Hi, I'm Brianna

I'm serving as a missionary in Omaha, Nebraska. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I recieved my Associates degree in April of 2011. I am really interested in psychology and I am considering becoming a Child Life Specialist. I have a big family with plenty of uncles, aunts, cousins and my grandparents. My family is a big part of my life and they are some of my best friends. Two of my loved ones have cancer. My youngest sister has leukemia and my aunt has melanoma. I love hiking and camping. I'm a nerd and enjoy learning, so yes I read and watch the discovery channel just for fun. Right now I am serving as a full time missionary in the Omaha, Nebraska area.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised LDS and have been a member my whole life, but that's not why I'm a mormon. When I was younger I was a member because of my family and because the church was a big part of their lives. As a teenager I followed Moroni's challenge in Moroni 10:3-5, in the Book of Mormon and I knew it was true. There wasn't ever one major moment of conversion for me. It has been small moments where my testimony has grown as the Spirit reveals new things to me. I have never been able to doubt the things I know. This gospel makes me happier than anything the world has to offer.

Personal Stories

Could you talk about your baptism?

My baptism was a memorable time. It still remember it; although it was twelve years ago. I was actually baptized on my eighth birthday. I was surrounded by many loved ones: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and ward members. The feeling I remember is joy. I was so happy and content on that day.

As I look back it really reminds me of what is most important in life: God, family, friends and the gospel. After my baptism and confirmation my family and I went to a park where we had a get together, well it felt like a party to me.

You see, I have a cousin who is exactly two years older than me. So, we celebrated not only my baptism, but two birthdays. I enjoyed the cake and getting to play with my cousins. I also got some really special gifts. Aunts and uncles gave me various reminders of my baptism day. Plaques, pictures, necklaces. My grandma gave me my own set of scriptures; a quad set including the Old and New testement, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. I still own these scriptures.

The most important gift I recieved that day was the gift of the Holy Ghost. From that day on I would have a constant compainion to help me, as long as I kept God's commandments. I also was on the right path to enter God's kingdom.

What blessings have come through your faith in Jesus Christ?

We are always blessed when we follow Christ. This doesn't mean bad things won't happen; that there will be no challenges for us in this life. Faith in Christ and His love for us; the knowledge that He can help us weather the storm; this is the blessing.

In Februrary of 2010 my sister (the youngest of five siblings) was diagnosed with lymphoblastic luekemia. As you can imagine it was devastating. At first I was upset, "Why my sister?", I wondered. It was in that darkest moment, when I was fearful of the unknown, that I offered up my heart to my Savior. I just let everything out. I knew I could not handle this trial alone. In the very personal moment I had with the Savior I gained comfort and hope.

I knew things were not going to be easy, but the Lord understood my pain in a way no one else could. Sometimes God works through others to bless us. In those first few months and today, my family has been blessed through several acts of kindness and service.

Countless dinners, sanitizers and cleaners, hats and other gifts have been dropped off over many months. We are grateful for all of them.

People ask if my life is back to "normal" yet. I tell them that it isn't. My life is different from what it used to be. I am a different person. Our trials are meant to change us.

There is a quote that says, "It is not the load that ways us down, It's the way we carry it." I've learned to carry this burrden differently. That has made the difference. I've learned to let other people help me. I've learned to let Christ help me. "For His burden is light and His yoke is easy."

If we have faith in Jesus Christ, His atoning sacrifice, and in His ability to help us carry our burdens and make them light; we will realize how truly blessed we are. I am so grateful for my Savior and I hope I can develop a closer relationship with Him. I am grateful for families; whatever size or shape they come in. With this faith in Christ we can always have hope that tomorrow will be better.

What is hope and what do you hope for?

Hope to me is never giving up. Bad things happen that we have no control over and can not change, but we have a Savior. He knows and understands each and every one of us in such a unique and personal way that no one else can. He knows how each of us feels on an individual level when we are in grief or pain. He has asked us to come and follow Him. If we give HIm our trust and our hearts He can help carry the load that weighs us down. This allows us to see things more clearly and know that things will get better. There are so many things I hope for. Right now I hope for my sister's recovery from leukemia. I hope for my aunt's health as she is battling melanoma. I hope that my friend will come back to church. I hope that I will finish my schooling. I hope that I will find a husband to marry and be with forever. I hope that after my life here on earth is finished that I can see my Savior's face and be encircled again by His arms.

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

I took violin lessons when I was younger and I never felt like I was very good at it, but people would often ask me if I could play for them. I would practice and the song sounded really good, but when it came time to perform I felt that my nerves got the best of me. People said I did a good job and they appreaciated the music, but I never felt that I performed well enough.

Now it has been a while since I've played the violin or persued other interests I had in the arts and I do regret some of that, but I've come to realize there are so many different talents we can posses.

Each of us has been given a talent, something that we are good at, something that makes us unique. We also discover new talents as we get older and try new things. When we discover our talents the Lord dosen't want us to hide them and keep them for ourselves, He gave us our talents so that we could share them with others. What good would it be if an artist never showed their work to someone, or if a musician never played for another person. These talents and others can lift up another person and allow them to marvel at something truly beautiful. When we share our talents the people we share them with are inspired.

Our talents can really make a difference if we use them correctly; if we use them to serve the Lord. Some of us aren't talented in the arts, but may give really great advice or be an amazing friend. These talents are just a beautiful and inspiring as a work of art because when we see someone serving and showing kindness towards others, it make us want to be a better person.

How I live my faith

I was a teacher for the young single adult (YSA) women in my ward. I taught principles of the Gospel which come from the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the living prophets. There are also many service opportunities in our church. I live close to many church buildings that provide services to others. I've put together hygiene kits, and school kits for children, I've weeded in the church fields as well as other community services. Right now I am serving as a full-time missionary and I love it! Every day I share with others what has brought me and my family so much happiness.

Do you really believe there is a prophet like Moses alive today?

Brianna answered...

I do believe there is a prophet on the earth today. When the church was restored, meaning restored according to the way Christ ran the chruch when he was on the earth under the direction of Heavenly Father, Joesph Smith was called to be a prophet. The church is organized with a prophet who leads the church and his two counselors and the twelve apostles. All of these men recieve direction from God that they teach to the members. There are also many other leaders under them, who lead smaller groups of members. I know that God loves His children and He would not send them to this earth without direction, that is why He has called a prophet, even today, to lead and guide His children so that they can lead happier lives and ultimately meet God again.
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LaWana answered...

Yes, I truly believe there is a prophet today leading our church and bringing blessings into the world. Why would God provide a prophet in olden days, but not now? Did He love those people more than He loves us? Did they need guidance more than we do? Is the world less confusing now than it was then? The answers to all these questions are no. It only makes sense that God would have a prophet now as He did in days of old. He loves us just as much as He did those people long ago and we need Him just as much as they needed Him then.

How can I know Mormonism is true?

Ian answered...

Live it. If you can commit to yourself and God to give all you have to discovering for yourself if the church is true through living the principles taught and asking God, in the name of Christ, to reveal the truth to you, I can give you my personal witness you will feel in your heart the comforting reassurance that you have found the truth. Moroni 10:3-5