Tag Archives: bible

Miracles in His time and in His way

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“Jesus Christ is always focused on us and in these challenging times we must stay focused on Him. As our advocate with the Father we are certain our name crosses their lips and because of Jesus’ Atonement and God’s great love and wisdom discuss how to succor us in our crosses, and by the power of the Holy Ghost, help each of us within our agency in the best way and timing.” We have born this testimony over and over again in Sacrament meetings throughout Maui, Moloka’i, and Lana’i; the scriptures and the spirit witnessing the truth to our hearts and souls.

We also bear this testimony in various forms to our friends in addiction recovery as we read together and work through the 12 Steps, Healing through the Savior. We have witnessed ‘beauty for ashes’ (Isaiah 61:3), growth from despair, power from Jesus Christ. And even though there is sometimes unfortunate relapse, we know that God never gives up but picks us up where we are and helps all move forward if we will. And we have seen that those who keep coming back to him, He has their back and keeps bearing burdens and providing ‘rest to your souls.’ (Matthew 11:28-29) It is an amazing experience when we feel or are with someone else who feels tears of sorrow swallowed up in tears of joy with little time lapsing between tears. I wonder if that’s part of what Jesus felt in the garden and on the cross. (Hebrews 12:2)

In confidence we don’t provide names, but one friend recently offered a very sacred prayer on behalf of another. Weeks ago we met him when in darkness and fear, about to lose so much. Now, by continuously seeking and applying the Lord Jesus Christ, the Spirit of Christ and the power of God, has returned. Yes, we are seeing miracles in God’s time and in His way. We also meet with those who have been hurt by a loved one in addiction. We are seeing miracles in their lives also.

We are also finding ourselves in other opportunities to bless, and be blessed by others. We keep an eye out for other senior couples in the wards who are looking (or should be looking) for opportunities to serve as senior missionaries. We have met several such couples and enjoy our social relationships and gospel conversations. For example, we had a lovely day last week with our friends, Brian and Jodi Sadleir, getting to know them (and their pups Lucy and Bella) while on the beach, and getting to know them more while relaxing in their pool and eating steak at their home. They have already served a service mission in Heber, Utah. They have deep faith and testimonies and are praying for a missionary service opportunity that will work for their situation here in Hawaii. We are certain God will bless them in their journey. We anxiously encourage all seniors to serve!

We pray continuously for those in need. This includes our own children who also bear various crosses in their lives. We are confident that Heavenly Father and Jesus are focused on each of them and within their agency are being encouraged and loved and comforted and helped. Our compassion for our own children is helping us feel and express compassion to our friends in recovery, and in turn, our experience in the addiction recovery program is helping us feel and express and hopefully bless our own family.

It is Christmas time. On Saturday evening we provided transportation to two sisters in our ward who don’t have vehicles and took them to our ward Christmas Party. Wow, these people know how to celebrate with details and quantity. The food, the attendance, the entertainment, and the socializing was exceptional for a ward party. The entire full-size cultural hall was filled with beautifully decorated round tables surrounded by families and friends of all local cultures. Joan and I performed a couple numbers at the beginning, “Were You There on that Christmas Night,” and, “What Child is This.” There was a professional ukulele singer throughout the prelude and eating time. The primary children pulled-off an amazing nativity scene while singing, “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. There were two hula numbers. The first by the sisters of our ward, and the second, jazzier, by the sisters of our ward Marshallese Group. The Elders Quorum topped it off with a rousing, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Then a special guest came with a gift for all the children. Did I mention the food? Well, it was wonderful. 

On Sunday, Joan and I spoke in the Waiehu Ward and had the privilege once again to bear testimony of the Savior as our Advocate with the Father and once again feel the love of God and the power of the Holy Ghost. Having given this prepared talk a number of times, I said a silent prayer before my turn and ask Heavenly Father to take over and help me say what he wanted. He did so. The word “cross” came to mind and at the beginning of my talk acknowledged that we all carry various crosses. Jesus knows of these crosses and bears them with us.

During our own sacrament meeting in the Kahului 1st Ward we provided the special musical number, “Come, Lord Jesus.” We always have visitors in our meetings. We invited a visiting couple, the Standrings, to join us that evening with our friends for a night of nativity and caroling. That night we gathered at the Jeffrey home for a readers theater about Jesus’ birth, snacks, visiting, caroling, and a little concert by Elder and Sister Hardman. It was fun, spiritual, and joyful.

Merry Christmas.

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.

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”

Sep. 8, 2025 – Broken hearts and miracles

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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. We are often asked to share some of our personal experience working in the addiction recovery program (ARP). Since participation is anonymous to encourage honesty and supportiveness, people introduce themselves by their first name only and we promise not to share what is shared at support meetings. But we can share our feelings, published materials and general experience. We invite you to listen with your heart as we try to express what has become deeply meaningful to us as service missionaries, and as children of God, brothers and sisters to all of God’s children.

Paraphrasing from program guidebooks, 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. The meetings are held in a dedicated church meetinghouse and are structured, not an open forum to talk about problems. The program is based on the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step program, but has been adapted to the doctrines, principles, and beliefs of the Church. It is based on recovery through repentance and the power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. The weekly meetings are conducted by senior missionaries throughout the world with the help of a facilitator who is a recovering addict. The first miracle we notice each week is within our own hearts. As each participant walks through the door we feel nothing but Christ-like love for them; all judgment and criticism is taken from our hearts. The next miracles happen as the meeting progresses and they feel love from one-another and from God. The first part of each meeting includes group reading about one of the twelve steps. The reading material has been prayerfully composed by persons who have experienced hope and progress in applying the respective principles of action and recovery. The last part of the meeting gives the participants the opportunity to share their experiences of challenge, faith and repentance, which often encourages others. Love, and the spirit of the Lord is very strong in these meetings as all learn about, apply, and have success using God’s grace.

At the end of the meeting, a senior missionary is invited to bear testimony of how the Atonement of Jesus Christ has blessed them personally. These are sacred moments where Sister Hardman or I have pondered the Lords personal and infinite Atonement, given us great hope, and the Spirit confirms truth to our souls which we then testify with all our hearts to the participants. Truly the healing power of Christ is enabled and the spirit of God is felt. 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 all find hope, help and healing, even those whose hearts break for their loved-ones. In Healing through the Savior, we find Him.

Invitation – For those interested in more details, attached is my personal summary of the 12-steps along with a few relevant scriptures and expected actions. We are finding that these principles and step-by-step approach to repentance is applicable to all of us and all our repeating behaviors that we would like to resolve. I now think of it as a master-class in applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my own life. If you’d like to give it a try, think of a compulsive behavior that you have, a behavior that is controlling your life in unfavorable ways, then intentionally work through these steps to apply the principles and regain your agency and make more meaningful progress in Coming unto Christ and being perfected in him. For example, I would like to be less judgmental and more patient with myself and others. This divine process is working for me. As I sincerely and intentionally apply these steps to me, I am making progress. I have more hope for myself and for others. I am enjoying more joy in the Lord.

Healing through the Savior – The Addiction Recovery Program

12 Step Recovery Guide Summary of Key Principles, Action Steps, and Scriptures

2 Nephi 31:20, Mosiah 27:25, Alma 7:11-12, Ether 12:27, Moroni 10:32

Step – Title (Key Principle)Action StepsScripturesPersonal Notes
1 – Admit that you, of yourself, are powerless to overcome your addictions and that your life has become unmanageable. (Honesty)Let go of pride and seek humilityBe honest and talk to someoneAttend meetings2 Nephi 4:18-21Enos 1:4Alma 32:13-16 
2 – Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health. (Hope)Develop a correct understanding of God’s characterPray and study the scriptures.Phil 4:13Mosiah 7:33, 4:9Helaman 3:29 
3 – Decide to turn your will and your life over to the care of God, the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. (Trust in God)Decide to trust and obey GodReview and renew covenants with GodLuke 22:41-42Rev 3:202 Ne 10:24Mosiah 4:20 
4 – Make a searching and fearless written moral inventory of yourself. (Truth)Write an inventory with a sponsor’s helpProv. 3:5James 2:17-182 Nephi 4:19 
5 – Admit to yourself, to your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, to proper priesthood authority, and to another person the exact nature of your wrongs. (Confession)Share our inventories from step 4 with our sponsors and confess our sins to God and proper priesthood authorities as neededLet peace into our lives.Isaiah 1:18Mosiah 26:29Alma 22:18, 39:7, 39:13D&C 58:43 
6 – Become entirely ready to have God remove all your character weaknesses. (Change of Heart)Be willing to change through the power of GodFind connection with others in recovery and at churchEz. 36:26Mosiah 3:19, 5:7Alma 22:15-18D&C 50:40-42 
7 – Humbly ask Heavenly Father to remove your shortcomings. (Humility)Ask God to do what we cannot do for ourselvesStudy the sacrament prayersJohn 15:4-5, 10-11Mosiah 4:2-3, 5:7-9Moroni 4:3, 5:2 
8 – Make a written list of all persons you have harmed and become willing to make restitution to them. (Seeking Forgiveness)Write a list of people we might have offended or harmedForgivePray for charity.Matt 18:21-22, 32-33Luke 6:37-381 John 4:18-19Moroni 7:47 
9 – Wherever possible, make direct restitution to all persons you have harmed. (Restitution and Reconciliation)Approach othersRecognize the blessings of recoveryMosiah 27:35Alma 34-31-32, 39:12-13D&C 1:32 
10 – Continue to take personal inventory, and when you are wrong promptly admit it. (Daily Accountability)Spiritual preparation for each dayDaily repentance.Luke 9:23Mosiah 4:30Alma 5:14-15, 7:23Moroni 6:8 
11 – Seek through prayer and meditation to know the Lord’s will and to have the power to carry it out. (Personal Revelation)Come unto Jesus Christ through prayer, fasting, and meditationMeditate in stillness and quietRomans 8:26Alma 7:233 Ne 20:1D&C 6:36, 42:61 
12 – Having had a spiritual awakening through the Atonement of Jesus Christ as a result of taking these steps, share this message with others and practice these principles in all you do. (Service)Serve othersParticipate in temple and family history workLuke 22:32Romans 1:16Mosiah 2:17, 28:1-4Alma 5:14, 29:9-10Mormon 9:11, 16-19 

Hardman Rev: Sep. 9, 2025 (Reference. Healing through the Savior, The Addiction Recovery Program, 12-Step Recovery Guide, 2024 Intellectual Reserve, Inc.)

(For more information about Healing through the Savior including videos and podcasts of recovery meetings see addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org)

Sep. 1, 2025 – Celestial Demeanor and Temple Vision

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In recent years before our service mission in Hawaii, Sister Hardman and I had developed the habit of attending the temple regularly, often weekly. Like many of you we were blessed to choose from several temples within a thirty-minute drive from our home in Utah. Serving ancestors and renewing our covenants does everything our prophets promise such service will do. We are deeply blessed. Sometimes in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

As mentioned in an earlier letter, the Saints on Maui do not yet have such convenience to temples. (The Kahului Hawaii Temple was announced nearly two years ago, but has not been started) The nearest operating temple is a thirty-minute flight and a sixty-minute drive, not to mention the normal travel and waiting times at airports and the cost. We admire and are strengthened by the faith of those who make this sacrifice. The next ‘ward temple trip’ is not for a month or so, so Sister Hardman and I made the trip to Oahu and the Hawaii Laie Temple this week. In addition to the words and spirit of the Endowment, we learned a beautiful lesson from two other patrons, a Polynesian couple. We were among the last to be seated and found ourselves in the back of the endowment room. The middle-aged brother next to me sensing I might have difficulty seeing and hearing (do I really look that old?) offered to move so that I could have a seat with better visibility. His expression was so sincere and genuine that I could hardly resist, but perhaps my pride got in the way and I politely thanked him and declined. “I’ll be okay,” I whispered. “Thank you… Mahalo.”

The word demeanor came to mind and during the session I thought about the demeanor of special people I have met in and out of the church, and in and out of the temple. Early in the session this brother moved to another seat that would allow me to scoot over a little to see the presentation better. Later in the celestial room while pondering the endowment and amazing blessings promised by Heavenly Father, we again observed this couple as they prayed together standing in a corner, and then as they kindly hugged the first-time patrons tearfully sitting on a white sofa in front of us. I don’t think they knew these fellow patrons but the aloha and love expressed in their unrushed hugs and in their eyes reflected in every way what I imagine to be a celestial demeanor. I reached for some scriptures which are always available around the temple and opened to Doctrine and Covenants 121 and reviewed the behavioral qualities of ‘righteous’ and ‘chosen’ people. “Persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile…an increase of love…full of charity towards all men…” (D&C 121:42-45) “Thank you,” I thought, “Brother and Sister (whoever you are). I want to be more like you.”

Before returning to Maui I had always wanted to visit the BYU Hawaii campus so we drove around, asked some students where we might park and find the cafeteria, then soon found ourselves in a sea of new freshmen enjoying their meal at the fine buffet. We were surprised to run into two of our ward Sunday School girls who were there to start their first semester. While eating we also visited with two other service missionary couples who were serving. We walked around campus a little more, visited the science building, then drove around the north shore and back through the central valley to Honolulu. On the flight back we had a wonderful conversation with Tony, a gentleman on his way home to Atlanta by way of Maui and Las Vegas. There are always opportunities to lift. We hope our love and demeanor blessed him that day.

On Monday we completed our twelfth in-person session of Healing through the Savior – 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program. Recovery and sobriety is a life-long process so we will start the twelve steps over again next week. On Sunday we had spoken for the first time in one of the local wards and on Monday three new participants from that ward came to our support meeting. As usual there is a feeling of joy deep in our hearts as each person shows the faith and humility to come to the Savior and receive His love and power. Our group this week was a little larger than usual. Our hearts ache for the pain and challenge they experience, but at the same time our souls are anxious for the progress we hope they make in overcoming their addictions and moving toward making and keeping covenants with God including temple covenants. Following this week’s meeting Sister Hardman presented her freshly baked Excellent Cinnamon Rolls. After most of our guests left, one sister asked for a priesthood blessing. Elder Taylor and I visited with her and administered and she was blessed and invited to see her future self as the Savior sees her and to expect miracles in her life, including her vision to someday serve in the temple.

Sister Hardman and I invite all of you to pray for us and for the people we service. Pray that each will find grace and power in Christ and make progress in their recovery. Pray that the announced temple will complete it’s planning stages, begin construction, and give the Saints in Maui hope for God’s blessings to come even more close to them than ever before. And pray for each other, even those who ‘appear to be a little older,’ that we may all join in this great work as Senior Missionaries or Senior Service Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The work blesses Sister Hardman and me, our relationship and our family, every day.

Aug. 25, 2025 – Meditation and Moloka’i

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“He walked on the water; even if but for a moment.” We spoke these words at our addiction recovery support group last night as we studied together, Healing through the Savior, Step 11. Each of our guests had just shared some hopes, setbacks, 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;” I said, “even if we stumble.” Or in the case of Peter, a miracle happened as he walked on the water; even if but for moment.” A few days before, Joan and I studied Step 11, “Seek through prayer and meditation to know the Lord’s will and to have the power to carry it out.” After study we visited Maui’s sacred Iao Valley and ascended to the Iao Needle viewpoint. Desiring to improve my meditation habits I asked Joan, “What is your favoring 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… [the disciples saw him and] were troubled…Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water (an amazing verbal act of faith by a fisherman). And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water…” Growing up I usually focused on Peter being “afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” But for sure, he walked on the water; even if but for a moment. Jesus clearly 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 walked on; no, we waded out into the water, sat on a large boulder, reflected and enjoyed each other’s company. To our friends last night in addiction recovery we testified of our Lords honoring of our attempts at faith and will save us when we fall. In my soul I learned more about the power of meditation on the word of God, a sacred experience.

On Sunday, under bright morning stars we boarded the Cessna 208 then flew northwest over the ocean along the world’s highest sea cliffs above the Moloka’i north coast. As the sun rose behind us we began our descent over the historic Kalaupapa peninsula and landed on the plateau at Ho’olehua airport. Bishop Bush greeted us with enthusiastic aloha and took us to the two-ward meetinghouse on the south shore in Kaunakakai. We were there to speak in both sacrament meetings and to provide information about the addiction recovery program. During a ward council meeting I got nervous because everyone seemed soft spoken and I couldn’t hear anything (my ears had not adjusted from the flight). I focused on lips, I leaned forward to hear better, I leaned backwards to capture sound bouncing off the white painted cinderblock wall, I yawned and poked at my jaw and ears; nothing worked. “How will I know if he calls on me to speak?” I prayed for my hearing to be restored. An hour and a half into the meeting I could hear well enough to understand what everyone was saying and sure enough was invited to share our message. We encouraged all ward leaders to counsel with and invite members who could benefit by the addiction recovery program. We left manuals and bulletin board posters with information.

It was a spiritual delight to attend both ward sacrament meetings where we sat on the stand, looked into the eyes of beautiful saints, partook of the sacrament and worshiped, sang to them, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” (LDS Hymn 1014), gave our talks, and felt a great spirit of love. We spoke of our own parents and their advocacy for us while growing up and then testified of Jesus Christ as our advocate with the Father. President Kaaa of the stake presidency followed with his testimony and encouragement for the addiction recovery program. Between and after meetings we attended Priesthood or Relief Society meeting, met many members in the foyer, some of which shared their success stories of the Savior helping them heal and are now whole and serving in the church. It was inspiring. “It is real! It is real,” expressed one of the members. Others expressed the need, either for themselves or someone they love to receive the Saviors healing. We also met with the senior missionary couple who are our counterparts on Molokai. One good brother who had experienced significant repeated healing from addiction presented us with special Leis which we wore throughout the day. After our meetings this brother took us on a small tour of the local town and then up to the Kalaupapa Overlook at 2000 feet elevation so we could see and read the posted plaques about the former leper colony down below. It was very windy on the cliff but we felt of the sacredness of the special place below. (Read a brief Wikipedia summary of early Maui church member Jonathan Napela who lived, served, and died at Kalaupapa).

On our way to the airport our guide and new friend stopped to minister to a member of the Ward. Like many homesteads on Molokai, they are old and difficult to maintain. It’s clear that on Molokai there is very limited prosperity and water. We visited this good sister who was lonely but faithful. We heard some of her story then asked if she had a favorite hymn. “I am a Child of God,” she replied. So, before we left, with a picture of the Savior and the Laie Temple behind her on the wall we all sang the first verse together. We prayed, hugged, and left with a longing and loving spirit. It was a sweet experience. We made it to the airport just in time to board and make the beautiful flight back to Maui along the same route we came that morning.