Hi, I'm Brandon S.

I have a beautiful wife and three children. They matter most to me. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I teach the youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in release-time seminary. I was born in Utah, raised in Montana. I'm 35 and was released recently from being a bisohp. We live in a small town in Idaho.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a Mormon because I was blessed to be raised by parents who guided me towards a testimony of my own. That came my Jr. year of highschool. It started with a testimony of the First Vision, then the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. That quickly lead me to a love and understanding of my Savior Jesus Christ. I love this Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Personal Stories

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you?

I love referring to Him as the Savior. He is my Savior. The Atonement He performed saves me. It gives me another, and another, and another... chance to be clean and worthy. His resurrection allows me to live again, with a physical, perfect body. I love the teachings He has given that help me realize that no one can come to the Father (God the Father) but by Him (Christ). He is the way. I love Jesus Christ for providing me with the way back.

What has helped develop greater harmony in your home?

Five things:
1)Family prayer 2)Family scripture study 3)Family home evening (every Monday night is family night. We don't answer the phone unless it is family. 4) Family church attendance and activity. 5) Wholesome family recreation. My little family is mine for eternity if I strive to live the covenants I've made with God and with my wife in the temple. I know that and so do they. If I am a stinker husband and dad, why would they want me for eternity? They wouldn't. So I stive to be a good husband and dad.

How I live my faith

Well, I'm blessed to be a seminary teacher. If I didn't live my faith I wouldn't deserve to work for the Church. I teach that faith everyday. Of course I need to do better. I'm fortunate to have my faith known even before I am at times. Living in a "glass house" is a great way to help you strive to live your faith 100% of the time. I know God is always watching, as well as many of my students. If I were to do something questionable, they would surely let me know about it! I love the standards of the Gospel of Christ, they provide opportunity for freedom and happiness.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Brandon S. answered...

I get this one a lot from students. President Monson's opening statement to the October 2011 General Conference of the Church is the best response. All mormons, especially the young men, need to be prepaired and strive to be worthy of such a blessing. There are plenty of returned missionaries who have not stayed true to the blessings and opportunity provided them. That is a sad happening. Most often though, a mission makes a young man into a man. He learns to put God and others first. He learns what it means to make and keep covenants with God. That usually later leads to a man becoming a husband who continues to make and keep covenants with his spouse and God. A young man who prepares with honor, serves with honor, and returns with honor is on his way to accessing blessings he might otherwise of missed out on by forfeiting that chance to serve and grow.
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Nick answered...

"Required" is an interesting word when it comes to faith and religion. In the Mormon Church no one is "required" to serve a mission. Church membership is not revoked for not serving a mission. In this sense, they are not required, yet serving a mission is encouraged at many stages in life and in many different capacities throughout the world.

Missionary service is a tremendous blessing, a challenge, and one of the main focuses of the faith. The life of Jesus Christ was the life of a missionary in many respects. Performing service for one another, preaching the glad message of the gospel, and increasing the faith and dedication of God's children are exemplified in Christ's life and mirrored by those in missionary service.

To dedicate a portion of one's life in service propels those who serve and those who are served into a better life. During my two year mission to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and during my two year service mission with LDS Family Services, I was greatly blessed and strengthened. (I hope those whom I served found some value in my service as well.) That strength has taught me to better navigate this life, has kept my family relations intact, and has been the method of helping others overcome their trials as well.

Spiritually speaking, I don't find value in reflecting on what my life would be like without serving a mission. Instead, I rejoice in knowing that without that time in missionary service my life would be significantly less happy and productive. In my life, serving a mission has taken on many of the characteristics of a "required" act since I can't picture myself progressing very far without having served as a missionary. While not required to be a member of the Mormon church, missionary service has been a critical and welcome part of my life and growth spirituality. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to serve missions, and look forward to serving in many more.

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Amanda answered...

YES!!! This is one of my favorite parts of the gospel. I believe that my family will live together in heaven. I will know my family as my family members. My husband is my husband for now and for all eternity. My children are my children here on earth and for all eternity. I know that if something happened to one of us that I will see them again. I love this about the church. Before joining, I always had a question about this concept and when taking the discussions from the missionaries this came up. Makes me love the church more and more.