Hi, I'm Jamie Steen

I have many jobs! Wife, mother, high school bus driver and night custodian. I am happy and I am Mormon.

About Me

I was raised in Utah. I have been a Mormon my whole life. I am the oldest of 8 children and I am very close friends with all of my siblings. I have been married to my wonderful husband since 1989. We have three beautiful daughters. I ran a daycare for children in my home while my girls were growing up so I could be home with them and still help pay bills. Now I drive a High School bus and work nights as a custodian. I am a very happy person and I love my life and the people who I share it with.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born and raised in the church. I had a few years when I was a teenager where I wasn't going to church or making all the choices I should have. I felt depressed and lost most of the time and when I realized that I was so much happier living the standards I was taught by my parents I have never looked back. Though I regret some of the choices I made in the past I am grateful for the knowledge I have gained. I know that living the standards set by my church brings me more happiness even in the hardest times. The gospel has helped me to be a better wife and mother. I have more love and charity because I have a close and personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. I know that He hears me when I pray and that he cares for me as a Father cares for his daughter. I am a Mormon because it brings me more happiness than I could ever express in words and because I am happy I influence others around me and that is what is truly important in life.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

The habit of going to church every Sunday can be a challenge. Once I made that commitment I realized the importance of it. It strengthens you by giving you opportunities to serve others and share your challenges and successes with others of your faith. It reminds you that you are not alone in your beliefs. Most importantly you are recommitting yourself to the promises you made at baptism when you take the sacrament and remember your Heavenly Father and his love for you.

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

When I was a child I was taught to pray. If I lost my glasses I would pray and I would find them. When I was scared or lost I would pray and I always Had help and comfort. My parents had great faith in prayer and I had great trust in my parents. I prayed and I was helped. As I grew older I made choices sometimes that disappointed my parents and that didn't follow that standards of the church but I always had great faith in Prayer and that my Heavenly Father was real and cared for me. Sometimes I felt to ashamed to pray but when I was the most depressed or afraid He was there and He helped me. I had a time at about 19 years old. I was living in New York. I was so depressed I didn't want to live anymore. I was disappointed in the way my life was going. In the friends I had and the choices I had made. Everything seemed so hopeless. I had not prayed for a long time. It was about 3am when I knelt down on the floor by my bed and begged the Lord to help me. I was sobbing and not asking for anything but help. My phone rang and it was my Father. He said "what's wrong sweetie". I will never forget that. I KNOW my Heavenly Father loves me no matter what. I know he is there waiting for me to ask for his help. I am so grateful for Him and for a father who lives his life in a way that will allow the Lord to speak to him and send him to the aid of his daughter.

How has the Book of Mormon brought you closer to God?

The Book of Mormon is a special book that comes with a promise from God. If you read in in faith and ask God if it is true you WILL get an answer. Reading that book has given me a personal testimony that God is real and he knows me personally. He listens to me when I pray and He answers my pleas for help, strength and knowledge. It is a wonderful thing to know that when you pray there is a loving Father listening to you and caring about your needs.

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

Eat dinner together and talk. Pray together. If you do those two things your home will change. There will be more respect and love. If it becomes a regular habit the family will benefit in such obvious ways you will be amazed. Say "I love you". Say it regularly. You can't say it too much. Say it to your spouse. Say it to your children. Those are magic words and they can change everything.

How I live my faith

I try to live each day in a way that I know would be pleasing to my Heavenly Father. I know He cares about me and the choices I make. As I child I was taught to think "what would Jesus" do before I made a choice. I always have that thought in the back of my mind. I drive a High School Bus in the daytime. I am considered a "cool" bus driver. I have a great relationship with the kids. I don't judge them and they know it but they also respect my beliefs and standards because they have known me most of their lives and realize that I am Mormon and so they try not to swear or talk about inappropriate things around me. I am a very happy person and it is contagious. I love my bus route and the kids I drive. I know that is the one time of the day when they are safe with someone who truly cares about each and every one of them. In this way I set an example to them and my daughter who also rides my bus. I have been a leader over the young women at my church and have found I have a rapport with them. I can remember what it was like as a teenager to try to live my beliefs when few around me did. It is hard to be different and I try to teach them the things I have learned in my life. I want them to know that when you are true to your beliefs people will respect you and you will always be happier. Living a life free of drugs and alcohol, free of rushing into adult relationships with sex and intimacy too soon and without the bond of marriage, will allow them the freedom to truly enjoy being young. True happiness will be the reward and I am so grateful I have opportunities to share my knowledge with them.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Aman answered...

While I do not condone it, I will never look down on anyone for living a homosexual lifestyle. One of the greatest things God has given us is the right to choose, and I work hard not to judge anyone for the choices they make. I believe the church feels the same way. While not condemning those people who live said lifestyle, according to ancient and modern prophets, God has never condoned such a way of life. Therefore, the church continues to preach relationships and marriage between man and a woman, and families consisting of such an organization.
Steve answered...

We do not know why some people are attracted to others of the same gender. Is it the way they were born or is it a choice? We simply don't know.

What we do know is that everyone is a spirit child of God, and that He loves all his children. We should love EVERY man or woman who walks the earth, and reserve judgment for our Heavenly Father, who knows and understands all his creations.

At the same time, God has revealed his will on many matters through his servants the prophets. Through them, we know that sexual relations between any but a man and woman, legally and lawfully married, is displeasing to Him. Just as unmarried men and women should remain morally clean, so should those who feel attracted to others of the same gender.

Why do Mormons perform baptisms for the dead?

Vinson answered...

As a temple ordinance worker for the Mesa Temple for the past 5 years, I have grown in appreciation for the temple and the ordinances that are preformed. I believe that those who have passed-on are given the opportunity to accept the work that is performed in their behalf as if they were here - physically. The initial ordinance of accepting Jesus Christ is baptism. The ordinance of baptism is performed as it was originally by John the Baptist for Jesus in the temple by emersion. The temple gives those that have passed-on the opportunity to accept the mission of Jesus Christ and all the ordinances that he performed.