Hi, I'm Jessica

I love to read, write, cook, and travel and I'm a Mormon!

About Me

I love to read and write, and I'm from Utah. I'm single and I'm currently working on my Bachelor's Degree. I am studying English, my emphasis is Creative Writing, and someday I would love to write stories. I love to write poetry and I have a new found love for writing non-fiction. I'm also working on a minor in Library Media. I love being around books and I think a library would be a great place for me to spend hours. I love to travel and have seen many places in the United States and even had the opportunity to drive through Canada and Alaska. I love to try new things especially food. I enjoy cooking and often use it as an excuse to avoid homework, which isn't a good thing, but I like trying new recipes and experimenting with food. Maybe someday I will go to Culinary Arts school. As for now I am focusing on my degree and hopefully someday soon I will be able to start the next adventure of my life.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born into a Mormon family, but I have always known that everything that I have been taught about this gospel is true. I often wonder what I would have been like if I wasn't born into the church and I can't seem to imagine my life being as great as it is now. I know that there are some things that people struggle with but you must remember that forgiveness and repentance are here for our benefit. I'm not perfect and I've made many mistakes but I know that no matter what I do God will forgive me and love me. I'm eternally grateful for this gospel and for everything that it has taught me, and no matter what there is always something else for me to learn and to help me to grow.
One thing that I know brings blessings is the blessing of tithing. I know that it is sometimes difficult to give 10% of what you earned to the church, but even if you are struggling financially paying your tithing will bless you. There have been many times in my life when I have struggled to pay my tithing but when I do somehow I always have enough to fill my gas tank, buy food, and to pay my bills. There are so many blessings that can come when you sacrifice a little of what you have.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer has played such an important role in my life, especially in times of struggle. There was a time in my life when I was struggling with different things, and I spent hours on my knees praying to God for help and strength. The power of prayer and knowing that God is on the other end listening is a wonderful feeling. What is great about prayer is that you really can pray anytime and anywhere and God is always listening.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by accepting my callings and fulfilling them to the best of my ability. Sometimes there are times when I feel that I am not good enough for a calling, but somehow, with God's help, I am able to fulfill my calling. I have had several different calling, one of which involved teaching and there were many times when I felt like I was very inadequate and that I would not be able to deliver the message that I was trying to teach, but as long as the spirit is with you, those you are teaching will understand the message.

What are some things that tell to you there is a God?

David H. answered...

I identify with Fyodor Dostoevsky, who once wrote: "It is not as a child that I believe and confess Jesus Christ. My hosanna is born of a furnace of doubt." I respect people who find it difficult or impossible to believe, because of the incongruity of so much unjustifiable hurt and pain in the world or because the affirmative evidence for God's existence does not seem compelling. But yet I believe. I believe in a God who is powerful, knowledgeable, loving and good. I see God in the heavens and earth. I see God in the principles of physics, evolution and natural selection, psychology, engineering, mathematics, the arts and the humanities, among others. I see God in the multitude of faith (or nonfaith) traditions throughout the world and among all peoples, giving meaning, purpose and direction to God's children and creations. Yes, there is much inexplicable hurt, pain and injury in the world, and yes, God's respect for our free will and freedom to believe requires that the evidence for God be noncompelling. I do not pretend to know easy answers; I look forward one day to receiving explanations or understanding of those tough questions. In the meantime, I am grateful for the whisperings from God's spirit and for occasional experiences that, to me, seem like "postcards from God", confirming to me God's love and care for me and for all creation. I have never seen God personally, but I have experienced God and I have met God's children and seen God's creations.
Danny answered...

For me, nature is one of the strongest evidences that there is a God. It is hard for me to believe that the mountains, oceans, forests, flowers, animals, and skies were randomly formed. It is hard to deny the beauty and the peace one can feel while sitting in silence and looking into the night sky.

Beyond that, answered prayers tell me there is a God. I have prayed too many times and seen answers too many times for me to think that it has all been coincidence. These were prayers that expressed my concerns of which no one knew, yet were accompanied by answers that were so specific and detailed. God loves us to a degree we cannot comprehend, and as we look we will feel His love in very powerful and comforting ways.

Are Mormons Christians?

Charlotte answered...

Living in a place where Mormons are a small minority, this is probably the question I get asked the most. For me, nothing is more sacred and personal than my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe he was born of Mary and is the Son of God. I believe he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the cross on Calvary so that all of us might be saved by the gift of His atonement. I believe he was resurrected three days later and that he will come again. I absolutely whole-heartedly believe in and love Jesus and am teaching my children to do the same.

Generally though, I've found that when people ask me this question more often they are asking what makes Mormons different from other Christians. There are 3 major differences: 1) We believe that God, the father, Jesus, his son and the Holy Ghost are distinct beings (the first two having a body of flesh and blood, the third being a spirit) that are united in purpose. So, we don't believe in the concept of the "Trinity." 2) We believe in an open cannon, meaning that God still reveals scripture. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God but we have companion scriptures as well that we believe are holy and inspired, most notably "The Book of Mormon." It is another testament of Jesus Christ, in addition to the Bible. 3)We believe that God still talks to man. Revelation didn't stop with the prophets in the Bible. When Christ's church was restored through Joseph Smith, prophets once again returned to the earth. We having a living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, to whom God speaks. In addition, we believe in personal revelation. Rather than telling people they must follow unquestioningly like sheep, Mormons are encouraged to ask God themselves about doctrine, actions and anything else they are concerned about. He answers prayers.