Hi, I'm Nan

I live in Oregon. I have three sons who love Star Wars. I've taught middle school science and math. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

My husband and I have been married ten years and have three great boys. I have always worked full or part time, usually in a teaching-related field. I am going back to school this fall to work on a Master's Degree. I love to read and write, and I'm trying to get a novel published. I enjoy working on scrapbooks, arranging flowers, cooking clean-up, not so much, movies, meeting new people, skiing, exercising and spending time with my family.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised as a Mormon, and both sides of my ancestry go back some generations, but it wasn't until I saw a series of terrible difficulties happen to loved ones during my freshman year in college that I began to ask hard questions about the eternal nature of families and the soul. As much as I loved my science classes, the man-made reasoning there stimulated my mind but left my heart untouched. As I learned of the Savior's life, tried to internalize his teachings and truly live all I had been taught for so many years, I came to know, deep inside, that Jesus Christ was the Savior of the world. That He loved me. And that He organized a Church. A couple of years later I served a mission and spent a happy and challenging 18 months speaking with people about the most personal and private aspects of their spirituality. I came away forever changed, my belief turned to knowledge, and I have never looked back. I know that there is a modern prophet at the head of Christ's Church--the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Book of Mormon is true, translated by Joseph Smith, and stands as a second witness that Jesus Christ atoned for each of us. That He knows my name. That He understands my pain and my triumph. That He will never let me down, even when people do.

Personal Stories

Can you talk about the missions of the Church and your participation in them?

My missionary service was truly life changing. I served in Sydney, Australia--a large, international city. One day, while speaking with people in a busy walk mall, I stopped to talk with a man who was sitting down because he couldn't walk away from me! I learned that he was an Iraqi expatriate, a refugee after the Persian Gulf War of the early 90's. He was bitter and angry, his frustration fueled by my obviously American accent. As I explained to him that hadn't come to Australia to represent my country, or even myself, but the Lord, I saw a light come into his eyes and his heart soften. I spoke to him about our message, and told him that the Savior's atonement had the power to bring him peace through repentance and the Holy Ghost. I remarked that he and I were both feeling the Spirit at that moment. He concurred and said that what he wanted more than anything was to sit and let me talk and feel that goodness wash over him. I knew in that moment that the true Gospel of Jesus Christ could heal any wound, make friends of any enemies, and overcome any differences. I felt an intensity of love and charity for a man I hardly knew, and I understood the Savior's teachings in a way I never had before.

How I live my faith

We mostly just try to teach our kids. I try not to let a day go by without some kind of meaningful Gospel-oriented interaction with them. We pray together, have conversations at family meals, read from the scriptures and invite our missionaries for dinners. In my local congregation, I work with the 12-18 year old girls--teaching them on Sunday, holding weekly activities with them, and generally acting as a mentor. My husband is the president of the men's organization for members over age 18. Meetings and activities keep us very busy, but we love the fellowship that we feel and the uplift we gain by serving others.

Why don’t women hold the priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? How do Mormon women lead in the Church?

Nan answered...

We believe that a loving and wise Heavenly Father has defined different, and complimentary roles for women and men. The gifts that accompany different roles form the foundation of happy family life and, by extension, the Lord's Church. Women, by nature, are more service oriented than men. From young girls to wise great-aunts, women understand about nurturing. It is the gift given to us. To encourage Christlike attributes in men, the Lord has given them the priesthood. It is true that this is the power that leads the Church, but it is only effective when used to serve others. Currently, I serve as a counselor in a presidency that directs the program for the teenage girls in my local congregation. We make our own decisions, which we discuss with a council of men and women from our congregation. None of us, the women OR men, are paid for our service. Each person who helps direct the affairs of our congregation, is there because of genuine love and compassion for our friends and neighbors.
Kathryn answered...

As a primary president in my ward, I share in the direction and leadership of our ward. I don't feel secondary in any way. Whether you have the priesthood or not, you are still responsible to listen to the direction of the Savior. The priesthood is a tool and power that is the same power of the Savior. It allows the human authority to do work on earth, particularly perform ordinances, and bless others. As if the Savior was here in person during His ministry accounted for in the New Testament. I would use an analogy to compare the priesthood as a car. A car is an amazing tool allowing you to get you from here to there. I don't mind my husband driving and I can offer some navigation or work the radio, as long as we and our children get there.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Dave answered...

We read in Genesis that one of God's first commandments to Adam and Eve was to "multiply and replenish the Earth." We believe that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the only appropriate means of multiplying and replenishing the Earth. Keeping this in mind, any sexual act that takes place that is not between a man and a woman, joined together in marriage, is forbidden.