Hi, I'm Jen

I'm a full-time mom and a part-time patent attorney. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. I grew up in the Midwest in a loving, Christian home. I am married to a wonderful man, and we have two little boys and a little girl on the way. I left a full-time career as an attorney when our first son was born so I could stay home with him. For the last several years, I have worked part-time from home as an attorney for a wonderful firm in our area. I am truly blessed to be able to be home with my children while still keeping a hand in a profession that I enjoy.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised in a Christian home by wonderful parents who taught me about the Savior. When I was in high school, I had a friend who was a member of the Mormon church. His family often invited me to participate in activities with them, and I, in turn, invited my friend to activities at my Protestant church. Over time, my interest in the Mormon church grew. I felt a special spirit in my friend's home - something I had never felt before, and something I knew I wanted in my life and in my own family someday. My friend invited me to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, and I accepted that invitation. During my first year at college, I met with the missionaries and attended a small branch of the Mormon church in town. I attended evening gospel study classes once a week as well, and during that year, felt that spark of testimony grow tremendously. Although it was difficult for my family to understand, I knew this was a path I must pursue. I prayed to know if the Mormon church was true and received an answer that remains etched in my heart. After about a year of studying the church and its teachings, I was baptized when I was 19. My decision to join the Mormon church has been one of the best of my life. I feel so richly blessed to have this knowledge of the Savior and our Father's plan for us. I couldn't imagine my life any other way.

How I live my faith

My husband and I both served full-time missions for the church in Spanish speaking countries - he served in Argentina and I served in Spain. For nearly 6 years, we were blessed to serve in a local Spanish-language branch of our church. We loved working with the humble Latino members of the church in our area and truly enjoyed the opportunity to worship and serve the Lord again in a language we both love. For the last few years, we have been back in our English-speaking congregation and we enjoy the fellowship and opportunity to serve there, as well. Currently, I am the music director in our congregation. I coordinate the music for our church meetings and organize the choir and other special musical numbers. I have always loved music and have a testimony of the special spirit that beautiful music brings to worship.

How can I know Mormonism is true?

Jen answered...

I studied and read materials from many sources when I was learning about the Mormon church. I talked with missionaries, I talked with my parents and my friends. In our day, the flow of information can be overwhelming. The one sure way to know if the Mormon church is true is to read the Book of Mormon and pray and ask God if it is true. When you sincerely pray, after studying it out in your mind, and ask God for guidance, He will always answer you. I know this, because I have done it myself. In my case, I came to a point where I just knew that if the church were true, I would follow, but I needed to know - really KNOW - that it was. I poured my heart out to my Heavenly Father, and then listened for Him to speak to me. He did. And I knew. And you can know, too. I promise you, if He answered me, He will answer you.
Evelyn answered...

One of the best things in life is that we can freely communicate with God; our Heavenly Father. Because He loves us so much, He has blessed us with the precious gift of prayer. Through prayer we are able to counsel with Him and whatever we ask sincerely, He will make it known unto us. The scriptures can give you a surety of this. In Matthew 7:7 it says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Another example is in the book of James 1:5-6, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

If you would like to know that what you have heard is true after learning or taking the discussions from the missionaries or any member that has shared a message with you, go to Heavenly Father in prayer and ask Him. I know that He will send His spirit to testify the truth of it unto you. His spirit will give you feelings of peace, hope, comfort and happiness.

Sometimes we do not get answers to our prayers as soon as we may want them to come but never should we lose hope nor get discouraged; as you continue to earnestly study and search for the truth and exercise patience, the truth will gradually be unfolded unto you. I have a testimony of this, for my answer came as I earnestly and patiently continued to investigate the church.

How does the Church finance its operations?

Clint answered...

The Church finances its operations primarily through voluntary donations from its members, generally referred to as Tithing. The Lord commanded his people in the Old Testament to bring their tithes to his servants. Many Church members today voluntarily donate a portion of their income help the Church bless the lives of millions of individuals through providing meetinghouses for worship, schools for education, supplies for humanitarian aid, food and housing assistance to the poor, etc. In addition, the Church owns and operates taxable for-profit business enterprises that generate income to help fund Church initiatives. The Church invests a portion of its gross receipts to maintain a financial reserve, and income from these investments provide an additional source of funds.