Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

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.

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.

Glenn and Dorothy Hardman – Back to Cedar Fort

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(Cedar Fort Home a number of years later)

At age nineteen, Sidney Glenn Hardman left Cedar Fort, the remote Utah town of his youth. He found work, and his eternal companion, Dorothy Mae Griffin. Forty years later after many good years of marriage, six children, eighteen grandchildren, several startup companies and numerous trials and blessings, Glenn and Dorothy had moved back. Dorothy wrote, “Why were we directed to live in Cedar Fort? What is the Lord’s purpose for us here?” Years before during the many visits they had made while raising their children Dorothy recalled saying, “I would never live in Cedar Fort.” They were concerned by the influence on their children of “an element of [church] inactivity” and lower standards. 

Later, with the children now on their own, Glenn’s most recent company closed its doors. They felt the burden of a lingering mortgage, as well as the load of caring for both of their aging widowed fathers and felt “grateful that each one of ‘them’ had their home paid for.” Without an income they were scared, but “felt at ease, almost in a patience mode, and we talked and pondered…wondering about the calmness we felt.” One day Dorothy asked herself what she really wanted. “All of a sudden, the light went on, and I [knew that my desire was to] have a home that was paid for as we entered our ‘later years’.” Further pondering brought Cedar Fort to mind as an option. “No, it didn’t even shock me, and I thought, why not?”

Glenn was surprised but didn’t hesitate. “It seemed so right.” Being people of action, the wheels turned quickly. They found a lot with a foundation and partial house and purchased it, sold their home in Orem, moved into a trailer on the lot on Labor Day, began construction, “and the future was coming into view.” They were in by Christmas.

“We had determined,” Dorothy recorded, “that we would not come to Cedar Fort to try to tell the good people here what to do. Rather, we would quietly wait and serve when called, and we would make friends and help wherever needed… Glenn had come ‘home’ and his old friends and family welcomed us. We…decided to look for the good, to be positive…”

In addition to church callings and community service, Dorothy continue to care for her aging father which required the cost of regular trips to Ogden, money that they didn’t have. “I wondered how we managed to come up with that much…” She learned from her diseased mother to pray “for the little things.” Dorothy learned to love and appreciate her difficult aging father through the care she provided. Glenn also received callings and served in the community including as Mayor, while once again re-building a little company in a barn. This provided jobs for family and friends. When called by the bishop to be the Young Men’s President, he said, “At my age? I don’t have the patience any more…” After Dorothy was prompted to review his patriarchal blessing, Glenn went to work as as he had many times before directed by the Lord. His blessing read, “Take an interest in the leadership of young people…through your fine spirit and enthusiasm, you will be a great power in bringing them to live lives of righteousness…” And so, God’s purpose in prompting them back to Cedar Fort became more clear, to have a home that was paid for, and to serve and improve the lives they were concerned about many years before.

(#AncestorClips – Written by Kenneth R. Hardman. Reference: Sidney Glenn Hardman & Dorothy Mae Griffin, Their Story and Their Life, Volume IV, 1985-2007, edited by Kenneth R. Hardman 2024, pg. 46-50)

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. 22, 2025 – Medical and Spiritual Professionals

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I am grateful for my life. I’m grateful for medical professionals who help me manage several conditions that need regular attention either by medication, eating differently, or exercising more. I’m humbled but blessed to live healthy enough to do most of the things I want to do with family, friends, and in service for God’s children. I’m grateful for spiritual professionals who help and guide me back to my Father in Heaven.

After a couple doctors’ appointments and before returning to Maui, I awoke early one morning and read on my phone Library, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” by President Russell M. Nelson (Oct. 2022) There is much great instruction and invitation in this talk including, “My plea to you this morning is to find rest from the intensity, uncertainty, and anguish of this world by overcoming the world through your covenants with God… Spend more time in the temple, and seek to understand how the temple teaches you to rise above this fallen world.” I have learned to go to the temple with focus on a specific doctrine, principle, or invitation from prophets. It was still very early in the morning; but, swiping my phone to the Temple Reservation ‘app,’ I found space in the 5:30 AM Endowment session (not surprising) at the Mount Timpanogos Temple, got dressed, printed a family name card and drove under the starry sky to the bright steeple on the hill in American Fork. (see picture)

I got the feeling that many of these patrons were regulars at the early morning session. As I focused, I noticed many references related to ‘overcoming the world,’ like “rising above” or “becoming clean from.” Sure enough, just as President Nelson stated, ‘faithfulness to covenants’ was stated as key to such blessings. I prayed in the celestial room to know how to do it, how to be more fully faithful to my covenants with God to find rest and overcome the world and receive help. It was one of those mornings where I knew more than anything else around me that God lives, Jesus is the Christ, the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored, and revelation is given.

On the flight we studied the Church booklet, “Finding Strength in the Lord – Emotional Resilience,” Chapter 1, “Building Emotional Strength in the Lord.” This is such good material to help me and others make changes in character and behavior. Upon our return to Maui we exchanged several posts and pictures with family from Virginia to Alaska, from Utah to California. We are grateful for their love and support. Pictures of our children make us proud. Pictures of our grandchildren bring us joy. Pictures of fall leaves changing colors show us beauty in God’s creations. 

On Sunday morning Joan and I made the half hour coastal drive to the meetinghouse of the Lahaina 1stWard. We were lovingly greeted by a few people we had met before including the bishop. It was a deeply meaningful sacrament meeting where we just worshipped and enjoyed the spirit, the messages, and the people. Each speaker spoke of challenges, and blessings and of their testimony of the Savior. We then drove another mile to the older meetinghouse, the home of the Lahaina 2nd Ward, Tongan speaking. It was our assignment to speak in sacrament meeting, fortunately in English.

As we entered the building and chapel, there was a familiar reverence, a temple spirit in the room. Two members quietly greeted us with a kind nod at the doorway. The bishopric were in their places on the rostrum. Two primary children were standing on opposite sides of the pulpit with arms folded. And through the chapel sound system we heard recorded angelic tabernacle choir music. We were shown to our seats and provided with headphones so we could hear translations of others. It was another spiritually joyful meeting including the Tongan-strong congregational singing. Familiar with the melodies we sang along, in English. Half way through the sacrament hymn, the bishopric counselor sitting next to me handed us an open Tongan hymnbook and pointed to the lyrics. We quickly did our best to sing the words in Tongan. It was a joyful experience. In English we gave our talks on Jesus Christ as our Advocate with the Father, and sang our duet, “My Shepherd will Supply My Need.” We felt on sacred ground as we sang, played our violin and guitar and looked into the faces of our Tongan brothers and sisters. (see pictures)

That evening we tuned-in to a memorial service held that day back on the mainland and experienced some tender moments. While praying we reflected on two particular scriptures. “The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings…to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty…to comfort…to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning…” (Isaiah 61:1-3) “Therefore…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.” (D&C 123:17)

Monday morning it was Joan this time who awoke early. “Let’s go see the sunrise.” I looked at the time, “Hmm, too late to make it to the top of Haleakala. How about we go north to Waihe’e. It’s the fall equinox (and Joan’s birthday) We should get a good sunrise over the ocean from there.” (See pictures) For her birthday I promised Joan a visit to the Cat Café Maui. She spent a very happy hour visiting a room full of cats, holding them, playing with them, petting them and crocheting with them. (See pictures)

That night we returned to our duties as Group Leaders for Healing through the Savior, Addiction Recovery Program. We had a large group of special people demonstrate their humility and faith by having the courage to come and seek the Saviors power and healing. As we read together, and listened to each other, I was once again reminded that when Jesus bore the pains and sufferings for the atonement, he somehow saw and did it for all of us. (Isaiah 53:10) And as he did so, he turned his will over to God (John 6:38) and “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2) As he found joy when he focused on us, I find joy when I focus on him.

After the meeting, Sister Hardman revealed her birthday carrot cake, for all to share. Happy Birthday, Joan!

Sep. 15, 2025 – Trials and Tender Mercies

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While Joan and I have been serving on Maui, my brother Bob Hardman has been busy in retirement driving buses, refereeing soccer, and researching genealogy. During the latter he came across a ‘green temple’ symbol attached to a near relative. For those familiar (or unfamiliar) with FamilySearch.org, this means that the associated person or couple might have some unfinished temple work to be done. The couple is our mothers youngest sister and her husband, our Aunt Dee and Uncle Hal Reddick. When we were young we often visited and played with their children, our cousins. We didn’t have a lot of contact in our adult years. After more research on Hals ancestors, Bob contacted the oldest daughter Karen who confirmed that Dee and Hal had not been to the temple during life and she “was thrilled at the thought of her cousins doing her ancestors and parents temple work. We have her permission,” Bob said in a text to my siblings. After more discussion, plans were made for each of us to do specific ordinances in our local temples where our family members are living or serving missions (Orem, Buenos Ares, Hawaii, Idaho Falls, and Phoenix). After ordinances were performed in the Idaho Falls Temple, those who travelled there met with Karen afterwards. Bob reported, “The six of us visited just like close family… We shared old times and recent times. A closeness was felt, and some emotion shared. Karen seemed to be emotionally overjoyed that her parents work is getting done…” Spiritual experiences were reported by those doing the temple work, and by Karen. She reported to the family on our Griffin Facebook page, “I want to thank our cousins… It means SO much to me for all they are doing and to take the time to care. I am so sure that Mom and Dad are happy and that Grandma Griffin is even more pleased. This family are holding us together. Thank you, Aunt Dot and Uncle Glenn, for teaching your family to love and care…” Dot or Dorothy and Glenn are our parents. Karen’s post brought tears to our eyes.

Since Joan and I were traveling to Utah, Bob planned a session at Saratoga Springs for Hal and Dee’s sealing. As Joan and I knelt across the alter representing my aunt and uncle, the memories of Hal and Dee powerfully flooded my mind and heart. The spirit was tangible and we all knew there was special joy, even cheering among our ancestors that day in heaven.

The above story was a tender mercy in many ways after a painful Utah-local and world-impacting tragic event. We had traveled from Maui to San Diego on Monday, September 8 to visit family before going on to Utah for a couple of doctor’s appointments. While in California we had a joyful time with our daughter Bonnie, her wonderful husband David, and our grandson Dexter. They were so welcoming to us. We drove to Utah on September 10th. Mid-day, we and our whole family received a text from our daughter Melanie that started with, “Hey family, I just wanted to let you all know that I’m safe.” She then reported, “there was a shooting just barely at a public event on campus.” Melanie, as well as our grand-daughter, and a special friend of another grand-daughter are students at Utah Valley University (UVU) and were on campus at the time of the shooting. Melanie was locked down with other students in her building and reported what it was like among students who were getting immediate and graphic information via social media, even before information came to them from the school. Text messages of “shock, compassion, concern, and love” from family members poured back to Melanie on the text stream including status of other family and friends. The students were soon released to leave campus. We tuned in to news sources and the remaining drive through central Utah was heavy on our hearts. We eventually passed by UVU going toward our home where we were able to hug our daughter and get more details. Stating details of the event here is not my desire since the world is likely now tuned in to broadcasts of the latest. For me the days since that loss of life have been hard on my soul and I pray for peace, I pray for our world, I pray for people and leaders to turn to God and be wise and compassionate and to love one-another. We have since been able to hug and spend personal time with each family member who was on campus that day. We are grateful for their physical safety, and now we all work to recover from our emotional wounds.

As part of our therapy, Joan and I took a ride to our local and familiar mountains. We rode the Sundance Resort chair lifts to the top and breathed in Mount Timpanogos, the fresh air, life, beauty, memories, and each other’s company. We felt an extra measure of love for strangers that day we saw along the way. We felt a small tender measure of peace amidst the ashes of the week. We felt increased desire to love and care and be patient.

Back on Maui we are grateful for our friend and Senior Missionary, Elder Jeff Taylor who has substituted during our absence providing addiction recovery support meetings to our friends there. We know that mortality is challenging and that our good and loving Father in Heaven provided a Savior for us who has the power to redeem whatever needs to be redeemed. We know that as we believe in Him, and faithfully follow Him, we can be partakers of that sweet redemption and tender mercies. God bless you all.

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.