Tag Archives: Temple

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.

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.

Week 17 – July 28 – Seven Days, Seven Special Moments

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Tuesday – Outside, the summer sun gave contrast to the deep blue sky and white scattered clouds which in turn deepened the colors of the five tall stained-glass windows inside the sealing room at the Saratoga Springs Utah Temple. Sister Hardman and I sat amidst other family members as our oldest grandson stood by the alter with his new bride gazing into eternity, their image reflecting back and forth between the large parallel mirrors between which they stood. Before the ceremony, the officiating sealer powerfully spoke of eternity and the new eternal family being created. Every word enriched our souls. At the alter the groom and bride in turn had accepted the covenant with joy and then the sealer pronounced the blessings. On this occasion my mind had caught hold on a phrase, a six-word phrase that clarified, comforted, lifted, and renewed my hope in Gods promises to me and Sister Hardman. It was a sacred moment in the temple. A moment of joy. This along with the wonderful events throughout the day including family photos, flowers, luncheon, stories, family, friends, and the reception, made for a special day (see pictures).

Wednesday – Another uplifting day, this time physically. After taking our wonderful Virginia family to the airport and giving hugs of love, Joan and I took a ride up Provo Canyon to the Sundance Resort. Holding on to our hats when necessary, it was a mostly calm summer day as we slowly and peacefully ascended the mountain on Outlaw, Stairway, and Red’s lifts with a light breeze in our face. The backside of Timpanogos to our right, the ski resort below, and Heber Valley out to the east always brings our hearts to the familiar places we have lived and visited most of our lives. It was peaceful and spiritual to view God’s creations. We not only indulged in the view but in a shared smothered sweet pork burrito at the Bearclaw Cabin. We descended that day on the same lifts, but our spirits and emotions remind elevated. Thank you Heavenly Father for thy beautiful creations.

Thursday – It was July 24th, Pioneer Day in Utah. Back on Maui a week before, we had already enjoyed a Hoedown in our home ward in Kahului, performed pioneer music, told a few ancestor stories, and called dancing for a polka and the Virginia Real. But it was our last day in Utah for this trip and the yard could wait no longer. So, I mowed and edged and trimmed and raked so it could survive another couple months with minimal attention. But, to round out the holiday, we joined the Gardner’s for a walk along the Murdock Canal Trail at dusk to hear and see the celebrating fireworks all over Utah Valley. It was noisy, fun and beautiful. On the way back we caught a special view of the nearly completed and brightly illuminated Lindon Temple (see picture). After our mission, we look forward to serving regularly in the Lindon Temple.

Friday – It was travel day and not everything goes right all the time! Melanie took us to the airport, we found some breakfast at Freddy’s, then waited to board our flight. We got nervous when they announced that it was a very full flight, as having purchased cheap seats, we would be the last to board and find a place for our luggage in the overhead bins. Sure enough, passing through the gate we were ‘selected’ and our bag was taken and tagged through to our final destination. Since we had a six-hour layover in San Diego, and since we arrive late in the evening in Maui, would we ever see our bag again? Or was it not having a choice that gave us stress. Well after two beautiful flights separated by lots of touring in the San Diego airport, we arrived many hours later to find our bag being the first one to arrive at the Maui carousel, a tender mercy. Oh, did I mention the wonderful conversation we had with another couple on the plane? This eased our stress.

Saturday – To recover from yesterday’s long flight and prepare for tomorrows long drive we sank our bare feet into our favorite Kihei beach walking along as the gentle waves broke and, like Timpanogos a few days earlier, the sounds of creation once again sank into our hearts. We reviewed our previously prepared sacrament meeting ‘talks’ and rehearsed our musical number. We have driven, and survived the Road to Hana many times and even stopped at the little branch chapel to admire it’s remoteness and beauty, and stretch our legs. This trip would be specifically to speak in church and provide whatever other support they needed. We prayed for help and guidance as we prepared.

Sunday – We left Wailuku several hours before the meeting as we knew that along the way the Road to Hana sometimes experiences delays of weather, construction, or a fallen tree across the road. But the journey was pleasant with no delays except a little rain. Arriving a half hour early the several chapel doors were wide open letting in the humid breeze, but no people in sight (see picture). We walked in and around the small building as members and visitors arrived. We were warmly greeting (literally), and took our places on the stand. The Polynesian brethren at the sacrament table reverently blessed the extra-large pieces of delicious Hawaiian bread and set a humble spirit for the meeting. Joan introduced us, told a background story, introduced the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP), and invited all “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…” We reverently sang, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” accompanied by our violin and guitar and felt God’s love for all in the room. I gave my message which included my testimony, “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 and intimate…” After sacrament meeting Sister Hardman and I were asked to speak to the youth, which we did prayerfully and by the Spirit. It was a special experience. After eating several helpings of the amazing banana bread platter that was passed around as everyone left, we gratefully made our way through the rain back home to our apartment in Wailuku.

Monday morning – Treating ourselves to the joy of service, and physical labor, we joined with 30 others packing 910 boxes of donated food for those in need across several islands (see pictures). The Maui Food Bank conducts various food collection, re-packing, and distribution services throughout the year. This was a lively group of young adults from several organizations working together in service. It was a joy to work and sweat and do something good together (and to get some good exercise).

Monday evening – In the afternoon Sister Hardman and I studied Step 7 of Healing through the Savior, 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program. Step 7 states, “Humbly ask Heavenly Father to remove our shortcomings.” At 6PM, we conducted this week’s support meeting. As usual, there was a spirit of love and compassion. We had prayed that we would be able to bear testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and it’s applicability to the principle being taught, “Humbly asking God to remove our shortcomings.” The blessings came and the spirit was present and we bore witness of the power of the Savior to comfort, heal, and help us overcome our weaknesses as we Come unto Christ. Some of the participants were very pleased to share their thoughts and progress.

We are so grateful. Seven Days, Seven Special Moments