Hi, I'm Juleen

I am a newlywed. I teach 3rd graders. I love being active and healthy. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I feel extremely blessed with the life I've been given. I grew up with 3 brothers and 3 sisters where our parents taught us, by example, what really matters in this life. I've been able to attend college and earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education. I have taught elementary school for 11 years, and have learned so much from my students. What I always wanted was to become a wife and mother, like my own mom. In some ways my life hasn't been what I thought it should be. I was single until 2 weeks before my 36th birthday. I've learned how to see God's hand in my life. I've learned how he has plans for us that we don't always understand, but is for our highest good. I've learned that I can know for myself how he feels about me and my choices, through the Holy Spirit. I've seen how rich my life has been for 35 years, as a single person. Now, I'm grateful to be married to someone who I love to be with. I'm grateful our Heavenly Father helped us find one another. I'm excited to find out where our path will lead together.

Why I am a Mormon

I have always had a strong desire to know God and my relationship to him. I've had so many examples of faith in my life, people who I sensed knew God. I could tell by the way they lived their lives. I am drawn to that kind of knowing. I was raised as a Mormon. I am a Mormon because I believe that God is real. He answers my prayers. Mormons believe that we can all have a personal relationship with God the Father and with Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the connection I feel. I would love to share what I know about my faith. It's easier for me to express it personally than generally here in writing, so if you know me, ask me. If you don't, ask another Mormon about their faith, what gives them hope.

Personal Stories

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

I served an 18 month mission when I was 21 years old. I went to Arizona, to the cities of Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Winslow. I worked from morning till night, the entire time, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I truly loved meeting the people, getting to know their hearts. I believed so strongly and still do that the message I had to share would change their lives. I saw the hearts of many change as they learned that God had a plan for their lives. I will always be grateful for the experience and for the people I loved there.

How I live my faith

I start and end my day with prayer. My husband and I also pray together night and morning. It's special to share that connection with the one who I am building my life with. Reading the scriptures really helps add a lot of light to the day to day grind. It keeps me focused on how I can keep hopeful and cheerful that life is ok. At church I help with the girls, ages 12-18. It's so much fun hearing what they are going through at home and at school. They need an anchor. I'm glad we can talk about Jesus Christ and his teachings with them. Those girls have amazing strength and are so much fun to be around. We have weekly activities on Wednesday night. We also have a big girl's camp each summer. It can be a lot of work, but in our church, we are willing to help where we can.

How is the Book of Mormon different from the Bible? How did Joseph Smith obtain the “golden plates” or Book of Mormon?

Juleen answered...

The Bible is a record written by prophets and apostles who lived in the Eastern world. The Book of Mormon was written by prophets who lived in the Western world. The reason why I love this concept is that, to me, it is logical that God, who is the God to the whole world, likely gave guidance to more than just his children who lived in the Eastern part of the world. In American culture, we give credit to Christopher Columbus for discovering America, when in fact it's clear that there were people living in the Americas long before he ever arrived. The Book of Mormon teaches the same true principles of Christ's gospel as the Bible teaches. Of course the stories and names are different because the people are different, but the message of believing that Jesus Christ would come and redeem the world is the same.

Who is the Mormon prophet today?

David Child answered...

The president of the church today is the prophet of the world. His name is Thomas S. Monson. I know he is lead by God and leads God's church.