Hi, I'm Brent

I'm an Ergonomist, and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a tinkerer. I am a Mechanical and Ergonomics Engineer by education and training. But, most of all I like to fix things; even if they are not broken. I enjoy camping and flyfishing. I love my wife and 4 wonderful children. And, I am a Mormon!

Why I am a Mormon

I was lucky enough to grow up in the Church. My parents taught my siblings and I the basics, and reinforced those teachings through their examples. As I got older, I began to study the Bible together with the book of Mormon, and found that all of the principles from my teachers and parents started to really make sense. It was like a large puzzle; the more I worked at understanding it, the more that it all fit together. I still keep fitting pieces into the puzzle, and am gaining a clearer picture of the gospel all the time. The gospel and the Church have become such a part of me that it is sometimes hard to separate my own principles from the principles of the gospel. I love Jesus Christ, and I know that this is his church.

Personal Stories

In what ways have your prayers been answered?

Shortly after I had graduated from college, my wife and I had moved to a new city. I had been working in my job for about 6 months when I had a review with my boss. I was shocked and surprised when he told me that I was being laid-off. I was not sure how I was supposed to tell my wife. The news wasn't good, and we spent some time trying to figure out what we were supposed to do. We went camping a couple of weeks later, and I was able to go fishing at one of my favorite spots in the mountains. I was on my way back to the car when I decided to pray for some answers. When I was done praying, I remember a feeling coming into my heart, and clearly feeling the words come into my mind that Heavenly Father is in charge, and that he was watching out for me and my family. The Holy Ghost spoke to me in that still, small voice and comforted me, letting me know that everything was going to be OK, and that I didn't have to worry about finding a new job. Within a few weeks, I found employment that met the needs of my family and gave me the opportunity to meet some great new friends.

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

I am a firm believer in the philosophy that we have total control over our actions, but we have absolutely no control over the consequences of our actions. This can apply to actions both good and bad. When we do good things to other people, it can carry on to others and we might never know where this cycle will end. I once heard, "You can count the seeds of a single apple, but you can never count the apples from a single seed." If we don't use our apples for good purposes, then the seeds will go to waste. When we plant seeds of right choices, we will have opportunities to plant more of those seeds. By choosing the right, we will never fear for others to criticize. We will never have to worry about guilt of making poor decisions. This is true freedom, and brings lasting happiness and joy.

How I live my faith

Sometimes I tell my friends that it is not easy being a Mormon. I have served in many leadership roles in the branches and wards where I have lived. As such, I get to attend a lot of meetings, and get to spend time working with other members of the Church. It is quite a commitment, knowing that I am sacrificing time away from my family. But, at the same time, I know that my family and I are blessed because of my service. Right now, I am part of the Bishopric, helping to shepherd our local congregation. It brings me a lot of happiness to see the changes that the gospel can bring to people's lives.

What do Mormons believe about family?

Brent answered...

I have been asked how many wives that I have? My response is that I have only been married to the same woman for 20+ years. Through the church, I know that my wife, my children, and I will be a family unit through time and all eternity. It goes far beyond sickness and health, for richer and poorer, and past the good times and bad. Our time on Earth is very short by comparison to the eternities beyond. Our family has been promised that we can be together forever with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ if we do what is right. There is no greater blessing than this.
Bradley. answered...

The family is a key component to support us in God's plan for gaining immortality and eternal life. All of God's children (all the inhabitants that lived, are living, and will live on Earth) are inseperably connected to each other, both (physically) by our Earthly families and (spiritually) by our Heavenly Father.

Families help us to understand our divine heritage. In this, life takes on purpose and meaning. Our immortal spirits were created by our Heavenly Father before Earthly existance, and we are directly connected to Him in this way. As a spiritual family, our collective purpose on Earth is to follow the commandments of God that lead us to live in heaven with Him again.

Our spirits need to progress, learn, and grow. In order to achieve that, Earthly existance was created as our test. Our Heavenly Father knew that being exposed to opposing forces on Earth was the only way for us to gain knowledge and wisdom.

However, we will not always choose righteousness, and so our Savior, Jesus Christ, is that great mediator to pay the debt of our mistakes. He is the only way by which we can be saved from our sins and transgressions. He is the ultimate example by which direction we need to live our lives. With the support of our earthly kin, we can learn from each other, serve each other, and strengthen our mortal weaknesses by being disciples of Christ. Our families are a gift from God, and we can be together forever.

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

Casey answered...

Love the sinner, not the sin. We do not uplift or support it in any way. We try to help those overcome this serious and difficult urge of same-gender attraction. To some it is very serious, they feel they are 'borne' that way. Others feel great peer pressure, some are simply curious. Not matter the case, it is simply wrong. It is not ordained of God, and God does not take it lightly. To those who may struggle with this very urge, as you avoid it, and try to overcome it, God will strengthen you. Some people struggle with an addiction toward pornography, or cigarettes, some it might a seemingly over-powering urge toward alcohol, or to some, same-gender attraction. No matter the urge, they are all not of God and all Satan's devices to bring down worthy and righteous souls down to his level of misery. The family is ordained of God and it is our responsibility to uplift and support the family in any way we can.