Hi, I'm Bret

I love being a Mormon.

About Me

Hi! I am a 29 yr old father of three wonderful kids and a husband to my beautiful wife. My wife and I met while attending school in Idaho and were married in the Logan, Utah temple a little over 6 years ago. Right now I am working on a PhD in Spanish Linguistics. Some of my hobbies are graphic design, building things out of wood, art, biking with family, ping-pong, tennis, speaking Spanish, etc. While life can be very hectic juggling church, family, school, etc., it is all worth it! Sometimes my wife and I feel like we are barely keeping our heads above water, but the joy that our family brings far outweighs the struggles we have. We feel very grateful for all of the blessings the Lord has given us.

Why I am a Mormon

While my parents are mormon as well as much of my extended family and ancestors, I am a Mormon because Heavenly Father has let me know through the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith was in fact called to be a Prophet. He was the tool which Christ used in the latter-days to restore His church. When I was younger, I attended church and believed in the church mainly because of my parents. However, after leaving home I knew I had to find out for myself because if it wasn't true it would be sure a waste of time. I decided to ask God if it was true and on various occasions I have felt the Holy Ghost confirm in my heart through feelings of peace and joy that the church is God's church. I feel so thankful not only to know that but that God lives as well and that he loves all of his children. I know that anyone can know as well that the church is true by reading the Book of Mormon and sincerely asking God in faith if it is true.

Personal Stories

How has The Book of Mormon helped you understand the purpose of life?

While the Bible contains many of the truths of the gospel, unfortunately there are many scriptures that can be hard to understand which have caused there to be many contradicting interpretations of the Bible which has in turn led to many different denominations of Christianity. The Book of Mormon helps to clarify the nature of God and the plan that He set up for us His children. It helps make sense of some of those things that aren't so clear in the Bible. By gaining a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon through the power of the Holy Ghost, I have come to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Gods true church once again restored on the earth with all the truths, ordinances, and pronciples that are necessary for us to return to live with Heavenly Father again. Finally, and most importantly, my testimony that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He made it possible for me to overcome my sins be calling on His name and repenting has been strengthened.

How does making right choices help us make more right choices?

I have made my fair share of wrong choices but every time I humble myself and make good choices and obey the commandments, I see the peace and blessings that it brings to my life. I know that works in and of themself cannot save me, but I want to show my gratefulness to my Heveanly Father by doing what he wants me to. I have felt that instead of restricting my freedom, I have more freedom from things like addiction, when I obey the commandments. Also, I have come to know that all the commandments God gives us is for our benefit and to help us to find joy in this life. I feel so blessed to be a child of God.

How I live my faith

The main thing I do to live my faith is trying to find ways to serve others. The church provides great opportunities to serve others as we all take part in the building up of the kingdom of God. Since there is no paid clergy in the church, the local congregations are run by the members themselves. We all have unique responsibilities that help us to serve and strengthen one another. Although I often struggle to forget myself and my life at times, I know that by following the example of the Savior and serving others I find joy.

Do Mormons regard the Bible as Holy Scripture and the word of God?

Bret answered...

The Bible is the word of God and is Holy Scripture "as far as it is translated correctly" (Article of Faith 8). While the Bible is a wonderful book and contains many truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, over the years some of the plain and precious truths of the Bible were lost in translation. I feel it is a blessing to have the Bible to read the words of the Prophets and am thankful to have read if from cover to cover.
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Jesus answered...

I personally enjoy The Bible as one of my favorite books. I know it is the word of The Lord. As I read the bible, I also tried to study where it came from. Before joining the church, I did believe that the bible was the word of God. But why? I believed in it before reading it... Well, the reason why I know, is because I ask God and He answered me. There is no other way. I wasn't there when it was translated, so how can I know? Some people just believe that it is true because everybody else says so. Heavenly Father can answer our prayers, why don't we ask Him?