Tag Archives: Healing through the Savior

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.

Week 18 – August 5 – A Tsunami and Joan’s Tree

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The week started with a Tsunami! On Tuesday afternoon, July 29th, all phones on the island gave hourly high-pitched tones and displayed the message to leave coastal areas and move to higher ground. A strong earthquake near Kamchatka, Russia set up strong swells in the ocean and the waves were expected to reach Hawaii that evening. We offered prayer and remained in our apartment a safe elevation from the coast. Checking the news periodically we learned of the waves progress and the mostly vacated coastal areas. In the end there were locations where the ocean dropped many feet and rose a few. But other than significant traffic jams and life interruptions, we are not aware of major damages. We were grateful for the technology and professionals who were extra cautious to keep people safe. Later in the week we walked along a couple of our favorite beaches and boardwalks where all looked normal.

We were recently called as Sunday School teachers in our home ward, Kahului 1st Ward. This Sunday was the first opportunity we had to significantly prepare and give the lesson. We have ages 16 & 17. At the beginning of class we tried to share the delicious Orange Cookies that Sister Hardman made that morning, but all but one declined, saying they needed to wait until the end of class, because it was fast Sunday. (Yes, they taught us something that day.) Like most classes throughout the church this week our topic was Doctrine & Covenants, Section 84. We studied the applicable Come, Follow Me pages and (with tips from our Gardner family in Utah who have the same calling) we prayerfully selected the points on which we would focus. I like outlining and diagraming so to move forward on our lesson I diagramed the chosen material (See picture). We are so grateful for all the ordinances of the Gospel and for the literal power of Godliness that is manifest in them (D&C 84:20). We see and feel that power each time we participate in an ordinance, especially in the temple. We had a pretty good size group this Sunday and they were kind, happy, attentive, and participated when we asked. It was reassuring to feel of the spirit in their presence and to hear their knowledge of the Gospel. This statement from President Russell M. Nelson summarizes the message, “Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God.” (Spiritual Treasures,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 77). Sister Hardman’s Orange Cookies were enjoyed after the meeting. Later that day we got a message from the bishop. “Any cookies handed out at Sunday School must be brought over to the Bishop’s house for tasting beforehand.” We love our happy hearted bishop. (His daughter in our class had eatin several cookies )

We obtained more training this week for hosting the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP). This time from a five-year ARP Coordinator in Oklahoma. We have received training from our coordinator in Honolulu as well as from coordinators in Anaheim, American Fork, and now Oklahoma. Each brings reminders on conducting the program per the Church administrative guide as well as helpful tips from their experience. We are grateful for each. Attendance at our weekly ARP support meeting varies from a few to a dozen participants. This week we read Step 8 together, “Make a written list of all persons we have harmed and become willing to make restitution to them.” There is great doctrinal content in the guide book regarding forgiving and being forgiven and the peace and power that comes as we do both. We feel love and compassion for those who come, and we are encouraged to be patient towards those who don’t always come. We pray each week that the Lord will remove their barriers and give them the courage to attend and receive support. More and more, those who come are becoming excellent support for each other. Sister Hardman’s Orange Cookies were enjoyed after the meeting.

Over the months, and even years that we have been coming to Maui, we have developed a few traditions and unique things we notice around the island. When we are craving an excellent burger and we have a little time on our hands, we head for the Ulupalakua Ranch, located upcountry on the southwestern slopes of the Haleakala volcano. In addition to conservation activities, the ranch runs 2,300 Angus cows which are marketed around Hawaii. The area is forested, green and often obscured by clouds. The country store humorously identifies itself as the “Road to Hana Recovery Station” (you pass right by it returning from Hana on the southern route). Anyway, the burgers are wonderful. On a clear day from our apartment 20-miles across the Maui Valley, and many other places along the southwest shore, we see a large tree-looking structure on the skyline ridge above Ulupalakua. It stands out so prominently and we see it so frequently that we even gave it a name, Joan’s Tree, because it looks like a birthmark on her leg. Until recently we haven’t known whether it is a tree or a man-made camouflage antenna. “It looks too big to be an isolated tree on the ridge,” we would say to ourselves. On a clear day this week we set out to solve the mystery (and get a burger). As we approached the Ranch, the sky was clear and blue and boom, just a mile or two away, there it was, tall and beautiful and looking very much like a lone tall natural tree. We pulled into the Ranch and these two traditions came together, eating a great burger in sight of the great tree that we call Joan’s Tree.

Week 15 – July 14 – Jesus Christ walks these halls

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Stopped into Walmart this week; we don’t remember why. Perhaps it was to meet a fellow missionary from another faith, Aleka (see photo), A sweet lady who motioned us to sit with her so she could spread the word about God. We had a delightful conversation and wished her well in pointing people to Christ. We attended the multi-stake Pioneer Day chili cookoff and pioneer exhibits activity. We’re getting to know more members and guests including these delightful sister missionaries (see photo). On Sunday we spoke in the Wailuku Ward about Jesus Christ as our Advocate, and sang My Shepherd Will Supply My Need. It always feels wonderful to sing about the Savior while connecting worshipful eyes with others through music. On Monday with other volunteers we served at the Maui Food Bank (see photos) filling 900 boxes for distribution across three islands. Later that day we conducted our weekly Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) support meeting. It has been a fulfilling week with study and service. For the rest of this letter may I again make comparisons with ancient times, earlier latter-days missionaries, and our experiences today?

It is painful to learn of the difficulties and setbacks of God’s children. Nevertheless, when we have the courage to trust Him and repent and to keep doing his will amidst opposition, then darkness and pain is turned into light and joy. In the Book of Mormon, Enos said, “my guilt was swept away.” (Enos 1:6) Alma the younger exclaimed, “I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain…” (Alma 36:19-21)

In our service in Gods kingdom in the latter-days, there are also difficulties and spiritual setbacks. Yet, when we trust Him and go forward centered in Christ, joy emerges. In 1852 here on Maui, a year and a half into their missionary labors, Elder George Q. Cannon and his companions had experienced much trial, opposition, and setbacks; nevertheless, his trust in God was inspiring. Finally, after a year, his first hopeful contact Jonathan Napela accepted baptism and they began translating the Book of Mormon. Hundreds had already been baptized and following one of the first church conferences near ‘Iao Valley, Wailuku (walking distance from our apartment), an amazing miracle was performed causing Elder Cannon to compare his feelings with the prior year, and tried to express his gratitude and joy.

“A person that they had been called upon to baptize, had been crawling for five years not able to walk upright; she was believing and three of them went to pray with her that she might be restored—afterwards they commanded her in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to arise and walk—she immediately stood up and walked and they afterwards baptized her—those who saw her were astonished at it & several came into the Church at the same time. They seemed to be filled with the spirit while dilating upon it and upon the marvelous power of the Lord as manifested in the Church in these days. I was so full that language was too faint to attempt to describe my feelings, I could not talk; this was felt by Brother Uaua also. When I compared my present feelings with the feelings experienced by me this time last year in this place, and I looked at the progress of the work and the power of my Father that accompanied it; I felt that the goodness of the Lord was adorable and past describing. This day has been one of my feast days, a day that gives the soul food for reflection for some time and is not with its reminiscences easily erased from the memory.” (The Journals of George Q. Cannon, Hawaiian Mission, 1850-1854, pg. 172)

In our 2025 Addiction Recovery Program mission on Maui, we are meeting people who are or were in bondage to addiction. Like Elder Cannon, there are situations that seem bleak, painful and without hope. But just having them show up at their first recovery support meeting is an amazing miracle. As Sister Hardman and I strive to put our trust in God and keep our view centered in the Atonement of Jesus Christ we see our new friends in a much more loving and hopeful light. We are granted and motivated by the pre-joy that Jesus felt as expressed by the apostle Paul, “who for the joy that was set before [Christ] endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2) We have every confidence that our friends are loved. “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 3:16-17) We feel His love for our friends.

At the end of our ARP meeting this week I prayed in my heart to know what the Lord would have me say in my testimony. Step 5 is the topic of Confession. I bore testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, emphasizing trusting God with our confession and trusting our Savior with the ability to help and give us power to overcome. I noted that even in our youthful perhaps small mistakes we need to turn to the Savior less our small sins turn into patterns toward larger behavioral mistakes and then to addictions to try to cover our pain. I spoke of my parents who were probably embarrassed when I got into childhood mischief but noted their love and confidence in helping me. I testified that God is a loving Heavenly Father who doesn’t feel shame but gives us love and opportunities to learn and grow and repent. Like spiritually connecting through music in sacrament meeting, spiritually connecting through these words of love and testimony during the ARP meeting witnessed to us that Gods love was present. As we have heard addicts say about their recovery even while in prison, “Jesus Christ walks these halls.”