Category: Mission Stories

Week 2 – April 14, 2025 – Feeling Mahalo for our first week

The contrast was striking, a massive cruise ship in port backed by the beautiful wave-filled Pacific to the north, and a very old multi-story apartment complex on the shore of Kahului Bay. Before stake conference we had asked the Relief Society president, Celeste M. for someone in need of a loving visit. “Morning!” she replied. “We have quite a few sisters that I haven’t met. One sister that I know typically would enjoy a visit is Eve A.” We quickly looked her up in the online ward directory and saw where we needed to go. “She has a parking spot right outside her apartment,” President M. texted. “She doesn’t have a vehicle.”

During stake conference we were inspired by the powerful Tongon Ward choir followed by the stake president’s personal surfing story where, after waiting a long time for a good wave, he moved closer to shore for more frequent waves, likening our need to not be too far out in our waiting for service but being where the needs are and acting on our promptings.

We found Eve’s parking spot, called her phone for further directions, and were warmly greeted by her and her neighbor Tracy D. These two ladies seemed more than thrilled to have visitors, especially visitors carrying musical instruments. Eve used a walker to get around but soon had us seated on the Futon sofa across from her over occupied computer desk where I noticed a well-worn quad of scriptures. They invited us to partake of crackers, cheese, and clementines on a paper plate near the Futon. Eve grew up in Cache Valley, and Tracy was born in Moab, Utah. They met as neighbors just a couple years before and were both members of the Kahului 1st Ward. At first the conversation focused on their negative emotions regarding health, homelessness on the island, and the need for local governments to focus more on those needs. Listening politely we then asked for their thoughts regarding the stake conference which they had watched via Zoom. They each noted inspiring remarks from speakers, then the Spirit moved the conversation to God’s love, mercy, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We shed joyful tears together while reading Alma 7:11, “he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind;…and he will take upon him their infirmities,…that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people…” We then discussed the intimate personal future joy that helped the Savior endure. Hebrews 12:2, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” After a while we asked if we could sing them a song. “You’re going to sing for us?!” Eve and Tracy’s eyes widened. “Yes.” We replied with a smile.

As we sang, “For the Joy Set Before Me,” there was obvious deep meaning there for Eve and Tracy as the Kleenex box was kept in use. We also played Ashokan Farewell, an Irish fiddle tune, and finally one of our handcart songs, “Pioneer Lullaby.” Some young children appeared and disappeared at the open windows as we played. Eve’s son appeared in the room as well and expressed his knowledge of the history and background of certain music types. Typical of such ministering sessions I asked, “May we have prayer with you tonight?” Eve readily agreed and asked me to pray. As we departed the harbor area, Joan and I felt God’s love and how wonderful it is to be in places of love and service. Tracy, Eve and her son were in our prayers that night and we knew we were in the right place, grateful for the people we are meeting and serving, grateful for our supportive family and friends.

A week earlier, before leaving home in Utah, we had family over for breakfast on General Conference morning. Wheat Waffles and peach syrup were on the menu, one of our favorites. After breakfast and conference, we held an Easter devotional where Bethany read about the resurrection of Christ and Rebecca H. gave a thought about Easter. We bore our testimonies, Jana gave the family prayer then we all hugged, said our goodbyes, and Melanie took us to the airport. After descending past Mount Hood into Portland, the timing was just right for us to catch the Saturday Evening Session of conference sitting in the airport. We also received a couple unexpected texts. “Aloha Elder & Sister Hardman! This is Celeste from the Kahului 1st Ward R/S Presidency. Is there anything you need? Do you have a ride? Is there anything we can do to assist? …If you’re up & wanting breakfast, we are having the missionaries over for breakfast at 8am between conference sessions.” We got similar messages from Paul of the stake presidency. We soon figured out that Paul and Celeste are husband and wife. We expressed our Mahalo and accepted the breakfast invitation.

It was midnight Hawaii time when we got off the plane in Kahului, found our rental truck and set out for our hotel room since our new apartment had no furniture. After a short night’s sleep we went and had a lovely breakfast (a feast actually including yummy cocoa rice) with President Celeste and President Paul M., four missionaries and several family members. As a thankyou gift we retrieved our instruments from the truck and played Ashokan Farewell for them. They were grateful.

Over the next week we moved into our apartment, acquired needed furniture, had companion study each morning, watched The Chosen at the local theater, walked twice up the neighborhood hill for exercise, bought a car, drove to Lahaina and back, attended stake conference and made a special visit to Eve and Tracy.

Week 1 – April 7, 2025 – We’ve worked here. We’ve played here. Now we feel like serving here.

What keeps drawing us to Maui? Most would say it’s the tropical breeze, brilliant rainbows and waterfalls, foot-massaging sandy beaches, or God’s hand in the compelling everchanging sunsets. For us, we wondered, what would it be like to serve the people here? Even more, there was a recurring prompting, some unfinished business, an obligation yet unfulfilled.

On our last visit, January 2025, we attended church as usual. Worshiping with the locals was special because of their love of God and each other, and their Aloha spirit. After partaking of the Sacrament, Brother Sheldon Chinen gave the talk, and spoke about growing up on the island, his conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, those who nurtured his testimony, his career at Hill Air Force Base (AFB) in Utah, and his retirement and return to his home, Maui.

As church concluded we stepped to the end of the pew to intercept Brother Chinen coming down the aisle. We talked about our families, and mentioned that I coincidentally had been working at Hill AFB during the same years he was there. I told him I had also worked part time for Boeing on Maui. “Then you must know Ernest Agcaoili?” he said. That name instantly retrieved good feelings. My eyes widened, “Yes, I sure do know Ernest. He was the lead technician, a smart, wonderful, and kind man.” As I spoke Ernest’s name, I felt I needed to reconnect with him. I sensed that there was some emotion, some experience we had in common beyond just working together. “I’ve lost track of him,” I said. “I know he lived ‘up-country’ in Makawao but I think he’s retired. Do you know how to…” Just then Sheldon pulled out his phone, tapped and swiped, and there on his screen was his friend and youth schoolmate, Ernest Agcaoili. More memories emerged. Thrilled, I captured the contact information, then Joan and I made plans to go visit Ernest and his wife Roxane. As we left the chapel, I recalled the very experience we had had in common. Joan and I decided to go visit them immediately, even that very hour.

In the fall of 2020, four years earlier, Joan and I had a major tragedy in our family. Our son-in-law was serving a neighbor (as he often did) and was working in the metal basket of an elevated lift boom (i.e. cherry-picker) when the support failed and he fell to the ground in the basket. He was severely injured and two weeks later passed away. We lost a son, our daughter lost her beloved husband, and our other children lost their dear brother-in-law. It was a painful time and the hurt continued for a long time.

That next winter, six months later, I was working on the summit of Haleakala helping the team refurbish a massive telescope. Prior to leaving the summit I had a personal visit with Ernest. Outside the building, the cold wet wind blew hard. On the inside Ernest’s warm care calmed the storm, at least for a time, that I felt inside. Ernest turned to me and asked, “How are you doing?” At first I wondered if he was asking about my physical stamina at high altitude, or if he was asking whether I had any COVID-19 symptoms. I then realized that he had heard that I had lost a son-in-law a few months earlier. I replied with equal honesty and respect, “It has been hard. Thank you for asking.” As I expressed myself I soon saw in his eyes that he too was suffering from a major loss.

Three years before this visit on the mountain with Ernest, after receiving his education to work at the same facility we were in, Ernest’s stepson was hit and killed by a car while riding his motorcycle up the mountain to work. Ernest and his wife were devastated. “I’m not the boy’s blood father,” he said, “but it hurts, it still hurts.”. And his wife especially was still in pain. He said that the loss had caused his wife to question her faith. She would ask, “Why did God allow this to happen?”

He explained to her that their son had finished his work and that God had other work for him to do in Heaven. The Spirit filled my heart with love and we talked about ‘The Lord’ as we walked very slowly down the hall. I told him that I receive comfort knowing that when my life is finished I will greet my loved ones in heaven. Then, I told him that I strongly believe that his stepson was greeted by and is with his ancestors. I told him that I believe Ernest’s wife is being prayed for by her ancestors. His eyes expressed appreciation. I thanked him for his care for me and for letting me express care for him. Then spontaneously we said to each other, “I love ya’, brother!”

I never got to meet Ernest’s wife. But as we approached their home this past January, I felt I knew why I needed to see him again, why Joan and I were in that church meeting that day, and why we needed to meet Brother Chinen. We needed to reconnect and express our love and compassion to both Ernest and Roxane.

We’ve driven up the Haleakala Highway from Kahului many times. For some reason we had never turned into the not-so-small community of Makawao, hidden in the hills and medicinal eucalyptus trees on the northern side of the mountain. With some nervousness we found our way to the Agcaoili home. Upon recognizing me, Ernest greeted us warmly, we introduced our wives, and began to visit. We reminisced a little about work, but then he proudly showed his restored antique vehicles in the driveway and garage. Ernest was a skilled mechanic and craftsman at work and at home. The spirit then prompted and I said something like, “Ernest, I have often thought about your kindness when Joan and I lost our son-in-law and I have wanted ever since to express to you, Roxane, our love and compassion for the loss of your son. We hope that you are feeling some comfort in God and that He is helping you.” All eyes teared and the remainder of our visit was filled with love for each other and for The Lord. It was clear that Roxane and Ernest believe in God and have felt his comfort but continue, as all of us do in our losses, to feel the pain while reaching out in faith that all will be well someday. We were all blessed by that tender reunion and knew in our hearts that it was the spirit of God.

We left our new forever friends and descended the mountain with peace and gratitude that we will see our departed loved-ones again. The missionary spirit which filled our hearts made it clear that we indeed wanted to serve the people of Maui, in any capacity, church or community. We later sent a message to Brother Chinon reporting on our wonderful reunion with the Agcaoili’s and the sensitive loving spirit we felt. In the same message we asked Sheldon for contact information on those in the ward or stake to whom we would request the opportunity to serve.

Later, in Utah, Joan revealed one day. “I had an overwhelming feeling of comfort that it was the right thing to do. I wasn’t asking, it just came, a spirit washed over me with love and peace.” And just recently I found my journal entry from that night four years ago on the mountain with Ernest. At the end of our visit I had offered to help him and his wife learn more about their ancestors. To which he nodded favorably. “Ah,” I thought. “Perhaps that is some of the unfinished business we needed to do, to help them learn of their ancestors.” And so we go forward having worked here and having played here. Now with spiritual confirmation, we go forth to serve here.

At the conclusion of our Mosida service mission

At the conclusion of our service mission we spoke in our ward sacrament meeting about our experience. We wrote, and the choir sang this song, “He Rescues Me.” Here are the lyrics.

Handcart saints who crossed the plains through snow and wind and dreams,
Mid trials of faith and frozen tears drew back from icy streams.
With broken hearts they faced their fears in faith called out His name.
Then Heaven spoke, the call was heard, the rescuers, they came.

Pioneers were temple bound each family to be sealed,
But some grew ill in bitter chill not everyone was healed.
Beloved dead were laid to rest, for now in shallow grave.
Till gathered in the house of God, came rescuers to save.

Now today my goal’s the same I live for Zion’s dream,
As perils rage and hearts yet fail I ask him to redeem.
In temples I make covenants I put on Christ with care.
Then in His name I oft return, to rescue others there.

He rescues me, with work and faith let God prevail.
He carries me, as I give my all, I know
He atoned for me, and oh what joy will fill my heart, when
He rescues me and gathers safely home.

 
Excerpts from my talk – Ken Hardman, March 9, 2025

Thank you Choir for working hard to learn this hymn. The words came over time as Sister Hardman and I reflected during our assignments at Mosida. For one of the re-enactments, the youth walk through or are carried across our beautiful man-made Sweetwater River. Before this crossing, we gathered them together and talk about three types of rescues. These three rescues were summarized in the three verses of that hymn, He Rescues Me. I’d like to now tell you the details of these rescues.

My focus is on The Atonement of Jesus Christ, the master rescuer, and on how our suffering can help us appreciate more his suffering for us and the joy we can feel because of his sacrifice and obvious love and eventual rescue. I testify that we, like those whose trail and trials came before us, we can come to know our Savior better as we consider pioneer hardships, and as we experience our own trials.

First Rescue – “Generally, the pioneers followed the rivers because it was their sole source of drinking water for them and their livestock. All handcart and wagon companies crossed rivers many times to cut miles off their trip. This was especially true of the Sweetwater River which meandered back and forth across the prairie. Two of these crossings were very challenging for the handcart pioneers in 1856. The 1st was when the Saints crossed the North Platte River near present day Casper, Wy. It was in the middle of a severe snowstorm and many were so weak that they lacked the strength to setup tents… They simply crawled under them. 14 people died that night. The 2nd was the crossing of the Sweetwater River again to get up into Martin’s Cover for protection. When the people arrived at the banks of the river they shrank back and wept because they had already suffered so much from previous crossings. Seeing how fearful the Saints were, the rescuers dedicated themselves to carrying many across the river.”

Many miles ahead of the Martin Company was the Willie Company who were “stranded, cold and starving,” President M. Russell Ballard stood at their rescue site and read the words of John Chislett. “Just as the sun was sinking beautifully behind the distant hills,… several covered wagons… were seen coming toward us. The news ran through the camp like wildfire… Shouts of joy rent the air; strong men wept till tears ran freely down their furrowed and sun-burnt cheeks…” (You Have Nothing to Fear from the Journey) “The rescuers who were the Valley Boys sent out by Brigham Young made up that first rescue.” (from Mosida script)

Second Rescue – “The Second Rescue took place in the Riverton Wyoming Stake in the 1990’s [when] President Lorimer, the stake President, made an announcement at the end of Stake Conference [that] we are going to be involved in the Willie Project… It was discovered that a lot of the temple work had not been done for the handcart Saints… It took four years to complete over 4000 ordinances… [Miracles that stake members experienced underscored to them the] importance that [the temple] work [be] done.”

But I’d also like to focus on the joy likely felt by the handcart saints who were rescued by this proxy temple service. The 1856 handcart saints were headed to Zion to be with the Saints but also to receive temple blessings. Those who died on the trail didn’t receive those blessings in life. To imagine how they may have felt when their temple work was finally done, lets look at the experience of President Joseph F. Smith and his vision of the redemption of the dead. This vision occurred about sixty years after the first rescue and seventy-five years before the second rescue. Even though this vision speaks of Christ’s appearance to those in the spirit world between his death and resurrection, listen to the emotion and joy that surely applies to anyone who has been faithful, offered sacrifice, and suffered tribulation in Jesus name, anticipating redemption and deliverance by the Savior.

In section 138 we read, “I saw the dead both small and great. And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality; And who had offered sacrifice in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of God, and had suffered tribulation in their Redeemer’s name. All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand…” (D&C 138:11-15)

Third Rescue – “Now…the third rescue…” We face many challenges and distractions in our day. President Ballard said of the pioneers, “…who can say if that was any more difficult than is the task of living faithful, righteous lives in today’s confusingly sinful world, where the trail is constantly shifting and where divine markers of right and wrong are being replaced…” (Ballard, You Have Nothing to Fear…)

Brothers and sisters, “You [and I] are the third rescue we speak of to the youth. Everything you do to bring the temple saving ordinances into your life or doing temple work for others is part of the 3rd rescue… [and] continues as [we] friendship others and do missionary and temple work. Our goals are the same as those original pioneers,” (Mosida) The Gathering of Israel, coming unto Christ and the House of the Lord, repenting and being rescued through the Atonement of Christ.

Joy of being Rescued – “Standing on the same hill from which the Willie Company first saw their rescuers,” Elder Ballard said, “I contemplated the joy that will fill our hearts when we fully come to know the eternal significance of the greatest rescue—the rescue of the family of God by the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Ballard, You Have Nothing to Fear…)

Acquainted in Extremities – Francis Webster had traveled the world when he was 18 … After moderate success as a prospector during the Gold Rush he returned to England where he married and answered the call to gather to Zion. He could afford to travel in comfort but answering the call of Church leaders he elected to travel in a less expensive handcart and paid “the fare for nine persons besides [himself] and [his] wife… They were exposed to the worst extremities including dysentery, frozen feet, and fortune reduced to tattered clothes. “Decades later, when Francis Webster was an old man, he was sitting quietly in a Sunday School class in Cedar City as some people were criticizing Church leaders for the handcart tragedy. When he could bear the criticism no longer, he stood and asked the people to stop. Speaking calmly but with emotion…he said: We suffered beyond anything you can imagine, (pause) and many died of exposure and starvation… [But we] came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives, (pause) for we became acquainted with Him in our extremities.” (Andrew D. Olsen, The Price We Paid)

This story has always grasped my attention. How does one come to know God in their extremities? In Joseph Smiths extremity in Liberty Jail God said, “All these things shall give thee experience and be for thy good.” And then referenced the suffering of the Son of God.

Lehi said to his son Jacob that the suffering of his youth would be consecrated for his gain.

Two years ago, President Russell M. Nelson said, “…[Recently], I injured the muscles of my back… As I have wrestled with the intense pain… I have felt even deeper appreciation for Jesus Christ and the incomprehensible gift of His Atonement. Think of it! The Savior suffered ‘pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind,’ so that He can comfort us, heal us, rescue us in times of need. (read Alma 7:11-12) (See Infinite Atonement, Ch. 27)
President Nelson observed, “My injury has caused me to reflect again and again on “the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. (2 Nephi 9:40) During my healing, the Lord has manifested His divine power in peaceful and unmistakable ways.”

But What About Me – But what about me? Does it really apply and work for me? Yes, again from Alma 7:12, “And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” (Alma 7:12)

When I apply the Atonement in my thinking about trials, I have noticed an increase of love in my heart for others, whether friend or those who challenge me. His love fills my heart.

Brothers and Sisters, please ponder with me for a moment. We just participated in the sacrament. We took into our flesh blessed and sanctified emblems of his flesh, reminders of the body and blood of Christ, which he sacrificed for us. What did he experience in the garden and on the cross that not only paid infinite price to justice, but gave him the power, the mercy, the tenderness, “according to the flesh, that he [would] know…how to succor his people according to their (may I add, individual) infirmities?” In some miraculous way He, in his extremity became acquainted with you, individually, in your extremities. And he suffered your very same affliction, such that he truly and fully knows your pain. But don’t stop there, Because of his divine powers, infinite knowledge, and love, he knows not only how you feel now, but also what you need now, and what redemption looks like for you in eternity, and the best path to guide you there.

Isaiah saw in vision, “When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his see.” (Isaiah 53:10) Elder Merrill J. Bateman taught, “The Savior’s atonement in the garden and on the cross is intimate as well as infinite. Infinite in that it spans the eternities. Intimate in that the Savior felt each person’s pains, sufferings, and sicknesses.” (as quoted in The Infinite Atonement, pg. 141, with reference to 57)
Jesus Christ is our Master Rescuer. Just as the pioneers were saved through the sacrifice and faith of others, we are rescued through His Atonement, and we can assist in the rescue by serving in His work.”
Conclusion and Testimony – Our senior service mission was a marvelous work and a wonder. One of the fun things was calling hoedowns, watching youth with smiles bigger than the desert moon while dancing during a dusty sunset. One of the lasting things is the missionary relationships we now cherish. One of the most meaningful scenes during our mission was observing youth quietly reflecting, wondering, focused deep in thought, receiving further light and truth as they listened to stories and testimonies about sacrifice and the faithful from one of these missionaries. So, I finish with this invitation. This is the opportunity of service; to see the Gathering of Israel, to feel it, and to help bring it to pass. Jesus said, “For if you have desires to serve, ye are called to the work.” (D&C 4) I invite all of us to seek and accept all such participation in this “marvelous work and a wonder,” the Gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil, in both directions of time, helping this needy world prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

He rescues me, with work and faith let God prevail.
He carries me, as I give my all, I know
He atoned for me, and oh what joy will fill my heart, when
He rescues me and gathers safely home.

I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.