In 1986, a young father moved from Utah to Maui to start a new assignment at the Bank of Hawaii. His pregnant wife and young child stayed back on the mainland until a suitable affordable home was found. His initial situation was near beautiful beaches but challenging because it didn’t encourage the lifestyle change he needed to overcome some unfavorable habits. He rented a home up-country in Kula where his wife and child joined him. Soon their baby daughter was born and then by divine providence they moved to a home in Pukalani. Kevin and Bonnie Williams were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but Kevin had not been active in the church for some time.

A few years earlier, also in Pukalani, native Arnold Wunder had gone through his own reactivation in the church. The Wunders and the missionaries followed divine promptings, and pure Christian spirit and “worked overtime on [Kevin.]” Because of his experience, Arnold knew Kevin’s every move. He agreed to start coming to church and even go on ‘splits’ with the missionaries. Kevin recently share with us, “My true conversion happened one night on missionary splits with Elder White and Elder Stringham. While living in Maui, we were counting our pennies and weren’t able to pay tithing which was keeping us from being sealed in the temple. I’ll never forget a family we visited, who literally had nothing. But when the missionaries challenged them to pay tithing they took their last $20 from a sugar bowl that was intended for food the following day to pay their tithing so they could be baptized the following week. I wept in the backseat of the missionaries car all the way home to Pukalani. I got home and told Bonnie we need to start paying tithing. The following Sunday we paid our tithing and have never stopped…We had our recommends issued by Bishop Arnold Wunder and then the following month we came home and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.” Bishop Wunder called Bonnie to be the primary president and Kevin received his patriarchal blessing and was called to be the Elder’s Quorum president. (Correspondence with Ken Hardman, May 2025)

Bonnie and Kevin Williams, have been active ever since and have serviced in many church callings, and raised a beautiful family. They now live in St. George Utah and attend the temple every Tuesday. Bonnie Williams and Joan Hardman are sisters! Years ago, Joan and I corresponded with Colleen Wunder as we were very interested in the historical Pulehu Chapel, to which she gave us information. When Bonnie and Kevin heard of our mission on Maui, they told us the story of the Wunders. We looked them up and made their acquaintance. They immediately invited us over for dinner this past week. It was a blessing to meet them in person and feel of their faithful love and passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Brother Wunder and one of their sons have served as stake presidents on Maui. The Wunders allowed us to share a few musical numbers in their home. They also invited us to participate in the local Maui Food Bank drive last week, which service we enjoyed.

We are progressing in getting ready to host, “Healing through the Savior, 12-Step Addiction Recovery Program” starting June 16. “Oh, that is so needed,” we hear from church members, members of Ward Council’s across the stake and islands, and the full-time missionaries. We have received training from Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) coordinators in American Fork Utah, Anaheim California, and Oahu Hawaii. We have been personally studying the printed and online materials and feel ready to start. The participant guide written by recovered addicts introduces the program, “First and foremost, we want you to know that there is hope for recovery from addiction. We are men and women who have suffered the devastating effects of various addictions and have experienced long-term recovery. We have known great sorrow, but we have seen the Savior’s power turn our most devastating defeats into glorious victories…” The guide draws upon scriptures, words of prophets, and proven steps of recovery. We are very excited about the love, support, and success participants will have as they draw on the power of Jesus Christ. We anticipate becoming closer to the Savior as well, as we apply the principles to our own shortcomings.

Joan and I spoke in our Sacrament meeting Sunday. Our topic was, “Jesus Christ, our advocate with the Father.” To illustrate, in both cases Joan and I drew upon memories of our own fathers and times in our youth where they were our advocate and were there for us when we were in danger or made mistakes. We gave ward members backstory for our love and interest in serving on Maui and then related this topic to our calling in the Addiction Recovery Program.

“There is another advocate that believes in us so very much. Jesus Christ has many vital roles in Heavenly Fathers plan. He executed the creation of the world and the hosts thereof. He is our Savior, friend, and Redeemer. By virtue of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants our righteous savior pleads, ‘Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did not sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed… Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.’ (D&C 45:1, 3-5) We referenced the stories of Jesus praying for his disciples in John 17 and the sacred prayer he offered while surrounded by his followers in the new world. ‘And no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.’ (3 Nephi 17:17)”

In the temple recently I pondered the Lords promise, “I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this [Kirtland Temple] house.” (D&C 110:7) I focused on Jesus as our advocate with the Father. Revelation came and many references and symbols took on new and deeper meaning. Indeed, Jesus is there, engaged between us and our Father, advocating with love and mercy in our behalf.”

I pray that we may all imagine Jesus Christ advocating to the Father for us personally, perhaps even by name.

Pictures: Colleen and Arnold Wunder, Maui Food Bank drive, Joan at Pukalani Chapel, Ken and Joan at 13-Crossings trail