Following her earthly father as well as her Heavenly Father
Leilani Tafili-Arnett looks to law school and hopes to make her dad proud BY LEIANI BROWN
Four years in the political science major, three minors, four certificates and a plan to take the LSAT by the end of the year, and yet, Samoa native Leilani “Lani” Tafili-Arnett, who graduates this semester, said she has never really liked school. Tafili-Arnett chalks this ambition up to a desire to do what God has in store for her and provide for her family. In particular, she said her patriarchal blessing, a blessing for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that offers personalized life counsel, played a key role in her decision to study hard in school. “The thing that motivates me to obey the commandments is the promised blessings that follow. [My patriarchal blessing] says if I pursue an education, and I do my best to stand in holy places, then doors of opportunities will open unto me … That’s a promised blessing, and I want all the blessings Heavenly Father promised me,” said Tafili-Arnett. “That is the reason why I’m trying my very best to obey, even if I don’t like school. I know people say I’m good at doing something I don’t like, but they don’t know I’m just trying my best to follow a commandment.” Her husband, Brian Arnett, a business management major from Louisiana who graduates in December, agreed it is her faith in God and His plan for her that motivates her to work hard and persevere. “She has a strong faith that she’ll be able to accomplish what the Lord wants her to do. She always thinks about what her patriarchal blessing says and the things it tells her she should do, and she just wants to do the very best to accomplish those things.”
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Tafili-Arnett said she is studying hard to get into law school. Photo by Chad Hsieh
“Not smart enough” Tafili-Arnett explained how growing up she was teased about not being smart enough, which led to her working harder on her assignments. When she began talking about pursuing law, she said some people told her it would not take her anywhere. “But I’m grateful,” said Tafili-Arnett about these comments, “because from those experiences, I am who I am today with the help of my professors, my family, my friends, my husband and especially my Heavenly Father who trusts me more than I trust myself.”
“[My patriarchal blessing] says if I pursue an education, and I do my best to stand in holy places, then doors of opportunities will open unto me … That’s a promised blessing, and I want all the blessings Heavenly Father promised me.” - Leilani Tafili-Arnett According to Tafili-Arnett, it was her mission president who suggested BYU–Hawaii and her professors who encouraged her to add many certificates. She said they believed in her abilities even when she did not.
“I have only the very best of things to say about Leilani Tafili. She is a model student who is kind, hardworking, incredibly intelligent and yet so humble,” said Jennifer Kajiyama Tinkham, an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Business & Government. “She knows how to uplift, inspire and serve, and she always does this with a smile.” Despite her motivation to study hard and get the best job she can, Arnett explained his wife does have her doubts at times. Participating in school field trips to Washington, D.C., and Thailand, as well as an internship at the attorney general’s office in Samoa, helped her gain confidence in her abilities, said Tafili-Arnett. “Back home, you don’t really talk about your accomplishments. A lot of people are humble enough they don’t share. They are not prideful like, ‘Oh, I did this.’ Sometimes, I feel like, ‘Oh, I’m not that good,’ but the trip really helped me [to see] I’m capable of doing great things.” Representing Samoa Tinkham traveled with Tafili-Arnett on a 2018 Washington, D.C. Practicum with the Political Science Department. “We selected 10 of the top students in our program, and had an in-depth learning experience visiting
