Hi, I'm Brittany

I'm a wife and mother. I'm interested in watercolor painting, music, sewing and working out. I am also a Mormon.

About Me

I was born in Canada to a family of 8. When I was 14, half the family moved to Salt Lake City and I've lived here ever since. I met my husband four years ago and three years ago we were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Last year we had our first baby, a girl.

I earned my Associates degree and went on to become an Esthetician. I currently stay at home to take care of my baby girl.

Why I am a Mormon

I am Mormon because I was born into an LDS family. I am grateful I was, because the guidance and structure I had as a youth really helped to shape who I am today. I am still Mormon because I believe in the teachings and doctrine of His gospel. I am happiest in my life when I live as an active member of the LDS church.

How I live my faith

Each day I pray to my Heavenly Father to thank Him for what I have, ask for guidance or for forgiveness. I also read from the Scriptures, The Book of Mormon or Bible. I enjoy going to church each Sunday. Currently I teach 3-4 year old children about their life and our church.
I strive to live how Christ did and help those around me.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Mary answered...

I have many homosexual friends, and I have best friends who are gay rights activists. They know my stand on same-sex marriage, and I know theirs, but guess what? We are still friends. I hope you and I can be friends too, as I try to explain a portion of what I feel about the issue of same-sex marriage.

According to principles that I believe were established by God to protect both men and women and provide for their temporal and eternal welfare, only marriage between a man and woman is allowed. This marriage must entail complete fidelity from both parties. Just as post-marital sexual desires and impulses should be controlled, pre-marital ones are equally tameable.

The LDS Church penalizes no one based on their sexual orientation. What someone feels is not equal to what they do. Once someone acts on same-sex attraction, they are committing sin. Merely being attracted is not a sin. It is not easy or simple or enjoyable to suppress one's physical appetites. Frankly, I'm not even sure of all the reasons it is commanded that we do so (though I know of the basic reasons). What I do know (and believe me when I say I do know this) is that God has ordained marriage between man and woman. He always has reasons, and we usually don't understand them for quite some time. But I know with all my heart that it is for the good of all people, regardless of sexual orientation, that marriage only be permited between a man and a woman.
Devin answered...

One of the core teachings of the Church is the eternal nature of the family relationship and that marriage and gender play foundational roles in that relationship. Gender is an immutable aspect of our identity that has been part of us from the beginning, before this life. Viewed from this eternal perspective, marriage is more than a contractual arraignment between two people. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, marriage involves eternal commitments, including having children and teaching them to distinguish right from wrong. In addition to the ability to conceive children, Men and women have unique parental characteristics that, when combined, create the best scenario for raising those children. Those abilities and characteristics are not present in same-sex marriages.

As far as same-gender attraction goes, the Church's attitude mirrors that of its attitude to any sexual activity outside of the marriage relationship -- complete abstinence. In that sense, the Church does not distinguish between homosexuals and heterosexuals in how it looks upon sexual activity outside of marriage. It emphasizes the cultivation of heterosexual relationships at appropriate times because it is that relationship that leads to marriage.

Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

Derek answered...

Are we not all brothers and sisters, with God as our Father? The Lord looks upon the heart, not upon the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). The criteria to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ is based on a willingness to do what he has asked us to do, not based on some outward feature.