Hi, I'm Bryce Holland

I'm from Mountainburg, Arkansas, and I'm a mormon.

About Me

I am a 21 year old graphic design student at Brigham Young University. I have always loved to draw and create. I was raised in rural Arkansas and enjoy the outdoors. I like music, dancing, traveling, and art.

Why I am a Mormon

My parents were converts to the church but most of my extended family were not members when I was young. I always went to church growing up, but once I was a teenager I wanted to know if all the things my parents taught me about religion where true. I remember beginning to read the Book of Mormon everyday by myself and praying to know if it was true. At first I didn't notice anything different, but then I realized that every time I read and prayed I felt the same calm and peace. It was in the consistency of feeling those subtle impressions, that my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ began to grow.

Personal Stories

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

I served a two year mission through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Southern California. The missionaries in the church work in groups of two or three called companionships. One missionary will have several different companions throughout their mission. My companions and I would teach people in the community about the gospel of Jesus Christ and share our personal experiences of how the gospel has improved our lives. One of the greatest things I learned on my mission was that God knows every person, and has a plan for each of them to have peace and joy in this life and the next, if they choose to follow Him.

How I live my faith

I am part of a congregation of university students at Brigham Young University. It's nice to worship with other people in your same situation. We have a lot of activities in order to fellowship one another, give service to others, grow spiritually, and have fun.

What is a “testimony” that Mormons speak of?

Bryce Holland answered...

A testimony is our individual witness of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. My testimony is that when I read and pray about the Book of Mormon, and follow the teachings of Jesus, I experience special feelings from the Spirit of God that let me know that what I'm doing is right.
Megan! answered...

A testimony is the knowledge that a certain principle is true, right, or good. For example, I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He did truly atone for our sins. In order to gain that knowledge, I have studied, reflected on what I learned in my study, and prayed to have that knowledge confirmed in my heart. As an answer to those prayers, (for there were many--building a testimony is an ongoing process) I have felt the truth in my heart.
We can gain testimonies of many principles. Another way is to put that principle into action, as sort of a test. In order to gain a testimony of prayer, we might try praying. To gain a testimony of the principle of tithing, we might try paying a full tithe. (10% of our income.) As we strive to live these principles, the Holy Ghost will confirm the truthfulness of them to our hearts. We will know that they are right; we will have a testimony of them.

Mormons also talk about "bearing testimony." This simply means to share the testimony we have gained with other people, either in a formal setting (like in church) or in a more informal setting (like in a conversation with a friend.)

What do Mormons believe concerning the doctrine of grace?

Andy answered...

It is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. Grace is the only way that we can have eternal happiness. To acess that grace, we need to do the things that He has asked us to do: have faith in Him, repent, be baptized by someone holding His authority, recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost, and follow Him and keep His commandments throughout our lives.