Hi, I'm Brent

I am a CDOT employee. I participate in softball, running events and love the outdoors and I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I am a 42 year old father of two children one dog and one cat. My children are 9 and 11. I have been married for 15 years and I am still falling for my wife. I become a Mormon at age 11 but fell away from the church at age 16. I have been back to church for 6 years now and I believe my life is getting better every day. I love to play sports, to hike and to fish. I have participated in several 200 mile relay runs and plan to someday run a marathon.

Why I am a Mormon

I know this church is true.
I love my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I know that being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will help me get back to them some day. I know that Jesus is the only way to our Heavenly Father and I know that Jesus leads this church. I know that Jesus died for us and that he lives again. I pray every day that I will listen to the Holly Ghost and that I will have strength to fight temptation. I love my family and I know I will be with them for all eternity. I know that my Father in Heaven loves me and wants the best for me. He has a plan and that plan flows through his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and if I follow the teachings in it I will become closer to God.

Personal Stories

How can we develop greater harmony in our homes?

This takes preparation. Regardless of how busy our schedules get we always set aside time for "Family Home Evening." We dedicate every Monday night as family night. We have an opening prayer, a lesson, a game, some type of music or song, snack and closing prayer. Each member of the family takes turns as to what they need to plan. We usually start family home evening after dinner. We sometimes just spend quality time together. This may be on a family walk or jumping on the trampoline. I believe it's important for my families to pray together, play together and have scripture study together.
We also have family prayers. "A family that prays together stays together." Just before bedtime we all gather in one of the bed rooms and have a family prayer. Some nights each member of the family prays and other nights only one of us prays. My daughter keeps track of the schedule.
When we first started family prayer, it was hard. Everyone was tired and cranky. Even dad. But after a few weeks we all look foreword to gathering on one of the beds. I love family prayer.

How I live my faith

I have been asked to be the Executive Sercretary. I love my calling. I prepare agendas for meetings and help the bishop and his councilors with ward buisness. This calling has given me a great love for people. I have more of an understanding for Gods children and the plan he has for us.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Brent answered...

No. I did not serve a mission but I love to serve. I hope someday I will have the opportunity to serve the Lord on a mission.
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.