Hi, I'm Bridget

I love Spanish linguistics, Latin, and the wide, blue skies of South Dakota. You bet I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I come from a large, happy family of eight. Everyone in my immediate family is an active member of the Church. Although we've had our share of struggles in life, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has helped us through them.

I am married and I'm studying Spanish in college.

Linguistics and Spanish are my primary passions, and I play the violin, cello, viola, and piano. I also love to sing though I'm only good for the alto part in a choir and for lullabies.

Why I am a Mormon

My dad is a convert, and my mom's parents are, too. My parents have always been active members of the Church and have raised their children based on its precepts. I have always been Mormon, and I always will be because I have found out for myself that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint is the only church that contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the only institution on the earth that will give me the most knowledge about God and about His plan for me and for everyone else. God himself leads the Church. Therefore, there is no way I would leave the Church.

When I was about 14, I realized that I had developed an addiction from childhood, and I knew from what I was taught in church that I needed to end it. That's when I really started to pray for real - to actually talk with God. He responded to my prayers and helped me break my addiction.

From then on I knew that God was different from Santa Claus. He was actually real, and He had great power. As I go throughout my life, I continue to need His help in overcoming things and in making important decisions, and He never lets me down.

I have learned that because we're human, and because of the coarseness of the world that we live in, it's hard to be good. In fact, it's so hard that I often get discouraged. BUT, I have learned that although I can't achieve perfection under these conditions, yet I can do my best at doing what God would have me do. I know that being good in this way has and forever will give me great happiness.

I love my Heavenly Father. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the Holy Spirit, my guide, companion, and teacher. I know They exist and that They love us and are concerned about us.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

Family is important to me. I want to know who my ancestors were, and I want my posterity to know who I am. So, I keep a journal, and I research my family lines.

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?

Haha, all of them! The words of the Savior from His Sermon on the Mount that struck me the most when I was a teenager were, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."Matthew 59

That verse taught me that God would have me be a peacemaker. It meant that I should not take pleasure in aggravating my siblings or my parents. It meant that I should school my feelings to help create an atmosphere of love, harmony, and peace in my home. It meant that I should be slow to anger. In situations where I am inclined to become angry, I should choose instead to treat the situation with patience and understanding. It meant that I should be quick to forgive, and quick to give the benefit of the doubt. It meant that I needed to be selfless, gentle, and noble.

Matthew 59 also caused me to reflect on war. I have determined that it is not wrong to go to war when your real motives are to preserve life, freedom, and justice for yourself and for others. In the Book of Mormon, the war chapters of the Book of Alma and the beginning of the Book of Helaman cause me to feel that way.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

To help other people realize that God is real, that He does love and take care of us, that Jesus came to earth to save us from sin. Missionaries know how happy the Gospel makes them, and they want to share that happiness with other people by sharing their knowledge of God and the Gospel.

How has attending Church services helped you?

I've learned more about God and what I should be doing each day to become more like Him. I also feel the Spirit more when I'm at church and I enjoy being with my friends and family there.

How I live my faith

At this point in my life I am working on becoming a more valuable citizen to the community by furthering my education. I will obtain my BA in Spanish in a few years and afterward will continue in an attitude of life-long learning. Since I speak Spanish, I volunteer at the Missionary Training Center, helping the new missionaries practice speaking the language with people they don't know.

During high school I participated in Key Club, SADD, and Art Club. I was the treasurer in Key Club and the secretary of Art Club.

At church I served in various callings, or positions. I was the secretary for the girls' organization from age 12-18. I was also the Ward Music Chair and Ward Chorister. During the summer between senior year and my freshman year of college, I served as the Primary First Counselor organization for children up to age 12. When I came back the next summer, I served as the Nursery Leader for about five children ages 2-3.

I look forward to becoming a mother shortly and raising my children to be good, active citizens for the community and for Christ's Church.

Are Mormons Christians?

Bridget answered...

Absolutely. Some say we believe in a different Christ than the rest of Christianity, but really we believe in the same Christ. Our perceptions of Him might be different from others', but we all believe that He came to earth to suffer and die to save us from our sins and that He is the Son of God. He loves us, and we follow Him.
Charlotte answered...

Living in a place where Mormons are a small minority, this is probably the question I get asked the most. For me, nothing is more sacred and personal than my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe he was born of Mary and is the Son of God. I believe he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the cross on Calvary so that all of us might be saved by the gift of His atonement. I believe he was resurrected three days later and that he will come again. I absolutely whole-heartedly believe in and love Jesus and am teaching my children to do the same.

Generally though, I've found that when people ask me this question more often they are asking what makes Mormons different from other Christians. There are 3 major differences: 1) We believe that God, the father, Jesus, his son and the Holy Ghost are distinct beings (the first two having a body of flesh and blood, the third being a spirit) that are united in purpose. So, we don't believe in the concept of the "Trinity." 2) We believe in an open cannon, meaning that God still reveals scripture. We believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God but we have companion scriptures as well that we believe are holy and inspired, most notably "The Book of Mormon." It is another testament of Jesus Christ, in addition to the Bible. 3)We believe that God still talks to man. Revelation didn't stop with the prophets in the Bible. When Christ's church was restored through Joseph Smith, prophets once again returned to the earth. We having a living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson, to whom God speaks. In addition, we believe in personal revelation. Rather than telling people they must follow unquestioningly like sheep, Mormons are encouraged to ask God themselves about doctrine, actions and anything else they are concerned about. He answers prayers.

What are Mormon Temples used for?

Bonnie. answered...

They are peaceful, pure places, where only those who have committed to live the most discipled lives can go to ponder and pray. They are places where we learn about God's plan for all of humanity, and where we promise to do all in our power to help all of His children, and receive promises that we can be with Him as well. We wear white clothing that is simple, and remove our watches and bling, to demonstrate a willingness to let go of our day-to-day concerns to focus on the real things: people, and their worth to God.