Hi, I'm Jacqueline

I'm a freshman at BYU Provo, I love to smile, laugh and I love all things yellow. Oh! And I'm a Mormon. :)

About Me

I BELIEVE IN...Mommy Kisses, Rainy Days, Hot Cocoa, Big Hoodies, Smiling, Grant Gustin and Awkward Moments. I BELIEVE IN...Fairytales, Sunshine, Good Friends, Music, The Vampire Diaries and The808State. I BELIEVE IN...Delicious Food, Family, Memories that Never Fade and The Gospel of Christ. I BELIEVE IN...Laughing Til You Cry, Crying Til You Laugh, Good Days, Bad Days, Big Cities, Never Ending Dreams and Carpe Diem. I BELIEVE IN...Pretty Little Liars, Lazy Days, Living Free, Joe Jonas and Sunflowers. I BELIEVE IN...Singing Loud, Dancing Like A Fool, Tummy Butterflies and Being The One To Mess Up A Good Photo On Purpose. I BELIEVE IN...Cuddling, Star Gazing, All Things Yellow, Acting Silly, Sunshine, Bubbies Peppermint Chip Ice Cream and Sticking Tongue. I BELIEVE IN...Watching The Sun Set, Watching It Rise and Doing Nothing In Between.

"Real life is a funny thing. In real life, saying the right thing at the right time is crucial; so crucial, in fact, that most of us start to hesitate for fear of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. But lately, what I've begun to fear more than that is letting a moment pass without saying anything. I think you deserve to be able to look back on your life without this resounding chorus saying 'I could have, but it's too late.' So there's a time for silence and a time for waiting your turn but if you know so clearly what you have to say, you'll know it. I don't think you should wait. I think you should speak now." - Miss T.Swift :)

Why I am a Mormon

Growing up, I didn't have a strong testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, despite being born into it. I mostly relied on my parents' testimonies, even as recent as my senior year in high school. I applied to BYU-Provo but I didn't have the grades to get in, I knew that. It was a long shot that I would be able to go there and part of me didn't even want to. Going to live in "Mormonville" with all those "goody two-shoes Mormons" wasn't exactly appealing to me. So I didn't get my hopes up too high and didn't give it too much thought. When I received my acceptance e-mail....I was shocked, to say the least. And even though I had gotten in, I was still hesitant about going. But things started happening that paved the way for me to end up at BYU, pretty much clearing my path. I received a scholarship, problems with my housing vanished and many people in my home ward started sharing their stories about BYU with me and promised I'd love it. I really had no reason not to go. So I sent in my acceptance and started packing my bags. And I can truly say that I can't believe I ever considered not coming to the Y because it's been the best two months of my life. Back home, none of my friend were members of the church but here, almost everyone is. Kids, my age, who have the same standards and moral values as me. I never realized how wonderful it could be, how much I was missing back home. I love my life right now and I'm happiest at BYU and I'm so grateful to the Lord for giving me the opportunity to come here and learn and serve. As a plus, I can't wait to meet the guy I'll marry in the tempel in the next few years! Haha(o;

Personal Stories

What is hope and what do you hope for?

My middle name is Hope. So when I saw this question as one of the questions I could answer, I chose it automatically. To me, hope is similar to faith; it's belief in things that are not seen. When you have hope, life can't get that bad. As long as you can keep the hope alive, things will always go up and get better. What do I hope for? I hope to find my core group of friends that I'll go through college, life and eternity with. I hope to be able to graduate from BYU with a solid job and the skills to succeed in life. I hope to gain a full testimony of the gospel and I hope to be able to share it with those who are ready to accept it. I hope to find that boy that will take me to the temple and marry me for all eternity. I hope to start a family and to have happy and healthy children, and I hope to be able to provide for them to the best of my ability. I hope that the Lord will take care of me, my family and my friends. Actually, I'm going to correct my last statement. I do hope He will do those things...but more importantly, I have faith that He will.

How I live my faith

In church, my calling is Family Home Evening coordinator. In simple terms, that basically means that I'm in charge of a group of 12 kids from my ward. Every Monday night, we get together and do fun activities like bonding games, baking and bonfires, just as a nice break from school and stress, just a time to get together and have fun! I feel really blessed to be in this calling; when I first came to the Y, I never went to my Family Home Evening group meetings, it didn't seem fun and I'd often go to other groups with my friends from other dorms on campus. I know the Lord wanted me to go to my own family home evening group so He called me as the meeting leader. Sneaky Lord! (: But I feel so blessed that my Heavenly Father is looking out for me and making me go to my FHE group because I've made some of my strongest friendships in that group that I wouldn't have otherwise.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Jacqueline answered...

No. As members, we are NOT required to serve a mission. However, most young men from the ages 19-21 DO go out and serve. Young women, when they turn 21, are allowed to go on a mission and some choose to. People who go on a mission do not go because they have to, but because they want to seize the opportunity to serve the Lord and spread the gospel to the world; it's a personal choice but the Lord is glad when His sons and daughters choose to become missionaries.
Austin. answered...

No. Every worthy young man is expected to serve a mission, though there is no punishment for not doing so. Also, not every young man is physically or mentally capable, so there are circumstances where a young man may be excused from service. Young women may also serve missions, but are not expected to do so.

Serving a mission means a full-time commitment, leaving family and friends to preach the gospel in a place assigned by the Church.

I served my mission in Los Angeles, California.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Mark answered...

There is no discrimination or exclusions of race. The Lord says in the bible, "...man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the Heart." 1Sam 16:7. The Lord does not care what race or color you are. All he cares about is you. He loves you.