Campus Comment

Campus Comment: What do you think makes someone a good citizen?

BY HAILEY HUHANE

Damon Kumar, a recent graduate from Fiji said, “Being a good citizen is being responsible - not only for our own people but also taking care of the environment. Just picking up trash and putting it in a bin comes back to being a good citizen.”

Reymart Santiago, a junior from the Philippines majoring in business management, said, “I think a good citizen follows all of the laws of the land. I especially think it’s important to be good to other people.”

Skyler Rasmussen, a sophomore from California majoring in computer science, said, “I think someone who is a good citizen is someone who is involved to the best of their ability. Someone who reaches out to help others in their community and tries to be a positive force the best they can. Some have opportunities to do more than others, but as long as we’re trying our best to reach out to serve others and make a small difference here or there, to me that makes a good citizen.”

Lazr Lugo, a senior from the Philippines majoring in information technology, said, “If you respect the law and are a good law-abiding citizen, then that makes you a good citizen.”

DanielVi, a junior from Washington majoring in accounting, said, “A good citizen is a law-abiding citizen who is active in their community. Someone who is trying to better their community makes for a good citizen.”

Genuine Gold

Joyce Tan

BY SERENA DUGAR IOANE Joyce Tan, an alumna and former faculty at BYUH, is helping develop BYU-Pathway as part of her doctorate study. She said her husband and her want to be financial donors of BYUH in the future.

When did you attend BYUH?

“I attended BYUH from 1992 to 1995. I met my husband Peter Chan and had our first child at BYUH. I majored in TESOL and secondary education and minored in PE coaching because I love sports. I used to play tennis and [run] cross country for BYUH.”

What was your career and educational journey after BYUH?

“I am from Singapore, and my husband master’s degree in education leadership. is from Hong Kong. After graduation, “We both were hired as faculty at BYUH we went to Hong Kong. ... I started to and worked there from 2002 to 2008, work as a paraprofessional at American where we learned many important International School. things. It prepared us to help establish “After two years, my husband got into international schools in China. Now BYU in Provo’s instructional psychology we have two schools in Utah, where we and technology program. In the future, recruit international high school students we wanted to build a school, so I got my to study.”

What advice would you give to students at BYUH?

“Don’t be in your first-language bubble - tutor and learned many tangible skills. I rooming, eating, working with the same was also one of the pioneer students who nationalities. Instead mingle with others did an internship in Western Samoa in and improve your English. the TESOL Education program where we “Build your career from your college helped one Chinese lady to come to the years. When you are a freshman, it is gospel. okay to do hard labors, but do not do “I would also advise to never forget your that for four years. In your junior and main goal. Study hard first then work senior years, do major-related work and hard and play hard, which means have a obtain marketable skills in your chosen healthy social life participating in clubs, field. In my junior year, I worked as a wards and school activities.”

What special memories do you have from BYUH?

“We are both from humble backgrounds. My parents borrowed money to buy a one-way air ticket to send me to BYUH, and after that, no financial support. I was on my own and learned to work hard. “When I was a student, I created an American Sign Language club because of my two student schoolmates. Peter and I still hold it sacred in our hearts the mission statement of BYUH and try to be leaders for good internationally.”

How did attending BYUH build your testimony?

“I am a convert from a humble background. I saved up my own mission contribution for five years by being very frugal. When I came back from my mission, I did not have any money to go to school. “I made a covenant with God if He helps me to go to BYUH, I will serve Him for the rest of my life. I kept that promise. This gospel gives me so much hope. Through higher education, we can pull ourselves from generational poverty.”

What are your future goals?

“In the future, we want to be donors with master teachers to mold me to be a of BYUH to help students finish their better teacher. We have extensive network degrees without financial burden. We have connections with educators in China. been given much, so we are striving to “Our goal is to use our talents, abilities, serve and be courageous instruments in and connections to serve our Chinese God’s hands. The Lord blessed me people in the near future when we retire and go on our missions.”

What blessings have you seen from BYUH?

“We built wonderful friendships and developed love for cultures from our student and faculty years at BYUH. We are still in contact with some of our friends and students. I used to teach all levels of EIL classes and Book of Mormon classes. Those were great years of touching many lives. I see working at BYUH as a humbling and sacred calling.”

How do you help develop BYU Pathway?

“I wanted to do my doctorate degree and was wondering what I should study. I remembered how much I wanted to help develop the BYU-Pathway program. Then I was accepted into two different schools including BYU. I prayed and felt that I have to choose Johns Hopkins. “Currently, I am pursuing a doctorate degree online via Johns Hopkins University focusing on helping BYUPathway Worldwide international students improve their English language proficiency skills. “It’s been a very academically rigorous albeit supportive nurturing online environment. For now, I am not holding any position at BYU-Pathway, but it is just my little payback time.”

Fortifying faith

While serving in the Korean War, President Russell M. Nelson encountered individuals whose examples, he said, carried him through the war and fortified his faith in God

BY HAILEY HUHANE

In her book, “Insights From A Prophet’s Life,” author Sheri Dew recounts President Nelson’s service in the Korean War and the moments that led to his decision to serve in the military.

In 1951, as the Korean War continued, President Russell M. Nelson’s career as a heart surgeon was reaching new peaks. His pioneering efforts in heart surgery and invention of a compact heart and lung machine allowed the first openheart operation on a human being, Dew explained in her book. The U.S. Army’s need for doctors increased during the war, and Nelson took it upon himself to enlist in the Army.

Soon after enlisting, Nelson received orders to report to Asia, first to Japan and then to Korea, where he became part of a four-man surgical research team member. In an interview with Heidi Greenberg at the University of Utah in 2015, he said, “I went into the Army in March, and in June I went over to Korea and started out right at the front lines, at the battlefront where cannons were firing.”

Nelson and his fellow researchers visited every M.A.S.H. (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) unit on the Korean Peninsula. Though faced with challenging circumstances, President Nelson said he was touched by his interactions with his fellow comrades.

He found strength in those he served beside and was blessed with spiritual experiences that shaped him and strengthened his faith in God. 10 10 KE ALAKA’I President Russell M. Nelson served in the U. S. Army for two years. Photos courtesy of ChurchofJesusChrist.org

“Don’t worry about me, Brother Nelson, for I know why I was sent to the earth - to gain experiences and work out my salvation. I can work out my salvation with my mind and not with my legs.”

-A Latter-day Saint and soldier

One instance took place when the M.A.S.H. unit Nelson was assigned to came under attack. Dew explained in her book that Nelson and Dr. Fiorindo Simeone spent most of their night in a foxhole and prayed together that their lives would be spared. Although the two doctors had different religious beliefs, Dew said, “Their combined faith was a boon to both that stressful night.”

On another occasion, Nelson was asked if he would be willing to see a fellow Latter-day Saint young man who had been hit by a bullet in his spine. The young soldier had become paralyzed and would never use his legs again.

As Nelson was introduced to the young man, he thought of what to say to offer some words of comfort. Instead, the words of comfort came to Nelson from the young soldier. The soldier said, “Don’t worry about me, Brother Nelson, for I know why I was sent to the earth - to gain experiences and work out my salvation. I can work out my salvation with my mind and not with my legs.” In his autobiography, “From Heart to Heart,” Nelson said, “The faith of that young man has motivated me ever since.”

In the book “Russell M. Nelson: Father, Surgeon, Apostle,” by Spencer Condie, President Nelson tells of when he was given the opportunity to share the gospel while serving in the Army. Nelson worked alongside a nurse named Jane S. Poole at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Working closely with him, Poole said she began to

Above, President Nelson is pictured with Korean Ambassador Ahn Ho-Young and his wife, Seon Hwa Lee when Nelson received a medal of honor for his service during the Korean War. Photo by Elder Richard G. Hinckley. Below, Nelson and friends in a MASH unit in Korea pose for a photo.

wonder what set him apart from the other surgeons.

One day, Poole asked Nelson what Latter-day Saints believe. “She was like a sponge craving water,” he said. “She wanted to know more and more, so I gradually introduced the doctrine and concepts of the Church and suggested reading materials for her. It wasn’t long before she had converted herself, and I had the privilege of baptizing her.”

Poole was a divorced mother with a young son, George, who eventually served a mission in Australia.

To this day, Poole has remained strong in the Church and has continued to periodically send the Nelsons thank-you notes since her baptism more than 50 years ago.

Marisa Firth, a senior from Utah studying exercise sports science, said she was unaware of Nelson’s military service, but she said she believed his service helped prepare him for a life of service in the Church. She said serving in the military with people from different backgrounds would teach someone a lot about people and how they work. “You would learn how to become a cooperative team member as well as learn how to communicate efficiently amongst each other. I think that ties into the Church organization - a big group of people coming together with assignments and working together.”

Graphics by Bruno Maynez

Alayna Nichols, a sophomore from California studying graphic design, pointed out the similarities between serving your country and serving God.

She said, “I think war and being in the military is a very human experience. We have several examples of warrior prophets in the Book of Mormon as well.

“Feeling a sense of duty and defending your cause with obedience and discipline [is] an important aspect of being in the military and also in being a dedicated disciple of Christ who’s willing to serve.”

Tongan and Samoan students say their families are overjoyed by the two new temples and their ancestor’s prayers have been answered BY CARLENE COOMBS

Photos from Church Newsroom

BYU–Hawaii students from Tonga and Samoa discussed how new temples announced in their countries brought joy to them and their families because they will make temple attendance easier. The new renderings of the temples, they said, also fit the island lifestyle.

“My goal is to save up and go back for the [American Samoa Temple] dedication and be able to see the smiling faces of the people and how blessed they are to be able to have a temple,” said Anna Fogava, a junior from Samoa majoring in hospitality and tourism management.

On Aug. 14, the Church Newsroom released the exterior renderings for the Neiafu Tonga and Pago Pago American Samoa temples, which were announced by President Russell M. Nelson during the April 2019 General Conference. Dates for the groundbreaking of the temples have not been set yet.

Both temples will be single-story and approximately 17,000 square feet, according to the Church Newsroom. The

Graphic by Bruno Maynez

Pago Pago, American Samoa Temple

Pago Pago American Samoa Temple will be the first temple built in American Samoa.

Lina Pongi, a sophomore from Tonga majoring in TESOL, said she was in California when they announced the new temple, which will be built on the island where she was raised.

“I called my mom and my dad, and everyone started crying and was overjoyed because we finally get to have the temple, and it’s very close. From my grandma’s house, it’s a 2-minute walk, and from our house, it’s less than a 7-minute drive.”

Pongi said church members living on Neiafu save money all year to travel to Tongatapu, where the current temple is, and many can only afford to attend the temple once a year.

“It’s not an easy thing to travel over to Tongatapu and go to the temple because it’s very expensive to travel from Neiafu,” she said.

Nane Kaulave, a junior from Tonga studying social work, said although she is from Tongatapu and has a temple nearby,

she has seen the sacrifices members make to travel to and attend the temple.

“I don’t feel like [the new temple] would affect us other than making us feel happy for our members and family who are in Neiafu. I’m just glad for them.”

Fogava said church members in American Samoa wondered when a temple would be built on their island, but Fogava said she didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

“I knew in my heart that one day there would be a temple built [in American Samoa], but I didn’t expect it would be this soon. … That morning when the prophet announced it, I was shocked. But in my heart, I was overjoyed. And at the same time, I was overwhelmed. … I was very emotional that morning.”

Fogava, a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 20 years, said she had learned the temple’s value and importance. “It’s so rewarding to be able to see [the new temple] and be part of something our ancestors … were praying for to happen.”

Rowanne Ajawas, a junior from Samoa majoring in Pacific Island Studies, shared Samoa’s new temple will be a great blessing because the current temple is not big enough for all the members who attend.

“[The Apia Samoa Temple] is always packed, and they always have to divide it. And most people aren’t able to make it to sessions. So it is a great blessing.”

Ajawas added this new temple will bring an opportunity for Western Samoa members to increase their temple attendance instead of relying on members from American Samoa to fill the temple.

Fogava said she initially thought the temple designs looked like an ordinary chapel but quickly realized the simple design fits the islands.

“I was looking at [the renderings] for another 10 minutes and changed my perspective and saw [the temple] as it is, the House of the Lord.”

Pongi said she likes the new temple’s exterior designs and noted how both temples are similar in design.

Neiafu, Tonga Temple

“My goal is to save up and go back for the [American Samoa Temple] dedication and be able to see the smiling faces of the people and how blessed they are to be able to have a temple.” -Anna Fogava

Leading through the Spirit

Steve Tueller says serving with Married Student Stake leaders and members has been a blessing

By Serena Dugar Ioane

BYU–Hawaii Administrative Vice President Steve Tueller has also served as the Laie Married Student stake president since March 2017. He shared how his calling has helped him to be a better leader and disciple of Jesus Christ. He also shared how he has helped to strengthen his stake through revelations and setting specific goals.

The spiritual magnifying the secular

Tueller shared being a stake president helps him to magnify his work as a vice president of Administration. “I am aware of the resources the school has to help students – who are also members of my stake,” he said. He noted interactions with student members and their bishops help him understand the challenges and frustrations students have and allows him to help the administration understand how some decisions are not as helpful as they thought they would be. “It is not always easy to change things, but knowing about the problems allows us to try,” Tueller explained. “I think this perspective has helped me contribute as a vice president in ways I may not otherwise be able to.” BYUH Academics Vice President John Bell said, “I met President Tueller almost

Tueller, pictured with his wife, Laurie, said his experience as a stake president helped him as vice president at BYUH too. Photos provided by Steve Tueller six years ago when I first came to work at BYUH. We have worked closely together since that time. He was also my bishop for about a year before becoming the stake president over the Married Student Stake. “From President Tueller, I have learned to always try to do what is right. He is a wonderful example of a principled life,” Bell stated. “I admire him for his firmness and his consistency. He knows how to be firm and compassionate at the same time.” Quoting the Church Handbook, Tueller said, “Being a faithful disciple in order to help others become faithful disciples is the purpose behind every calling in the Church.” He said being a stake president allows him to see people’s faithful efforts in areas within the Church. Tueller explained, “It is inspiring to see how people exercise their faith in Jesus Christ by making sacrifices to serve. Seeing the faith of others grow also Graphics by Bruno Maynez helps my own faith grow.”

Tueller, pictured with counselors Maurice Mo’o and David Bybee, who both also work at BYUH, says working with Married Student Stake members, they have been able to increase family history and temple work. Strengthening Zion’s stake gratifying since there is so much work to He said his stake has also made some

Tueller said he tries to make be done in that area.” progress in holding consistent self-reliance improvements by setting specific goals. Merlin Paul Waite, bishop of the courses and English Connect courses for One thing he has done is encourage stake Laie Married 4th Ward, said, “President the spouses of students who need help members to memorize “The Living Christ, Tueller is one of those kind, humble, and learning English. The Testimony of the Apostles.” He shared wonderful men. I knew our stake was in Tueller shared he and his team helped many people were able to do it, and those good hands when we first met. Since he organize the Virtual Bishop’s Storehouse who did not finish at least were able to became the stake president, he has helped that allows needy members to order food memorize many essential truths about our our stake members become more temple and pick it up at the Laie Hawaii North Savior. active and self-reliant.” Stake Center twice each week rather than He also shared when members Tueller shared due to the demo- drive to the Kalihi Storehouse. come for temple recommend interviews, graphics of his stake, they cannot do they have family history workers with much missionary work within the stake Leading through revelations computers ready to help with family boundaries. However, when he learned Tueller shared he often feels the history while they wait. “This simple the Temple Visitors’ Center sisters teach inspiration of the Holy Ghost as he serves. change has helped generate many names individuals remotely, it gave him the idea to It has made him realize over and over again for temple ordinances,” he noted. start reaching out via technology to friends this is the Lord’s work, and he is actively

Tueller said he is pleased with the and family of the members worldwide. directing it. progress they have made in temple and “We are not as good as we are going “One of the first impressions I family history work and missionary work to get at this yet, but we are much better received after being called was that our among members of the stake. According organized than we have ever been to members needed to get prepared for to Tueller, the number of names submitted make this work well,” Tueller said. “I am emergencies,” Tueller said. “Sometimes, to the temple for ordinances from his very enthusiastic about the direction our Continued on page 16 stake increases each year. “That is really missionary effort is headed.”

these emergencies are felt by everyone, such as hurricane and tsunami warnings, COVID-19, etc. and sometimes they are more individualized, such as illness, difficult pregnancies, etc.” He highlighted the importance of preparedness for emergencies. “Having extra food and other supplies on hand is a great blessing, even if all it does is prevent you from having to stand in line at Costco to buy toilet paper, being prepared is worth it,” he shared.

According to Tueller, the main reason he worked to bring a Bishop’s Storehouse to Laie was so his stake members could get a short-term food supply for emergencies.

“It is often hard for students to buy enough food to make it week to week. So buying extra food is difficult for them,” he added. “If a disaster comes, we want our members to be prepared and be able to help others if necessary.”

Tueller said the most dramatic revelation for him has come while working with individual members. “I have had some really wonderful experiences feeling the Lord directing me how to seek out and to help specific individuals,” Tueller commented. “I also love the direction I feel when selecting a new bishop to serve. I have found that if I am patient and willing to put in the spiritual work, God will make it very clear whom He has selected to serve.”

Lessons from the calling

Tueller highlighted he has learned many lessons from his calling. “I could spend the whole day talking about what I have learned from this calling,” he said. “I have learned the Lord yields multiple results from a single transaction. I think most of what He does is designed to bless multiple people at the same time.”

Tueller says with the support of his wife, Laurie and all the others who serve in stake and ward callings, together they have been able to get things done. Photo provided by Steve Tueller

He said God might call someone to serve in a calling, and the person serves and blesses many others. “But they are also blessed themselves as they serve. Their families are blessed in their absence,” Tueller explained. “Children of those who serve and those who are served are blessed by the increased faith of their parents.”

Tueller has also learned the importance and value of priesthood keys. “These are real, and there is heavenly power connected to them. I have seen it in others, and I have felt it myself.” He said he also has learned the Lord truly does speak through his prophet and studies all the general conference talks President Nelson has given. “There are over 90 of them, and all are very helpful, but his talks since being called as the prophet are packed with treasures of truth and practical principles that will make our lives so much better if we will apply them.” Waite said, “I admire his willingness to serve everybody and kindness. I learned to be humbler and read scriptures at a deeper level from him.”

Tueller said the most powerful lesson he has learned is that people’s testimonies and faith must be nourished every day. “Too many of us are living on borrowed light – borrowed from others or borrowed from a time we served as missionaries when we were living in a way to receive more light. Some call this ‘the memory of a testimony,’” Tueller commented.

Tueller explained people’s spirits need daily nourishment as much as their bodies do, and if they do not give it the attention it needs, their faith weakens and leaves them spiritually vulnerable.

Tueller believes the most important attribute of being a good leader is humility.

He quoted from Doctrine and Covenants 136:32-33, “Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear. For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite.”

Tueller explained, “This tells me that if we are humble, God will teach us to be an effective leader.”

Support from others

Tueller said his fellow servants, including his counselors, high councilors, clerks, executive secretaries, bishops, Elders Quorums and Relief Societies, Primary workers, and ministering brothers and sisters, do all of the heavy lifting in a stake.

“I am in a calling that cannot be successful without the consistent help of others. Today, we have a fabulous group of wonderful and spiritual leaders who are on loan to us from the family stakes,” Tueller commented. “It is a sacrifice for all of them and a great blessing to the Married Student Stake.”

Tueller also said his wife, Laurie, has been supportive in every calling he has had. “She is very forgiving of the time I have to spend and helps make my life rich by the thousands of little things she does on a regular basis to bless me and support me. We both know very well that I am less effective without her support.” Josephine Nakalatia, a junior from Laie majoring in psychology, said, “President Tueller is a great leader. I have interacted with him a few times since being called to the Relief Society Presidency in my ward, but he always gives off a really positive and kind vibe.” Nakalatia continued, “My daughter and I go for walks in the morning as part of our daily routine, and a few times, we have run into President Tueller. Although I’m sure he is very busy and probably doesn’t remember my name, he always makes an effort to smile and say Hi. It’s the small things that truly matter, especially during this pandemic, where we are reduced in ways we can serve each other and interact.”

“It is not always easy to change things, but knowing about the problems allows us to try. I think this perspective has helped me contribute as a vice president in ways I may not otherwise be able to.” -Steve Tueller

A member of Tueller’s stake Josephine Nakalatia said she often goes walking in the morning with her daughter and sometimes runs into President Tueller. She says he always smiles and says Hi to them.

Graphics by Bruno Maynez

The Lord will prepare a way

Students share during the pandemic personal revelation gave them hope and peace, helped them make decisions, and overcome personal problems

BY BROOKE GURYN

Students shared how the Lord had prepared ways to get through the pandemic even before it happened. They said the invitation from the prophet, Russell M. Nelson, to “hear Him” has opened doors to receiving personal revelation during this time, and the revelation to create gospel-centered homes and incorporate “Come, Follow Me” have confirmed God’s divine help.

“The prophet shared the message ‘#HearHim,’ and he mentioned during this time, we need to listen and to hear Him,” said Shantall Morales, a junior from Mexico studying psychology. “I remember this video came out just before the pandemic. I loved it because it was relevant to my life at that time, but since this pandemic, it has been essential.”

She added, “I feel revelation during this time has been drastic for me. I’ve prayed, and I have received guidance. The answers are often very clear. I have noticed that for a lot of people.”

Gaby Amaller, a junior from Canada studying cultural anthropology and human resources, shared President Nelson’s revelation to establish “Come, Follow Me” confirmed to her he is being led by the Lord.

“The revelation came before to prepare us as members and disciples of Jesus Christ so we can endure this time and reinforce our testimony of the plan of salvation.”

Personal revelation

During the 2018 mission leadership seminar, Elder David A. Bednar shared lessons about the spirit of revelation. He said, “Defined most simply, revelation is a communication from God to His children on the earth and is one of the great blessings associated with the gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.”

Amaller shared she had originally decided to stay in Laie, but after prayerful consideration and running into her stake president, she decided quickly to book a flight and fly home the next day.

She recalled after saying her goodbyes to her friends leaving for New Zealand and Sweden, Amaller said she felt she wouldn’t be seeing them for a while. She said the following day, she went to Tita’s Grill, where she saw the YSA 1st Stake president, Kingsley Ah You.

She said, “He came rushing into Tita’s to check in on his business. I didn’t even know that was his business, and I just walked up to him, not thinking twice, and I asked him for a blessing. He gave me a blessing right there at Tita’s Grill.”

Amaller said shortly after she received the blessing, she felt that she needed to leave the island and started packing and bought a ticket for the next day.

She went back to Canada and, shortly after, she explained, left for Utah with her

“The Lord has taken care of everything. I can see why no doors were opened because there was something bigger coming.”

- Gaby Amaller

brother. “The crazy thing is I really feel I am here because this is where God wants me to be. I didn’t have my dream plan fulfilled, but I have had incredible moments that were able to confirm I was supposed to be here in Utah.”

She said she had trouble finding a job but later got an opportunity to work with a professor in her major. “The Lord has taken care of everything. I can see why no doors were opened because there was something bigger coming.”

Eve Gonzales, a senior from Texas studying accounting, shared she was trying to figure out where she should be and which internship to take as her graduation approaches.

“I felt a confirmation I wasn’t going [on my internship] when my bishop called me to be a Relief Society president here in Laie. I wanted to cry because I knew I wasn’t going to be getting the internship I had applied for. I was still hoping and praying for it.”

She recently received the news she did not get the internship, but she said it didn’t even phase her because she knew God had another plan.

The path to healing

Morales said the Lord prepared a way for her to heal during this time, as she was struggling emotionally and wasn’t facing her problems because she was so busy with her everyday life.

She added, “I didn’t have the time to think about my healing. I had school and work, and if I had free time, I would use it to go out with friends. When quarantine came, it was like complete silence. It was me with me and the Lord. It was me realizing, ‘Shantall, you haven’t overcome this. You need to heal. You need to face yourself. Don’t cover it with other things in life but instead heal it.’

“It has been a painful process. I had to realize there were traumas I was carrying, and insecurities and fears I wasn’t aware of because I was busy with life.

“They were coming out a lot. They came out in different ways like anxiety, depression and what a lot of people are facing in quarantine.”

She said quarantine is pausing the world so people can look inward and fix what needs to be fixed, and after this ends, they can push forward more powerfully.

“We really need to trust in the Lord. These are scary times, but they are very hopeful times too. There are opportunities to grow and be better than we have ever been, but we just need to put ourselves in His hands, and He will take us there.”

Ways to invite personal revelation

Elder Bednar taught, “We do not have to recognize at the moment that we are receiving revelation when we are receiving revelation. Simply be good. Remember and honor your ordinances and covenants. Just go and do your best, and you will be guided, blessed and become an instrument in the hands of the Lord to accomplish His purposes.”

Artwork by Hannah Manalang

He added, “The Lord often requires that we initially go and do without knowing why. Latter-day Saints cannot and should not wait for an explanation before acting because we have the sure promise of the Lord. ‘Blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more’ (2 Nephi 28:30).”

Gonzales said, “I have been trying to hear Him through increasing good thoughts and also acting when I receive a prompting.”

Amaller said, “I have prayed and showed humility and trust in God. Letting go of the fact that I do not have control over certain things, but I do have control over other things. I can make the most out of my time, put in the effort, and try to do things right. “I can do the small and simple things: church, reading my scriptures, reading a lot. I can try to see everything with an eye of faith and not with my temporal eyes but more with my spiritual eyes.”

Religious influence in politics and voting

BY SERENA DUGAR IOANE

Professors and students say being a good citizen goes hand in hand with being a good Christian

Political science professors Troy Smith and Line-Noue Memea Kruse, and students Leslie Harper and Anne Tobon shared how they value their rights to vote and how their Christian values shape those views.

Religious influence in politics

Troy Smith, a professor in the Faculty of Business & Government, said the United States Constitution recognizes an individual’s right to worship as one’s choice. “This includes the right to use one’s faith to make political decisions and even support or oppose policies in the public square.”

Smith explained how most major religions recognize patriotism is part of being a good human, which is what religion concerns itself with also. Patriotism is belonging to and valuing being a member of a political community. The duties and obligations that go along with citizenship are doing good services for the state. Smith said, “When done well, religion will help individuals be both ‘good humans’ and ‘good citizens.’”

Leslie Harper, a freshman from Canada majoring in supply chain operations, said his beliefs are the basis of how he conducts his life and views the world around him. He shared he has strong beliefs in the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so agency is important to him.

“Lucifer wanted to force us, but the Savior gave us agency. I struggle when I am told what to do. Instead, I like to make my own decisions with good guidelines,” Harper shared. “I want my government to reflect my religious beliefs, which is the core of my life.”

Smith added the Constitution prohibits the government from favoring one religion over another. “Although what this means is sometimes disputed, I think the history confirms that this does not mean religion, in general, should be separate from politics but that the government cannot favor any specific religion over any other.”

Importance of voting

According to Smith, voting is an essential component of being a responsible citizen in the United States because voting is how the government’s priorities are established. The greater the number of people who vote, the harder it is for corrupt people to commit electoral fraud, he said. “Thoughts and beliefs are insufficient to make one a good person. Actions and works are also required, and voting is one of those basic actions.”

Harper explained because of democracy, he has an opportunity to choose who will represent him at the governmental level. “Someone told me if I don’t vote, I do not have a right to

Graphics by Sadie Madriaga

complain. We don’t always get the people we want, but if we don’t vote, we are guaranteed that we won’t get them at all.”

Line-Noue Memea Kruse, an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts, said she sees the exercise of an engaged citizen through voting. “Oftentimes, I am amazed at the disastrously low percentage of registered voters who come out to vote in the United States.

“As a woman, I think of all the people who fought so hard for women to have the right to vote. This right was only enforced one generation ago. For years, women went through violence, intimidation, and political-voting disenfranchisement.”

Anne McCarrey Tobon, a senior from Laie majoring in anthropology, shared how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ prophets encourage its members to vote. “I believe it is good to vote. I vote every time when I have a chance.”

Tobon said she believes it is her responsibility and opportunity to share her opinions even though they are not always influential. “If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to say what is wrong or right because you don’t contribute either way. Through our good example, we can influence our country to be better.”

How to be a better voter

Smith said in order to become well informed about different candidates, voters should read multiple competing news sources. “There are very few good and unbiased news sources today. It is best to seek to be informed from multiple sources with competing viewpoints.”

Smith said he also follows individuals who have demonstrated a track record of commitment to truth, willingness to criticize their own side and non-ideological thinking. “For the politicians who are in office, we can look at their voting record to see how they vote and whether that matches what they say.”

Smith said the weakness of democracy is people will use the power of the vote to choose things that benefit themselves rather than the public good. Such behavior is selfish rather than good citizenship, and will be harmful to the state and polity, he added.

It is helpful to remember that the power of democracy is aggregating numbers to make important decisions, he said. “Do your best to be informed and make the right decision, but be grateful the fate of the world does not rest in your hands.”

A home-centered gospel

BYUH ohana share at-home church has blessed them individually and as families

BY HAILEY HUHANE

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 14 President Russell M. Nelson shared a message of hope and direction to individuals worldwide after the March 12 worldwide suspension of church meetings.

He said, “After prayerful consideration and with our deepest desire to be part of the solution to this challenge, we have recently made temporary adjustments to the way we worship and serve the Lord. ... Temporary changes in our normal routine may allow additional time to experience how precious home-centered gospel study can be.”

To heed the Prophet’s counsel, Church members worldwide transitioned to Sunday services at home. BYU–Hawaii students said this transition was both a blessing and a unique experience, adding they will remember it for the rest of their lives.

Ema and Conway Kaka, both BYUH alumni, said they found the transition to athome church to be a positive experience. Conway Kaka said, “We actually love it. Obviously, we feel that it was inspired. It’s been a good thing for our family.”

The couple recalled their first sacrament meeting at home with their extended family members.

Ema Kaka noted, “We were singing ‘Love at Home,’ and I looked around the room and thought how grateful I was that we got to have church together as a family and to have worthy priesthood holders carry out the sacrament.”

Conway Kaka added, “It was a very memorable experience to conduct that sacred ordinance in our house. It’s a reminder that next to the temple, the holiest place is your home. I really felt and feel that every Sunday.”

Students and alumni said having the sacrament at home and studying “Come Follow Me” with family and friends has strengthened them spiritually during the pandemic and helped them during this time of uncertainty. Photo by Olivia Tsan

Both Ema and Conway Kaka said having church at home affected their daily decisions and interactions. Conway Kaka said they are more focused on keeping the spirit in their home because it is also where they take the sacrament.

“I’d never think about having an argument in the sacrament room at church. It’s brought a new spirit and dynamic into our home for sure.”

Ema Kaka said having the “Come, Follow Me” manual as a guide was a blessing, and it deepened her love for the gospel and brought her family closer together.

She said, “They were very specific with what they wanted us to be teaching and learning in our homes. We’ve been very intentional about how we study the ‘Come, Follow Me’ manual both individually and as a family. It makes everything more unified.”

Siosilina “Lina” Polaapau, a junior from Tonga studying biology, said she had a unique experience living in the hales.

During the pandemic her ward shrunk and because of the small number of students, they have continued to meet every Sunday at the Stake Center for sacrament.

“There are only three girls left in our ward, so it’s just us and the bishopric. The boys do their own since they can administer the sacrament,” she said.

Since they are required to wear masks, Polaapau described how they are able to reflect on the hymns’ words instead of singing them.

Polaapau said she misses listening to her fellow ward members’ testimonies but said the “Come, Follow Me” manual helped her study the gospel more deeply.

Graphics by Bruno Maynez

“The ‘Come, Follow Me’ manual is a very helpful resource, especially during these difficult times. Each of us has the opportunity to feed ourselves spiritually and become fully converted into Christ’s gospel.”

Gerome Romero, a freshman from the Philippines studying biochemistry, shared his experience preparing the sacrament in the hales. Romero said when the lockdown began, the bishopric told them to prepare the sacrament on their own in their hale units.

Romero said this worked fine at first. “However, my unit mates started to return to their respective countries little by little. There was a time where I was the only remaining student in my unit. Thus, I needed to perform the sacrament on my own.”

Romero said blessing and serving the sacrament was difficult at times, but because of the help and support of the other students in the hale “every Sunday has become such a delight.”

Romero and his friends decided to meet together every week and found that their unified study of “Come, Follow Me” bound them together.

He shared, “Having these gatherings has helped us stay on track with the gospel and grow spiritually during this time of turmoil.”

President Nelson said, “I promise you that joy is always in the reach of everyone who will hear him and obey his laws. ... I love you, I pray for you and I promise that you will receive comfort and peace as you continue to hear Him.”