Hi, I'm Brittny

I'm a web developer, a mother of two and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was born in Upstate New York. My family moved to California for a year just before I turned 10 and ended up staying there for over 15 years now. After graduating high school I moved out and attended college at Brigham Young University. I graduated with a major in Linguistics and a minor in Computers. During college I enjoyed working on the tech crew for one of BYU's theater groups and traveled to Brazil, Argentina, Hong Kong, China, South Korea and all over the United States. I love travelling and learning about different cultures and meeting new people. It's fascinating to see how different people think and live, and how similar we all really are. In my final year of college I met my husband. We started dating and were engaged only 9 days later! We were married at the end of that year. I took a job as a web developer at an advertising agency while my husband finished school. About two years after we got married we had our first baby boy, and recently had our second son. After having our first son I left the company I worked for to take care of him, but I still try to keep my computer skills sharp by taking on freelance web projects as often as I can get them! I am so glad that I can focus on these boys during this important stage in their life while still participating in other projects. I love being a mom and taking care of these two little boys, they make every day an adventure! It's so neat to see the world through their new eyes.

Why I am a Mormon

I was born to parents who are Latter-day Saints and have been a member of the church my entire life. However, that's not *why* I am a member of the church. As I've grown older I've questioned and considered other ways that I could be living my life. However, as I look at people who have chosen other paths it's apparent to me that other paths don't lead to true happiness the way that the gospel does. As I live by the standards and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I'm happy. I have prayed and I know that the Book of Mormon and all of the teachings of this church are true. The more I learn about the gospel and the more I do to live it the more that life makes sense. I understand better my purpose here on earth and what I need to be doing. As I have questions, when I turn to the Lord and to the teachings of this church I find answers that make life make more sense. The gospel brings me peace and happiness.

How I live my faith

One of the biggest focuses of our faith is on our families, so I feel like one of the most important things that I do to live my faith is raising my two sons. I also try to spend my time to strengthen my marriage with my husband, and supporting my younger siblings.

Another way I live my faith is by trying to find ways to serve others. I am so blessed and I feel that I have an obligation to share my time, talents and resources to help other people to have better lives as well. One way I try to serve is through the church's visiting teaching program. Each woman is paired up with another woman and they are assigned to visit some of the other women in their congregation each month and look after their needs. Recently one of the women I'm assigned to was sick and called me to bring her over some soup. Even though it was a really small thing it made me feel good to be able to help fulfill a need that she couldn't take care of for herself.

I also try to study the scriptures and teachings of latter day prophets. As I pray and study I understand better what I should be doing and how this world works. Currently I'm trying to go through the Old Testament to better understand how the church today relates to the church in ancient days. It's not always the easiest to read through, but understanding the very beginnings of life on this earth helps me better understand other people and their beliefs, as well as how the gospel all works together.

Why don’t women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? How do Mormon women lead in the Church?

Kara answered...

Women don't hold the priesthood in the church, as this is a teaching that has come from Jesus Christ. However, women have such a significant role to play in the church that personally I have never felt that this is an issue I am concerned with or even think about. My husband and I are equal partners in our family, and the church has such respect and reverence for women and their role in the world. Women in the church also belong to what is called the 'Relief Society' it is one of the largest women's organisation in the world, and fills me with such a desire to serve and do good that when we meet together wherever I am in the world I feel so proud to be apart of it.
Madelyn answered...

I feel that men and women both have different but equally important roles in getting us back to God. In God's eternal plan we were spirits in His presence before this life. To progress we needed to get bodies on this earth, then perform specific ordinances (eg baptism, marriage) to return to God after this life. Women were given the godly power to bring spirits into this world and give them bodies, then nurture and raise these children with God's inspiration and guidance. The men were assigned the responsibility (through the God's Priesthood power) to serve others and administer the ordinances that will bring God's children back to His presence after this life. Both roles are necessary and equally important to God's plan for us.
I don't think women need the Priesthood to be powerful influences and to do God's work in their homes and in the church. I see men grow spiritually, and their characters become more godly when they act in God's name through using the Priesthood.
I have never felt the need to hold the Priesthood myself. I can still receive all the blessings offered by the Priesthood, my prayers can be just as powerful, and I still have access to the inspiration of God in my life.

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.