Brett Williams Research Paper

Introduction

This paper consists of an interview with Brett Williams. Brett was raised in the Mormon Religion, also known as Church of the Later Day Saints. This paper will look at his life as a Mormon, why he converted and his life as a Pentecostal preacher. However, the primary focus will be on his early life as a Mormon regarding the following questions. What do Mormons believe (doctrine)? How do Mormons worship. How does the Mormon religions answer to the following three questions – a. Where did I come from (question of origin, creation not biology)? b. Why am I here (purpose)? c. Where am I going (destiny)?

Brett

Brett is a Pentecostal preacher in his mid-forties with a wife and two sons. However, he has a past that would surprise many

Brett began to reflect on his childhood training. First, there was Joseph Smith, he was a prophet that God sent to this world to set men straight. It was blasphemy to speak against the church or Joseph Smith, he was their leader.

Next he reflected on the book of Mormon. The children were required to memorize large portions of the scripture. If they did not memorize the required scripture they were spanked, locked in their room, and even denied food. I did mention he was a little bit rebellious therefore, he had experienced these punishments.

The purpose of the Mormon Religion was to lives their life’s as God decreed through the prophet Joseph Smith and lead others to Christ. Each young person (at around 20 years old) in the church gives two years of their time to be a missionary. Basically, they put their life on hold for the church. This is the time where Brett life took a change, but we will get back to him a little later.

How do Mormons worship. Brett kind of chuckled when I asked this question and he answered ‘nothing like Pentecostal, but I digress’. He said that they met on Sunday morning and always started with observing communion and several of the elders speaking. They also sign hymns. However, the community is so close nit that everyone minds everyone’s business and the children are accountable to every adult in the

Where did I come from (question of origin, creation not biology)? They believe in creation. However, they do not believe that He created the earth out of nothing. They believe He took what was already there and created the heavens and earth.

b. Why am I here (purpose)? This was answered earlier. People are here on this earth to follow God’s will for their life. Also, it is everyone’s job to share the good news of Jesus and lead others to