Hi, I'm Madi Hacking

I'm a sophomore in high school who love friends, family, and dance. I'm a goofball and I love to laugh. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I love to be happy and I'm glad that I have the gospel and its teachings to help me continue to be happy. I smile and laugh all the time and love to make others smile and laugh too. I love to dance. I love being able to express myself through dance and choreography. I also like to write poems and stories. I love children and am excited for the day sometime in the future when I can have my own with a loving husband.

I can't stand to see others suffering. I love to help out in any way I can, be it a kind word, a helping hand, or a comforting hug. I have a firm belief that we all affect others more than we realize. One teasing remark might hurt someone more than we can ever imagine, and in contrast one warm smile can brighten someone's whole day. Because of this, I try to leave every person I come in contact with happier than when I found them.

I love being a Mormon and knowing all about Jesus Christ and God's plan for me as His child. I know that if we are faithful and endure to the end, we will be blessed with eternal life in the presence of our Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful for the counsel of our prophet in these latter days and for the guidelines the church has given us to help us find happiness in this life and the life to come.

Why I am a Mormon

I am a Mormon because I have gained a testimony for myself of the gospel's teachings and I know with all of my heart and soul that it is true. I'm a Mormon because these teachings and principles bring me happiness and help me to live a fulfilling life. I'm a Mormon because I have felt the Spirit of the Lord strongly, bearing witness of the truth of the gospel. I'm a Mormon because I have learned of the love God has for each of His children and the love Christ has for each of us. I'm a Mormon because I have seen all of the small blessings and little miracles that bear witness of God's love for us and that He is mindful of each and every one of us. God has blessed my life so much and I am so grateful for each blessing, big or small. I'm a Mormon because I love my family soooo much and through the gospel I have a knowledge that we can live together forever, into the eternities. I'm a Mormon because the gospel reassures me that death is not the end. I know that the loved ones I've lost will be able to wrap their arms around me again. I'm a Mormon because through the gospel I know that I will never ever be alone. I know that God will always be there for me, blessing me with strength and love. I'm a Mormon because this gospel is true.

Personal Stories

How has your knowledge of the Plan of Happiness changed/benefited your life?

The knowledge I have of the Plan of Happiness has blessed my life so much. I've had loved ones pass away unexpectedly, including a friend who was only a teenager like myself and an aunt who was shot while pregnant with her first child. It has been hard to find peace from these experiences, but through the Plan of Happiness, I know this is not the end. I know I will be able to see these loved ones again, and that has brought so much peace and comfort to my life.

How I live my faith

I live the teachings of our faith, even though sometimes it might be hard. Our standards might be viewed as different or strange to others, but I know that they are to keep us happy and make sure we can return home to our Father in Heaven.

I have been taught ever since I was a little girl to love and care for others, and I try every day to do so. I've donated food, clothing, money, and time to those in need. My friend and I have a mutual friend named Josh who was recently diagnosed with leukemia, and we decided to show our love and support by designing and purchasing wristbands that read "Just for Josh" and distributing them to anyone who wants one. We've given out around 200! I am so happy that Josh has taken strength from these wristbands and is aware of all those who love and support him as he goes through this tough time. Throughout my life, I've tried to live as Christ did, caring for others, lifting others up in times of need.

I also live my faith by praying daily to my Father in Heaven and reading daily of the scriptures. I have a strong belief that God does speak to us in these modern times, while maybe not face to face as He did with Moses, but He does speak to us and teach us. I believe in the power of prayer and scripture study and have learned so much from my daily efforts. The scriptures apply to each and every one of us and can teach us so much about how to live our lives to the fullest.

I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and I will continue to live my faith each and every day as I do my best to live in a way that will allow me to return home to my Heavenly Father and live forever with my family.

What is faith?

Madi Hacking answered...

Having faith means to believe in something you can't see, which is really there. To have faith in God means that you know He is there, you trust Him, and you are willing to act on the belief you have in Him.
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Don answered...

Faith is taking action because of a hope in something. Often the Savior asks of us to do certain things or live in certain ways. When we see a stranger in distress, we stop and help them as Jesus commanded us to in the Good Samaritan Luke 10:25. The act of helping is the evidence of our Faith in Christ. We are asked to tithe. Tithing is evidence of our faith. We tithe in hopes of the promises in Malachi 3:10 that the floodgates of Heaven are open to us.
Faith is when we put our beliefs and hope into action.

Are all Mormons required to serve a mission?

Nick answered...

"Required" is an interesting word when it comes to faith and religion. In the Mormon Church no one is "required" to serve a mission. Church membership is not revoked for not serving a mission. In this sense, they are not required, yet serving a mission is encouraged at many stages in life and in many different capacities throughout the world.

Missionary service is a tremendous blessing, a challenge, and one of the main focuses of the faith. The life of Jesus Christ was the life of a missionary in many respects. Performing service for one another, preaching the glad message of the gospel, and increasing the faith and dedication of God's children are exemplified in Christ's life and mirrored by those in missionary service.

To dedicate a portion of one's life in service propels those who serve and those who are served into a better life. During my two year mission to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and during my two year service mission with LDS Family Services, I was greatly blessed and strengthened. (I hope those whom I served found some value in my service as well.) That strength has taught me to better navigate this life, has kept my family relations intact, and has been the method of helping others overcome their trials as well.

Spiritually speaking, I don't find value in reflecting on what my life would be like without serving a mission. Instead, I rejoice in knowing that without that time in missionary service my life would be significantly less happy and productive. In my life, serving a mission has taken on many of the characteristics of a "required" act since I can't picture myself progressing very far without having served as a missionary. While not required to be a member of the Mormon church, missionary service has been a critical and welcome part of my life and growth spirituality. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to serve missions, and look forward to serving in many more.