My Name Is Jen, I'm A Wife, A Mother, A Friend, A Politician, and I'm a Mormon

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, otherwise known as 'Mormon.'  This month marked 17 years since I converted to Mormonism.  I have never regretted that decision and I would never change a thing.  Most people hear the word 'Mormon' and associate it with Warren Jeffs and/or sister wives.  Nothing could be further from the truth of who we really are.  
I went to a meeting recently where members from church headquarters announced a new media initiative that will be taking place in several states.  Starting in October, many commercials on T.V. and billboards around the city will be run and the ad is for mormon.org.  It's a website where individuals can be educated about the church and come to know that being Mormon and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one in the same.  Individuals will also be able to read member's profiles to learn more about who we are and how this church and it's teachings affect our lives.In the meeting officials explained how different focus groups were brought together, who were not of our faith, to ask questions and find out their perspective on Mormons.  Here was the response:
44% said we are Family Oriented39% said we are Cultish38% said we are Controlling38% said we are Conservative28% said we are Secretive27% said we are Dedicated24% said we are Anti-Gay20% said we are Sexist20% said we are Weird9% said we are Pushy

Yikes.  While I do know there are certain members of our church (like any member from any other church) who can be like the negative descriptions listed above, this is not the majority of it's members or what the Church stands for.  With mormons.org, people can learn more about our faith through members of the church through profiles and videos. The purpose of the media initiative is to give individuals the opportunity to learn more about us in the privacy of their own home. It is to give clarity of who we are and what we stand for. After the focus groups had the opportunity to learn more, the perceptions they previously had changed and a realization occurred that Mormons experience the same life experiences as everyone else...we may just deal with them differently.
In honor of this initiative, I created my own profile, of which you can read here. I thought I would also share it on my blog.  This is very personal to me, but I'm also proud of who I am and how I feel about my faith:

ABOUT ME:
First and foremost I am a wife and mother of which is the greatest love of my life. I also am involved in local government and currently serve on a Governing Board for a school district. My passions in life include observing people, being creative, searching for and executing new challenges, developing personal relationships, writing in a myriad of avenues, giving of my time, pursuing education, spontaneous road trips and listening to and downloading oodles of music.

I thrive on progression intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. I crave to be challenged. I seek to find what I'm made of. I find fulfillment in proving myself wrong when I feel I am weak, uneducated, or unworthy of good things. Due to particular individuals who've entered my life, I've been privileged to gain new talents and strengthen my weaknesses. These individuals have encouraged me to recognize more of my potential of which I'm forever indebted. I have an overwhelming feeling of joy when I am able to 'pay it forward' in service.

 I love when I choose to be happy and positive. There are days when it can be a struggle but I feel accomplished if I can get someone to smile, even if it's myself. Sarcasm is usually my weapon of choice.


WHY I'M A MORMON:
I grew up in other religions. We didn't attend often, therefore I didn't have much knowledge of the teachings within the scriptures, but I always knew God existed.
When I was 14, I lost my Dad suddenly and abruptly. For reasons unknown I started to develop distrust in life and individuals. It was at that time I felt myself distance from religion and close relationships. My way of dealing with the hurt and distrust was to turn off feelings and pretend those feelings didn't exist. What was cold and dark inside I tried to make up for in personality on the outside by humor and a painted smile.
When I was 19 years of age, my friend asked me to attend a Missionary Fireside. That night something sparked. For the first time in a very long time I allowed myself to feel again. I was overcome with emotion as I heard messages of our Savior Jesus Christ. I felt peace, love, forgiveness, and hope. Soon, I was learning about the church through the missionaries. I found it odd as they taught the lessons that these were concepts which seemed and felt familiar, as if I knew them, yet I was hearing them for the first time. I barely knew anything about the church before I decided to get baptized, it just felt right and I didn't want that feeling to leave.
A year later, I had decided to fully read the Book of Mormon from beginning to end. I started with the Introduction wherein Joseph Smith shares his testimony of events that took place leading him to translate the golden plates from ancient prophets. I cannot deny the feeling that entered my heart and impressions on my mind that day. Everything I based my baptism and membership on were from feelings but then the intellect and knowledge I'd just received had provided me with an undeniable and sure testimony that this church is true.
I'm a Mormon because through my membership, I've received the tools to find true joy now and forever. My soul is now bright and vibrant and my smile is authentic.

HOW I LIVE MY FAITH:
I try to live my faith everyday. I'm not perfect, but I'm striving for it. I've realized it's easier and more enjoyable to live my faith if I'm practiced in it, meaning if it's a daily occurrence. I pray and read my scriptures personally and also with my family. This practice has strengthened me as an individual and as a family we begin to see each other as God sees us. We realize each one of us is important in one another's development and progression. While working through our differences and weaknesses, if done in the right spirit, we refine ourselves and our family.

I serve in an organization of the church whose purpose is to teach women to increase in faith and personal righteousness, strengthen home and families, and serve others in need. I have learned essential skills from the women I've been surrounded by in this organization to become a better wife, mother, and citizen. I've become more compassionate as I serve them and others in need. I've been the benefactor of these women's efforts and know that they change lives. They may look very ordinary, but they do extraordinary things.

I also am continually involved in my community. Whether it be the school board, volunteering in a school classroom or city cleanup, I believe in making my community a better place, even if it is by small and simple things. I have been blessed to be a stay at home mom, so fortunately I have time to be able to serve in these capacities.

More than anything, I try to live my faith through obedience. God has placed commandments to protect me not to restrict me. The longer I live, I come to know happiness follows obedience. Even if I'm not sure why it's important at the time to follow the words of Christ, eventually the knowledge comes which strengthens my testimony of God and Jesus Christ's love for me. That love is what gives me the courage and faith to face each day striving to do and be the best I can.