Hi, I'm Jennifer Anne

I grew up in the Philadephia area. I'm a stay-at-home mother. I am a Mormon!

About Me

I am a wife and a mother to two active preschoolers. I was a high school drama teacher for 5 years before becoming a mother, an now I enjoy staying home with my boys. Together my husband and I enjoy photography and traveling. As a family we love softball, and the outdoors. I love the arts and being creative. I keep busy by doing custom tailoring out of my home for weddings and I love to do specialty costumes! Learning to be a great mom is the greatest adventure yet!

Why I am a Mormon

I am a Mormon because I feel the spirit every time I read the Book of Mormon. I feel it when I sincerely pray to my Father in Heaven. I feel it when I listen the the Prophet speak to us. I can feel that the prophet's guidance is the word of the Lord to help us through these troubling times. I find comfort and peace in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It helps me stay optimistic in the the face of opposition.

Personal Stories

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

Personally, I want to share the gospel with others because it has provided me with a tremendous amount of peace and happiness. Why wouldn't anyone want to share something that has influenced them so profoundly? As a friend, I try to be open about what I believe in, and why. I try to be a person whom they would feel comfortable approaching if they did have a question. I'm trying to be like Jesus. Mind you, like everyone, I don't always succeed, but I would hope that my successes can outnumber my failures in the end. Great joy can be had in making others happy, and the gospel brings joy into the lives of those that embrace it. I know as a teenager I loved inviting my friends to church activities. It's just natural to combine your loves-- your friends, your family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

We are encouraged to set every Monday evening aside for a "Family Night." Even though our children are so small, we really have loved this time together. We sing a song together, pray, say a family proclamation, and then do a simple activity together like: coloring a picture, telling a story, doing a short play, going for a family walk, or talking about a special even coming up. We also take a family picture together every week! It's wonderful to see how our kids are growing, and how they look forward to our special family time together.

How I live my faith

I know that if I did not live the things that I believe in I wouldn't feel whole as a person. Living our faith means that we will do what right even when it is difficult, or unpopular. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has given me that foundation for making good choices in my personal life.

As a member of the church we are all asked to contribute a little bit of ourselves. Right now I am serving as the ward choir director in my congregation. (I have never had any formal training, I just learn as I go!) Its a little bit intimidating, but I do know that if we fulfill the callings we are given, and try our best, that our efforts will be blessed. I'm glad that I get the chance to develop new talents.

I have also been asked to visit other sisters in our congregation, and in turn there are sisters that visit me. I really enjoy these associations with other women. They often provide a great perspective on the things that I am going through and I enjoy the friendships that develop because of our regular visits.

I have been a member since I was a young girl, and the gospel has been central to every happy moment in my life. I wouldn't trade that for anything!

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?

Jennifer Anne answered...

The priesthood is the power of God, given to men, to act in his name on the earth. The priesthood is used to serve others and perform ordinances of the gospel, the blessings of which are enjoyed by both men and women. Although women do not hold priesthood offices their power and influence is not in any way diminished. Organized by priesthood power women lead the Relief Society, the Primary Organization (for children under 12), and the Young Women's Organization. Women are called to serve in and sometimes lead in many other capacities including and not limited to: Activities Commitees, the Visiting Teaching Program, Teacher Training, Welfare Program, Geneology and Family History Programs, and Music Commitees. There are innumerable opportunities for women to serve and bless the lives of others through their church service. In the church I have always felt important and cherished. I feel that my contributions are appreciated and needed.
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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.

What is a “testimony” that Mormons speak of?

Jen answered...

The word "testimony" is used frequently by members of The Church. When they use this, what they mean is they have knowledge that a certain principle or doctrine is true because they have studied it, and received a witness of it from the Holy Ghost. For example, to gain a 'testimony' of the Book of Mormon, you read it, study it, and ask Heavenly Father if it is true. He will typically respond with a feeling of peace or happiness. This feeling is the witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. Once you receive this witness, you have built a testimony of the Book Of Mormon. This process can be applied to any aspect of The Church, or your life.

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