ItsRoger

Thanks for all the great responses! I'll add a few tidbits. 1: When starting this thread, I had no intention of belittling the prophet Brigham Young or tearing him down. As a matter of fact, Brigham is one of my role models as a convert, and somebody who has a similar testimony of the Book of Mormon. If it wasn't for him, there wouldn't be an LDS Church as we know it today. 2: I know a lot of people bring up the Adam God Doctrine. A disclaimer that I'm a relatively new 21 year old convert who has yet to go through the temple. The minimal research I've done on the A-D-G, I can see why that may be controversial. Is this something I should worry about researching? 3: Are there any good church movies that serve as a biographical count of Brigham Young's journey and/or life? I'm currently reading a Brigham Young documentary by John G. Turner, and it has been more than fair. Thanks guys! -Roger in Missouri

It seems like at one point in history, LDS members embraced Young as "The Lion of the Lord", "Brother Brigham", and even "The American Moses". These days, it's difficult to have a discussion with a fellow member regarding Brigham Young. The more evolved we become in history, the more distant the Church seems to become when it comes to our 2nd Prophet. In fact, as of 5 minutes ago, when I googled "Brigham Young LDS", the only Brigham Young article on LDS.Org went to an "Access Denied" screen and didn't let me view it. Perhaps that's a server issue, but it's pretty telling nonetheless. What do you guys think?

I am a bleeding heart liberal who has never endorsed a GOP candidate for president. With that said, I am a Latter Day Saint above all. My faith will always override my political views. I should also note that being a liberal does NOT mean you have to be pro-choice, or accept same sex marriage. Unfortunately, these social issues often act as a red herring to political fiscal issues. Perhaps me being a convert of the Church leads me to have vastly different views than many members politically.

It's a long and boring read maybe, but I'm not a writer! This was my attempt at bearing my testimony via keyboard. I now carry a Shawn Bradley rookie card in my wallet everywhere I go. Even though Bradley was one of the greatest BYU basketball players in the history of the game, I don't carry the trading card around because I'm a sports collector. I carry the card around because I am a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a recent convert of the Church, I never expected to be baptized and confirmed as a member. In fact, prior to watching a short Shawn Bradley interview in which he talked about his faith, I never dreamed of joining a church that I once thought was an oddity. After hearing Bradley talk about "putting his religion and his family" as a priority over basketball, I was inclined to request a free Book of Mormon from our local missionaries to see what all of the hoopla was about. I assumed I would read it, smirk, and add the book to my ongoing collection of religious literature. After a few weeks of reading it (3/4ths of that time was getting through 1st Nephi I think), there was no smirking. Only tears. Tears of joy and happiness. Tears of confirmation, and of authenticity. For the first time in my life, I knew truth. I knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that Jesus Christ was our Lord and Savior. Fast forward a few months later, I am now preparing for a mission after receiving the Melchizdek Priesthood. While my family is mostly anti-LDS (they are devout Baptists), they have seen my testimony and know that I need to go on a mission. I have a lot of people to thank. I have my Church family to thank for being the most loving group a person could ever know. I have Heavenly Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit to thank, for reasons too many to name in this short letter. I have Joseph Smith to thank for restoring the Gospel and being a Prophet of this great Church. And finally, I have Shawn Bradley to thank. An ordinary basketball player with an extraordinary testimony. A testimony that seems pretty contagious. In another interview Bradley had, he cited his favorite verse as 2nd Nephi chapter 2 verse 11: 　 11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. This verse rings true in my life in every sense imaginable. It is this opposition that strengthens my faith, and encourages me to seek righteousness. When I'm on my mission, I fully anticipate on taking that Shawn Bradley card with me as I share my testimony with others and give them the Book of Mormon. Perhaps I can act as a Shawn Bradley to somebody else.

Thank you so much Pam, and to everybody else who responded. If for some reason Mr. Bradley doesn't respond to your message, at least he has seen the difference he has made in my life indirectly. I'll post the letter here for everyone to read and maybe he can view the thread without posting and see. I have grown a strong testimony recently, and I love sharing it with those who helped me gain one! You guys rule, Roger.

It was his "Legends" special on BYUtv. I was channel surfing believe it or not. And thank you so much Pam! God bless.

Awesome! Perhaps Jabari Parker will have that modern day Shawn Bradley mission power on young NBA fans. :)

I'm a 21 year old convert who was inspired to read the Book of Mormon after watching a Shawn Bradley clip and listening to him talk about his faith. Since then, I've found so much in the truth (being from an anti-LDS family) and am now preparing to go on a mission. I have written a letter of thanks for Mr. Bradley and it would mean the world to me if he received it before I left. The reason I'm asking here is because I know there are many Utah posters here, and Shawn has given multiple firesides in that area. The chances of a member on here knowing him is slim to none, but it's worth a shot. Thanks all, and God bless! Roger S.

Thank you everyone for the responses! I hope to stick around prior to leaving on a mission. I've somewhat avoided bringing it up with my bishop in fear of my mission hopes getting foiled, but I suppose I'll have to tackle that issue eventually. Thanks again. :)

Hello all! I'm obviously new and didn't know the exact forum this belonged in, so I went with this one. My name is Roger and I live in Lebanon Missouri. I'm a 20 year old convert who joined 2 years ago after meeting with the missionaries for several weeks. Now that I'm preparing for the temple and have received the priesthood, my next step is a mission. With that said, I had a question regarding antidepressants. My father, who is an army recruiter, says that you have to be off of antidepressants for a year before you can enlist. I didn't know if the Church had a similar rule when it comes to them. I'm currently prescribed a minimal dosage of Prozac, but for nothing serious. I intended on asking my bishop, but thought I would get some outside opinions first. Hopefully my medication won't be a road block on my evidence calling from The Lord to serve. Thanks in advance and God bless! -Roger S.