Hi, I'm Bret

I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am an undergraduate student at Brigham Young University, studying Russian and Philosophy. I am married to the most amazing woman, and I have the most amazing family. I plan to go to law school and practice law. I am very interested in Philosophy and Religion, and especially how they compliment each other.

I love asking questions, and I love answering questions the harder and more controversial the better.

Why I am a Mormon

Simple:

I am a Mormon because I sincerely believe that God called a Prophet to restore His church in our day, and that the Book of Mormon, if true, stands as evidence of that Prophet's divine calling.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.

I sincerely believe, through my own study and pondering, that the truth of the Gospel was lost at some point after Christ and His Apostles were killed, and that same truth was restored in its fullness to Joseph Smith. I believe that the Book of Mormon is evidence of that restoration.

Why/How do you share the gospel with your friends?

I can't speak for every member of the church, so I'll just talk about myself. I share the message of the Mormon church for the same reason I'd recommend a good movie or an amazing new flavor of ice cream. I have experienced the solidity of knowing why I'm here and what I should be doing, and I think anyone can benefit from it. I share what I know with my friends not because I'm a crazy religious fanatic, but just like with the good movie or new flavor of ice cream, I want to share that with my friends so they can benefit from it like I have.

How I live my faith

I live my faith by asking myself as often as I find occasion, "How can I be a better person?"

Does The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endorse political parties?

Bret answered...

The Church, as an entity, does not support or endorse certain political parties or candidates. There are members of the church in every political party. In fact, I personally know members of the church in almost every political party in the United States. The church does, however, take a stand on some of the more poignant political issues with which our country is faced.
John Odell answered...

Of course the Church does not endorse political parties. Political parties do not represent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But all the members of the Church are encouraged to participate in the political system and many have and do. We will be held responsible for our actions in the political arena just as we are in every other activity of our lives. I feel strongly that we have an obligation to support the Constitution of this land and that the Lord had a lot to do in its founding and in the freedoms that we receive from adhering to its principles. The Founding Fathers were inspired by God and we should be inspired by them. There are many criteria that we can use to choose political candidates but none are of more value than that recommended by modern scripture, namely, to search after honest and good men. I love our American Republic and our Constitution and try to support men or women who support the ideas and principles found in that document. According to the Declaration of Independence we receive our rights from our creator and must be ever aware that we do not turn our rights to the whims of men, however well meaning they may be. I am not a fan of political parties and consider myself a Constitutional conservative and very independent.

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Lynn answered...

Some call Mormonism a cult because it is not a "traditional" Christian church. The primary complaint of the "traditionalists" (generally Protestant Churches) is that we do not believe in the doctrine of the trinity as it relates to the nature of the Godhead. The doctrine of the trinity was codified in the Nicene Creed in 325 AD, many years after the death of Christ and the Apostles. It basically says that the Godhead, The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are one being in "substance." Since Mormonism does not accept this doctrine, they say we believe in a different Christ than they do and therefore are a cult. It is curious that this "trinitarian" doctrine is not taught anywhere in the Bible.

Mormons believe the Bible is the Word of God. The Bible (and the early church established by Jesus and His Apostles) teaches that the Godhead indeed consists of The Father, Son and Holy Ghost. But, it teaches that they are: 1) three distinct individuals as expressed in Acts 7:54-60 where Stephen is being stoned. "He being filled with the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God." And it teaches 2) they are one in purpose, not in substance (John 17 where Jesus offers his intercessory prayer, particularly verses 20-23.) This is what Mormons believe.

It is noteworthy that the early Christians were called the "sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5) and were considered a cult by the Sadducees and Pharisees, the predominant religions of the day.