Category Archives: Mission Stories

Fiery Flying Serpents and Focusing on Jesus Christ

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As service missionaries we have several callings or roles in our ward and stake. In addition to Group Leaders for the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP), we are also Sunday School teachers for the youth in our ward, and we are helping our ward plan for a special youth conference for next summer (more on that later). We are also working to provide additional self-reliance resources.

But we also have opportunity for service to our family and the world. Last Wednesday we volunteered for a four-hour shift at The Giving Machine, or Light the World Giving Machine placed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Whalers Village mall in Lahaina. (See pictures) Donors could select from various products or services provided by local Maui charities. We overheard one family with three children step up to the machine as follows.

Dad said, “Okay, each of you can choose one item.”

The kids pressed their faces up to the glass and read their options including food, clothing, games for a needy family, or a live goat for a family needing to produce their own milk or help run a family business with milk products…

When the kids had made their selection, Mom and Dad each made their selection. I don’t know how much they donated in total, but surely each child knew the importance and value of giving. Great parents! It was an honor to participate with another ward member who wanted to serve but didn’t have a car to get there. We enjoyed the trip out to Lahaina and back with him.

On Thanksgiving Day Joan and I enjoyed a walk along a favorite beach (see picture). While returning midmorning to our apartment we noticed all the ridge windmills were turning rapidly (see picture) Since there’s no natural gas here for cooking, we presume this power was being used to cook a lot of turkeys J. Speaking of turkey we returned to our apartment for a simple but delicious Thanksgiving Dinner including pumpkin pie and just the two of us. We monitored posts from family members back home. We missed them; but It was nice. Black Friday was also peaceful and productive. Worked on some personal history research, calculated lumber needed for our Sons basement framing, then we sat on the beach reading together, “The Hawaiian Missions,” by George Q. Cannon. Very inspiring and nice sunset.

Actually we did indeed have a ‘full’ and wonder-‘ful’ Thanksgiving meal event with friends on Saturday. We gathered with four other service missionary couples. We are grateful to serve with them, learning and having a pleasant time in the process. (See picture) We were saying goodbye to one of the couples, Elder and Sister Rowe who were at the completion of their mission and returning to Orem Utah. The next morning we went to the Sacrament meeting where we heard them speak and tell about the deeply meaningful experiences they had nurturing Spanish speaking members of the community.

On Sunday afternoon we had the opportunity to speak to the Young Single Adult ward and share with them the blessing and power of Christ to help us overcome our weaknesses. We concluded our session reflecting on Fiery Flying Serpents, the Old Testament event where the Children of Israel were exposed to deadly serpents and many died. Moses prayed and was instructed to make a brazen serpent. All they had to do was look, and they would be healed but because of the simpleness of the way, many didn’t look and perished. Talking about our weaknesses, even if they are addictions, we need to stay focused on Christ, every day, to follow him, learn of him, grow in strength with him, and be healed by him. We were blessed with the Spirit in the meeting. While exhorting and trying to straiten his brothers, Nephi put it this way. 

“And he loveth those who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt.

And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.” (1 Nephi 17:40-41, Book of Mormon)

The week rounded out on Monday as we prepared for our weekly ARP meeting. Early in the day, to learn more about the man who is now our Prophet we watched a BYU Devotional from 1978, the year I was on my first mission. BYU President Dallin H. Oaks said that it is important what people think about us as members of the BYU community. The talk was called, “Where much is Given…” We recommend the talk and recommend listening to talks by President Oaks.

Finally, Monday night we were blessed again with love and compassion for our ARP guests, some who are progressing in their recovery and Healing through the Savior, and others who we are grateful that they are just coming and feeling and trying. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is love and power, and it blesses those who love and are loved. Sister Hardman provided raspberry cookies, each with a raspberry on top. She named them Haleakala’s, or little volcanoes.

Beauty for ashes, the Oil of Joy for Mourning

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Fall on Haleakala

Sister Hardman with aging Silverswords on Haleakala

Nene on Haleakala

Evidence of those we pass on the beach (until the next wave or high tide)

Sister Hardman sweetening each week

Early yesterday morning I slowly woke up with this phrase repeating in my mind, “…beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning…” I felt it had something to do with several recent experiences. When I gained more consciousness I grabbed my phone and looked it up. Isaiah spoke in first-person for the Messiah, and gave many reasons for “good tidings.” 

“…[The Lord] hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;…to comfort all that mourn;…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Over the last week, Sister Hardman and I observed and participated in small gatherings where the Lord was binding up someone brokenhearted and giving them joy, where the doctrine of Christ was proclaimed to provide liberty to someone captive to a compulsive behavior and comfort was kindly displacing their mourning. We observed where beauty or a state of wholeness was envisioned once again in the mind and heart of someone whose life or relations were in ashes, where persons under heavy burdens were being praised and reminded of the good they are and do, and where righteousness planted in their hearts by the Lord was once again imagined in their minds like trees planted by God that will grow into Joy and into the Glory of God.

Every Addiction Recovery Program support meeting starts with love, compassion, prayer, and readings from others who have experienced recovery. Words from church leaders are also studied, then participants are given the opportunity to share and strengthen each other. In one gathering, a meek person came to provide support to their loved-one who was in recovery for addiction. However, when given the opportunity to share, they acknowledged their own need for Healing through the Savior due to burden or prisons of their own. We saw, felt, and witnessed in their eyes the Lord binding up their oozing, wounded, broken hearts with a subtle and gentle mighty change of heart. 

In a different gathering specifically for Spouse and Family Support of those in addiction, the reading included a long list of emotions that are felt when a family member becomes addicted to harmful behaviors. Participants nod their heads as we read together about fear, weariness, confusion, loss, shame, hopelessness, anger, loneliness, isolation, hurt, or bitterness. Then the guidebook asks an inspired question that takes the focus from the mortal causes of their pain and re-focuses all of us on the source of divine love and power. “What evidences do you have that God knows you? How will this knowledge strengthen your faith and give you courage?” After a long moment of deep thought, we hear things like, “Oh, when so-and-so gave me an unexpected hug that day, perhaps…, yes, it was God sending them to me,” or “After my deepest state, when I turned my life over to God, he took the craving away that I had for years. Only God could do that.”

On another occasion, this time a social event with other senior missionaries and local members we met at a favorite coastline to view the sunset. Afterwards we went to our friends home and played games to relax and get to know each other better and share a little about our service mission. We had a nice time but obviously we were all tired that night and upon our departure I was insensitive to a question from our host. Sister Hardman confirmed that my response was uncomfortable. I agreed and we decided to return the next morning for me to apologize. They welcomed us and we sat to visit and I apologized and responded more understandingly to the discussion from the night before. They were kind and filled with love and grace. Oh, how wonderful it is to repent and make things better and let the Lord anoint us with, “the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”

And finally, one more example. This past Sunday we had the blessing to speak in two wards where, while giving the talks we gazed into the faces of beautiful people who love and seek the Lord, Jesus Christ but like all of us, have need of Healing for something in their lives. Between meetings we met a sister who is very faithful in the Gospel but has needed Healing through the Savior for a number of the emotions and fears mentioned above. We invited her to come and share her testimony with some of the people we work with, to facilitate and help their healing. In humility she expressed willingness and some lingering concerns but in doing so confirmed to us the power her experience would have for our friends. I felt prompted to say to her, “What you have just said may be just what others need to hear who are seeking healing.”

We bear testimony and witness from daily experience that the Lord has come and will come “to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;…to comfort all that mourn;…to give unto [us] beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that [we] might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Jesus Christ – Our Advocate with the Father

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From May of 2025 when Sister Hardman and I started this service mission, all ward and branch leaders in both stakes have invited us to speak in their respective sacrament meetings on Maui, Moloka’i and Lana’i… Our purpose was to worship with the Saints, get to know them, and to bear testimony of Jesus Christ as our Advocate with the Father. Today’s post includes excerpts from those talks.

(Speaker: Sister Hardman) Aloha Brothers and Sisters,

My dad was spiritually sensitive and rescued me a number of times in my youth. Once while fishing along the deep side of the Utah Jordan River near one of his favorite childhood fishing holes, I wandered away from dad along the bank dipping and swirling a stick into the water. At one point he heard a splash, looked upstream but couldn’t see me. He ran to the place where he felt I was, reached into the water and pulled me out by my hair. On another occasion, then in my mid-teens, I was out late, alone with a friend. Concerned, but not knowing where I was dad again followed his feelings, knocked on my friends door, reached into my life and pulled me from the danger… He was my dad, my rescuer, and my advocate. Today we’d like to talk about Jesus Christ as our Advocate with the Father. But first, a little more about ourselves.

Ken and I were born and raised on opposite ends of the Los Angeles basin in southern California, he in San Fernando Valley, and I in Newport Beach. Our families moved to Utah when we were young, and we met later at BYU. Ken became an engineer for Boeing and worked in California, Washington, and Utah. We raised our seven daughters and one son mostly in Pleasant Grove Utah. We loved the teen years with our children and their friends coming and going from our home where visitors would occasionally say, “There is a good feeling here.” Life was good but seemed to get more complicated as our children became young adults and began making their own way and starting their own families. Our love for them grows and grows, not because everything is perfect, but because we care deeply and want eternal blessings for them. We are learning to trust God and the Atonement of Jesus Christ in their behalf. In prayer we advocate for them every day… 

Healing through the Savior, 12-step Addiction Recovery Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is available to anyone who desires assistance in recovery from any addictive substance or compulsive behavior, or anyone desiring to seek change in their life. It is based on recovery through repentance and the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. The spirit of the Lord is very strong in these meetings as all learn about, apply, and have success using God’s grace…

All are invited to find a life of peace, freedom and even joy, encircled in the arms of God’s mercy. Jesus came with healing in His wings and is mighty to save. He lives to bless us with His love. In Addiction Recovery meetings we find hope, help and healing. We find Him. Come… 

I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father. I know that we have a Savior, our brother Jesus Christ, who atoned for our sins, pains, and weaknesses.  Through him we can receive the opportunity for immortality and eternal life. I know that the Father and the Son appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and restored the fulness of the gospel in these latter days. And I know that we are led today by a prophet, who holds all priesthood keys. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

(Speaker: Elder Hardman) Sisters and Brothers, Aloha. 

As a young boy growing up in California, I would sometimes get into mischief and get in the way of the peace and ideal my covenant keeping parents wanted for our forever family. One day, a friend and I were riding circles around our chapel not a block away popping wheelies over the speed bumps. We noticed some beautiful potted plants on a cinderblock wall. Perhaps it was the sun reflecting on the shimmering swimming pool in the yard just beyond that made those flowers catch our attention. We parked our bikes in the ivy hedge and peaked over the wall. Upon seeing the pool, we wondered, “Wouldn’t it be cool to see how big a splash these potted plants would make landing in that pool?”

Later that evening my father took me for a walk. With my ear pinched between his strong carpenter fingers, we crossed the street, stood at our neighbors door where dad made me ring the doorbell. Upon offering apologies and help cleaning the pool, our neighbor declined. I don’t think they wanted me anywhere near their pool. My parents required accountability, but were reasonable and practical… They provided meaningful things for me to do. Even in discipline I always felt they believed in me and throughout my life I had an advocate in Mom, and in Dad.

There is another advocate that believes in us so very much… 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, advocates, “Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no 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)

Listen to this perspective about advocacy by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “I may at any moment,” he said, “and in any circumstance approach through prayer the throne of grace, that my Heavenly Father will hear my petition, and that my advocate, he who did no sin, whose blood was shed, will plead my cause.” (I Know in Whom I Have Trusted, D. Todd Christofferson, April 1993, italics added)…

In 3 Nephi the resurrected Jesus appears in person to a multitude. ..

At some point the people were weak and asked to go to their homes to pray for understanding. In tears, perhaps remembering the healing prophecies they had heard about his ministry, (Mosiah 3:5) they looked steadfastly at him as if to say, [“Please don’t go. Show us what you did in Jerusalem.”] Filled with compassion and mercy he heals them all. They bath his feet with their tears. With the children gathered around him, and the multitude kneeling around them, Jesus speaks unto the Father great and marvelous, unspeakable things (v15-17) “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)…

We are now on another service mission, this time to help bring people to the Lord their advocate who gives them power to be rescued, not from dying on the cold planes of Wyoming, but who are in prison to addiction. I know that with his help, his power, his advocacy to the father for them, they can be rescued, and out of depths of despair, feel joy akin to the pioneers when God’s rescuers finally came over that snowy hill in Wyoming, to bring them in.

We live in a beautiful, but fallen world and many of Gods beautiful children are falling. But I have every confidence that the eye of the creator is on all his creations. It can be no other way, as his love is infinite. I see his patience and wise hand at work in my life, and in the lives of people I love… 

When Sister Hardman and I prepare ourselves to represent the savior, a miracle happens and He takes away all judgement and criticism. In our Addiction Recovery support meetings we feel great love and compassion for each person who walks through the door… 

God is in this work. Jesus is our advocate with the father. The eternal spirit of truth witnesses to my spirit that this is true. I testify with love in the name of Jesus Christ, our advocate, amen.

The Wings of God’s Power

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Music FHE with the Hanks family

Hanks family

Hi tide, large swells, strong wind, and shoreline sprays on Maui

Presently the Earth, Moon, and Sun are approaching alignment where the Sun and the Moon together pull Earth’s oceans toward them. Already the mid-day tides are high. Combined with intense wind and ocean energy, the surf is impressive here on Maui. Tuesday we hiked to our favorite outcropping of ancient lava called Dragons Teeth near Kapalua on the north-west shore. Huge ocean swells and waves pound the ragged rocks and in anger as it were burst high into the sky dispersed by the wind into expanding spray which pours out along the shore. We observed the scene as close as we felt safe. It’s among Earth’s awe-inspiring recitals where man’s influence seems small to the power being displayed. Later in the day, as the Earth turns on the wings of God’s power, the ocean bulge recedes to a lower tide. If the winds are calm then the seas are calm and the shore rests from its prior labor, for a time.

Like the calming of the angry sea’s from high to low energy, as service missionaries we meet persons who have lived lives of great energy, even anger who, when they turn themselves to God, God changes their heart and turns them away from the pull to a life more filled with joy and peace. The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings peace, peace from addiction, peace from heartache, peace from sickness, peace from all winds of turmoil that face us today.

This past Sunday we had the blessing of attending two Sacrament meetings here in Kahului. We worshipped with the Waiehu Ward and the Young Single Adult (YSA) ward where we spoke about the Savior as our Advocate with the Father, and sang a special musical number, “My Shepherd will supply My Need.” We met two YSA’s who are recent converts to the Church. We pray that the YSA’s will feel and be blessed by the Lord. After the meeting we were greeted by several couples from our home town area in Utah, one of them is related to a member of our ward. (See photo)

Monday our Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) support meeting was on Step 10 – Continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong, promptly admit it. Some of the message points are:

  • Honest self-appraisal opens Christ’s redeeming power
  • Allow the Lord to change our thoughts, feelings and heart, then
  • Behavior will change
  • Focus on the Saviors grace
  • There is power in repentance or turning
  • Spiritually prepare for each day
  • Watch our thoughts, words, and deeds
  • Humility and self-control
  • Be patient…

After our ARP meeting on Monday we had the privilege of getting to know our stake president and his family better. We had a musical Family Home Evening (FHE) with song, prayer, more music, messages, cookies, and hot chocolate. We had the opportunity to share our testimonies about the song messages. They were gracious. It was a special evening.

We love and feel loved

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Nov. 3, 2025

We spent this last week at home in Utah for personal business, doctor appointments, temple sessions, and time with family. While there we were able to help our son Mike and his family relocate from Santaquin to Eagle Mountain. We had several gatherings with other family members and celebrated Halloween, Melanie’s birthday (see Olive Garden picture) and our 45th Wedding anniversary (see picture of music video) with them. Being late fall, we enjoyed gathering up and bagging the golden leaves (picture). Mom lost her wedding ring in the leaves, so we thought. We prayed, and were led to find it in one of the fingers of her gardening glove. Just before returning to Maui we were able to spend a couple hours with our daughter Lisa from Alaska, whom we haven’t seen for a year.

While away we continued to do what we could to further our service on Maui. We conducted our weekly Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) Meeting by Zoom, compiled some helpful information for ARP participants to find additional support, and coordinated a few speaking assignments in various wards on Maui. We continue planning for our 2026 Maui ward youth handcart trek. We are very grateful for our Sunday School president who substituted teaching our youth Sunday School class, and for senior missionary Elder Taylor who substituted for us at the in-person ARP meeting. Not to forget Elder and Sister Marriott who take us to and from the airport each time we travel. 

We are glad to be back on Maui. We have come to love and feel loved by our friends here. Our Kahului 1stWard Newsletter editor asked us to compose a message about our work as service missionaries. The following is the result of that request.

“Simon Peter walked on the water; even if but for a moment.” We spoke these words one night at the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP), called Healing through the Savior. Each participant had just shared some setbacks, hopes and successes regarding their addictions. At the end we bore our testimony that Jesus knows and understands through his Atonement (Alma 7:11-13). “Jesus honors efforts of faith;” we said, “even if we stumble.” Like Peter, a miracle happened as he walked on the water; even if but for a moment.” Earlier, Joan and I had visited Maui’s sacred Iao Valley and ascended to the needle viewpoint. I asked Joan, “What is your favorite New Testament scene?” She replied, “Jesus walking on the water.” I tapped my phone and opened to Mathew 14 and we quietly read the story. “The ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary…Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea…Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water…” When he sank, Jesus did not give up on Peter; both of them were well aware of the dangers of the sea, but Jesus honored his effort and momentary success, “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him…” At Iao, we walked down the many steps to the river where we waded out into the water, sat on a large boulder, reflecting and sensing truth. To our friends in addiction recovery we testified of our Lords honoring of our attempts at faith and as we call on Him, will save us when we fall.

Our hearts are broken when we hear of broken lives, and broken relationships. Addiction or other compulsive behaviors seems to break everything that is good. As Service Missionary Group Leaders, we have conducted support meetings on Maui for about six months. We also conduct a weekly remote session by Zoom for participants on Maui, Moloka’i, and Lana’i. We have learned much on how to conduct these meetings and how to provide love and support to those with compulsive or addictive behaviors. With the Savior in our hearts, compassion comes naturally.

Since these meetings are anonymous and confidential, we don’t take roll but they speak by first names. As we read and discuss the 12 steps of recovery we sense a measure of their pain followed by the hope they feel as they seek Healing through the Savior. Their observations about Gospel principles are often profound. Their sharing can be heartbreaking, and we are anxious for their success in recovery. They plead for help. Sister Hardman and I invite all of you to pray for us and for the people we serve. Pray that each will find grace and power in Christ and make progress. The work blesses Sister Hardman and me, our relationship and even our family.

Jesus came with healing in His wings and is mighty to save. He lives to bless us with His love. In Addiction Recovery meetings all find hope, help and healing, even those whose hearts break for their loved-ones. In Healing through the Savior, we find Him.

Oct. 27, 2025 – Recovery support and a relationship case study

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As Group Leaders, Sister Hardman and I have conducted Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) meetings on Maui Hawaii for about six months. We also conduct a weekly remote session by Zoom for participants on Maui, Moloka’i, and Lana’i, and anyone else across Hawaii that may want to attend. We participate in ongoing training and coordination with our counterparts in other parts of the country. We have learned much on how to conduct these meetings and how to provide love and support to those with compulsive or addictive behaviors. With the Savior in our hearts, compassion comes naturally.

We’ve met over two dozen people who have come to our meetings; some once or twice, some for a month or two, and some more continuously. Since these meetings are anonymous and confidential, we don’t take roll but we get to know them by their first names. As we read and discuss the 12 steps of recovery we sense a measure of their pain followed by the hope they feel as they seek Healing through the Savior. Their observations about Gospel principles are often profound. Their sharing about their experiences are heartbreaking, and we are anxious for their hope and success in recovery. Some find it difficult to find helpful and appropriate individual support. They plead for help.

Why are we sharing this with our friends and family? To encourage you to consider providing support to anyone you may know struggling with compulsive or addictive behaviors and is striving to recover. Presently we have several who attend faithfully. However, they often feel isolated and wonder where to turn for individual help. We read in the guide book that “Support from others is important to help us find recovery and healing. Having someone we can turn to in times of weakness often proves to be essential… It is easy to fall back into these behaviors without the support and perspective of others. Connecting with others not only provides the encouragement we may need but also helps us remember that we are worthy of love as children of God.” You can imagine that this last point is so poignant and powerful; to receive love from others when one doesn’t feel worthy of love! What a consequential way to minister!

In the guidebook, participants are encouraged to benefit from the following sources of support:

  • Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost
  • Family Members
  • Friends
  • Ecclesiastical leaders
  • Sponsors
  • Recovery meetings, and
  • Mental health and medical professionals.

Again, we invite each reader of this letter to consider making yourself available to persons in need of support. Learn about the program and how to support others at https://addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org.

(From the list above, “Sponsors are people who have found recovery by working through the 12 steps. Because of their experience, they know how to help…” In the Church’s program, sponsors are not assigned. Asking for help is a personal decision of prayerfully considering trustworthy people who they feel comfortable with or would be most helpful.) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/addiction-recovery-program-2023/17-appendix-support?lang=eng)

On Sunday, we attended our stake conference, enjoyed Zoom visits with our family, then we met by Zoom for the coordination meeting with our Hawaii Family Services ARP manager and other Group Leaders. They serve across the Hawaiian Islands and like us, come from across the country. We feel blessed to associate with these wonderful service missionaries who give of their time and hearts to provide compassion and support to those in need. May we encourage our readers, especially seniors to consider any kind of service mission.

Other activities – For physical exercise and fresh air, Sister Hardman and I regularly walk the beach. For emotional health we continue to visit parts of the island, meet people, and serve in our local ward as youth Sunday School teachers. For spiritual health we read scriptures and other inspiring works including General Conference talks, BYU Devotionals, and church publications. 

A great communications case study – We also enjoy reading local church history; specifically, “George Q. Cannon, Hawaiian Missions.” This week we read a journal entry that we recommend, dealing with hurt feelings and misunderstandings among friends, companions, or in this case fellow missionaries. We are certain all can relate to their experience.

Monday, 6 September, 1852. “…While eating breakfast Bro. Hawkins made some remarks about the field that he had been appointed to preside over and said he felt it to be a large one and he would like it if someone could take charge of Kula branch if they felt like it &c. &c. Bro. Hammond,” agreed and said, “that the way things had been going on was not calculated to do well, no one having a settled place, but first one preaching at one time at a place and then another following and preaching at that same place, & the first leaving things partly settled thinking that the one following would attend to it…” Elder Cannon asked how it could be avoided and referred to their previous council meeting where, “we had taken measures to prevent confusion of this kind… There were several remarks and replies made backward and forward and considerable feeling manifested…” Allusions, insinuations and assumptions of partiality heated the conversation. “…I then arose and told my feelings…and disclaimed all thought of doing as he said I had done in regard to favoring some to the prejudice of others &c. &c. And I wished him to state in what respect I had done this and what his reasons were for making the remarks he had.”

The group conversed back and forth at length retracing the interactions that caused the feelings. Some had questioned the authority of others. Some had felt slighted from others. Mistakes were acknowledged and apologies were given for unintended expressions or snubbing, and rational decisions were made.

One “had felt that he was treading on toes and therefore he had made the remark ‘that he was only a passenger on board the Ship.’ These things had grieved him because he thought there was a disposition to keep him back especially when he thought that he had made sacrifices as well as his brethren [and] that he had done all he could do. I arose and attempted to speak but could not as my feelings were so much wrought up that I could not express my feelings… I never, to my remembrance, in my life experienced such feelings, they were exquisite and I felt cut down to think that Bro. H. [Hammond] & I had mingled together and I had unbosomed myself to him time and again and yet all this time he had these feelings against me and had hinted to me and I had been so dull that I did not understand—these thoughts oppressed me and it was in vain that I tried to express them for a while…I prayed to the Lord to calm my feelings by His Spirit and I did experience a calm…the storm had passed and the gush of feeling had subsided and I felt that it would all come out right. I arose and spoke and was enabled to tell my feelings and I had the spirit—I reminded Bro. H. that…I merely told my feelings at that time without the least design to retard him in any particular…”

“We had a good deal of talk and laid our feelings open one to the other and settled it all satisfactorily to all parties…I thought this worthy of note that I might be reminded to ascertain at all times the feelings of the brethren and to cultivate at all times a spirit of candor that we might have no misunderstandings.”(https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon/1850s/1852/09-1852)

Oct. 20, 2025 – Talk About

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“Daddy, let’s talk about!” When our older children were very young, this is what they would say each night before we’d pray. “Okay,” I responded, wanting to forever encourage open family conversation. “What do you want to talk about?” With raised hands and eyebrows they would exclaim, “What we did today!”

At the end of this letter there is a link to my brand-new song or lullaby, called “Talk About.” I sincerely hope you enjoy it. In the meantime, what shall we talk about in this letter?

We could talk about the wonderful new First Presidency announcement last Tuesday and the blessings that have and will come to individuals, families, the Church and the world under their inspired direction. We could talk about the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) correlation meeting we attended, or the pleasant swim Joan and I took snorkeling in the gentle waves of Keawakapu Beach in Kihei on Wednesday. We could talk about the deeply sensitive ARP meetings we conducted on Thursday and Monday and the touching spirit we felt lifting the brokenhearted as they look to the Savior for help. We could talk about the inspiring stake fireside on Friday where Elder Takashi Wada, General Authority Seventy, spoke deeply about scripture study and the Book of Mormon. We could talk about our Saturday trip to Kapalua and our walk along the D.T. Fleming Beach as waves of sunshine and heavy rain took turns giving life to the ocean and island. We could talk about the pleasant Saturday evening ministering visit to our new ward friends, Tom and Pat Miyamoto learning about their family and their life-long faith. We performed several songs for them that night including ‘Talk About.’ We could talk about our non-member friend Nick who showed up at Sacrament meeting on Sunday and sat with us as we worshipped and listened to the Stake President speak boldly, genuinely and spiritually about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We could talk about teaching our beautiful youth Sunday School class, “Arise and shine forth that thy light may be a standard for the nations…” (D&C 115:5) (or the long line of kids after Sunday School for Joan’s cherry cheese cupcakes and brownies!)…

But here’s what I’d really like to talk about!

Life has worn me down a bit and Joan thoughtfully and thankfully reminds me that I don’t smile as much as I did when we first met. I am also too quiet at times. As a young missionary my theme scripture was, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13) Back then, I reminded my fellow missionaries every day to ‘keep smiling.’ I love my family and the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ so very much. But I need to do better, amidst life’s difficulties, “[arising and shining forth (with a genuine smile) that Christ’s light] may be a standard for the nations…” The joy I feel is deep. But the spirit often prompts me that this joy needs to surface and be visible in my countenance.

Often while walking along these beautiful Maui beaches I am captivated with the sand, its swirling and tumbling motion in the waves, its composite shape along the shore, its individual grain size and colors, and it’s infinite quantity. I’m deeply impressed with the Earth, the heavens, and all of God’s creations, “innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them.” (D&C 132:30). Of course in this and similar verses God is speaking of the Abrahamic promise “of his loins…which were to continue so long as they were in the world; and…out of the world…should continue as innumerable as the stars…” Sinking my feet in the sand I reflect on the infinite nature of this promise and yet how personal and intimate God’s relationship is with each of his children. “How many grains of sand are there in that circle,” I asked Joan while swirling my arm in a circular manner down toward the sand? (Joan knows when my engineering mind is probing the universe; her father Ferril Losee was the same way.) “I know the doctrines” I said to Joan, “so why is it so hard to have faith, Godlike faith, for the welfare of people we love?” She listened kindly, and then encouraged me to keep talking. All of a sudden, I just started talking and kept talking as we walked. Joan engaged as well. The spirit moved the conversation to hope, and then to faith, and then to charity and the relationship between these three principles. “I need to have more faith in Heavenly Fathers Plan, especially when I feel down or low for the welfare of someone we love, or the people we serve in the addiction recovery program. Then some familiar scriptures hit me.

“Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness,…that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness…” “…except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place…in the mansions of thy Father…” (Ether 12:28, 34)

“…and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing…” (Moroni 7:44)

“And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoices in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things…

“Charity never faileth…Cleave unto charity…Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever…Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love…” (Moroni 7:45-48)

I’ve always thought my faith to be strong. But the spirit tells me that my hope and my charity, even Christlike love needs a lot of purifying (like the sand) and that I need to ‘talk about’ more intently, sincerely, and purposely with my Father for this love. I suppose that the very things that have ‘worn’ on me over the years are also the very things that can refine me and help me be filled with this love. I’m ready to keep trying.

Thanks for listening. Now, “What do you want to talk about?” Please feel free to reply. In the meantime, please enjoy my new song, “Talk About.”

Oct. 13, 2025 – Fellowshipping and Fellow Missionaries

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Serving requires compassion and emotional resilience, either because of our own shortcomings, or because of heartbreak in the lives of those we serve in the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP). I’m trying to learn more each week to find peace in the Lords way, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

We had the blessing of attending Zone Conference this past week with the full-time missionaries. Although not officially part of the full-time mission, we felt welcomed and loved. We cross paths with them regularly as they often have friends (investigators) that need support in the ARP. The full-time missionary senior couples in particular have adopted us, befriended us, and encouraged and supported us ever since we arrived six months ago. They invited us as usual to their senior couple dinner the night before Zone Conference, and then encouraged us to attend. We are part time service missionaries serving under the direction of our local stake president, so we felt a little out of place but they treated us as part of the mission. (See Zone Conference photo)

We are not the only ones who need faith in times of fear. We listened carefully as the Mission Leaders taught important principles to the missionaries. My notes included:

President Anderson

  • “Fear does not come from God…”
  • “It is hard to be truly humble so He humbles us…”
  • “Hundreds of miracles are happening all over the mission…”
  • “How have I seen Gods hand in my life today? Write it in your journal.”

Sister Anderson

  • “Avoid comparing ourselves with others. We are miserable when we do…”
  • “Emulate with charity…take the good of others…”
  • “Let God prevail in your life.”

This Zone Conference experience brought back memories from the mission of my youth forty-five years ago in California. At that time I remember not only my interest in sharing the gospel, but my heart-felt interest in the missionaries, their spiritual and emotional success. As an assistant to the president those many years ago, I felt a strong desire to teach, encourage, and love my fellow missionaries and leaders. We felt that great spirit of unity, purpose, and love this past week with the full-time missionaries. Our participation concluded with a group photo and lunch. 

Sister Hardman and I now conduct two ARP support meetings each week. One of the meetings is in-person with participants at our local stake center high-council room. The other is by Zoom so that people from distant locations can participate including Hana, Molokai, and Lana’i. Participation varies from a few to a dozen each week. Per policy and instructions, what is shared by participants during the meeting is not discussed outside the meeting to encourage helpful sharing between them. However, we encourage everyone to be aware of the program and its blessings. To do so, you may want to watch or listen to one or more recorded ARP meetings which exist to support persons who can’t attend or who haven’t felt the need or courage yet to attend. Here are a few places you can go to see what it’s all about. 

The last one in the list, the “Coming Back” Podcast, is not an official church production, but on a recent scenic drive to Hana, Joan and I felt heartbreak for what this individual went through in part due to addictions. We were grateful to learn of the many miracles experienced by him and his family. It gave us hope for the people that we meet every week in our service. We also found renewal in socializing with some adult couples in the Kihei Ward.

As members of the church, we have been friendshipping a neighbor family. They are kind and love to speak about Jesus Christ. One is a member and the other two are not. The member hasn’t been attending for several years but they all express interest in coming to church again. We had previously introduced them to the missionaries and on Saturday the missionaries invited us to visit with them together. We listened at length while the inactive brother shared his love of God and Christ but also shared many pains and disappointments he was carrying in his heart. After some time we asked if we could read scriptures with him. He said, “How about right now.” We found a somewhat private place in the apartment common area and each of us shared a favorite Book of Mormon scripture. Knowing of the wrestle this brother was having, when it was my turn I chose Enos who wrestled with the Lord and later after much prayer found peace and healing. “Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. And I said: Lord, how is it done? And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ… wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Enos 1:5-8)

After we all shared a scripture we each bore testimony to him of the truth of the Gospel and of God’s love for us and for him. We felt the Lords spirit there and were grateful to be a part of that meeting.

On Sunday, as directed by our stake president we attended two wards for sacrament meeting and to make brief announcements in Priesthood and Relief Society regarding the ARP. “I enjoyed the ward-hopping,” Sister Hardman said. We then enjoyed a Zoom call with our children and grand-children.

Oct. 6, 2025 – Light shining in darkness

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Caption?

A young Eucalyptus tree growing on a volcano

Light penetrating the clouds as we walk through them

Lunch with missionaries who just arrived on the island

Sunsets and moon-risings

Sand refined and smooth

I could talk about the challenging moments this week, in all their varieties – physical, emotional, and spiritual – but I feel to focus on the light that shone through to illuminate each of those learning moments. As Elder Peter M. Johnson read in General Conference on Sunday, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God…I am the light which shineth in darkness…” (D&C 6:21) The light of General Conference including the music was a personal blessing. Sister Tracy Browning taught, “Sacred music can shine the Light of Christ on the hearer and can pour it into the heart of the singer.” (Sister Tracy Y. Browning, 2nd Counselor in the Primary General Presidency)

We began our General Conference having prayed all week for those preparing and participating in the conference. After the Saturday morning session we had breakfast at a members home with the full-time missionaries and other guests. A non-member friend of the family was there and we all had wonderful conversation about Jesus Christ and the Church. He was very anxious to bring ‘religious structure’ back into his life. We all encouraged with love.  

Later that day, we felt prompted to visit our neighbors. As we entered their home to pleasant smiles, Jana’i looked up from the tea-leaf weaving project she was preparing for local school children. I said, “Can we tell you why today is such a blessing?” Curtis and Jana’i nodded yes. “It is General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” They again nodded with some recognition of what this is. We continued, “It is so wonderful to hear so much encouragement and joy and messages about Jesus Christ.” Jana’i replied, “I feel and appreciate your enthusiasm.” From prior conversation we knew that their son had been baptized years ago when some of his friends left on missions. They talked about other friends they’ve had who are members of the Church and have had a positive influence on them. To our invitation to join us to watch General Conference they politely said, “Maybe next time,” so we gave them the link and encouraged them to participate. After more mutually enjoyable conversation we departed till our next visit.

We’d like to now share a couple examples of light shining through some challenging moments this week.

Emotional – At our Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) support meetings we often feel some of the weight that we imagine addicts carry as they seek healing and sobriety in a world filled with ongoing trials and temptations. There are times when I personally feel overwhelmed for them and my heart aches. True, we don’t know exactly what they are going through. But we do our best to love and read scriptures with them and encourage the light of Christ to shine through the darkness. ARP Step 5 involves the principle of confession and more than one person expressed how hard it is to confess to ecclesiastical leaders who haven’t experienced what they are going through. When I bore my testimony this week, I feel like I fell short of expressing Christlike love. But after the meeting the Spirit helped me see light that was indeed shining through the darkness, even though not obvious to me at the time.

Spiritual – One form of spiritual darkness is when doubt or fear accompanies the loss of hope in one or more eternal blessings. But here again, the potential light is in the process of applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, learning the truth thereby overcoming or allowing Christ to disperse the darkness. I won’t go into personal specifics here, but I am learning more and more what He meant, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) Revelation through the Holy Ghost while studying the Word – frees us from many things including darkness that can come from false or incomplete understandings.

As an engineer, my ears perked up this weekend when President Eyring said, “Long ago I sought to learn physics and mathematics in my college years. I felt overwhelmed…” He went on to express how challenging and discouraging it was. He prayed and received, “I am proving you, but I am also with you.” He then shared, “I learned that my struggle with physics was actually a gift from the Lord. He was teaching me that with His help, I could do things that seemed impossible if I had the faith…” (Henry B. Eyring, Oct. 2025)

As we review our week, mission, and life, we see that most days have been filled with light. A young Eucalyptus tree growing on a volcano, light penetrating the clouds as we walk through them, lunch with missionaries who just arrived on the island, sunsets and moon-risings. The blessings of the Gospel, the Earth, and family are wonderful. The more we study the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the brighter we see our past, present and future. We are very grateful for our Father in Heaven, His Son Jesus Christ, and the comfort and revelation from the Holy Ghost. Like life, while walking on the beach, our bare feet leave depressions in the infinite and perfect grains of soft coral sand. When we turn back we see the waves rush in and flow back out, our footprint gone, the sand even more refined and smooth. As we walk intentionally through life with Him, baring our souls amidst his righteous waves, He refines us even in the process and presence of his beautiful creations. We are grateful for these moments, and the light of the Earth and all our Father in Heaven has prepared for his children.

Aloha, and Mahalo.

Sep. 29, 2025 – Feeling mis-understood

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This is personal! Perhaps it is more appropriate for a private journal. But, being vulnerable might help me overcome a weakness I’ve fought for years; a weakness that puts a strain on my most cherished relationships, and my discipleship.  Perhaps these thoughts will help others in this world of back-and-forth assertions with little respect and self-evaluation. The short coming is, “I’m too impatient and judgmental with others when I feel mis-understood or brushed-off.” I’ve tried a lot to stop doing it, but long-term persistence of this un-Christ-like behavior makes me believe that I can’t truly change without God’s help. This is especially true, “in a world filled with dizzying distractions.” President Russell M. Nelson proclaimed, “Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.” (Nelson, The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again, General Conference, October 2024)

In our service missionary calling we commit to confidentiality as addicts share with us their challenges and progress ‘working the steps’ of recovery. They come seeking support. I cannot share their stories with you. However, since my non-chemical shortcoming is mine, I can share my story with you in hopes that sharing will help in my recovery. In Step 1 of “Healing through the Savior – 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program (ARP),” the addicts we work with “admit that we, of ourselves, are powerless to overcome our addictions and that our lives have become unmanageable.” ARP Steps one through three emphasize faith, humility and trust in God. The other steps dig into self-inventory, honesty, turning our shortcomings over to God, and restitution followed by service to others.

In conversation with our Honolulu Family Services manager, I discussed my desire to apply the 12 steps to my own shortcomings. He recommended another church publication called, “Finding Strength in the Lord – Emotional Resilience.” I acquired a copy then Joan and I started studying it together. While working through the early sections I thought, “Yes!” with a mental fist-pump. “This may be more applicable to what I’m struggling with.” We read about faith centered in Jesus Christ, activities that strengthen faith, and adapting to emotional challenges…” And then a grin of hope re-shaped my face and heart when I read this applicable statement by Elder David A. Bednar. “To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon…” (David A. Bednar, “And Nothing Shall Offed Them,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 90)

My eyebrows raised when we got to the ‘Triggers’ section. “Yes,” I thought. “I need to understand the triggers of my emotional reactions.” As an engineer I know all about control systems and how specific system behavior is governed by what is within the system as well as the external environments, inputs and triggers to the system. This ‘triggered’ my attention (pun intended) and I went to work, breaking it down as instructed in the manual while continually “[looking] unto [God] in every thought,” (D&C 6:36) and remembering that “the worth of souls (my soul, and everyone else) is great in the sight of God.” (D&C 18:10).

From a list of common inaccurate thinking patterns I circled two that I thought might be at the root of my problem: 

  1. Jumping to Conclusions (e.g. assuming the worst intentions by the person), and 
  2. Discounting the positive (e.g. focusing on this moment, forgetting all the good things the person has done for me)

Then, in response to the question, “Why do we sometimes think these ways?” I wrote: To excuse, justify, beat-up, or protect myself, and blame others. These are emotional feelings and allowed me to further clarify my weakness as follows. When I am in conversation and express myself, if the other person responds or acts in an unexpected way I pridefully tend to feel ignored, un-appreciated, brushed-off, discounted, or mis-understood. I feel judgmental, offended, blaming and angry followed by a secondary reaction of self-criticism, thinking “I didn’t explain myself very well.” I then tend to snap-back and the relationship suffers.

The manual then presents this step. “After you identify your inaccurate thinking patterns, the next step is to try and change them to more accurate, truthful thoughts. You can invite the Savior’s influence by challenging your thoughts and asking whether they are true.” For example: Is this thought something the Savior would want me to think or feel? Is the person really ignoring me or discounting what I’m saying? Is the person really brushing me off? Is the person truthfully uncaring about what I said? Considering all I know about this person, does it make sense that they would deliberately respond unfavorably? What do I know about myself and them that tells me my thinking about them in this moment is not correct?

The Spirit directed me to a recent Come, Follow Me lesson. I remembered how the Lord chastened his people when they were not following his direction. He said, “whom I love I also chasten… [and] I prepare a way for their deliverance…” (D&C 95:1) I re-read this section of scripture and based on the Lords actions I compiled a list of personal actions to help me overcome my weakness. 

  1. Be patient and clear explaining what I say, giving a little more background and purpose, 
  2. Be patient in listening and reaction, responding slower and with clarity, assuming the person cares even when their response seems otherwise, 
  3. Be patient, listen more than speak. 

I note the glaring repetition of, “Be patient” in this counsel. Following instructions, I re-evaluated my “feeling mis-understood” emotional triggers in the table below where I contrasted thinking errors with more accurate and productive thoughts. My next step? Having more faith with action, remembering the worth of all, and patiently waiting on the Lord in all my communications. I’m humbly praying for success. Thanks for listening. 

Thinking ErrorMore Accurate Thoughts
“They don’t care to listen carefully”“They care but perhaps it’s a bad time”
“They don’t care about what I say”“I know they care but may be distracted”
“They ignore me”“They responded the best with what I said”
“I never take time to explain better”“I can take time to explain more clearly”
“I always blurt out what I want to say”“Perhaps I misunderstood – ask for clarity”