Hi, I'm Jeanette

I grew up in Salt Lake City and I've been a Mormon my whole life.

About Me

I'm a 26 year old wife and mother to a wonderful and energetic 2 year old boy. I studied English Literature in College and I love reading! Right now, I'm lucky enough to be able to stay home and be a full time mom.

Why I am a Mormon

I've always been a person who followed the rules. They make sense to me. As I grew up in the Church, I've never questioned our strict standards because they make sense! There came a time when I knew I needed to find out for myself instead of just following the rules. I read the Book of Mormon, studied and prayed diligently. I kept waiting for a big answer to my prayers. When a life changing trial came my way and I needed that answer, I realized I already knew the answer! Why did I keep asking when I knew this was the truth? I had the strength I needed to get through that trial and all others that have come my way since. I know I can rely on that testimony no matter what. I know Jesus Christ atoned for my sins. I know that through Him, I can be forgiven of my sins. Not only can I be forgiven but I can also use that same atoning sacrifice to forgive. I know that my Savior loves me!

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

As a mother, I feel as though I am constantly praying for help in raising my son. My husband and I have family prayer together twice a day so we can stay in tune with what the Lord wants for us. About a year ago, my husband was considering a job change. We knew this would be a big decision so we prayed to know if it was the right time for him to start looking for something else. We both felt very strongly that is wasn't the right time and he needed to stay where he was. We kept praying to know when the right time was to change jobs. A few months later, we both had a very strong feeling that the time was right for him to start looking for a new job. He was offered a new job just two weeks later. We know that by keeping the lines of communication open with the Lord, and by constantly praying, we were blessed with the knowledge that this was the best thing and the right time for our family!

How I live my faith

I've always loved working with children and I've been blessed with several opportunities to serve in the Primary. Currently, I'm serving as the Primary President in our ward. Working with the kids is such a blessing because I really get to watch and help them develop their testimonies from the ground up.
I love being a Mormon in Utah because we live in such a diverse religious area! In spite of what others may think, we have a rich variety of religions in our area who work together to help and strengthen the community.

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?

Jeanette answered...

The Priesthood is the power to act in God's name. While women in our church do not hold the Priesthood themselves, we are certainly entitled to the blessings that come through the Priesthood. We are equal partners with our husbands but with different responsibilities. Women are given many different opportunities to lead. Women can be in presidencies for our Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary organizations. Women can also lead by being a support for husbands who serve in Priesthood callings.
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.

How can I know Mormonism is true?

J. Sean answered...

Here is a simple step by step instruction on how to know Mormonism is true.

1. Meet with missionaries.
2. Pray to Heavenly Father with real intent and ask something like this, " I want to know if this is Your church, so is this Your church?".
3. READ THE BOOK OF MORMON! Ask God if it is true.
4. Look for an anwser from God. He speaks with us through our thoughts and feelings by the Holy Ghost. Ask the missionaries for more details.
5. Come to church to see for yourself.
6. Keep the commandments that the missionaries teach you.
7. Repeat until answer is received.