Chak Wong
We just had a day off on Monday, thanks to my hero Martin Luther King Jr. For that sake, I would like to quote him, he said, "I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists,... one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers." Brother King, what about my little yellow boys and yellow girls; and what about the brown kids? I knew that you cared about them and I would like to report to you, that we see them in TVA all the time holding hand. We are blessed to see that here in BYU-Hawaii.
Brothers and sisters, it is so wonderful to be here today. Standing in front of you is one of the most inadequate public speakers I know. In fact in my teenage years, my mother said that I had trouble ordering hamburgers from McDonalds; however, I pray that the Lord will prove that He speaks through the small and simple things. I have indeed prayed and pray now that His spirit will attend this devotional.
Today I want to discuss with you two principles of service. One of which has to do with holding hands as brothers and sisters. That will get some of you excited. Another principle teaches us that meaningful service and many rescues come from inconvenient efforts. Let me begin with a story told by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve.
"In 1979 we held in St. George our 20-year class reunion for Dixie High School. We had great high school years filled with state football and basketball championships and a host of other "hometown, USA" memories. Anyway, an effort was made to find current addresses for the entire class and get everyone to the reunion.
In the midst of all that fun, I remember the terribly painful letter written by one very bright--but, in her childhood, somewhat overweight and less than popular--young woman who wrote something like this:
Congratulations to all of us for having survived long enough to have a 20-year class reunion. I hope everyone has a wonderful time. But don't reserve a place for me. I have, in fact, spent most of those 20 years trying to forget the painful moments of our school days together. Now that I am nearly over those feelings of loneliness and shattered self-esteem, I cannot bring myself to see all of the class and run the risk of remembering all of that again. Have a good time and forgive me. It is my problem, not yours. Maybe I can come at the 30-year mark."
To Which, Elder Holland reported, "...she did."
What would you have done if you were there in the high school years of Elder Holland and had seen that girl? Would you say hi to her? Perhaps you would smile to her as you walk by. Or would you simply let it be? Oh, I know, I should do both hi and smile. That is good, but we can always seek for better and best as students of BYU-Hawaii.
President George Albert Smith set 11 "personal creed" or resolutions at the age of 34, the first and foremost he wrote, "I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor." I was astounded to find that many goals on that list have to do with serving others and not particularly about his personal growth, and of all those he chose to serve the friendless first. True Latter-day Saints, and especially any Seasiders, should follow this model.
"A faithful friend is a strong defense." (A faithful Friend is a strong defense, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Devotional) Let us be the defense, and become a true friend of the friendless. If you see them as your friends, brothers and sisters, you will do more than a smile, you would invite them to your circle of friends. You would invite them to your activities and parties. You would give them birthday presents. You would come to love as Jesus has taught you.
Second principle: True service almost always requires inconvenient efforts. We are blessed with many service opportunities here on campus, thanks to church leaders, service center workers, clubs and chapters, and BYUHSA service department. (Inconvenient Messiah, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Devotional)
I too, feel honored and blessed with many opportunities to serve. Among all of my service experiences, my favorites have been missionary visits and home teaching appointments. These visits help me feel of God's love for His children. In one occasion I was at a home teaching appointment with a brother who was preparing for his mission. I will call him Brother A. Brother A has expressed his concern of going on a mission. His family members were against such decision because they are not of our faith and he felt like he had lost the fire within him to do so. I shall never forget the clear message I felt from the Holy Ghost that God loved Brother A and I was there to help him regain determination to submit his mission paper. With God's help, I delivered the message to him. Both of us wept and he had agreed to fulfill his duties as a nineteen year old priesthood holder. Upon that upcoming Sunday, he turned in his paper and went on a mission shortly after. Unfortunately, neither home teaching nor any services we give to our brothers and sisters were designed to be convenient. It requires sacrifice of our time, talent, energy, money, entertainments and sometimes even our comfort to rescue souls.
Maybe we should be reminded that the sons of Mosiah served a 14-year mission; that Abinadi and Brother Martin Luther King Jr. were martyred for the freedom of others; that the apostles of old were persecuted for the sake of preaching the gospel; and most of all, that Jesus Christ came from the eternal world of comfort, who needed no punishment, was bruised for our sins, was spit upon, was cursed and crucified. And none of these were convenient for any of them. Then why should it be convenient for you and for me? Sacrifice of some kind must be made for the gain of another; this is a true economic principle.
Brothers and sisters, we have a dream! A dream that students of BYU-Hawaii will become of one heart and mind, and that there will not be any poor among you, whether in wealth or in spirit.
I bear you my witness. That I know Jesus is the Christ through the Holy Ghost. And that testimony is more true and sensational than what can be seen by sight; than what can be heard by ears; or than what can be felt tangibly. It is an overwhelming feeling that touches and electrifies every sense of a body. And I came to know that Christ was anointed from the beginning of time to be the savior of all mankind. He really did walk the earth of Bethlehem, Egypt, Judea and Galilee. He was than crucified on the cross of Calvary to atone for our sins, our ancestors' and our children's. He was resurrected and walked the land of the Nephites and many other places. He lives and leads the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. And He loves you.
Mandy Leuluai
Last year Chase, Chak and I had the opportunity of presenting to Sister Hippolitte-Wright. After the presentation she congratulated us and gave gratitude for what we had been doing. Before we left the conference room she paused and with much love asked us a genuine question. A question, I am sure, that in many forms or another have been asked by most if not all of our leaders. "How are the students?"
President Monson has stated, "I believe that the greatest lessons we'll learn in this sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. And what is most important almost always involves the people around us." That simple question was challenging to me. It felt like a daunting task to know how all the students were doing. The words of Jacob echoed in my ear, "Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all..." (Jacob 2:17)
I began slowly finding out about the students and learning that great lesson spoken of by our dear Prophet. The feelings of being overwhelmed of not knowing how to answer that question from one of our leaders was replaced by knowing too much of what was going on and not knowing how to properly deal with it or if I should deal with it at all. I was left with the question "Am I my Brother's Keeper?"
What is our responsibility and are we our Brother's Keeper?
I hope that as we contemplate the answer we would give to this question we would consider those sitting next to us, and the silent battles that each of them might be facing.
As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to seek for those in need and give a helping hand. We are commanded to "bear one another's burdens" and "comfort those that stand in need of comfort." (Mosiah 18:8-9) "To succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." (D&C 81:5)
We are surrounded by those in need of our love, our attention, our encouragement, and our kindness. They might be our roommate, friends, classmates, professors or even strangers. We might have reason to say that we are too busy, that they don't need our help or that someone else will help them.
Last semester my roommate was burdened with concern and even a bit of disappointment with an experience she had on a bus ride home. On that ride home she was reading the Book of Mormon, which caught the attention of another passenger. She could tell that he was interested in what she was reading and so she began speaking with him. She found out that he was an inactive member and was able to bear her testimony only long enough to know his name and notice he got off at pounders beach. She was burdened with the feeling of not doing enough so she began asking friends for their opinion. They all said yes that she had done all that she could do to help him it was enough. She wasn't satisfied with what she had done so she came to me for my opinion. I asked her what she wanted to do. She said she wanted to find him. So we planned for the next day to go and look for him. We decided to ask a priesthood holder to accompany us and off we went in search of Bruce. We offered a prayer and began to scan the beach and water in search of him and even asked some of the locals if they knew of him. They directed us to a secluded area of what looked like clusters of bushes where homeless people live. We got up to the area and started looking for him. We found tarps used for cover, food utensils and empty food wrappers but there was no sign of Bruce. We didn't find him that day but a lesson was learned. We are our Brother's Keeper.
As our brother's keeper it is not "enough" to merely know one another's name, although that is a very important step. We must be familiar with all. We must understand our role and obligation to the Lord and His work to help others on their way. Each individual here is too important to merely pass by and think that someone else will help them or that we are too busy and they aren't worth our time. Each person here is our brother or sister. Each person here completes the family picture. Each person here needs to be accounted for. We are to be our brother's keeper.
As we look around us it is very apparent that there are innumerous differences that might tempt us to believe that we can't really help one another due to these differences. At times I have found that shamefully I have backed down to the call of helping someone and failed to because of differences in culture, language and interest. In those times I assumed that someone close to them will help them because they would know how to.
We are at a University where over 70 different languages are spoken and where there are over 2400+ individuals, who all look, act, speak and dress differently. If we are to truly be our brother's keeper we are to acquaint ourselves with all nationalities, languages, personalities and accept them, even with differences, as our brothers and sisters. We are to open our circles better yet we are to get rid of them.
Last semester a coworker and I met with a cherished friend of ours. During this meeting with this friend we hoped to discuss ways on how we can improve a particular area in BYUHSA. Ways of improvement were discussed but the agenda soon changed when personal concerns of this individual came up. With tears and sadness she began telling us of how she was bullied in High School because she was different. She was excited to come here to BYU-Hawaii to seek refuge. Tears began streaming even quicker as she said that the bullying behaviors followed her but in a lesser extreme. She even went on to say that she might not return. She was comforted and reassured of the importance of her in our lives. That day she became our little sister.
Elder Wirthlin spoke what of these differences might cause to someone, "they feel as though they don't belong. Perhaps because they are different, they find themselves slipping away from the flock. They may look, act, think, and speak differently than those around them and that sometimes causes them to assume they don't fit in. They conclude that they are not needed."
Yes they might be different but each person here is needed. I firmly believe that none of us are here by chance and so we must care for one another. As Seasiders and attendees of this University we seek to bring to fulfillment one of the purposes of this school spoken of by President McKay to be men and women with noble characters. I believe that the development of our characters has a lot to do with the people around us and how each of them is treated. We are our brother's keepers. My friends I invite all of you to become acquainted with all of your brothers and sisters here at this University. If that seems like an intimidating task as it is, start with introducing yourself to the person sitting next to you here, in the cafe, in the library or even in your classroom.
In conclusion, Sister Hippolitte-Wright I would like to give to you and to President Wheelwright and all here a report on how we the students are doing. Amid our struggles, insecurities, busy schedules and weaknesses we are preaching the gospel, comforting those that are need of comfort, fellowshipping one another and being a friend. We are beginning to learn of one another. We are here at this University establishing peace with those that we otherwise might be estranged with in our homeland. We are all participating in the fulfillment of prophecies of this school in preparation to influence the world in establishing peace.
Now to you my friends how can we more boldly reply that yes, I am my brother's keeper.
First to those who might be burdened with homesickness, loneliness, heartache, sin, disappointment, stress and any other burdens that may exist in your lives at this time I testify of our Savior Jesus Christ. His Atonement is real. He answers boldly, lovingly and without any reserve that YES, I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER!
Brothers and sisters I so testify that as we become more acquainted with one another regardless of where we come from or how we look we will likewise with the Savior say YES, I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Christopher Chase Carlston
It has been almost two years since I started working in the BYUHSA presidency. Each year we have the opportunity to speak at devotional and this is my second time. I want you to know that we have put a lot of thought into what has been and will be said today. We are allowed to speak about anything we want. That means this topic means a great deal to us and, as your student body representatives, we hope it means a great deal to you too.
The title of our devotional comes from the story that I want to share with you today. It is about two brothers: Cain and Abel.
Both brothers bring offerings unto the Lord. Cain brings fruit from the ground, and Abel brings the firstling of his flock. The Lord is displeased with Cain's offering and pleased with Abel's. Cain becomes angry and kills his brother in his anger.
Afterwards, the Lord comes to Cain and asks, "Where is Abel thy brother?" Cain replies, "I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?"
Wow. I am speechless just thinking about that response. "I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?"
Do we have the responsibility to watch out and care for each other? Is it our job to look out for the kid sitting next to us in stats class, the testing center, the cafeteria, or EXS 177 with Donna Chun?
YES! We are our brother's keeper! And it is our responsibility to look out for one another!
Thinking back to what Cain said, I feel a little ashamed. There have been times in my life when I have said, "Oh, Bob's not my problem. Besides, he has close friends. If not, he has his family, or his bishop and his home teachers. They will take care of him."
Maybe we have all had those thoughts or feelings. It's probably normal, right? We are inclined to have these thoughts; it is natural. But Mosiah taught that the natural man is an enemy to God. We are here in this mortal life to over come that natural man. That is the test. In the Pearl of Great Price, we read what the Lord said in Abraham's account of the creation: "We will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them."
I know someone who had a pretty rough time keeping the commandments throughout his life: my brother. At an early age he became mixed up in drugs; even so, he tried his best to do what he knew was right. Three years ago, two of my best friends came to me with worried looks on their faces. They told me that my family had been trying to get ahold of me. My brother had passed away. I caught the next flight home. The funeral was the next day in Park City, Utah. There were so many people there. People who somehow found out about his death and, in a moment's notice, flew to Utah. My brother had a tough time keeping the commandments, but he knew how to be his "brother's keeper." That is why all those people where there. Each and every one of them had a story of how my brother helped them.
I am not saying, "Go do drugs but help out your fellow man." No. That is not what I am saying. If you want to be your brother's keeper, first be an example to him. God gave us commandments and we are to obey them. There is no leniency on that.
The reason I tell this story about my brother is because he understood that the worth of every soul is great. The most valuable lesson that my brother taught me, and I feel indebted to him for it, is that salvation is not just about me; it is about everyone. If you think that you will be saved by keeping all of the commandments but never helping anyone else, then you will be rudely awakened when you are standing in front of those pearly white gates at the entrance into Heaven. In D&C 18:11, the Lord instructed Joseph, "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."
God said the same thing to Moses: "This is my work and my glory:to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."
That is His sole mission, to bring each and every one of His children back to Him. If you think He is going to be happy to see you:which He will be, extremely happy:think about how much happier He will be when you bring others with you.
How can we bring others with us? This leads me back to the statement I expressed earlier: the comment about bob and how he is not my problem. Maybe Bob does not have close friends, or maybe his close friends are not really friends at all. Maybe his family is too far away and he cannot talk with them. Well, we aren't far away. We can be his friend. Here on our campus there are kids from all over the world.
We cannot let cultural differences create a barrier between us. I do not mean you have to hang out with people from other cultures every day. Learn more than just a name or two of people who are not from the same country as you are. We all need to be friends. There are too many cultures and clicks that do not get along. This should not be. I know there is a history of countries, cities, and islands that do not get along, but in God's kingdom everyone gets along or you are not allowed in.
If you know any bullies, then please, someone, slap them. If you are a bully, slap yourself. Making fun of others is not okay. Sarcasm only hurts feelings. Never think that there are any exceptions. If you think that there are exceptions, then tell that to the increasing suicide rate.
Bishop Dean Ellis told me, "Pretend that 80 percent of people you are walking by in the halls are having a tough time in life, and you will probably be right." The prophet Mormon was described as "being quick to observe." Be like that! Observe people beyond your close friends and family. Be there for them.
If you are having a tough time or dealing with emotional depression then follow these same guidelines. I promise you that you will find an increase in happiness while serving others.
The last group of people I want to address are the wolves. In Alma 5:60 we read, "And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed." Let me describe what a wolf is. A wolf is someone who convinces "a friend" to smoke weed with them; it is someone who gets "a friend" to skip church with them, or someone who leads others into immorality. I could go on, but you know what the list is. If you are steering away the hearts of any of God's children, then let me warn you now: God will be sad when you do not come back to him, but he will be angry when he sees that you have also prevented others from returning.
Please, be an example. Please, be friends with everyone. Please, look out for one another. If you are not doing a very good job with one of these things, then it is time to change. It is time to start thinking about others. Salvation is not just about you, it is about everyone. Like my brother used to always say, "We can't all go back until we all go back."
I have a testimony in the Savior Jesus Christ. I know that He is the Son of God. We can be forgiven because of Him and we will also be rewarded because of Him. I am grateful for my testimony. It is my life. I am so grateful my wife who shares that same testimony. I pray that you will surround yourself with friends that are uplifting to you, and that you may be uplifting too. And don't forget, you are your brother's keeper.
References:
Mosiah 2:17
Genesis 4
John 13:34-35
Alma 5
D&C 18
Abraham 3:25
The Ensign, May 1988, The Great Commandment- Love the Lord
Mark A. Copeland's Sermon on Genesis 4:9, Executableoutlines.com