Deseret News | Miss Wyoming USA wears her faith proudly

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Miss Wyoming USA wears her faith proudly

Proud of her Christian Church | 1:03 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

Way to be a good example.

Gwen | 1:28 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

This is not a good example. No matter how 'christian' you may percieve her to be she is still selling her body for a contest. This is not an example for young women of any faith. Sad that you would thing she is a role model just because she is mormon. A broken culture indeed.

How can this be true? | 1:36 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

She turned down BYU?!?

Comments continue below

JJE | 2:04 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

Contests of this nature can be a way of paying for college, but in the end it is really all about how she appeals to the audience visually. I wish our culture could focus on women who make great achievements in science, music, industry, business, or even real community service. A looks contest is disappointing. Someday as a culture I hope we can move past determining a women's value based on her shapes in a swim suit.

Lady9875 | 3:15 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

She should be embarrassed! Why a girl thinks she needs to parade and sell herself is beyond me. It is a shame that the DNEWS is asking young women to look up to this kind of achievement.

John Pack Lambert | 3:56 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

There are things like the talent portion in these events. The way to make a good society is to interact with people, not to hide ourselves away.

John Pack Lambert | 4:04 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

A person in a beauty contest does not "sell herself".
The more I read about Anna Nelson the more I see she is a great person.
The fact of the matter is someone will win this contest, and I would much rather it be someone who holds to principals and morals than someone who does not.

Anonymous | 4:40 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

Young LDS women should not be encouraged to participate in these events. It is not very becoming of a righteous young women.

Amanda | 6:46 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

I was honored this summer to meet Anna. She came up to girls camp and spoke to our young women. To hear her story, how she stood for what she believe in was inspirational. I have watched my young women make better choose because of her. I think what she is doing is wonderful and a great example for our young women. Being in the world but not of the world. She has found a why to earn money for collage, and teach young adults about underage drinking, not to mention standing up for their values. She wouldn't be able to reach as many as she has other wise. We all need someone like her to help us along.

Anonymous | 9:24 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

These pageants just don't bring out the best in people. Remember the Prejean woman in California. She brought up all kinds of controversy and got fired. If they need college money get a job. Its just doesn't cut it to get on a stage and prance around in a bathing suit. People like Donald Trump who owns Miss America Pageant aren't looking for a contestant with a one piece swimsuit and a long sleeved evening gown. During the last Miss America pageant all the girls wore the same style swimsuit--two piece.

Beth Ann K. | 10:37 p.m. Oct. 10, 2009

Have some self respect. A beauty pageant in no place for a young women. Remember, in the world but not of the world? Come on now, let us get it together and set an example.

hbeckett | 2:13 p.m. Oct. 11, 2009

it would appear that many cannot see the forest because of the trees, listen to what she says and does, it will explain the view of the whole forest that she has.

Chelsey | 8:13 p.m. Oct. 11, 2009

I was at that church camp she spoke at- in fact, "Amanda" was one of my leaders. I am a youth, the person she is going to be an example for, and let me say, she definitely is. She always has been. Our wards were paired up when my branch was too small to support itself for Girl's Camp. She was always kind. Anna was fun to be around, we all loved her, and all aspired to be like her. So, regardless of what "mature adults" may think of her example, the people she is supposed to be an example for think she is amazing. She's in a pageant where she is doing nothing against her moral code and keeping the standards. Regardless of what the people in charge "want", Anna is getting a chance to share a subject she is passionate about on the national stage, and hoping to make a difference. I, as a 15 year-old girl, look up to Anna. She is an example to me and my LDS friends. So if she is an example to us, who are you to say she is not?

JDMD | 11:44 p.m. Oct. 11, 2009

Thanks Chelsey for your comments, I think that puts it all into perspective for me. Go Anna!

Anonymous | 9:47 a.m. Oct. 12, 2009

It is interesting when people will put down someone who is trying to lead a good life, and be a good example to others. I think she is amazing and I wish the world was full of more people like her!!!

Anonymous | 10:44 a.m. Oct. 12, 2009

I think Chelsey is a troll: an adult pretending to be a teen in order to try to make a point.

Lying for the Lord is not becoming.

J | 2:58 p.m. Oct. 12, 2009

Anna sounds like a wonderful person, but I wish she could find a different venue for her causes. Parading the body for judgment is not what women should be doing.

Hope | 4:03 p.m. Oct. 12, 2009

Congratulations Anna! You not only sound like a nice person but you must have great values and personal integrity! You are a great example to the LDS church and as a convert I really appreciate those who are out there setting an example to the world. We are seeing less and less of these values so I would say to you what my dear Dad always said to me "KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! May God bless you and your family for your righteous upbringing! There is nothing the matter with a pageant; it's all about what standards you set. You are a good & positive example to all the young women in the church!

John Pack Lambert | 9:02 a.m. Oct. 13, 2009

Personally I think Chelsey is a much more trustworthy commentator than anonymous at 10:44. My general impression is that people who post their name are much more likely to be telling the truth.
Beyound this Anna exposed herself no more than someone going to the beach, and a lot less than many of them. This claim that she is degrading herself by this participation seems to be excessive and out of touch with reality. From the harshness of some of the comments one would think she had worn a string bakini.

Chelsey | 9:56 p.m. Oct. 14, 2009

Thank you, JPL and JMD. I can guarantee you I am *not* a troll, and frankly I'm offended that he considered my comment to be "lying for the Lord". I *am* a youth and I'm not in a hurry to grow up either, just in a hurry to make a point and do it with good grammar.

Anyway, this is off the subject. Anna is fantastic, and I'm glad she has so much support.

Susan | 9:43 a.m. Oct. 19, 2009

OK, peeps, get it straight! Anna is Miss Wyoming. Claire Schreiner is Miss Wyoming USA. Donald Trump owns the Miss USA pageant.

I think Anna is precious and I wish her luck in Vegas!

Emily | 12:49 p.m. Oct. 20, 2009

I know both Anna and Chelsey and they are BOTH wonderful wonderful young women. I was Anna's young women leader when I lived in Rock Springs and we went to girls Camp 3 times with Chelsey and her branch.

Anna is the kind of young women I wish my daughter will turn out to be. I've seen her in action and am so proud to know a SMART, BEAUTIFUL, ACCOMPLISHED LDS young women standing up for what she believes. It is so refreshing to see that especially in this culture. She deserves the crown of Miss Wyoming and the she would be a wonderful Miss America.

I can't wait to see Anna in a modest swimsuit and modest gown shown (and probably be the only one) and show that you can be modest and beautiful and smart.

Elise | 9:26 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

I am so very proud of Anna and the example that she shows. I have know Anna for most of my life, and I know that she is a wonderful daughter of god who stands up for what she believes in. I am so glad that she had this chance to be a role model for young women and that she can spread her message to such a large audience as a result of her accomplishments. Go Anna!

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