of small experiences, like the two I wrote about above, testifying to me that this church is true. And for me, that is enough. In truth, it is more than enough!

I know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, and I know that this is his church.

I am a Mormon, and I will always be one . . . because the way that I live brings true happiness.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer is a huge part of my life. It is how I communicate with God, my Heavenly Father.

Prayer is a commandment, and I know that God does not give any commandments that are not for the benefit and happiness of His children. Some of the things that I personally have discovered as I have prayed are,

I have an assurance that what I am doing with my life is in accordance with God's will.
I have help in making big decisions.
I have help in making the small decisions as well!
Prayer increases my faith.
It enables me to thank my Father in Heaven for the many blessings He has given me.
When I pray, God helps me in my daily life with performances, tests, decisions, etc.
Prayer has taught me that there is ALWAYS someone there to turn to.
It has enabled me to come to know my Heavenly Father.
I have a personal relationship with Him because of prayer.

There are many other things that I have learned through prayer, but those are some of the most important. I know that God answers prayers. He hasn't always answered them in the way I wanted Him to, but He has always answered. I can't imagine my life without prayer. It has brought me great comfort and help throughout my life. . .especially during the low times.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope is believing and expecting that something will happen! It is trusting in the Lord and his promises.

I think for me, knowing what happens after this life has been my greatest source of hope. I know where I want to end up and what I need to do to get there! I fully believe and expect to see my family again after I die. I believe that life will continue after death. However, I need to do my part. This life is a test, and I want to pass with flying colors!!! :-)

How I live my faith

Both of my parents are members of the church, so I grew up learning about it and participating. My life has been fairly normal. I grew up, went to school, learned the piano and the cello, graduated from high school, and then went to University. After four years, I decided to put my education on hold and serve mission for the church when I was 22. This meant that for a year and a half I did nothing but teach people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was absolutely the best thing I have ever done in my life. I got home at the beginning of 2010, and have been going to school ever since.

As for my faith, I live it every day.

Every day, I have to make decisions. Decisions about what to do, what direction to take my life, how I treat others, and whether or not I will keep the commandments. I am a professional cellist, composer, and actress, and in my field, because of my faith, there are many paths that I have chosen not to take. For example, I don't work on Sundays. This may seem crazy, because in the theatre world, to get a job, often you have to be willing to work on weekends. But, I believe that Sunday is a day of rest. It is a holy day. A day to rejuvenate myself spiritually, physically, and emotionally. It is a day to come closer to God.

Because I keep the Sabbath holy, God has been able to bless me in multiple ways. I have been given other opportunities that don't involve working on weekends, I am more alert throughout the week, I progress more quickly in what I'm working on, I have grown closer to God and my family, and have been blessed in so many other ways.

That is just one example of how I live my faith. Don't get me wrong, I am not perfect by any means! But, I am trying my best to live in the way that God asks me to.

God is my Father. He knows me and wants me to be happy. The commandments (like keeping the Sabbath day holy) are simply things that He knows will lead me to happiness.

That is why I live my faith.

Why do Mormon missionaries proselyte?

Jen answered...

I can speak from experience on this one. As I mentioned before, I served a mission. I talked to and taught people on the streets, in buses, on trains, in parks, and in homes from ten in the morning to nine at night, every day. I did this for eighteen months. And let me tell you, it was pretty hard, and at times, pretty discouraging as well. I had bricks thrown at me, eggs, and apples. I was yelled at, cursed, and demeaned. But, serving a mission was the best thing I have ever done in my life. It was also the most worthwhile thing I have done in my life.

Mormon missionaries proselyte because we are commanded by God to do so. It is in the scriptures again and again. . . "Preach my gospel!" God and Jesus Christ want every person to have the opportunity to hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That is the main reason why missionaries proselyte, but there are many other individual and personal reasons as well. I served a mission because I wanted to serve God. I also wanted everyone to have the happiness that I have found within this church.

I wanted share what I have with others, and so I served.
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Nick answered...

Our decision to serve missions is motivated by our belief in the Gospel and our desire to fulfill the Savior's command to "preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15. The Gospel teaches us that we are all sons and daughters of God, and so we feel a kinship with all of God's children and a desire to help them enjoy the peace in this life that the Gospel provides.Our missionaries are not salesman and won't take much of your time, but I know that your decision to invite them into your home will change your life for good!

How can we come to know our Father in Heaven?

Britta answered...

I have come to know our Father in Heaven through private prayer and service. As I pray and receive answers through impressions and feelings, I am able to assist in His work. At other times, I have been comforted at the times when I needed it most by a very real presence. I feel His love as I serve others and I can feel His love for them.