Hi, I'm Brent

I'm an e-learning specialist. And yup - I'm a Mormon!

About Me

Growing up in the Bay Area during the 60s, I'm a product of my Mormon upbringing and California's hippie culture - a little idealism from both sides. Sex and drugs - no - but rock-n-roll forever!

Now I live outside Boulder Colorado and enjoy the mile-high beauties of snowy foothills, southwest architecture, and street fairs along the creek. I used to hike the Boulder Flatirons every morning until my knee gave out. I told my wife Sharman I want my ashes scattered on the Chautauqua meadow when I die - no better place for people to come visit me!

I'm a professor of e-learning and instruction design, teaching people how to design online courses and lead e-learning programs. Teaching and learning online takes a lot of work, but I am amazed at the quality portfolios my students complete!

We raised four kids in Illinois and Colorado, with three grandkids and counting. We all love to sing and play music together - or make mix and share sampler CDs.

Road trips are another family tradition - to family destinations or to National Parks in the West. Yosemite and Capitol Reef were recent trips.

I love learning more about my family's history - bringing along a voice recorder as we visit old friends who knew Mom and Dad and getting their stories.

And I love learning more about my Latter-day Saint tradition - attending conferences like Sunstone, FAIR, and the Mormon History Association. I'm proud to be part of this dynamic and diverse church!

Why I am a Mormon

A few memories from my youth:

- Singing in the Oakland Temple Pageant, sitting above the audience in the balcony, singing songs that bore witness of the Restoration. I felt the stirring of a personal witness through the music and spoken word.

- Attending Education Week at the Oakland regional church center - dynamic speakers like Truman Madsen, Stephen Covey, Elaine Cannon, and George Pace. I felt like the Gospel encompasses all truth and it was pouring into me!

- Responding to my faith crisis as a teenager, my Dad closing the bathroom door (the only quiet place in our house!) and bearing fervent witness that God lives.

Now as an adult, I continue to see God's hand in my life and in the world. I am a son of a Heavenly Father and Mother - and they want me to grow and become like Them. The way forward is through Jesus my Savior. This feels true to me and grounds me in my faith.

Personal Stories

Please share your feelings/testimony of Joseph Smith.

I've studied Joseph Smith's live closely for many years and read many interpretations of his life and ministry. Here is what I see:

- An earnest believer who was convinced of his own prophetic calling
- A leader of a fledgling gathering of saints trying to keep together through constant challenges and adversity
- A man who could have sought total control through his charisma and calling, but instead established councils and leadership
- A good and loyal friend who was sometimes too generous in his judgment of people
- A person with human frailties - but a man who knew how to humble himself, repent and learn from his mistakes
- A prophet of God who remained true to his calling in the best way he could, leading eventually to his death

How has attending Church services helped you?

Mormons meet the first Sunday of each month for a "fast and testimony meeting." We've fasted prior to meeting and come to an open-mic session where people stand up at random and share a few minutes of testimony and witness.

That's my favorite meeting. In a way the testimonies are scripted - there are standard things many people say. But mostly it's unscripted, unplanned, and spontaneous. People tell of loss and challenges. They also tell us being strengthened and comforted and taught to grow. Everyone from kids to old geezers will get up and share.

We're all just trying to live the Gospel and be faithful to the promises we've made. Everyone has a story to tell, and I love hearing directly from people how God is working in their lives!

Which of the Savior’s teachings have influenced you in your life?

My favorite parable is the Prodigal Son. In just a few words Jesus captured the core message of the Gospel - that God loves us as His children and will go to extravagant lengths to help us find our way back to Him.

I love the part that says, "and while he was yet afar off..."

God doesn't wait for our repentance to show His love. He runs to us and puts His arms around us - before we have said a word!

And He loves the big brother in the same way - going out of the tent to find him and let him know that he too is loved.

That parable helps me see how God loves me, and make me feel differently about myself as as beloved child of His. And I try to treat everyone with that same love and respect.

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

Mormons have a very concrete idea about heaven - that we will be with those we loved here on earth, and be fully engaged in living and serving and growing and learning.

So when I learn about my family, I am learning about myself - but also about the people I will continue with after this life. We have a way of doing earthly ordinances on their behalf - and that strengthens the ties we have together.

Mormon doctrine includes this idea that the whole human family - starting with Adam and Eve - will be bound together through loving ties. I love that feeling of connectedness and continuity - it's something I hope to pass on to my own kids and their kids.

How I live my faith

Showing up, mostly.

- I show up to help when people are moving into town.
- I mow my lawn and keep the yard up - for my neighbors' sakes!
- Our home is open to friends and strangers - people who need an extra lift.
- I do my best at work - teaching classes, serving with fellow faculty.
- I show an interest in my kids and grandkids, and visit them often.
- I love getting together with friends, here in Colorado or away from home.
- I listen to and respect my wife and try to be considerate of her feelings.
- I try to take care of my body and my spirit - to stay productive and useful for many years to come.

I try to be active in our community. I am our EcoCycle neighborhood rep, distributing newspapers and helping to organize on certain issues. We recently campaigned for single-hauler trash pickup, which was approved along with recycling and composting pickup. This will help our city be more sustainable and efficient - plus it's cheaper!

Our callings at Church are to work with 16-18 year olds as they approach young adulthood. And then we work with the single members of our congregation, ages 19 and beyond. They are AMAZING people and we stand in awe at their faith and accomplishments!

Last year Sharm and I taught the nursery (ages 18 months to three years old). Physically and emotionally exhausting, but so rewarding. And the moms and dads appreciated us!

Living my faith happens in my everyday life!

Why do some call Mormonism a cult?

Brent answered...

I think the 'cult' label happens because we're different in some ways. We don't accept other churches' baptism, and they usually don't accept ours.

Some Evangelical Christians in particular feel uncomfortable with us. That's regrettable because our testimony of Jesus is closer to their beliefs than many members of mainline religions. He actually died and was literally resurrected - as we will be ourselves!

Jesus died for our sins and he is the only way to our Father in Heaven. There are indeed differences in doctrine, but we have so much in common as well.
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Scott answered...

Perhaps because they see how close-knit we are as a community, and it can be somewhat hard to understand this support network if you have never been part of something quite like it.

Sometimes we hear that some others may perceive or presume that members are 'brainwashed' with information and forced to conform to some standard. To those I would say that is exactly the opposite of what actually occurs under the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You see, Satan's way is to force people to conform. Study the life of Christ and you'll understand that He never forces, but instead always invites.

Freedom to choose is something that we believe is one of God's greatest gifts to mankind, and is fundamental to our faith. All people (Church member or not) are always free to choose what to believe and how to act (we call this agency) and are encouraged to seek understanding of the reasons for any invitation that Christ or the living Prophet extends to them.

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

Gregg answered...

We believe the Bible and other records passed down through centuries, that God has spoken to man starting with Adam and Eve and continues to speak to us in modern days. God loves us and knows what will bring us true joy in this life and in the life to come. He has declared and continues to command that sexual relations are only to be practiced between husband and wife, legally and lawfully married. He has ordained marriage for the purpose of binding husbands and wives together in a special relationship that can last not just in this life, but for all eternity, and to bring children into the world and nurture them.

Others will fail to understand these truths or try to change them, but the family is central to God's plan and he continues to make his will quite clear on this matter. As members of his church, we will defend these truths.