"Courage is the ability to move; when all around you are frozen in fear
and no one would blame you if you did nothing at all." Capt. Click. Phx. PD

My Name is Brent Gardner

Taken from the book Think About it...  for your reading convenience

I am honored to share my testimony with other officers who believe as I do. We make up a
tremendous army of saints, dedicated to our God and the citizens within our communities. It has
always been comforting for me to know that throughout my career I have been surrounded by honest, hard working, God fearing men and women who all have but one ultimate goal; to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father again.

I have been a police officer for eleven years. I served a two year mission to Australia in the early 80's and found that my mission prepared me literally for this life of a police officer. I learned the values of hard work and persistence. Do we not use these same values while confronted with our adversaries on the job? How many of you have ever been confronted with a dangerous situation at work, prayed for protection, and received it? I have!

               My mission instilled in me tremendous faith in knowing
                                    that my Heavenly Father is there, that He loves me,
                                                                and that He answers my sincere prayers.

Throughout my career, I have for some reason, seen “Home Teachers” bless the lives of their families. I will never forget arriving at an accident scene only to be met by two men identified as Home Teachers to the lady involved. On another occasion, I went to the emergency room to follow up on a case involving an injured child. I saw through the curtain, two men with their hands on the head of the child, administrating with their priesthood authority. They were introduced to me as Home Teachers. When a home went up in flames, even before the fire and police arrived, Home Teachers were assisting and comforting the family. How do these Home Teachers know about these  incidents even before 911 is called? The examples set by these men have inspired me to be a better Home Teacher. We see pain, suffering, hate, rage, drugs and everything associated with negative influence as a result of our career choice.

          I admit that I have become calloused at times with others.
                                     I have failed to show brotherly kindness and love
                                                                     when Christ would have done just that.

This is a challenge I am continually faced with. In knowing this to be a weakness of mine, I find it easier now to exercise empathy with those I come in contact with. To lift me up and give me strength, I attend church regularly. I participate in the blessings of the temple often. I serve in my church callings as best as I know how, and I serve others. Through service to others, I receive immeasurable strength. This gives me confidence to work the streets and courage to face even the most dangerous of situations. Currently, I serve in the Bishopric of our ward. This calling is a challenge in that it consumes a lot of my time. I enjoy, however, the growth my family and I are experiencing and the progression in my own life.

            May we all remember that we are children of a loving Father in Heaven.
                    That if we do our part in obeying His commandments and remembering
                                 our role as priesthood holders, even while on duty,
                                                                            we will be protected.

                                                Officer (&RM) Brent D. Gardner Badge #7578
                                                Non-Lethal Force Coordinator and
                                                Defensive tactics instructor

If you are or were a police officer, soldier, fireman
or wife, mother, father of such or some other branch of emergency personnel
and would like to share an unusual testimony building experience with others,
please contact us for details at

Samuel@ldscops.com

or use the link on the front page of this site at

www.LDSCOPS.com

"Think About it..." mailed to your home for only $14.95   S&H included