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From Darkness to the Tree of Life

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From a dark and dreary place, they come to the tree, taste of the fruit, and feel joy and peace, the love of God

Like the “man…in a white robe” in Lehi’s dream, the Book of Mormon gently but persistently beckons me. Recently I followed those beckoning’s and found myself shadowing Lehi through his “dark and dreary wilderness.” He prayed for mercy. I imagined him in that, “large and spacious field,” finally tasting the “white and delightsome” fruit of the tree of life.  It gave such “exceeding and great joy.”1 I considered, “Why such extremes? Why was he beckoned to wade through the “dark and dreary” to later experience “exceeding and great joy.” “What could these opposites represent in my life, and for people I know and love?” I reasoned further, “What is the great joy Lehi felt as he partook of the fruit? Like Nephi, “I [desired] to behold…” in some measure, “the things which [Lehi] saw.”2

Keawakapu Beach before and after Kona storm (photo 1)

Last week in our Healing through the Savior, 12 Step, Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) group we explored Step 5 where the key principle is, Confession. I cannot divulge specific persons or comments, but the guidebook is written by recovering addicts who empathize with readers. In these ‘rooms of recovery,’ you feel the emotion and experience of our friends who walk through their own dark and dreary waste of addiction and at length pray and ask God to help [them] have the strength [they] need to confess. With trembling they tell of the “powerful experience,” saying something like, “At first, many of us just sat and listened, but eventually we felt safe enough to share… Still, we kept many things to ourselves—shameful things, embarrassing things, heartbreaking things, things that made us feel vulnerable.”

Using words similar to these from the guidebook our friends continue, “As we [shared], we felt Jesus Christ’s love for us, which gave us hope that it would be okay… Our sponsors could see the good in us and helped us see the good in ourselves… We unloaded our heavy burdens and placed them at the Savior’s feet. We felt peace, joy, and love. This experience was sacred and sweet.”3 From a dark and dreary place, their broken hearts broke the silence. They acknowledged feeling God’s love and hope, that God sees good in all of us helping us see good in ourselves. They felt peace, love, “exceeding and great joy.” This scene repeats in each ARP meeting. They come to the tree, taste the fruit, and feel joy and peace, the love of God.

How can I feel the great joy Lehi felt? How have recent Book of Mormon beckoning’s and precepts brought me nearer to taste the love of God?4 I considered a few recent experiences.

For physical and emotional preparation during our mission, Joan and I walk the fine corral sands of Keawakapu Beach. The water erases our footprints almost as soon as they are created. Thin layers of sand wash in and out with each wave. Recently, record breaking Kona storms poured out with fury all over Hawaii. The week-long cyclone drenched the islands with knee-deep rain and powerful ocean swells. Water flowed from up-country as parched stream beds filled. Thick mud came to rest in coastal flats closing roads. Life slowed way down as we sheltered in our apartment. Schools, businesses and churches closed. During the storm we looked through our second story window, down to the parking lot. It felt as if we were on a cruise ship sailing through flowing water. 

Keawakapu Beach before and after Kona storm (photo 2)

Finally, when blue sky pushed its way through an opening in the clouds, Keawakapu Beach beckoned. We stood in disbelief. Kona had dragged waist-deep sand back into the ocean to the coral reef from where it was born. Lava rocks not visible before, protruded well above the shore.5 We walked, weaving our way along the new beach as thin layers of kinetic grains washed in and out with each wave as before. We wondered, “How long will nature take to renew our beautiful Keawakapu?” With the dark storm now dispersed, somehow the warm sun and blue sky held new meaning. I realized, “Perhaps such storms are what had set Keawakapu on its trajectory to beauty in the first place.” Similarly we emerged from the storm, more understanding, more grateful, in sweet light.

I’ve been battling other kinds of storms, not of addiction or nature’s elements but the pain from wisdom teeth extraction, uncertainty from heart conditions, and uneasiness of not knowing just how some concerns in life will be resolved. With each of these I wondered, “How long will it take to heal?” But, Lehi’s dream and a priesthood blessing helped my faith, patience and confidence. By immersing myself in Nephi’s vision of his fathers dream “and the interpretation thereof…”6 I was reassured and reminded how the Atonement of Jesus Christ (the fruit of the tree) brings peace, and over time can gather, resolve and redeem all that needs to be redeemed. I’m learning to be patient and, “wait upon the Lord,”7 to “see the salvation of God.”8 The fruit of God’s loving plan of happiness and the Atonement of Jesus Christ is indeed white, exceedingly great, and joyful.

With my mouth healing, the Kona storm behind us, and God’s plan a little more clear, gratitude dispelled darkness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I’m grateful for the Book of Mormon which beckons by the power of the Holy Ghost. I’m grateful for Lehi, Nephi, Enos, Alma, Joseph Smith and others who shared their trajectory through darkness to light. I know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, our savior, our light and our joy, who beckons us out of darkness with patience into the light.

  1. 1 Nephi 8:4-12, Lehi speaks to his family of his dream ↩︎
  2. 1 Nephi 11:3, “And I said: I desire to behold the things which my father saw.” ↩︎
  3. Healing through the Savior, 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program Guidebook, Step 5 ↩︎
  4. Book of Mormon – Introduction, Joseph Smith said, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” ↩︎
  5. (See imbedded photos) ↩︎
  6. 1 Nephi 11:11, “And I said unto him: To know the interpretation thereof…” ↩︎
  7. Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” ↩︎
  8. D&C 123:17, “Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” ↩︎

Seeing with New Ears

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A glimpse of the eventual joy of God’s beautifully orchestrated steps

Last week we spoke about knowing Christ more deeply by walking with him, by striving to serve others as he would. We also likened him to wearing hearing aids, hearing and observing again and anew as we purposely enable sounds we have lost or not yet experienced. Please consider this analogy further. 

Wailea Point

It was a pleasant Aloha Saturday morning as Joan and I drove from Wailuku to Wailea. We parked and approached the ocean boardwalk just south of the Grand Wailea resort. The ocean bay was relatively calm and we observed many visitors enjoying the beach, snorkeling, playing in and even walking on water via stand-up paddle boards. This is a familiar scene. However, on this occasion as we approached the sea my legs and feet automatically stopped and I gazed over the prominent white-ginger bushes with their scented white five-peddle flowers. My mind took a moment to correlate what I heard with the perspective that I saw.

With new interest I watched a typical wave brake from the left, and from the right. As the left and right breakers converged in the center in front of me, I saw new interactions and admired the collision with my ears. I could hear millions of droplets I hadn’t heard before breaking on the water in front of the wave. I could hear more clearly the children’s voices and the birds and the breeze and the leaves. After a moment we walked on.

Along Wailea Point I again couldn’t help but stop and stare at the rocks below. The gurgling, spraying, crashing, sound of millions of water droplets hitting the rocks as waves lightly struck. Even the sound of water retreating and dripping and babbling from the rocks back into the ocean gently sustained my attention. I was seeing anew with my ears. It was delightful.

Later we continued our preparations for the next day, Sunday, where in addition to attending our ward and Sacrament meeting, we would also make presentations to Ward Councils in two other wards on Maui. Our assignment was to report Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) progress, provide some basic training to council members, and invite them to invite others in their stewardship that could benefit from the program. A thought occurred that we should invite one or both of our ARP facilitators to attend with us and bear their testimony. We felt this in the spirit of love, love for God, love for our fellow servants, and love for those we serve. We sent the text message invitation and then moved confidently toward the sabbath and our first, early morning ward council. I wish I could share the miracles that occurred that morning, and the day before. Miracles and promptings the Lord was orchestrating even the day before as we enjoyed the boardwalk along Wailea Point. The specifics are private and confidential, but I can say the hand of God was at work blessing lives as we and others did our best to listen to his voice not knowing beforehand what he was doing.

Later that Sunday evening we gathered with a few missionaries to reflect on God’s blessings. Not critical to this story is the fact that I was still in significant pain from the Wisdom teeth extraction I experienced a week before, but still God worked his miracles even in our pain and weakness. I asked for a priesthood blessing and was blessed with great love and peace as my fellow missionaries laid their hands on my head.

These experiences helped me later in the week make some refinements to a new poem, a song I drafted a couple weeks before. It was one of those songs that started with an idea, a thought during scripture study, and how life sometimes overwhelms us and seems to control us and our selfish nature comes out in our behavior. Reviewing the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5 and 6), and pondering recent experiences confirms Jesus’ ability to open our eyes to see new things as we walk with the him, with his aid. 

I’m now sixty-seven years old. I’ve lost some of my hair and some of my hearing. But the audible and spiritual renewals I felt this week gave me a glimpse of the joy one can feel through Christ-like love and service and promptings, even amidst pain, physical and emotional. What I experienced at Wailea may be a tiny glimpse of the joy of the physical resurrection. But what we experienced over that weekend may be even more profound, a glimpse of the eventual joy of God’s beautifully orchestrated steps, his agency-based redemption through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

You Open My Eyes

(Verse 1: The teaching – love your enemy)
You’ve heard it said in days of old, love your friend and hate your foe,
But Jesus said to love and bless those, who persecute the soul.
I fall short of earth and heaven, I don’t turn the other cheek,
My eye-for-eye and tooth-for-tooth ways, don’t bless the poor and meek.

(Verse 2: The teaching – judge righteously)
Now Jesus said don’t judge another, in your eye there is a beam,
The measure that you give your brother, the same you will redeem.
Do some good for one another, as you’d have them do to you,
To enter into Father’s kingdom, His will I need to do.

(Bridge: The struggle)
Life acts upon me o’r whelms me controls me,
I yield to my selfish old way.
Exerting great trust, I do what I must,
I act with His love and the dark turns to day.

(Chorus: Revelation)
You open my eyes, you open my eyes to see,
You open my ears, you open new sound to me,
You open my heart, it changes so I can be,
Like you.

Family, Temples, and Humility

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Dear family and friends,

Great news from family this week. Emma, Jaxon, and our grandson Freddie live in Virginia while Jaxon is in medical school. During our weekly family Zoom call, little Freddie was wearing a proud smile and a “big brother” tee-shirt. Emma and Jaxon confirmed with smiles (amidst that look of morning sickness) and pride that their next child is on the way. We are thrilled for them and with the wonderful growing family that we have. On the family text group expressions rang out from siblings like:

Eeeeee!!!!, No way!!! Yay!!!!!, Wahoo!!! Congratulations!!, Hooray! We are so excited for you guys!!!, Oh my gosh… I’m so excited for you!, This is such fun news, Em (except the sickness). Love you!! So excited for you, Yay!! Congratulations! I hope you start feeling better soon, Congratulations Emma we love you!!! Freddie will be the sweetest brother!

Joan and I added, “Congratulations Emma and Jaxon and Freddie! You guys are wonderful.”

This week in Utah has been full — caring for health needs, worshiping in the temple, and reconnecting with family while coordinating our Maui responsibilities from afar.

We are grateful for those who support us and substitute in meetings that we can’t attend in person. The addiction recovery program (ARP) sessions, emotional resilience classes and Sunday School lessons continue with capable facilitators and teachers.

Last Saturday, I took a walk on the Murdock Trail to the Lindon Utah Temple. While listening to the recent BYU Devotional talk by President Dallin H. Oaks, I passed by a couple going the other way that looked familiar. A moment later they turned around and caught up with me. It was Chris Bailey, an associate of mine for many years at BYU Capstone. We had a nice greeting and visit about Capstone, the Temple, family, etc. He is on the high council in the Lindon Utah Stake. In preparation for the new Lindon Utah Temple, he and his wife are called to create videos of stake members expressing feelings about their temple experiences. They gave me the YouTube information for their videos, we shared about our Maui service, exchanged contact information and went on with our walks. Later I watched several of the episodes and felt inspired. We so much look forward to serving, worshiping, and receiving comfort, peace and revelation in our Lindon Temple. (click here for the Lindon Utah Stake, “In the Covenant” episodes)

On Sunday, we tuned in by Zoom to our Ward in Kahului Maui to hear a really good friend of ours speak on his last day in the ward. He has been so inspiring in his service in many capacities. And his sacrament meeting talk was spiritual, scholarly, doctrinal, and inspirational. He is moving to another ward on Maui so we will continue to interact. Mid-day on Sunday we had lunch (homemade soup and sourdough bread) with our son Mike and his wife Becca and their lovely four children. They welcomed us fully. We visited, shared, did crafts, and had a family home evening message. I gave a message on, “How do we do as Jesus taught and love those who are not very loveable or nice.” We had a good discussion and then little Carter insisted that I play guitar so we sang a few Primary songs. I was surprised at how well I did reaching for the right chord progressions. Sunday evening we had dinner with Jana and Brent and family, then went to the Lehi Utah Stake Trek Kickoff Fireside. We are so looking forward to bringing our Maui ward youth to Utah in June to join with Lehi trekking in the mountains east of Heber.

On Monday, Joan and I enjoyed a road trip to St. George for a ‘play.’ On Tuesday we returned via Zion National Parkwhere it was absolutely beautiful for February. Upon our return and in between activities we studied, Come Follow Me, President Oaks recent talk, and scriptures. I found peace and joy studying some Genesis, Isaiah and Nephi chapters, and as prompted by President Oaks, I’m studying Humility (verses listed in the Topical Guide). Later in the week we attended a session at the Saratoga Springs Temple.

Amid travel, family gatherings, and service responsibilities this week, one scripture stayed with me. In Exodus, Pharaoh repeatedly hardens his heart after the Lord commands through Moses and Aaron to, “Let my people go.” In Exodus 10:1-3 we get this question from the Lord, “How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me?” President Spencer W. Kimball referenced this verse and said, “The monarch (Pharaoh) was obdurate, deceptive, and stubborn. During the suffering of each plague he made the promise, but when relief came, he ignored his promise…” (Spencer W. Kimball, The Years That the Locust Hath Eaten, 1970) While studying this, the spirit whispered to my mind, “Ken, is there anything the Lord would like you to let go of. How long will I refuse to humble myself before the Lord?” I’ve been pondering this and hope I can be humble and let go of less important things or thoughts in favor of the more important things, including commandments and covenants. 

Thanks for reading. God bless you all.

Elder and Sister Hardman

In Everything Give Thanks – God is Good

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We felt overwhelmed lately. With several emotional commitments each week (addiction recovery program [ARP], emotional resilience class, youth trek preparation, Sunday School class…), on Saturday I selfishly wondered if our usual guest might be too busy to come to our meeting. I thought, “Perhaps they won’t come on Valentines Day.” I was wrong. As we studied together, “In Everything Give Thanks,” we were blessed as is always the case for preparing, showing up and serving as the Lord encourages. But that was only the beginning of what the Lord had in mind for us that day.

We happily received a text from a special friend, one of the facilitators for ARP. He said, “I’m baptizing my son today at 3 PM.” Thrilled at the news we replied, “May we come?” To which he said, “Yes, please.” His life has been very challenging and we have had the privilege of knowing and serving with him. It has been inspiring to see his dedication to “his people” and his efforts to help others recover. He serves faithfully in his Elders Quorum Presidency, family history, temple trip committee, etc. The baptismal service was very nice. Included in the circle for ‘confirmation’ was a white-haired elderly gentleman in a wheel-chair. At the subsequent family luncheon the Lord again prompted service.  We sat by the same elderly man and engaged, asking story-prompting questions. He freely went on and on with ancestral and war stories. His sharing was more important to him than eating the stack of delicious food given to him by a loving family member. We listened with love. In addition to food, we were compensated by the love and friendship and special spirit of this large faithful family who had gathered from multiple islands. We looked around and felt great faith among this extended family.

A gift from a past journal – Last week I wrote that one of the reasons I keep a journal is to pass my faith and testimony to my posterity. In my spare time I compile and compose our family’s (Joan and I) personal history. My primary source are the many journals we’ve kept. This week, while reviewing my 2009 Journal, I was reminded that I once attended an addiction recovery meeting while on a business trip, and on assignment from my stake president. I was a member of the stake high council at the time. Support Group sessions are confidential and anonymous so I don’t speak of specific names or situations, but since the following account is from a time long ago (2009), and a place far away (Austin Texas), I’ll use it to express my feelings about this very meaningful work we are doing now on Maui.

(July 2009, Austin Texas) This evening [after work] I attended… a local stake center, an LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Meeting … My purpose is to learn about them and then teach the bishops in the stake about the resource. I was the first to arrive and met the missionary couple… They were very warm and friendly. Three other persons came (young adult age). They were all greeted by first name and it was obvious that the missionary couple and guests were acquainted with each other. All were made to feel very comfortable in a safe, respectful and kind setting… They asked for a prayer and I offered.

After welcomes and greetings, the Elder … gave the ground rules of confidentiality and volunteer participation and then explained a little about the principles. On this occasion we …took turns…reading all the material in the guide book for step 6. All chose to participate in the reading. As each participant read out loud the words of scripture and prophets regarding the Atonement and giving our lives to God to feel Joy and know God as did Lamoni, I reflected on my personal weaknesses and the blessing of the Atonement in my life.

After the reading, the missionaries offered some expressions of testimony and encouragement. It was then time for the ‘sharing’ portion of the meeting. No one was required, but all were given the opportunity… In turn each identified themselves by [first] name and that they were an addict. As I listened thoughtfully and attentively, love filled the room and my heart for these people that I did not know, but that were in real need of and using the Atonement of Christ to overcome their addiction and the temptations and pains associated with it.

[Each] spoke genuinely about the difficulty of dealing with their addiction and the effect of applying the principles of the program. But spoke much of the joy they were feeling as they had abstained for a long time. Another spoke of the long time it has taken for them to truly acknowledge Christ and let him help them overcome. Another spoke briefly and I felt that she was having daily continuous struggles. From each there was an element of testimony of the reality, and real effect of the Atonement of Christ.

I even offered some thoughts and expressed my gratitude for being part of this, for meeting them, and for feeling love among strangers. It was a sacred setting where the Spirit was present and the gospel was in action. As they spoke you could sense the struggle and the incremental success. “For a long time,” one offered “I couldn’t get myself to believe that Christ could help me overcome all my weaknesses and character flaws.” He then said that “it is working.” Another testified, “I’m finally starting to believe and feel my divine nature again.” Among the embarrassment and shame of their addictions, they were finding the way back, not their way, but the Lord’s way.

I thought of the Tree of Life, the iron rod, the forbidden paths and realized that those who have slipped or even let go of the infinite atonement, coming back to the rod is not as simple as letting go [of it], but it is possible. The missionary couple bore their testimonies and gave some final words of love and encouragement. One of the guests offered a closing prayer and then each parted ways with renewal and fellowship. Tonight I truly observed the gospel in its action and I went away a better person feeling closer to God and my brothers and sisters. (End of 2009 quotation)

Regardless of our weaknesses, big or small, the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real, and powerful. This is our blessed experience on Maui, several times each week. God is Good.

One

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Life is filled with many ‘ones.’ There’s that next ‘one’ beach or bay not yet visited. There’s that personal feeling of one-on-one with God, or even with a loving priesthood leader. There’s the ‘one’ who comes alone to addiction recovery group but still feels Gods love for them, the one. There’s the ‘one’ who lifts other ‘ones’ who are low or discouraged. And there’s that ‘one’ scripture that means something special and personal each time you read it.

During a service break this past week Joan and I scanned the Kihei map and picked a secluded bay, ‘one’ we hadn’t been to yet. We tagged our navigator, made the directed turns, and as we arrived at Makena Landing Park we immediately felt it’s power and beauty. Commanding waves driven by regional pacific storms swelled into the horseshoe bay and broke over the black lava rock. Beautiful were their form, motion, color, aeration, sound, and towering spray. After a short walk we drove to the end of the road and were drawn, still within the sound of the waves, into the old perhaps ancient Keawala’i Congregational Church. Although this was not our congregation, the pictures, hymnals, and other Christian symbols promoted gratitude in our hearts for Christ’s influence here, and within every ‘one’ who worships here.

‘One’ at a time Sister Hardman and I met with a member of our bishopric this week, and later with a member of the stake presidency to proclaim our worthiness to enter in the Temple. One by one we confirmed our faith, repentance, testimony, obedience, and sustaining of church leaders. Representing the Lord, our loving priesthood leaders have the responsibility to ‘recommend’ us one by one to enter The House of the Lord. The final question asked is, ‘Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord’s house and participate in temple ordinances?’ I’m humbly grateful to be able to respond favorably in this Temple Recommend Interview and go often to The House of the Lord to participate in sacred acts of service and covenant and feel divine revelation every time, one by one.

Surely, Healing through the Savior is a ‘one-on-one’ interaction between Jesus Christ and each soul. Weekly, like during the 12-Step Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) support group meetings, a room of souls gather in a safe and respected place to read, share, and support each other. But what happens when only one shows up? This happens often. Well, as group leaders we miss those who were not able or chose not to come, but we still give our loving focus to the ‘one,’ just as Jesus would. We read, share, and support even the one, the very best we can. Whether restless, fallen, lonely, burdened, lame, or addicted, Jesus can heal them. He appeared in 3rd Nephi to the Nephites and by example taught us that whether the group is large or small he made it personal, even for the ‘one’. 

“And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.” (3 Nephi 17:9)

Sometimes the ‘one’ needing our kindness is a family member. Sometimes it’s a ward member. Sometimes it is a friend or neighbor. We had each of these opportunities this week. We are trying to be like Jesus and serve the one, one at a time, the best we can. We observed one ward member reach out to meet the need of another ward member. During the Emotional Resilience group, more than one individual was struggling to keep up due to the rapid pace of the class, and the lack of individual printed manuals for all participants. Some were required to use their mobile device to interact with the digital guidebook in the church online Library. Not being as technically adept to using online resources in this way, some became frustrated. After the meeting another participant (who is a youth leader in our ward) saw the difficulty and immediately suggested a way that the youth, one on one, might tutor others who struggle with technology. We were grateful for his natural kindness, abilities and leadership.

Finally, there’s that ‘one ‘scripture you read today or this week that seems to jump out and provide deep or lasting influence. While listening to the recent Young Adult Broadcast, Elder and Sister Kearon gave wonderful insights on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In a passing comment, Elder Kearon mentioned that Jacob felt anxiety for his people (See Jacob 4:18). Perhaps it was something else he said that drew my attention immediately to the beginning of this chapter (Jacob 4:1-4). Jacob 4:18 sets the objective for Jacob 5, the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees, the way which the lost may be found. But Jacob 4:1-4 speaks of the importance of the faithful passing their faith and hope of Christs glory to their posterity. Jacob said we must write on plates (things that “remain,” or other archival media), “…that they (our children) may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory…” This ‘one’ scripture, grabs my soul every time I read it. It is why I like to write. It is why I keep a journal and write personal history. Jacob is saying to me, ‘make sure your posterity know of your faith and testimony of Jesus Christ. Write it where it will last.’

Life is filled with many ‘ones.’

Resilient and Refined

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As each wave broke over the rugged lava-rocks, a distinctive clatter emerged from the retreating swell. Pausing for a moment on the black-sand beach, the unique sound explained the contrasting smooth pebbles beneath our feet. The next wave broke and then again the sound of tumbling pebbles beneath the water, nature invisibly refining from rough to smooth, from rugged to pearl-like. It was partly-cloudy and warm at Waiʻānapanapa State Park

near Hana. Many were enjoying its beauty, some from the trail, some swimming in the water, and others exploring a near-by lava tube open to the sea. 

We enjoyed the day with my brother Bob and his wife Chris who spent the week with us. On this and other days of sight-seeing we hiked to Iao Needle and waded in the stream. We were greeted by two large green sea turtles at Dragons Teeth, had a whale sighting over Honomanu Bay, took in spectacular sea-scapes on the Ke’anae Peninsula, and some banana-bread Halfway to Hana. Our visit to Waiʻānapanapa included talking to other visitors from Utah (which frequently happens because most of my casual shirts say “BYU Capstone” on them). Bob was anxious for a big hot dog so we journeyed to the food trucks in Hana.

Our service this week included two sessions of the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP), one session of ARP Spouse and Family Support, Sunday Come Follow Me class, and our first session of the course, Finding Strength in the Lord – Emotional Resilience. Like the invisible, below the surface refinement of the rough lava rock at Waiʻānapanapa, each of our service opportunities refines us and those we serve, even below the surface, to become the pearls of great price God desires us to become. 

In Come Follow Me class we studied Moses 6. Gathered in a circle on Sunday we divided the youth into small groups and gave them a few verses to read and then respond to related questions. What did God ask Enoch to do? What was Enoch’s response? How did the Lord help Enoch? What did Enoch teach? We were impressed and grateful for their thoughtful and profound responses. These are too are refining moments. Later Sister Hardman and I with Bob and Chris watched the podcast, ‘followHIM’ and learned more about these doctrinally powerful chapters. We were deeply impressed with the final verses in Moses 6 and what they teach about spiritual re-birth into the Kingdom of God including, “even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten;…” and this immediate promise of hope, as well as hope in the next life, “…that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory…” (Moses 6:59) God wants us to have hope and joy, now.

During our ARP sessions this week we also observed visible and invisible refinement as our friends ‘work the steps’ of recovery. Step 10 is, “Continue to take personal inventory, and when we are wrong, promptly admit it.” This daily accountability builds us with honest self-appraisal and open’s “ourselves to Christ’s redeeming power.” As we allow the Lord to refine our thoughts, feelings and heart, our behavior will change. I notice that I too can do much better at spiritually preparing for each day by prayerfully planning, following through, and then giving an accounting to my Father in Heaven at the end of each day. Very key to this step and refinement is daily repentance, turning from old ways to correct ways. “As we repent, we discover the truth that repentance is not a sad, restrictive ordeal but rather a joyful and liberating experience that we look forward to embracing.”

We held our first session this week of the Self-Reliance course called, “Emotional Resilience.” We have been preparing for weeks getting the word out through priesthood channels and digital flyers. We hoped that we would get at least 10 to come. Tuesday night we had 22 participants plus the service missionaries. Elder and Sister Marriott did a wonderful job facilitating lesson 1, “Building Emotional Strength in the Lord.” Using readings, videos, and discussion this lesson explains what emotional resilience is, how accepting challenges is part of God’s plan, using agency to act responsibly, experiencing the blessings of change, and expressing gratitude daily. Many new acquaintances and friendships were started that night. We are grateful that so many have a desire to receive help from the Lord to be resilient and refined in the challenging times that we live in. Next week we’ll split the group into two so more meaningful dialog can occur.

Like the initially invisible pebbles of the black sand beach, Sister Hardman and I have daily opportunities to be refined in our faith, our repentance, our character, our relationship, our obedience, our love and in our understanding of God and his plan for our salvation. We are grateful for the love we feel toward everyone we meet, everyone we serve, and our love for each other and for God. Of the truth of these things we bear testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sacred Ground

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“Brothers and Sisters, we are on sacred ground.”

At the end of each Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) meeting, we have the responsibility and blessing of sharing our “testimony of the church, of the ARP, and of the Savior and His Atonement.” Monday night we were very touched by the Step 9 readings, discussion, and tender sharing by individuals. Step 9 teaches participants, “Wherever possible, make direct restitution to all persons we have harmed.” The readings talk about the reason for and the process of finding people if possible, then genuinely and humbly making amends and reconciliation, not justification. The guidebook draws upon The Book of Mormon and the example of the repentant sons of Mosiah who went about “zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done.” (Mosiah 27:35).

My eyes and mind were drawn to this profound statement in the guidebook, “From the moment we decide to adopt these true principles into our new way of life, we begin to make living amends.” I wondered what ‘making living amends’ means. The guidebook explains, “We amend the way we live, and as we live in recovery, it blesses everyone around us.” What a beautiful and succinct way of stating that when we follow Jesus Christ teachings and repent, our life changes for the better; no, we change for the better. In this step participants are also encouraged to inventory the blessings they receive from working the steps of recovery, even blessings beyond their expectations and make a list of them.

As our meeting came to an end, it was my turn to testify and the spirit prompted, “Brothers and Sisters, we are on sacred ground. I’m not just referring to the dedicated space of this meetinghouse or high council room, I’m referring to the implementation of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives. I testify that none of us have sunk beyond the reach of Christ’s Atonement, none of us.”

I continued, “There is a painting of the Savior being mocked by his crucifiers. He is depicted with a crown of thorns on his head. He is bleeding. In this particular picture the artist painted Jesus so that he is looking directly at the viewer, at me. One time I was studying the principle of repentance and what Jesus might be saying to me in that image. I heard the words, ‘I’ll help you forgive.’ Yes, Jesus knows by experience what it is like to be falsely accused or treated unfairly or bear heavy burdens or pains and yet still be able to forgive. Regarding Step 9, making amends, if any of us are finding it hard to seek forgiveness when we feel that someone else is at fault or to blame, I urge us to let it go. Place that unfairness at the Saviors feet. Let others use their agency as they will. We need to humbly repent in the Saviors way, do our best and let him do the rest.”

Earlier that day Sister Hardman and I listened to the recent BYU Devotional address by Elder Matthew Holland and were reminded of the sacred witness of the Book of Mormon. He said, “The Book of Mormon not only reveals the path to our ultimate Promised Land but also gives us power to pursue that path.” I concluded my testimony, “Please hold on to your scriptures; your Bible and especially your Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith said it has the power to ‘bring us closer to God than any other book.’ I testify that this is true. As we repent, make amends, and recover, we need the power of Christ to overcome, to become whole and clean and changed. Let prayer and your scriptures bring you closer to God and in touch with Christ’s power. Then let his power heal.”

We are grateful to be in the service of God, and in the service of his Son. We are grateful for the faith and courage of persons in recovery to attend and seek redemption through Christ. We are grateful for the love and compassion we feel while servicing. We are grateful to be on sacred ground.

Big Announcements

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It’s time for some wonderful announcements. Let’s start with the Temple. On October 1, 2023, President Russell M. Nelson announced in general conference that a temple would be built on Maui, specifically in Kahului. When we arrived in April 2025 as members of the Kahului 1st Ward the site for the temple had not yet been announced and there was much anticipation by church members where the temple would be located. During the summer of 2025 a local real estate company announced that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had recently purchased a large parcel of land near our chapel. This refined all the speculation to a beautiful lot around the Kahului West Stake Center. Since the summer, the church has cleaned up the area and installed a chain link fence to protect it, but no official announcement yet.

On January 20th, 2026 a wonderful update came as a Church News release stated the location of the temple. The Maui Saints, and we, are very excited. “This temple will be constructed on a 7.6-acre site located along Kuikahi Drive next to an existing meetinghouse at 1300 Maui Lani Parkway, Kahului, Hawaii. Plans call for a single-story temple of 19,000 square feet and an accompanying ancillary building. This will be the city’s first temple and the first on the island of Maui.” Immediately our stake presidency put out the message, “We invite you to review the exciting news release from the Church announcing the site of the Kahului Hawaii Temple:

https://www.thechurchnews.com/temples/2026/01/20/flagstaff-arizona-temple-and-kahului-hawaii-temple-sites-announced/

What an exciting time this is! We testify that God is our loving Heavenly Father, that He knows each of His children perfectly. We also testify that Jesus Christ is our living Savior and Redeemer—our advocate with the Father—and that through Him we can find peace, forgiveness, and light in this life and the life to come. We pray that we will prepare our hearts and lives for a house to be built to the Lord here on the island of Maui by seeking Him daily and by serving those around us. We also encourage each of you to maintain a current temple recommend and to attend the House of the Lord in Laie often…”

Next announcement – As mentioned in prior letters, Sister Hardman and I have been involved in church Handcart Trek reenactment activities for many years as ma’s and pa’s, camp band, and service missionaries. When we introduced ourselves to our bishop in Maui, he immediately wanted the youth of our ward to experience a trek. We were assigned to study the options which included a trek on Maui, or a trek on Oahu. We did our best to explore the possibilities for location and for locating handcarts. Last fall while visiting with our children, Brent and Jana Greenhalgh, Brent (who is the current president of the Lehi Utah Stake) suggested we consider bringing our Maui ward youth to Utah and join in their stake trek in June 2026. They will be trekking in the Current Creek area near Heber, Utah. We all thought it would be wonderful for our Maui youth to join and interact with the Lehi youth in the experiences of a trek.

Upon sharing this information with our Maui bishop, he seemed all in and excited to have his youth have an off-island historical, spiritual, cultural and social experience. A few planning meetings were held and the request was presented to our local stake president who worked with our assigned general authority to obtain permission for the youth to travel. It took some time but recently the approval came and we are now engaged in coordinating and making preparations. Coincidentally (or by divine design), the approval was received days before Brent and Jana arrived on Maui to spend a little time with us exploring Maui. So, last Sunday, Brent and Jana joined us in our Sunday School class (which happens to be the trek age youth) and got to introduce themselves and get to know many of the kids that will be coming to Utah in June. In a special trek kickoff meeting with youth and parents after church, I and Brent joined our bishop in explaining what we know so far about the coming experience. All seem excited.

This past week, in addition to conducting our Addiction Recovery Program support meetings, we enjoyed time with Brent and Jana. We took them on a walk on our favorite beach. We journeyed on the boat Kai Kanani to La Perouse Bay to amazing snorkeling (because the seas were too rough at Molokini crater). We bathed in the light of a beautiful sunset at the Grand Wailea resort and enjoyed ice cream after. Over two days we circum-navigated the entire island to drink coconut water on the Kea’Nae peninsula and take pictures along the Hana Highway. We visited the harbor in Hana then swam in the coastal cinder-cone red sand beach. We enjoyed Tai food at the Hana food trucks then hiked in the Haleakala National Park to the bamboo forest and the 400-foot Waimoku falls. We drove into the sunset on the south side of Maui. The next day we circled Maui West Mountain stopping to see distant whale in the Ma’alea Bay, through historic Lahaina (destroyed by fire two years ago), and on to Kapalua to explore the Dragon Teeth lava peninsula. We concluded the full circle trip around Maui by taking the northern route back to Wailuku finding some Mango Bread to purchase along the way. A kind member of our ward took Brent and Jana out for snorkeling along the south shores at Ahihi-Kinau Marine Preserve for another amazing experience. We brought them with us for lunch with the other senior missionaries at Nalu’s in Kihei. Then finished their visit by summiting Haleakala on a beautiful clear day, visiting the historic Pulehu chapel in Kula, tasting chocolates at the Surfing Goat Dairy, and dropping from a swing-rope into the river upstream in beautiful Iao Valley.

2026 – Off to a Good Start

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Upon our return from Utah to our Maui home, we had one day to prepare for the arrival of family from California, David, Bonnie, and Dexter. We had a wonderful time being with and hosting them. And they had a wonderful time as well. More on their visit in a moment.

Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) support meeting attendance was down a little during the holidays but our first two meetings this year were well attended. We are very grateful for Senior Missionary, Elder Jeff Taylor for the excellent and sensitive job he does conducting the meetings when we are away. “Addictions don’t take holiday’s,” they say so we continue with the support meetings right on through holidays. Sister Hardman and I were grateful to be with our friends in Christ again and to support them in their efforts to apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ to empower them to recover.

We are currently on Step 7 of, “Healing through the Savior.” As written in the manual, and as recited by participants, “All the previous steps have prepared us for this step. Step 1 helped us to be humble and admit we were powerless over our addictions. Steps 2 and 3 helped us have enough faith and confidence in the Lord to ask Him for help. Our inventories from step 4 helped us see our characters and behaviors more clearly. Working step 5 demonstrated our courage to be honest with God, ourselves, and another person. Step 6 helped us become ready and willing to let go of our character weaknesses. We are now ready to take step 7…Humbly ask Heavenly Father to remove our shortcomings.”

Each week as we read the manual together, then hear what each participant wants to share, we feel profound compassion, sometimes heartbreak, experienced wisdom, and anxious pleas for God’s help. We are blessed hearing strong and heartfelt testimonies when a participant gets to that point where they know the Lord has blessed them. The Atonement of Jesus Christ takes on powerful meaning and purpose when individuals and relationships move in the direction of healing.

We also teach Sunday School to the older youth in our ward. Picture a small classroom table in the middle of a large classroom surrounded by fifteen to twenty chairs filled with youth who are of a variety of cultures and who are attentive and reverent. Sister Hardman and I sit around the circle with them and we all try to participate as equals. A week ago the Come, Follow Me topic was, “The First Testament of Jesus Christ – Introduction to the Old Testament.” 

“When you think of the Old Testament, perhaps one of the oldest books in the world, what stories do you remember?” We engaged the students with, “How do these stories point us to Jesus Christ? That will be our goal this year, to learn to read scriptures and see how they point us to Christ.” One young man answered, “Jonah.” So we turned to Jonah and read the story. We then turned to the New Testament to see Jesus telling others directly how to see Him in that story. A young woman on my right mentioned, “Manna from heaven.” So we read from Exodus and then from the Gospel of John where Jesus told them who the bread of life is. I made a point to thank the young men in the room for administering the sacrament to us the previous hour. Other class members mentioned stories and we read the story and how they point to Christ.

The time was limited but we touched on a few other points mentioned in Come, Follow Me, then bore testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, prayed, and concluded the meeting. We love these kids.

While not in ARP and Church meetings we hosted and had fun with our family from California. With our seven-year-old grandson, they wanted to spend a lot of time on the beach and in the water. Several times we took them to our favorite beach on the island, Keawakapu in south Kihei. The corral rich sand is beautifully consistent and pleasant to walk on. The waves are gentle for families. The palms provide morning shade, and the people are very pleasant. We brought sand chairs, umbrella and tools to build sand-castles. On another day we explored the Dragon’s Teeth ancient lava flow reaching out into the powerful waves of the north shore at Kapalua. We visited the wonderful, “Maui Ocean Center,” with its many aquariums of sea creatures, educational exhibits and opportunities to learn about life common to this area of the pacific. 

We ascended the 175 steps to the lookout for the natural and historic Iao Needle which towers above Iao Valley not far from Wailuku and Kahului. We all waded in the natural stream and enjoyed God’s creations in this beautiful place. We journeyed to the south end of the island, crossing lava flows from several hundred years ago to walk coastal trails rich with shells, strong winds, a blow hole, and a few goats. We then removed the hiking shoes returning to the beautiful beaches of Makena and Wailea to play and observe the sunset. Our time together included meals and delicious places, food-trucks, extremely good ice cream at Roselani’s in Paia, and goats milk chocolates at the up-country Surfing Goat Dairy farm.

At the end of their vacation it was hard to get them on the airplane. We didn’t want them to go and they didn’t want to leave. It was blessing to have them with us. After saying goodbye, Sister Hardman and I went to Costco for a hotdog, then to a furniture store to get a new bed. While there we met a worker, Brian, who after making the sale wanted to tell us his stories of rescue and service and good-will. We listened! On Saturday evening we had dinner with our friends, Elder and Sister Marriott. They are a joy to be with. We took a two mile walk with them in the dark observing Jupiter and a few constellations. On Sunday we worshiped with our ward members who we have come to love.

The year is off to a good start.

Reflections after Christmas

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A year has passed in service, great joy doth fill our soul
With friends and family near us, Christ’s birth has made us whole
Another year now calls us, good blessings sure to come
Another year in service, with joy we’ll bring them home

As stated previously, back in April 2025 we left our Pleasant Grove home in the hands of our daughter Melanie, moved our residence to an apartment in Maui, Hawaii, then moved our church records to the corresponding Kahului 1st Ward. We were then called by our new stake president Benjamin Hanks as part-time senior service missionaries with assignment as Group Leaders in Healing through the Savior, 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program. Being called as part-time service missionaries in our new ‘home’ stake, we are free to travel and elected to spend Christmas back home in Pleasant Grove. 

We enjoyed the company of our family who live in Utah, and our daughter Lisa who was visiting from Alaska, and wish we could have spent time with family who live in other states. We took care of doctor and dental appointments which included a visit to my cardiologist to address my recurring Atrial fibrillation, and my physical therapist to address ongoing sciatica. We also got some automobile maintenance performed and some leaf raking before the belated snows fall. One day, Joan let me know that her wedding band was missing and that she believed it may have slipped off her finger while putting leaves in large leaf bags for disposal. So, I conjured-up a sifting system out of an old bed frame and kitty fence wire (think chicken wire), and spent a day on my hands and knees carefully feeling my way through six bags of leaves looking for her ring. The exercise was not successful and we are still not certain where the ring is.

On three separate evenings I worked with my son Mike, obtaining lumber and building studded walls for the basement of their new home in Eagle Mountain. It was a lot of work but I enjoyed working with my son and passing on skills I learned from his grandpa. It also gave Joan and I fun time with our grandchildren and we enjoyed meals prepared so well by Mikes wife, Rebecca. While there Joan taught our grand-daughters to crochet.

We had two events at the home of our children Bethany and her husband James and their three boys. The events included a Winter Solstice BBQ, and a Christmas morning brunch. They also came to our home New Year’s Eve. Each of these gatherings were very delightful. We played Banana-grams in there somewhere. We had two events in Lehi at the home of our daughter Jana and her husband Brent Greenhalgh. The first was on Christmas Day, with all our Utah family gathered for good food, gift giving, and enjoyable association. The second was a few days later to celebrate the high school graduation of our grandson Owen who completed high school early and will start BYU immediately. This large gathering included most of the Utah residents from both Jana and Brent’s families. Some personal conversations occurred that we hope were a blessing to people we love.

Our time in Utah included two temple trips with deep reflection and gratitude for God’s plan, mercy and covenants. Our favorite temple is the Provo City Center Temple due to its beautiful woodwork, and sentimental value derived from Joan and I having lived in Provo in our youth. We recall the events there many years ago when the building was the Provo Tabernacle. The other session was in the Mount Timpanogos Temple where years ago we had the privilege of attending the dedication with our older children. During these two sessions I pondered about patterns and sequences in the Plan of Salvation, as well as on God’s many creations, and the evidence each creation provides of the reality of God, the creator (and other deep thoughts and peaceful feelings).

Early in this time at our Utah home, we were able to spend time with our daughter Lisa, who is dealing with some health and other challenges. She returned to Anchorage Alaska on Christmas Eve and safely to her home on Christmas Day. We love her and pray for her blessings. We had lengthy and enjoyable visits with our daughter Melanie who is about to enter her final semester at UVU. She is a nursery teacher in our ward, has great ambitions to be a writer and editor, and we enjoy the time we have with her when we are home. We are grateful to have her taking care of our home in Utah.

On Christmas Eve, Joan, Melanie and I read from the New Testament and watched the 2006 movie, “The Nativity Story.” We pondered the seeking shepherd in the movie who said to Mary, “We are all given something, a gift. Your gift is what you carry inside of you.” We felt the glory and importance and love of Christ’s sacred birth. We felt great love, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)  Like Nephi we pondered  what the angel said to him, “Look and behold the condescension of God!” (1 Nephi 11:26) And like Alma we said in our hearts, “And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold: Yea, my soul was filled with joy…” (Alma 36:20).

As we boarded the plane on New Year’s Day to return to Maui, we felt grateful for the past year of service, our recent time with friends and family in Utah, the wonderful Christmas season, and the months to come of service to our friends in Hawaii. We had a meaningful and blessed season of service in 2025, and we have every confidence that 2026 will also be a meaningful and blessed season in our lives.

A year has passed in service, great joy doth fill our soul
With friends and family near us, Christ’s birth has made us whole
Another year now calls us, good blessings sure to come
Another year in service, with joy we’ll bring them home