Overview
The Seminary Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a religious education program provided for youth aimed at deepening their conversion to Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, help them qualify for the blessings of the temple, and prepare themselves, their families, and others for eternal life with their Father in Heaven. Seminary classes in the Spokane Washington Stake are organized under the direction of the Stake President, and follow the curriculum established by The Church.
2024-2025 Seminary
Seminary begins Tuesday, September 10, 2024, and will run through the end of May 2025, meeting in person at the Stake Center (1620 E 29th Avenue). Classes are held Tuesday through Friday each week, following the Spokane Public Schools schedule with limited exceptions, such as teacher in-service days, announced in advanced.
| Class | Teacher | Meeting Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero Hour (all grades) | Joe Huston | 5:45 am – 6:35 am | Young Women Room |
| Freshmen | Heather Whitehead | 6:30 am – 7:20 am | Primary Room |
| Sophomores | Annie Ditto | 6:30 am – 7:20 am | Classrooms #15&18 |
| Juniors | Kathryn Lichfield | 6:30 am – 7:20 am | High Council Room |
| Seniors | Jim Porter | 6:30 am – 7:20 am | Relief Society Room |
Seminary Leadership & Teachers
Learn more about our Seminary leader and teachers below!
Andrea Hainsworth – Seminary Supervisor
Our family has lived in the Spokane Stake for 27 years. I am a mom to 6 grown kids and one daughter in law. As my kids grew up, I knew I needed to fill the empty space left by six busy kids. I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Counseling from Gonzaga University. I now own and operate a group practice.
I served as a seminary teacher for five years and it was my favorite calling. Gathering with friends and discussing the gospel is one of my favorite things to do so I am excited to be working with seminary again.
When I’m not working, I love to read, relax at the lake and travel. There are so many good scriptures in the Book of Mormon. One of my favorites is: Mosiah 4:9
Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
Joe Huston – Zero Hour Class Teacher
I’m Joe Huston. We’ve called Spokane home for the last six years, moving up from Utah to go to school at Gonzaga. In that time, we’ve bought a house, had three kids, and fallen in love with the area and the people of this stake. Having been in three wards since we moved up here, I’ve gotten to rub shoulders with many of our awesome youth. I could not be more excited to be called as a seminary teacher!
Life-story-wise, I grew up in Midvale, Utah, a suburb about 30 minutes south of Salt Lake City. I’m the oldest of four siblings, who – as younger siblings tend to be – are all cooler, taller, and/or way more interesting than I am. My dad is a camera operator and photographer, and my mom, following a long career in full-time motherhood, re-entered the workforce as an accountant after my youngest sibling went off to college. I served a mission speaking Cantonese in Toronto, Canada, and worked as a stagehand and stage manager through college. I graduated from BYU with a BS in biology and from Gonzaga with a JD.
Interests-wise, I try to keep pretty broad horizons. I enjoy sports, theater, camping, and movies. I play volleyball, ultimate, and go for the occasional jog or bike ride, usually with my 2-year-old daughter in tow. I enjoy photography, hiking, and rock climbing. I also love hunting for the next addition to my personal library – recently, I’ve been into histories and classics, but I will always make room for good science fiction (or even fantasy, if it’s written by Brandon Sanderson). I play guitar – blues will always be near and dear to my heart, but I’ve recently been on something a folk/bluegrass kick – and I can ride a unicycle. I’m always looking to learn a new skill, having taken up both weaving and Dutch oven cooking in the last year. Someday I will be brave enough to conquer the sewing machine, but that may have to wait until I learn how to play the piano.
A favorite scripture of mine is Doctrine & Covenants 11:20:
Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.
Heather Whitehead – Freshmen Class Teacher
I grew up in western Washington, eating wild blackberries, reading mysteries, and practicing piano. My standout college classes were Wilderness Writing, Oral History, Songwriting, Choral Conducting, Polynesian Dance, Italian Literature, and every Church History class Susan Easton Black taught.
I met and married the man of my dreams, and after graduating from BYU we headed to the Midwest for Rick to finish his schooling. All four of our children were born in Ohio. Our oldest two, Tanner and Sienna, are both sophomores at BYU this fall. Still at home are Shannon, a senior, and Annika, a sophomore. Over the years I have worked as a legal secretary, a photographer, and a teacher (art, theater, piano, and voice).
One of my current favorite scriptures is Mosiah 2:41:
And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
Another is found in Doctrine & Covenants 76:22-24
And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father— That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
I love connecting with people and hearing their stories, and I’m thrilled to get to know all the freshmen as we grow closer to Christ together this year in Seminary.
Annie Ditto – Sophomores Class Teacher
I’m so excited to be teaching the Sophomores in seminary this year! I grew up going to early morning seminary in Seattle until the end of my Sophomore year when we moved to Pennsylvania! My drive to seminary was then 20 minutes every morning through farm land! After graduation, I attended BYU and served a mission to Munich, Germany. I met Kelly when I was an EFY counselor and he was a participant! (Don’t worry, we didn’t fall in love until much later) We got married 4 years after that fateful EFY meeting! I received my Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and work as a counselor. My goal is to help clients understand their worth.
I am mom to 5 amazing kids who love to provide learning opportunities for me. I love to read, travel, paddle board, and play games. I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES!! One of my Favorites right now is Helaman 3:29-30:
Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked— And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.
Kathryn Lichfield – Juniors Class Teachers
I am thrilled be teaching Seminary.
I was born and raised in East Tennessee; the youngest of six children. As a child I would sometimes do cartwheels to get from place to place instead of walking. I loved cheerleading in high school. My high school mascot was the Wildcats. I attended and graduated from early-morning seminary in Oak Ridge, TN. I attended college at BYU in Provo, UT where I met my husband, Rob, during our freshman year. We wrote letters every week while Rob served a mission. In the summer of 2003, I spent three months in service and study abroad working in an Orphanage in Iasi, Romania. Rob and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple in December of 2004. I graduated the following spring with a double major in Early Childhood & Elementary Education. I currently teach 2nd & 3rd graders at Pine Grove Academy in Post Falls, ID.
Rob and I have four talented and thriving children; Grant (17), Abby (14), Anna (12), and Jane (10). They each have unique talents and goals that I love to actively support.
I love to snow ski in the winter and wake-surf in the summer. My favorite season is Autumn. I love to travel and have new adventures. I have been to Europe, Thailand, Hawaii, The Virgin Islands, Mexico and many places within the continental US. I dream of hiking in Germany, the Swiss Alps, and South America.
I love the scriptures and have read them consistently all of my life. My favorite scripture from the Book of Mormon is 2 Nephi 2:25
Behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.
A scripture that I often repeat to myself is Doctrine & Covenants 6:36
Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
I am looking forward to learning each morning with her seminary students how to access the spiritual power of the scriptures; especially connecting with and knowing Jesus as their friend and Savior.
Jim Porter – Seniors Class Teacher
As a new seminary teacher, I’ve been assigned to teach Seniors this year and am very excited to lead discussions and learn from this great group!
I am the youngest of nine children and grew up in Provo, Utah and therefore have been a big BYU sports fan for decades. My wife, Cheryl, and I will be celebrating our 40th year anniversary this December. We have 4 children. We have lived in Spokane for 29 years where I am employed as a podiatrist/foot surgeon at Spokane Foot Clinic. Some of my hobbies include learning photography, playing pickleball, music, hanging out with friends and family, and following BYU sports (oh, did I mention that already).
One of my favorite scriptures is found in Ether 12:4:
Wherefore, whosoever believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.
I look forward to many discussions about how each of my students have been blessed by hope in Christ, and how that has been their anchor during stormy seas.