Hi, I'm Jessica Constantine

I am a wife, mother, daughter, and friend, and I'm proud to be a Mormon.

About Me

I am the wife to a wonderful, hard working man who takes us all over the country with his job. I’m a new mom who’s trying to “master” the ropes of motherhood and the joys therein. I’m a soccer player, music listener, teacher, crafter, and wishful thinker. I take one day at a time, and try to learn and laugh along the way!

Why I am a Mormon

My older sister has always been my example and role model. Whatever she did I would be sure to do it. When I reached the 9th grade, my sister took off to college and there began to share the deep roots of her testimony with me. As she studied the scriptures and words from our modern day prophets she would send me quotes and insights via e-mail and letters. We had many late night discussions about the gospel, and it was then that I realized that I didn't have to be twenty, thirty, or even fourty years old to be able to appreciate and want to live the gospel; I already wanted to live it. The words of the scriptures filled me with joy. As I immersed myself in the gospel and developed a relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, my personal insecurities that once seemed to overwhelm me began to fade away as if they were a distant memory. Daily I became more confident in the person I am; a divine daughter of our eternal God. I also began to see life with an eternal perspective. I no longer lived just to be accepted by those I was around, but I lived because I wanted to live, and I wanted to make a difference in the world around me. I found a deep sense of purpose and knew that the joy in my heart that I experienced daily was coming because I was choosing to turn my heart toward God.
The gospel of Jesus Christ has changed my life in innumerable ways. As I have prayed, studied the scriptures, and entered into covenants with our Heavely Father my life has become more full and vibrant. Trials and hardships still come my way, but it is through my knowledge of my Father's plan that I am able to use the atonement of Jesus Christ to overcome them. I have been blessed with reasurring witnesses that this gospel is true, the strongest of those witnesses being peace.

Personal Stories

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

Our family has made the decision to be open in our communication with each other. Sometimes we do things that unintentionally hurt each other’s feelings, so instead of letting those hurt feelings fester and turn more malicious in our minds, we bring it up to each other and choose to kindly express how we feel and why we feel that way. We make it a point to listen to each other and then respond to whatever is being expressed, taking time-outs from the conversation to think it over if need be, and then we come back together and work out a solution that leaves everyone feeling better. This really helps us each to feel validated and keeps the harmony in our home.

How has the Holy Ghost helped you?

The Holy Ghost has helped me in so many ways! When I first began to gain a testimony of this church, I found myself praying to know that God loved me. After each time I prayed I simply felt it... It is hard to describe, but I just had this deep assurance inside me, like the Holy Ghost was prompting me saying, "Yes, Jessica. He loves you very much." The Holy Ghost has also helped me to make the correct decissions that have led me to much happiness. I have been blessed to know what to say to friends when they are struggling with really hard trials, I have been inspired to send pick-me-up notes to people who are in need of love, and I have been physically protected by being inspired not to go to certain places with friends. The Holy Ghost has enabled me to learn truths more quickly and has enabled my testimony to become a strong base in my life.

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

I share the gospel with my friends because I love them and because I know our Father in Heaven and Savior love them too. The gospel is the one thing that has brought me untold amounts of joy in my life, and why wouldn't I want my friends to be able to experience that joy as well?
Sharing the gospel with my friends happens through small and simple ways. The first way I share the gospel is through living its principles. This serves as the strongest testimony and example to them. Then, I listen to the Spirit and pray daily for opportunities to share the gospel with those I am around and to those whose hearts have been prepared. I find the occasion to share little bits of my testimony here and there with my friends, and occasionally we have longer gospel discussions which are led by the spirit.

What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?

As many have felt, the influences of the world seem to seep into every aspect of our daily lives. Some of the things we have done to shield our family from unwanted influences are to monitor what we watch on TV/ in movies, as well as selecting only uplifting music. By monitoring what we watch and hear we find it easier to have only pure, good thoughts enter our minds. We are also selective about the type of people and conversations we choose to surround ourselves with. While we desire to reach out to and be kind to all people, we have come to realize that there are some associations which are more detrimental to ourselves than uplifting. We also have chosen to listen to the prophet's council about dress and grooming standards. We have found that by dressing modestly and by taking care of our physical bodies we are able to establish relationships that are more perminant and long lasting, as well as satisfying to the soul. We also have found that our inner respect for ourselves increases, and we are encouraged as we seek those things in life that are uplifting and strengthening.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

If there is one thing I have come to know of a surity it is that God hears and answers prayers. In our society today, we've grown accustomed to big, grand, even marvelous signs and answers. We want information delivered to our door step rather than having to go and search for it. Our Heavenly Father does not always work that way though. He often times gives us answers to our prayers through small and simple means throughout the day. If we are not watchful we can miss them. Answers to prayers comes through work on our behalf also.
One example of my prayers being answered is when I was deciding what to major in at school. For a long time before I went off to college I wanted to become an elementary school teacher or a nurse. Before I made any big moves in school I wanted to make sure that I was going in the right direction. I prayed to my Father in Heaven frequently about what I should do- was elementary education the right major for me, or should I choose another career? I did not get an immediate answer. I decided this was because I needed to make the first move, so I did. I signed up for a few education classes for my first semester, and I asked Heavenly Father that if it wasn't the right move to please help me to know. After the first semester I still did not have a clear answer, but I felt good about the classes I had taken, so I decided to take a few more. I continued on this course for the next three semesters of my schooling, always being open to change if my Father in Heaven so directed me. It was only once I was fully immersed in my education course work that I began to feel those reasurring nudges from the Holy Ghost granting me the feeling that, "yes, this major is the right major for you. Keep going with it." I wasn't granted my answer right when I asked for it. I had to move in a direction first, then my Heavenly Father blessed me with the assurance I sought.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by allowing it to shape who I am and through letting it influence the way I interact with people. Since I know that we are all children of our Heavenly Father, I try to treat those around me with kindness and love, just like how our Father would treat us. I try to be patient as I teach and learn, I talk about uplifting, worthwhile things, and I willingly serve my family. I rely a lot on my Heavenly Father and Savior, and I pray for their help often. This really has changed my life and helps me to be the Christian I want to be.

What blessings can you receive from reading the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and other scriptures?

Jessica Constantine answered...

There are several blessings that can come into your life when you read the Book of Mormon and Bible. One of the main blessings is that you are better able to understand who our Heavenly Father and Savior are. That understanding really helps you to be able to invite them into your life. Another blessing is that they give you direction for how you should be living. The scriptures give you a clear path to happiness and joy. They also show you how to deal with trials and unfortunate events. This direction is truly heaven sent, especially because sometimes things in life seem like they are beyond our capacity to cope with or understand.
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What is being a Mormon like?

Michael answered...

The shortest answer that I could give is that it's AWESOME.
But really, it's great! The standards of the Church help me live and love a more clean life, and help me enjoy what I do every day.
Sometimes it's hard, but I try to think about WHY I do it all. It's like working out- I don't always enjoy it, but I keep thinking about the finish line and why I'm working out.
Like Captain Moroni wrote on the ensign banner he called the "Title of Liberty" to rally the country to understand why they were doing what they were:
"In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children."
Being a Mormon makes me love life more. And I sure live a lot of it!