We often hear that the Lord is “hastening his work,” (Nelson, Oct. 2024) and he certainly is. However, is seems that even when we “anxiously engage in a good cause” (D&C 58:27) there are often delays or disappointments requiring patience. Although minor, such has been true for us. But perhaps they are only setbacks from our perspective. The spirit whispers that this is His work and it may take a little time for us or others to prepare or get organized in the way he needs us to be. In his infinite perspective and wisdom, it may take a little time for people (including us), and things to get in place in order for us and the people we meet to receive and accomplish the Lords hastening work.

It was December 19, 1850 when Elder George Q. Cannon first set foot in Lahaina. He and his companions having been seasick through much of their journey from California to Oahu and then to Maui, the ‘bucket’ seemed a constant companion. (My heart goes out to them for I too am susceptible to motion sickness.) “I felt more feelings of despondency than I had done since I left home, “Elder Cannon wrote. “I felt that it was a great trial and cross to go to a foreign nation and preach the gospel.” After finding a suitable place to stay, he mastered his feelings and they got “busily engaged” in their work. The work did not come easy and many disappointments set them back including language barriers. “I feel a great anxiety to be able to talk with them and impart unto them the glorious truths of which we are the bearers…” After a while, when some of the missionaries became discouraged, felt they were wasting time, and decided to go home, Elder Cannon sought for revelation in prayer. “Every time I had prayed to the Lord that there might be a good work done here I had felt my bosom warm and felt the spirit continually whispering to me if I should persevere I should be blest…” He persevered, worked hard to learn the language, and then set out for a great work on Maui. (The Journals of George Q. Cannon, Hawaiian Missions, Ch. 1-2)

We too have had some delays getting things in order for the work we have been called to do. But in hindsight, that month or two waiting for this or that may have been needed for people (including us), and things to get in place, physically, emotionally and spiritually. After two months of studying the language and attempts at preaching in Lahaina, Elder Cannon wrote, “I have been thinking…to strike out tomorrow on a tramp round the Island, my desire to learn the language is the principle reason. I want also to see the situation of things at different parts of the Island…” In a similar spirit, Sister Hardman and I have been ‘tramping’ around the Island, visiting, getting acquainted with “the situation of things,” and recently under direction of stake and ward leaders, getting to know the saints, sharing a message about Jesus Christ as our Advocate, and putting in place the foundation for inviting participants to the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP). 

Sunday we started at the Kihei 1^st Ward invited by very capable Bishop Maetani to acquaint his ward council with the resources provided by the church to help those with addiction or compulsive behaviors. With scriptures we counselled together on how coming unto Christ blesses us with power and grace to be perfected in him. (Moroni 10:32) In the same ward, Sister Hardman and I spoke in sacrament meeting and told of advocates in our lives, especially our parents, and then bore testimony of Jesus Christ, our advocate with the Father. “Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice…” (Mosiah 15:9). Stake President Kelii Wunder was also in attendance and bore his testimony of these principles. We had a similar opportunity across the island in the Waiehu ward council. Our meetings concluded Sunday in our home ward, Kahului 1^st Ward where we had been invited to sing a musical number in sacrament meeting. We sang, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” (Hymn 1014). We practiced a lot and felt it was a contribution to the spirit of the meeting.

Because of these ongoing visits to the wards, we were blessed to welcome the next day a good number of new participants to the ARP support meeting, Healing through the Savior. We felt we were on sacred ground as with more than a dozen participants we read through Step 2 of the 12-steps, discussed the principles, then listened to each person tell their story of hope. Attendees include addicts, spouses of addicts, supporters and people wanting to learn. “I need this too,” I shared as part of my closing testimony. “There are things I want and need to improve but can’t seem to do it on my own. I too need the Saviors help, power, and grace.” I ponder a lot, how this is done. How do I enable the power of Christ to help me overcome things I can’t seem to do on my own? Part of the answer seems to be in understanding my relationship with him, and how he feels for me and advocates for me, and each of you. At the last minute I felt prompted to recite my testimony with the group in words I had compiled in a song last year. Many of you have already heard it. To emphasize our personal relationship, I wrote it as a duet, a personal conversation between Jesus and me, or any one of his followers. It is called, “For the Joy Set Before Me.”

Even with great tensions in the world, we concluded our week feeling Gods love for all of his children. The Lord is hastening his work.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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