The power of an individual BYUH ohana share their dreams of changing their communities and countries. They say living the gospel and serving others is a way to bring about change one person at time. Graphic by Sadie Madriaga
BY SERENA DUGAR IOANE Members of the BYU–Hawaii ohana shared they believe everyone can make changes in their community and country if they are consistent. They said changing a country starts from influencing individuals, living the gospel and doing service. One person can create change Merlin Paul Waite, bishop of the Laie Married Student 4th Ward, said many times it only takes one person to begin to do the right thing for it to catch on with others. “Sometimes, they may have to do it alone for a long time until others catch up.” Waite shared he believes the best way to influence your country or community for 44
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the better is by doing service. “Everybody needs something spiritual, emotional or material. If you learn to serve them according to their needs, they will be in a better place and happier,” Waite added. “If everyone in the community is in a better place, the whole community will be better. If all the communities are better, the country will be better.” Marianne Uson, a junior from the Philippines majoring in accounting, said she strongly believes one person has the power to change their country because she has seen how certain individuals in the past have shaped the present and the future. Uson shared the goal of changing a country for the better becomes possible through an unwavering will to change it. She
believes steady and consistent efforts to change is key to achieving it. “It is not the first try we get rewarded for our efforts, but it is from the many times we have pursued it despite all the disappointments and failures we have faced,” Uson commented. “What matters is we have paved the way for the change we want to achieve.” Tatyana Lukov, an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education & Social Work, said everyone can make changes, and individuals with authority can make large-scale changes. Lukov explained, “If there is a righteous person who has power in a democratic society, he or she can do much better.” Otgontuya Tumursukh, a junior from Mongolia majoring in TESOL, said one person could influence a whole country. Still, she
