Hi, I'm Dena Brett

I am the Director of Public Affairs for the Church in Atlanta. I love my family, my work, and my home sweet home.

About Me

Growing up in the Deep South I enjoyed a large, diverse, and absolutely crazy family who taught me so much about life and love and I love them all! I love going to the beach, kayaking, fishing, jet-skiing, and gardening.

I believe in lifelong learning and have studied communications, business management, language, history, sociology, psychology, and anthropology. I have been given the opportunity to teach often in life and find in it a passion as I understand more while I prepare and as I see understanding in the eyes of those I teach. I know this is a direct blessing from the Lord. I am the Director of Public Affairs for the Church in a major metropolitan city just as diverse and wonderful as my upbringing. I have unknowingly been trained for this my whole life.

Being married for 30 years is just the start of a life together with the man I want to spend eternity. Being a mother and sharing in the creation and rearing of our children with him is the greatest of God's gifts to me. And grandbabies--God's gift to my children that I get to share. I love them more than my life and desire their sweet hugs and love in return. I'm a writer, a closet anthropologist, a public affairs director, a wife, mother, and grandmother in a family I am so blessed to be a part...and I'm a Mormon.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up in another religion, but I was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 9 for my dear Grandmother's sake. Being raised in a single-parent home where we did not attend church, I rarely attended any church, but when I did, it was to visit many different churches around the neighborhood that I could reach on foot or bike. I even attended as many vacation bible schools as I could during summer months. I liked the cookies and milk and I liked the way I felt there while learning about the bible.

As I grew up I continued to study the bible often. At 16, having had the opportunity to attend the Mormon Church more regularly, having now also read the Book of Mormon and feeling the witness of the Holy Ghost of the truths I read both in the bible and more completely in the Book of Mormon, I became very happy and decided to "be" one.

Little did I know that having been raised by a multitude of people in varying degrees of goodness and evil, that I had many gaps in understanding about life and people and God. I had previously learned by the example of others. I soon realized that others were not perfect, even as I am not, that there was more to be learned by prayer, study, and faith in the Lord's example.

As a wife and mother, and after much trial and error, I drew closer to the truths I continually learned about my faith. I decided to commit to myself, to my family, and to the Lord more fully. As I did this, I felt the Savior's love for me. I began to know and understand people as children of God. As the world around me grew more and more like those who had lost their way as described in the scriptures, I knew I must live in the world to better it, but not of the world to lessen myself.

Overcoming adversity and my own human weaknesses, I learn to do the same for others. I learn and grow every day. I learn to love more through scripture, prayer, studying Christ's life and studying people.

How I live my faith

It is my greatest desire to pass in and out of this life on earth absorbing and sharing everything edifying and uplifting with others. None of us know what another is going through; if I am the one person who speaks to someone on any given day, I want that moment to be a window to Heaven, a window into the Lord's love and saving grace for us all. It is an ongoing test and trial for me to grow and learn how to become like Christ that I might share His light with others. I'd love to help fill in the gaps for them as they were for me.

I get to visit with a few women each month to share a Gospel message and a little bit of love. I get to visit a few people with my husband each month too and watch as he brings that same blessing into their home.

I get to share and teach and learn with others of all faiths from all over the world through my public affairs calling in life. I have been blessed in media relations with those who desire to share understanding rather than just sell a story. I have been blessed to visit with religious and community leaders and local and worldwide dignitaries. I have been blessed by their love for me and by our mutual desire for understanding of one another and our philosophies. I have come to know that there is truth in righteousness in whatever packaging it comes when wrapped with the pure love of Christ.

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

Dena Brett answered...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; politically neutral, strong on family values--not polygamous, free to choose liberal or conservative consequences.
Dario answered...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has no political affiliation, and remains neutral on political activity. As declared by the Church, its purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ, not to elect politicians, and this applies to all the nations were the Church is established. In the same way, the Church does not endorse nor promote political parties, and its members are not directed to vote for specific candidates. Elected officials who are also members of the Church, does not represent the Church's position.

However, the Church does encourages us, members of the Church, to play a responsible role as citizens of the nations, to be informed, and to exercise our right to vote. Also, we are expected to respect others who think different and to participate in dialogue and exchange of ideas to reach consensus.

In the Church, we learn since we are young to be responsible and to seek to serve our communities and families. The Church's programs aims to strength our capacity and willingness to serve others. In this same context, we support leaders and programs which purposes are to make a better world. I personally support leaders who inspire those principles, and pray that whoever is elected would make wise decisions for the welfare of our nations and those of others. To obey, honor, and sustain the law of our country is an important responsibility of every member of our church.