Sisters and brothers, Aloha!
Thank you for that musical number. That was lovely.
In their devotional last week, the Kauwes gave us clear invitations to act in faith as disciples of Jesus Christ. Sister Kauwe reminded us that our daily choices can invite the Spirit into our lives. [1] President Kauwe challenged us to “choose excellence” by being quick to observe and to righteously use our moral agency. [2] Today, I’ll extend additional invitations to act. I pray the Spirit will help each of us know when and how to act in faith as we strive to become like our heavenly parents.
I also know that President and Sister Kauwe have been called of God to lead our university at this important time. I’ve been fortunate to work closely with them over these last five years and can attest to their deep love for the Savior, for BYU–Hawaii, and for each of you.
A Divine Call to Action
Before I started working here, I spent the first 20 years of my career in fundraising and direct marketing. That meant I spent a lot of time writing calls to action—the clear, simple invitations that nudge someone to take the next step. Things like “Sign up today,” or“Click here,” or my all-time favorite, “Donate now.” It turns interest into commitment. I learned quickly that if you don’t give people a specific step to take, they rarely act. A message without a call to action may inspire for a moment, but it will not lead to change.
That principle applies spiritually, too, but in a much more meaningful way. Through His prophets, the Lord doesn’t just inspire us—He invites us to act. That’s why President Russell M. Nelson’s words are always so powerful—they are clear, direct invitations from God’s prophet on the earth today. They are divine calls to action, specific invitations to help us change what we think, how we live, and who we are becoming.
And in his most recent general conference talk, President Nelson gave us another direct call to action: to develop “Confidence in the presence of God.” [3] His bold and empowering invitation is that we can prepare for celestial glory now—by becoming the kind of person who feels confident standing in the presence of God.
President Nelson said, “We all will experience illness, disappointment, temptation, and loss. These challenges can knock our self-confidence. However, disciples of Jesus Christ have access to a different kind of confidence.” [4]
He goes on to detail six different ways we can have confidence in God. President Nelson said, “When I speak of having confidence before God, I am referring to having confidence in approaching God right now! I am referring to praying with confidence that Heavenly Father hears us, that He understands our needs better than we do. I am referring to having confidence that He loves us more than we can comprehend, that He sends angels to be with us and with those we love. I am referring to having confidence that He yearns to help each of us reach our highest potential.” [5]
I want to examine these statements from President Nelson one by one, reflect on what they mean for us, and suggest actions we can take as we strive to become better disciples of Jesus Christ.
First, be confident that you can approach God right now. I think it’s interesting to note that President Nelson emphasized the words RIGHT NOW. This confidence is something we can have today. He doesn’t say this is for a future date. Or after we’ve repented and are living more righteously. This is something you and I can experience today.
One of the most persistent lies the adversary whispers is that we have to “fix ourselves” before we can approach God. He tells us we’re not worthy, not righteous enough, not ready yet. Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, shared at the most recent general conference, "I’ve learned that if you wait until you’re clean enough or perfect enough to go to the Savior, you’ve missed the whole point!" [6]
The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches something far different. President Nelson emphasizes that confidence before God is not reserved for the future. It is available right now.
The Savior’s parable of the prodigal son reminds us that we don’t have to wait for a future moment to approach God. The younger son wasted his inheritance and had hit rock bottom. He returned home dirty, broken, and ashamed. “…But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” [7] The son didn’t wait until he had new clothes or money to repay his debt. He simply came home, and the father did the rest.
In our lives, we often think we need to reach a particular milestone before God will listen. We say to ourselves, “I’ll pray more once I’m doing better with scripture study,” or “I’ll turn to Him once I’ve stopped making mistakes.” Especially at this busy time in your lives, it’s human nature to want to procrastinate and put things off until next week, or when you get through this tough semester, or some other far-off date. But His invitation is always immediate. He is not waiting for a future version of you to love. He wants to hear from you now, in your current state, regardless of how inadequate you may feel.
My call to action for each of us is to take the first step toward a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father right now. Begin today. Be more consistent with your daily prayers. Spend more time at the temple. Or, if you don’t have a temple recommend yet, make an appointment with your Bishop to begin that process. The important thing is to start today.
Next, be confident that Heavenly Father hears you. Sometimes prayer can feel like a one-way conversation. We kneel, we plead, and then—silence.
Have you ever wondered, “Did He really hear me?”
President Nelson reassures us that He always does. Remember: the real question is not whether God hears us—it’s whether we are patient and humble enough to recognize His answers.
Enos provides a powerful scriptural example. He tells us he wrestled before God “all the day long” [8] and even into the night until he heard the voice of the Lord say, “Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee.” [9] His persistence in prayer was not about convincing God to listen; it was about preparing his heart to listen.
The story of Zacharias and Elisabeth shows this beautifully. For years, they had prayed for a child, but they had grown old, and the blessing had not come. One day, while Zacharias was serving in the temple, an angel appeared and said: “Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John”. [10] Their long years of prayer had not been forgotten. God had heard every word, and in His perfect timing, He answered by sending John the Baptist—the prophet who would prepare the way for Christ Himself.
Zacharias and Elisabeth’s story reminds us that even when others don’t understand, Heavenly Father does. Our heartfelt prayers are never wasted words. He hears every plea, every whisper, every silent ache of our hearts. Sometimes answers come quickly, as in Enos’s case. Sometimes they come after long seasons of waiting. But the assurance is the same: Heavenly Father always hears.
In my own life, I once prayed desperately for guidance about a very difficult decision I had to make. Days passed, then weeks, and I still felt no answer. But gradually, through impressions, through the words of others, and through quiet tender mercies, I realized He had been answering all along. His hearing was never in question; only my recognition was.
When answers seem delayed, we must remember silence is not absence. Sometimes God’s answer is “not yet,” sometimes it’s “not this way,” and sometimes it’s simply, “trust Me.”
Our call to action: This week, keep a simple prayer journal. Write down one thing you prayed for each night and watch over the following days and weeks to see how God answers—through impressions, scriptures, or even others’ words. General Conference is also just a few short weeks away and is a great opportunity to hear the voice of the Lord through His servants.
Now, let’s look at the next confidence President Nelson invited us to develop, which is to be confident that Heavenly Father understands your needs better than you do.
How often do we pray with certainty that we know what’s best? We ask for opportunities, for relief from trials, for specific blessings. But sometimes the answer is different from what we expect.
Or have you ever prayed for something and later realized you were asking for the wrong thing? Only in hindsight is it easy to see that God’s way was wiser.
Isaiah reminds us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” [11]
This week’s Come Follow Me lesson study of Doctrine & Covenants 102-105 discussed how “after much tribulation come the blessings.” [12]
When the Saints of Zion’s Camp set out for Missouri, they thought their greatest need was to reclaim their land and homes. That’s what they prayed for, prepared for, and marched hundreds of miles to accomplish. But just before reaching Jackson County, the Lord told Joseph Smith to disband the camp. To many, it felt like a failure. Yet in hindsight, we see that God understood their needs better than they did. He knew Zion’s greatest need at that moment wasn’t land but leaders. Many of those who walked with Zion’s Camp later became the leaders who guided the Church through Nauvoo and the trek west.
God’s answer looked different from what the saints wanted, but it was exactly what they needed. Likewise, when our prayers seem unanswered or redirected, we can trust that the Lord sees our future, knows our potential, and is shaping us for blessings greater than we imagine.
While I never experienced any sort of physical trial like these saints endured, hiking hundreds of miles with little food or water, I have experienced my own “disappointment, temptation, and loss.” [13] These trials have shaped me into someone who better understands God’s timing and trusts more fully in His purposes.
About 10 years ago, I remember applying for a job I really wanted. I prepared carefully and went through several rounds of interviews. I just knew that this opportunity was the right next step for my career. But when the call finally came, I didn’t get the job. At the time, it was disappointing and hard to understand. When I think about it now, I can see that Heavenly Father had something better in store. The very next time I applied for a position—the one that brought me here to BYU–Hawaii—it was the right opportunity, and I am so grateful He guided me here instead.
Looking back now, I can see that my time here hasn’t just been about a job. The mission of BYU–Hawaii is to prepare students to be disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in their homes, communities, and nations.[14] But I’ve realized that this mission has also helped to shape me. Being here has helped me become a better disciple of Christ. I’m far from perfect, but I try to be a little bit better each day. Some days are better than others. I’ve made temple attendance a regular part of my routine, and thanks to the example of many of you students, I now serve as a temple ordinance worker, and my husband and I are preparing to serve a mission at the end of the year. I’m several years away from retiring, and most people have wondered, “Why now?” But the impression to serve now is clear. I don’t think these habits, new opportunities, and blessings would have happened anywhere else.
Our call to action: The next time a prayer feels unanswered, instead of asking, “Why not?” ask, “What does Heavenly Father have in store for me?” Invite Him to help you trust His timing and purposes.
We also need to be confident that Heavenly Father loves you more than you can comprehend. One of the greatest truths we can ever grasp is that God’s love is personal, infinite, and unwavering. Paul testified in Romans that nothing—“…neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,” [15]—can separate us from the love of God.
But sometimes life makes us question that love. When we feel buried by stress, sin, or self-doubt, we may think, “God couldn’t possibly love me right now.” President Nelson counters that doubt by reminding us His love is beyond comprehension.
At general conference, Sister Tamara Runia shared something remarkable she and her husband did when they were mission leaders in Australia. I know we have several of President and Sister Runia’s missionaries on campus and some of you here today experienced what I’m about to share personally.
During their last visit with each missionary, they talked about 3 Nephi 17. They asked them, “If you could hear the Savior praying for you, what do you think He would say?” She continued, “Listen for that voice that says good things about you—the voice of the Savior, your finest friend, and your Father in Heaven, who is really there. Remember, Their love and your worth are always great, no matter what!” [16]
When we anchor ourselves in that love, everything changes. Fear gives way to faith. Shame gives way to hope. And courage replaces discouragement. Knowing you are loved so perfectly means you can walk forward with confidence, no matter what lies ahead.
Our call to action: When you have a quiet moment, write down one way you have felt God’s love. Think about if YOU could hear the Savior praying for you, what do you think He would say? Let that awareness drive out fear and fuel your faith.
Next, be confident that He sends angels to be with you and with those you love.
President Nelson testifies that angels are real and that they are near. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said, “In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil, and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection.” [17] This is especially reassuring as there are so many of us who are far from family or feeling the weight of life’s challenges
Sometimes angels are heavenly beings sent to protect, comfort, or guide. Other times, they are earthly angels—unit mates, professors, friends—who show up just when we need them most. Either way, God is actively sending help.
I’ve experienced this personally. There have been times when I prayed for strength and a friend reached out unexpectedly, offering exactly the encouragement I needed. Was that a coincidence? No. That was God sending an angel.
For those of you who are far from home, know that your loved ones are not alone. God sends angels to watch over them just as He sends angels to watch over you.
Our call to action: Pray each morning this week to notice the angels around you, and try to be an angel for someone else.
Finally, President Nelson asks us to be confident that He yearns for us to reach our highest potential. He is not satisfied with us staying as we are—because He sees who we can become. He doesn’t merely tolerate us; He actively lifts us.
Moses discovered this when God declared, “…thou art my son;”. [18] That revelation changed everything for him. Likewise, when we understand our divine identity, trials shift from feeling like punishments to becoming training exercises.
Let’s talk for a minute about personal growth and the parable of the talents. A rich nobleman heads out of town and decides to leave some of his money with three servants while he’s traveling abroad. The first employee gets five talents, the next gets two talents, and the last of the trio receives one talent. And since I know everyone here has heard this story before, I’ll skip ahead to the end.
“…he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord…I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth…
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant…Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents…And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness.” [19]
If you think about the one-talent servant, this was a severe penalty. After all, it’s not like he wasn’t careful with the money. Not even one cent was lost. But the master condemns the servant who was afraid to fail and did not try to increase what he had been given.
President Nelson has reminded us that the gathering of Israel is the most important work on earth today. Your time here at BYU–Hawaii makes you uniquely positioned to bless nations, communities, and families around the globe. Your potential is not just academic or professional but divine and global.
Our call to action: Set one new goal this semester that helps you become who God sees you can be—something that brings you closer to Christ. Something that will bless your family–and your future families–for generations to come.
To conclude, I’d like to share one final story. A few years ago, I had an experience that served as a wake-up call about how important it is to be spiritually prepared. Some employees will remember this too. It was January of 2018 when all of the phones on the island went off with a loud emergency sound and message that said: “Emergency Alert: Ballistic Missile Threat Inbound to Hawaii. Seek Immediate Shelter. This Is Not a Drill.”
In that moment, I wasn’t worried about my to-do list, the emails in my inbox, or the projects I had going on at work. My thoughts went immediately to my family and to my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I felt at peace because I knew my family knew I loved them. And I knew that I would be together with my family again after I left this earth.
President Nelson has reminded us that mortality is precious and short. Although that alert was sent in error, that morning, I learned in a very real way that we don’t know how many days we have left. But we do know that Heavenly Father yearns for us to use whatever days we are given to grow into our highest potential as His sons and His daughters.
So my final call to action today is this: don’t wait. Don’t wait until tomorrow to love more, to forgive more, to repent more, or to serve more. Take action today, while you have the gift of time. If we will do that, we can feel confident standing in the presence of God—whenever that day comes.
Sisters and brothers, I want to close by bearing my testimony that I know God lives because I have felt His blessings in my life.
I know Jesus is the Christ, and that He restored His church in these latter days, and that we are blessed by the teachings of our modern-day prophets.
I know President Russell M. Nelson is the Lord’s mouthpiece, our living prophet on the earth today. I am especially grateful for the gift of the Atonement, which allows me to try, and try, and try again to be a little bit better each day.
I know our Heavenly Father is ready to help each of us to become more like Him and stand before Him with confidence if we will only let him.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
[1] Monica S. Kauwe, “Living by the Spirit” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii devotional, September 9, 2025], speeches.byuh.edu
[2] John S.K. Kauwe III, “Choose Excellence” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii devotional, September 9, 2025], speeches.byuh.edu
[3] Russell M. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2025
[4] Russell M. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2025
[5] Russell M. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2025
[6] Tamara W. Runia, “Your Repentance Doesn’t Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2025
[7] Luke 15:20
[8] Enos 1:4
[9] Enos 1:5
[10] Luke 1:13
[11] Isaiah 55:8
[12] Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025, 224-227
[13] Russell M. Nelson, “Confidence in the Presence of God,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2025
[14] BYU–Hawaii Mission Statement
[15] Romans 8:38
[16] Tamara W. Runia, “Your Repentance Doesn’t Burden Jesus Christ; It Brightens His Joy,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2025
[17] Jeffrey R. Holland, “For Times of Trouble,” [Brigham Young University devotional, March 18,1980], speeches.byu.edu
[18] Moses 1:4
[19] Matthew 25:24-30