Hi, I'm C. Paunov

My husband and I love to travel and I enjoy teaching geography. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

Hi. I'm a high school geography teacher. My husband is a sculptor and art teacher and he, too, is a member of the Church. We don't have any children of our own, but we have touched many children through our teaching.
I joined the Church while I was a student at University. As my testimony grew, I decided I needed to share the good news with others. I was blessed to serve a full-time mission for the Church in Europe. I then returned to college to complete the BS degree and evenually obtained a law degree.
So what's a lawyer doing teaching high school social studies? I was encouraged to do so by one of my law students. She said I was a natural. So I tried it for a year. That was a long time ago! I love having my summers off, which gives me time to do scrapbooking, boating and family history. We love to travel, too, which is great for a geography teacher. ! This past year, we went to the Republic of Korea!

Why I am a Mormon

I had known several Mormons growing up, but it was while in college that a friend bore her testimony and challenged me to find out for myself if the Church was true. Frankly, I read the Book of Mormon so that I could refute it. It didn't exactly turn out the way I expected! The Book of Mormon is scripture and no boy with three years of education could have written it. Since the Book of Mormon is true, everything else follows -- Joseph Smith was a prophet, he was commanded to restore the original church established by Jesus Christ, our Savior and elder brother, and within the Church's temples, families can be bound for time and eternity.

Personal Stories

Why do Mormons do family history or genealogy work?

One of the doctrines of most Christian Churches that bothered me the most was the idea that those who had not been baptised would not be able to return to live with God and Jesus Christ. It seemed so unfair.As we research our families we are able to do that work that is required for them to return to live with their Father in Heaven. I want to make clear, though, that no one, either living or dead, is forced to become a Mormon. The work is done in our temples for our deceased ancestors, then the choice is left up to them.

Why do Mormons go on missions?

We realize that all of people on earth are literally our spiritual brothers and sisters. We serve missions because we want all to know the blessings and possibilities that come from a knowledge of the Gospel. To do otherwise would be incredibly selfish.

How I live my faith

I am the Employment Specialist in my local congregation. I love working with members who are looking for a new job or upgrading an existing one. The Church's resoures are really outstanding and they make my job easier. It is so rewarding to see members become more self-sufficient.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

C. Paunov answered...

No, we are not required to serve a mission, but from my own experience, it is one that can literally change your life and the lives of those with whom you come in contact. Young men and older couples are urged to go on missions. Young women are encouraged, too. I had only been a member of the Church less than two years after I was baptised and it was a great experience. I had wanted to serve an English-speaking mission, but the Lord had other plans for me. I thought I couldn't learn a foreign language -- thank goodness I was wrong. A mission changes your world view. I believe that members who have served a mission are more cosmopolitan. Many of us speak a foreign language fluently. I still have an abiding interest in the country I served in, even to the point of cheering for their national team in World Cup! Unless, of course, they are playing the United States.
Show more of my answers Show less of my answers One Moment Please
Taylor answered...

Quite simply, no. The young men of the church have been strongly encouraged to serve a mission at age 19, and the sisters are able to serve at age 21, but no one is required to serve. We do it because we want to! Who in their right mind would give up two years and pay that's right, missionaries pay their own way to go somewhere they had never been and do all that they do? We serve missions becuase we know that Jesus is the Christ, and we want the happiness that knowledge bring to be available to everyone! So no, Mormons are not required to serve a mission. It's a personal choice to share the happiness and joy they've received from the Gospel.

What do Mormons believe is the purpose of life?

Aileen. answered...

This question started my whole spiritual quest, so it is only most appropriate for me to now answer it.

Mormons believe that we were chosen by the Heavenly Father in the spirit world pre-existence to receive a physical body and to come to Earth to our specific mother and father. We agreed, and we essentially are fighting on Heavenly Father's "side" in the war with Lucifer. It is our spiritual "job" in this world to live a certain way, to use our agency to choose between good and evil, in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father's only son, whom He sacrificed to allow for our atonement to allow for our spiritual progression.

Mormons believe that while here on Earth, we should learn and live more like our Heavenly Father. This is our spiritual quest which is accomplished through our choices. We marry and build our own family, and by following the Scriptures and living accordingly, we receive access to the Temples where eternal ordinances are performed individually and together as a family.

We can be with our family forever, after death, joined together in Heaven, with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. We have greater peace in this life and eternal joy in the life to come. This is the purpose of our life here.

Before I understood this and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my life was reasonably happy but devoid of purpose. Something was missing. I felt incomplete.

Now, I have peace. My soul is soothed.