Hi, I'm Hannah

I grew up in California. I'm a linguist, an ESL teacher, and I love to travel. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I graduated from college not to long ago, in Linguistics and TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Languages are my passion. I speak some Welsh and Russian, and a bit of Japanese and Hawaiian, and I think that by teaching English I am offering something to the world that I have and that others need.

I also love music - I play the piano and want to learn to play the violin.

When I'm not learning languages or making music, I enjoy working with animals. I've raised guide dogs and trained race horses.

I want to travel the world, meet new people, and experience new cultures.

I recently got married, and it's been a lot of fun starting my own family. My husband is the greatest. We like to cook ethnic foods together, spend time outdoors, read, watch movies. Sometimes we even like to just hang out at home and play MarioKart or Final Fantasy.

Why I am a Mormon

I'm a Mormon because of the happiness it has brought to my life. I know where I came from, why I'm here, and where I'm going after this. I know that the teachings of the LDS Church are true, and I know that not because somebody told me, but because of those feelings of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) that touch my heart with peace every day as I reflect on God's plan for me.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

I love attending church every Sunday. My favourite part of church is the Sacrament - the bread and the water. We take the bread and water every week as a way to remember Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. It is also a time for us to remember promises that each member of our church makes with God at the time of their baptism. These promises are to 1. Always remember Him. 2. Keep His Commandments. 3. Take His name upon us. In return we are promised that we will always have the Spirit to be with us. I love the chance each week to come and take the Sacrament and reflect on those promises that I made when I was baptized, and think about how well I am doing at keeping those promises. It's kind of like a spiritual battery re-charge. When I take the Sacrament it helps me to re-commit myself to keeping those promises, and gives me the strength to go through another week and do my best to become a disciple of Christ

How I live my faith

Every day I try to set a Christlike example for those around me. I believe that my first reaction to any situation should be to sit back for a moment and consider what Christ would do - and then do my best to do it.

I love to serve in any way that I am asked - whether that be teaching, playing the piano in church, participating in an organized service project, or just paying a visit to someone who's lonely, I love to help out.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Hannah answered...

No, Mormons are not required to serve missions at all. However, many Mormons choose to serve a mission because they want to share with others the joy that the Gospel has brought to their own lives. That was why I chose a mission, and I have never regretted it. I learned countless life lessons, met incredible people, and more importantly, truly discovered what I believed in and why while I served a mission.
Austin. answered...

No. Every worthy young man is expected to serve a mission, though there is no punishment for not doing so. Also, not every young man is physically or mentally capable, so there are circumstances where a young man may be excused from service. Young women may also serve missions, but are not expected to do so.

Serving a mission means a full-time commitment, leaving family and friends to preach the gospel in a place assigned by the Church.

I served my mission in Los Angeles, California.

Can a husband and wife be together forever? Do Mormons believe that families will live together in heaven?

Daniel answered...

When married by earthly power and the authority of man, our vows are "Until death do you part."

We believe that families can be together forever as part of our Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness. His Work and His Glory is to bring to pass the exaltation and eternal life of man. He wants us to be even as He is and to return home to live with Him again.

Through the ordinances of his Holy Temples, God's son's and daughter's are able to make covenants. Through the power of His Holy Priesthood, be sealed together for all of time and eternity as Husband and Wife, parents and children.

Families were designed and instituted by God with the intent that they be forever. The love we feel in this life does not need to be cut off when we die. Those who have already died are not lost us forever. God has mercifully made a way by which all who would accept these saving ordinances can do so, living or dead.

We perform these ordinances for those who have in the past died so that they may have the opportunity of accepting them on the other side if they so choose to do so.