Hi, I'm Briton

I grew up in Utah, moved to Texas my junior year of high school, and now I attend the University of Texas at Austin. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I love to play the violin. I started learning when I was in 4th grade and haven't stopped. Theater is one of my treasured hobbies, from seeing shows to acting in them myself, something I've done with community theater and in high school. I am currently a student at one of the most renowned universities in the state of Texas and am studying English and working toward my teaching certificate.

I am an animal lover who has done everything from bringing home strays and finding them a home to having my own animal companions. I've volunteered at local animal shelters and have worked at an amazing animal kennel, something I did because I wanted my first job to help me learn to love to work. I figured that a job revolving around something I was passionate about would be the best bet for accomplishing this.

Why I am a Mormon

I grew up as a Mormon. From as early as I can recall, my mother took me with her to church on Sundays. My father was not a member and I hadn't questioned why he wasn't until we moved to southern Utah and I noticed that all of my friends' dads came with them to church. When asked, he said that he wasn't a member because his parents and grandparents were not and he hadn't been given much exposure to the church outside of my mom. It was then that I realized that not everyone knew what I knew about the church, and perhaps even I didn't really know what I thought I did. I began to pay more attention to my lessons in church and to the talks during Sacrament meeting to decide if I really knew and believed what was being taught. It was quite some time before I built my own understanding of the Church and its doctrines. In that time, my father converted to the Church and I was able to (re)learn with him. I am a Mormon because I know without a doubt in my heart that this church is true.

Personal Stories

Please explain the part prayer plays in your life?

Prayer has helped me to build a relationship with my Heavenly Father. I can take anything to him and I know he hears me. When I cry, I feel his love lifting me back up. Prayer strengthens me every day by helping to remind me of who I am and what I stand for, but it also reminds me of the love the Lord has for me, a Daughter of God.

How I live my faith

I do my best to serve others through my church calling, volunteering through organizations nearby, and by extending a helping hand to those around me. I was Beehive President, Laurel president, and I worked with the youth leaders to plan activities to include more of the young ladies in our ward and help them to bond with each other. I am now a teacher in my ward's Relief Society, the largest women's organization; I'm learning and growing as I teach the other ladies on the second Sunday of every month. A problem I've personally experienced and subsequently observed in the members of the church is feeling lonely or just out of the loop. It feels awful and I encourage any activity that might help people to get to know one another and make new friends.

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Briton answered...

We believe that families will be together for time and all eternity. This has helped me through the passing of family and friends because, while it is incredibly painful to lose someone, I know that we will be together again. I cannot begin to explain the great comfort this is for me.
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Amanda answered...

YES!!! This is one of my favorite parts of the gospel. I believe that my family will live together in heaven. I will know my family as my family members. My husband is my husband for now and for all eternity. My children are my children here on earth and for all eternity. I know that if something happened to one of us that I will see them again. I love this about the church. Before joining, I always had a question about this concept and when taking the discussions from the missionaries this came up. Makes me love the church more and more.

Do Mormons worship Joseph Smith?

Daniel. answered...

No. I've never even met the man.

One night I was on the front row of a concert. A big star came to the edge of the stage and held out his hand. EVERYONE rushed forward, climbing over each other, pushing and wedging themselves along, just to touch him. I almost got caught up in that too, and was about to rush ahead when a little voice kicked in "He's just a man. What's the big deal?" At that moment I vowed to never adulate anything less than deity. I will not go to my knees for anyone but a Loving God.

I respect Joseph Smith like I respect any man who tries his best to live according to his conscience. I hope maybe one day I'll get to chat with him over lunch--or over whatever kind of meal they offer in the life beyond. But I cannot worship a man, for why should I place and value one person any higher than another?