Hansen’s faith journey and personal growth have been blessed by the profound influence of his wife and mother
One of the greatest blessings and miracles of Travis Hansen’s life came simply because he was in the right place at the right time.
In 1999, shortly after returning from his mission, the future BYU and professional basketball player walked into the Utah Valley Institute of Religion and saw LaRee Merrell for the first time. She wasn’t just beautiful, he said, there was something different and special about her
They kept running into each other over the next few weeks. One thing led to another, and soon they were dating. Not long after, they were sealed in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple
More than two decades later, Hansen found himself back at that same institute building — this time as a counselor in the presidency of the Orem Utah YSA 4th Stake.
“When young single adults come in, I tell them, ‘You might want to sign up for institute or religion classes because every member of our stake presidency met his wife in seminary or institute,’” Hansen said. “If you put yourself in the right places, live the right way and show up when it matters, I believe that’s when God can easily send His miracles.”
The foundational life event was one of several faith and testimony-building experiences shared by Hansen in an interview with the Church News.
“We have been incredibly blessed,” he said. “It started with my parents … and then we have had incredible influences around us throughout our lives. There have been so many miracles.”
