KEONI
Brothers and sisters, aloha mai kākou,
Miku, thank you so much for that musical number. It was an incredible demonstration of talent. I’m grateful that I felt the Spirit so strongly. I felt this testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ of the prophet, Joseph Smith renewed in me. I also thought it was amazing as to be such a talented musician and then have to play in a morning where the humidity is so intense that someone has to sit behind you and pull the keys back up. It’s pretty amazing. So, thank you for moving forward even under those difficult conditions. And that’s an important lesson for us all to think about. And I’m glad we saw that and noticed it. It’s really, really amazing.
It’s wonderful to be with all of you. I’m so grateful to see so many of you. This is what it should look like every week, every Tuesday. So, let’s all make sure that happens. We are happy to set up chairs down here and make it so that we’re closer together. Let’s make a deal, we’ll set up chairs down on the floor, if you promise to make it look like this every Tuesday, deal? Everybody on board with this? Yes? Okay? We got this? Okay, that’s the deal! We have an amazing devotional schedule ahead of us this semester. People that we have carefully and prayerfully considered that the First Presidency has approved. And it’s going to be an awesome semester. It’s best when you are here, when we are here, together. As Vice President Tejada said that unity that comes from gathering in devotional is truly a powerful, powerful thing for us here.
Monica and I love you dearly, and we are so grateful to be back together in this role serving with you.
Now, there’s a joke in Monica’s family about having an off day, or an off week. Then one of her brothers will always chime in and say, “Well, I’m having an off year.” And I would say that I've had a little bit of an off year.
Battling cancer this last year has been tough, and we have felt very blessed in the midst of that by you. The physical healing that I've experienced has been miraculous. Perhaps even more remarkable has been the peace and confidence that we have felt through these difficult times. We know that that comes in a large measure because of your faith, and your powers, and your prayers, and through the power of God. We are so deeply grateful for that.
MONICA
As you listen today, please be ready to write down impressions the Spirit gives you. Do not hesitate to use your phone or whatever way you can to make a note that works for you. Most importantly, please act on the direction you receive.
Today, I want to start by bearing simple testimony.
You are a child of God.
The plan of happiness that He prepared for you is real. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement are central to that plan and to your salvation and eternal happiness. I testify to you that we can have joy in this life, even in our deepest challenges, and that eternal joy and progression await us.
You are a child of the covenant.
As a covenant member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you have incredible blessings and promises from God. I testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ's true Church and that it is led by prophets, seers, and revelators who share with us the will of God. The covenants we make and the ordinances we receive in this life, starting with baptism and progressing toward the sealing ordinance in the house of the Lord, bring us important guidance, remembrance, and blessings.
You are a disciple of Jesus Christ.
As His disciple, you learn and practice His character and bless the lives of others with your actions. I testify that you have great capacity to bring Christlike love to the lives of everyone around you. And when you do that, you will have great joy in your own life and can bring happiness to others.
President Russell M. Nelson taught young adults that these three identities are our paramount and enduring identities. [1]
KEONI
I add my testimony, that knowing you are a child of God, and a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ brings great comfort. Jesus Christ lives, and applying His teachings in your life each day brings great blessings.
Whatever your background is, and however the gospel has blessed you to this point, as a student at BYU–Hawaii, you are the recipient of a very special blessing.
Think about this.
There are about three million college-age church members in the world. There are just 3,000 students enrolled at BYU–Hawaii right now.
You are one of a very small fraction of the Church’s young adults who has the privilege and blessing of being educated and enjoying the student-life experience here at BYU–Hawaii.
Much of the cost of your education is paid for by the sacred tithing of faithful Church members around the world, men and women who believe in God and believe in your potential to live and lead in Oceania and the Asian Rim. [2]
The Lord taught, “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious…” [3]
That verse invites us to see this opportunity through the lens of gratitude: gratitude for our Heavenly Father’s love and confidence in you; gratitude for faithful members of the Church; gratitude for faculty and staff at BYU–Hawaii; and gratitude for your fellow students who make this a place where you can build your faith and intellect, enjoy meaningful friendships, and perhaps even meet the person with whom you will build a joyful, eternal family through the sealing ordinance.
This gratitude will open your heart to the Spirit, and you will be given promptings about what the Lord would have you do with your talents and this special opportunity.
MONICA
You are at an age and a time in your life where you have more opportunity to discover and grow your talents and capacities than you likely will have at any other time in your life. You are blessed to be at BYU–Hawaii during this pivotal season.
There is no doubt that BYU–Hawaii is one of the best places in the world for you to develop your talents, your testimony of Jesus Christ, and your capacity to bless the lives of others.
BYU–Hawaii and other schools in the Church Educational System have the distinct advantage of being directed by prophets, seers, and revelators. That is not a small thing. For many years, our Board of Trustees has referred to BYU–Hawaii as the capstone experience for young members of the Church who seek to live and lead in Oceania and the Asian Rim. [4]
Many of you have been blessed and shaped through Primary, Sunday School, seminary and institute, FSY, Church schools throughout the Pacific, opportunities available through BYU–Pathway Worldwide, and training and service on full-time missions. Each of these has helped you become better disciples of Jesus Christ, emulating His character and attributes.
At BYU–Hawaii, you are surrounded by opportunities to elevate and refine those attributes you’ve developed throughout your lives. The degree you earn here is the figurative capstone for that training.
A capstone is a finishing stone placed to complete a complex piece of architecture. You might think of your BYU–Hawaii experience, and ultimately the degree you earn here, as a capstone resting on five pillars. [5]
The five pillars—each built upon the foundation of “the rock of our Redeemer,” Jesus Christ [6]—are faith, intellect, self-reliance, resilience, and leadership. Strength in these five pillars will help you become the person that our Heavenly Father wants you to be.
Faith
Here at BYU–Hawaii, you are working to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ, your testimony of living prophets, and your commitment to temple covenants.
Over the years, I have given several devotionals where I try to remind students how important it is to do the basic daily and weekly actions that build your faith and bring you closer to Jesus Christ.
Let me remind you of the simple practices that build faith: pray, study the Book of Mormon, and find ways to serve others each day. Honor the Sabbath day, attend your Sunday meetings, faithfully fulfill your calling, “…worshipping in the temple as regularly as circumstances permit”, [7] and observe the law of the fast each month.
You have heard this direction from me and from many others in your life many times. Some might call these “Primary answers.” They are the simple truths we learned as children in Primary, taught by loving teachers and reinforced through the songs we sang together.
Primary means first, foundational, or fundamental. The primary colors are an example of this definition.
Red, yellow, and blue; each color is simple, but together they create variety, beauty, and a picture greater than any one color could produce on its own.
In the same way, these primary answers to life’s questions, like prayer, reading the scriptures, keeping the sabbath day holy and attending our church meetings, have great power. The simple combination of these things can create faith, joy, a capacity to love and serve. They make life better and more beautiful for everyone around us.
KEONI
Your time here at BYU–Hawaii is an opportunity to take that foundation of “primary answers” and progress to efforts like:
- Seeking revelation through university devotionals every week is a great way to start that.
- Loving and serving others in Christlike ways.
- Worshipping and serving in the temple.
- And seeking a spouse with whom you can build a joyful, Christ-centered, eternal family.
These things will build your faith in Jesus Christ and deepen your appreciation for the counsel that comes from His living prophets. They will prepare you to rely on Jesus Christ and His power as you seek to be successful in all your endeavors and to overcome the challenges and trials of this life with joy.
Please remember what President Oaks has taught us: “Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice. It is a continuous commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and in all places.” [8]
Intellect
Here at BYU–Hawaii you are developing your ability to seek, recognize, and learn truth through both faith and intellect.
About a year ago, I was diagnosed with cancer, and I shared the following message about intellect:
I said, “I will benefit greatly from generations of scientists and physicians who have, in the words of President Russell M. Nelson, ‘… educate[d] [their] minds so that one day [they could] render service of worth to somebody else.’ I have an opportunity to heal and live because of their efforts.
“Please take control of your learning. You have the capacity to serve others in ways that will bless many lives in the future.” [9]
At the time that I shared this quote, I had no idea how personal the impact of scientists and physicians educating their minds to serve others would become.
Many years ago, one of my ancestors, Kaleohano, met a man named George Q. Cannon on Maui. Kaleohano and his cousin Jonathan Napela taught George Q. Cannon how to speak the Hawaiian language. George Q. Cannon was a missionary and taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Kaleohano was baptized and went on to serve as a missionary on every island of Hawaii. He was a leader in the Church, and led one of the earliest Latter-day Saint families to come to Laie. He dedicated the cornerstone of the first chapel here in Laie and was a loved and respected kumu hula.
George Q. Cannon went on to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of the Church. He has many descendants and I have the pleasure of knowing several of them personally.
More than twenty years ago, Monica and I, newly married, moved to St. Louis, Missouri. There we attended the Lindell Ward and made many lifelong friends.
Shortly after arriving, I was asked to give a talk. The topic was family history, and I prepared a talk about my fourth great-grandfather, Kaleohano, and his life of faith and service.
I was the second speaker that day. The first speaker was someone I had never met before. He had just moved into the ward as well. And his name was George M. Cannon.
George M., was a direct descendant of George Q., and gave his talk about the life and legacy of faith and service of George Q. Cannon, with special emphasis on George Q.’s time serving as a missionary in Hawaii and translating the Book of Mormon into the Hawaiian language.
I sat in amazement, thinking about how cool it, that I was sitting there listening to that talk, knowing that I would stand up next and talk about Kaleohano, George Q.'s dear friend and brother in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
George M. and his wife Michelle became dear and lifelong friends to Monica and me. Like our grandfathers, George and I served together frequently in the Church. George was in St. Louis completing a portion of his medical training. He did additional training for several years after that and has now been practicing for many years as a radiation oncologist with a specialty in colorectal cancers.
After hearing about my diagnosis, George reached out and offered his expertise, advice, and, if needed, his willingness to treat my cancer in his clinic.
Talking with George and knowing that he had trained so carefully to treat colorectal cancer gave us great information and great comfort.
But knowing that he was also a man of faith who could seek and receive revelation through the Spirit brought Monica and me the peace and the confidence we needed in that difficult time.
Since I completed my treatments, our surveillance testing has found no detectable cancer in my body.
I am deeply grateful to George and many other physicians and scientists who made it possible for me to be standing with you today.
Now, during your time here at BYU–Hawaii, you can develop those talents and capacities to bless the lives of others. Please seek out the mentored academic experiences that we offer. It starts with class: full engagement in your courses and all the experiences that are offered through those courses. There’s things that go beyond your classwork. Tours and performances, case competitions, conference presentations, publishing, and scholarly work. Pursue those experiences as well. They will challenge you. They will also help you discover and develop the talents that you can use to “render service of worth to others.” [10]
MONICA
Yes, the knowledge you gain now may become someone else’s miracle later.
Self-reliance
You are here to develop the capacity to provide for yourself and your family as you live and lead throughout Oceania and the Asian Rim.
I want to share a short video from one of our recent graduates, Tim.
Tim Video Clip
“I was so excited to get into a U.S.-based university. Growing up in a small community in Indonesia, the idea of studying in the United States was a dream. Where I come from, the American Dream represents success. And when I first arrived at BYU–Hawaii, I remember looking at this beautiful campus, thinking to myself what a blessing it was to be here, and I wanted to stay and build my life here.”
“I started to make plans to achieve that opportunity until I met a faculty member who changed my perspective and helped me better understand the mission of BYU–Hawaii. He reminded me of BYU–Hawaii’s prophetic mission to prepare us to be leaders in Asia and the Pacific. He also reminded me of how important Indonesia is to me and of the big opportunities back home.”
“After much prayer, I have renewed desire to fulfill that mission. So, while still figuring out what it will look like, I move forward with faith and take one step at a time.” [11]
KEONI
Tim’s story illustrates four choices I hope you will make during your university experience:
- First, choose a major with your career path in mind.
- Second, find a faculty mentor in your field and listen to them.
- Third, start working with Career Services early, ideally today, and build the skills and capacity you will need to thrive in the future.
- And finally, carefully consider, by the Spirit, where the Lord wants you to live and lead.
Tim, his wife, Alexie, and their daughter are now living in Tim’s home country of Indonesia, and he is working as a consulting associate for Boston Consulting Group in their Jakarta office. We love them, and we pray for their continued success.
MONICA
Resilience
You are here to strengthen your physical and emotional health so you can live an abundant life filled with Christlike service and joy. There are "primary answers" to caring for yourself physically and mentally, just like there are for your faith. Let’s keep it simple.
- Rest properly, get at least seven hours of sleep each night. [12]
- Eat a healthy diet, including appropriate portions.
- Exercise frequently.
These three things build the foundation for good mental and physical health. They will help you to live a happy, productive life where you can serve others and find real joy.
Rest is one of those primary answers, and it became a lesson we had to learn personally.
When Keoni was diagnosed with cancer, his instinct was to push harder. He wanted to fulfill all his responsibilities even while undergoing debilitating chemotherapy treatments.
The blessing he received when we began this cancer journey directed us to focus on healing and rest, but he was struggling to do so.
Within a few months, I watched Keoni suffer more and more as he continued trying to fulfill every responsibility.
His body started to break down.
His immune system failed.
The doctors grew concerned, and they placed him in isolation.
In that pivotal moment, our Church Educational System and priesthood leaders intervened.
They placed Keoni on medical leave.
KEONI
I still remember sitting in the chemotherapy infusion unit in Honolulu and receiving a phone call on my cell phone from Elder Ronald A. Rasband. He asked if I had some time to talk. I told him that I was going to be in chemotherapy for the next three hours, so I had all the time in the world.
He got right to the point. He told me that he had just left a meeting with the First Presidency and that I had been placed on medical leave, effective immediately.
Then he asked how I felt about it.
I told him I don’t like it. I told him I would be okay and that I could get the work done.
He told me that they knew I would say that. And they knew that I would continue trying to do the work, and that was precisely why they needed me to stop. He said that they needed me to rest. They needed me to heal.
Now, I love you, and I love this university, and I love this work, and I did not know how to put it down. That forceful direction finally made it feel that it was okay for me to rest.
Being on leave was very difficult for me. I was just sitting at the house right in front with all of you in the dorms, watching graduations happen. Students that I had knew and loved move on without being there to celebrate with them. Things like that were so hard but I learned during that time that strength and resilience are not simply about the ability to keep going. They can also be about asking for help, accepting it, taking the proper steps, and the proper rest to recover.
Life is full of challenges and you do not have to figure out everything alone. Here on campus, you have many resources. Use the Seasider Wellness Program. Use the things you learn in the Holokai Foundations course. Use Counseling Services, work with Academic Commons. Counsel with your family, other righteous mentors, and your ecclesiastical leaders.
Don’t wait for a crisis to learn how to take care of your body and mind. Build healthy habits now. Your slightly older than you—faculty and staff can tell you—now is the time, it not going to get any easier.
MONICA
Leadership
The point of taking care of yourself and building resilience is not simply to feel better. It is to look outward and make a difference in the lives of others.
You are here to develop the capacity to be an effective leader who can bless your family, your community, your profession, and the Church.
There are so many opportunities here on campus to be involved in leadership, academics, employment, clubs, Seasider sports and activities, Church callings, and service.
Take advantage of these opportunities. Challenge yourself and have the courage to lead. The experiences you have and the skills you develop will prepare you to lead and lift others throughout your lives.
Leadership is the outward expression of the other four pillars.
Your faith, intellect, self-reliance, and resilience are not being developed only for your own benefit. Leadership means using what you have become and what you have learned to bless other people.
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of leadership. He loved and served others, and He helped the people become more than they could have become on their own. He called humble fishermen and helped them become powerful leaders. He can do the same for us.
KEONI
A beautiful example of Christlike leadership is shown in the way Elder Rasband worked with me to put me on medical leave. Despite his busy life and full responsibilities, he paid attention to my individual struggles and needs. He was thoughtful about how they could be addressed, and he kindly and firmly helped me understand how and why I needed to change to have a better future. [13] I love him and I am grateful for his example.
Summary
So, we have covered a lot today. Don’t be overwhelmed. I hope that the Spirit has prompted you in at least one of these areas, and maybe in all of them, something that you want to do to better take advantage of this wonderful opportunity that you have here at BYU-Hawaii to grow and develop your talents in a meaningful way. Now, everyone here at BYU–Hawaii is here to help you, and you do not have to do it all at once. Growth will come as you practice these simple, foundational behaviors over time—here, and long after you leave Lāʻie. The Lord will help you, and He will reward your honest efforts.
As Monica said, “You are not building yourself in these areas just to have a better life. You are doing it to become a disciple of Christ who will love and serve others with your gifts and talents.
You are a child of God, a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
When President Nelson taught those principles, he also shared a promise. He said that as you take charge of your testimonies and keep your covenants, you will experience “spiritual growth, freedom from fear, and a confidence that you can scarcely imagine now. …” He, then promised that your future will be more exhilarating than anything you can presently believe.” [14]
We testify to you that that promise is real. Jesus Christ lives. He loves you. And He will allow you to amplify your talents and your capacities in ways that are truly, truly miraculous.
And we testify of that to you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
[1] Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], Gospel Library
[2] BYU–Hawaii Mission Statement
[3] Doctrine and Covenants 78:19
[4] BYU–Hawaii Mission Statement
[5] John S.K. Kauwe III, “Following Prophetic Direction: Five Years and Looking Forward,” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii meeting, August 29, 2025], speeches.byuh.edu
[6] Helaman 5:12
[7] Russell M. Nelson, “Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys,” Liahona, May 2024, 122
[8] Dallin H. Oaks, “Following Christ,” Liahona, November 2024, 23
[9] John S.K. Kauwe III, “Special Bulletin: Update from President Kauwe,” BYU–Hawaii, September 16, 2025; quoting Russell M. Nelson, “Focus on Values,” New Era, February 2013, 4
[10] Russell M. Nelson, “Focus on Values,” New Era, February 2013, 4
[11] Timothy Samad, “Faithful Dreamers, Genuine Gold” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii Commencement, April 17, 2026], speeches.byuh.edu
[12] Current public-health guidance recommends at least seven hours of sleep each night for adults, ages 18-60; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About Sleep”.
[13] Doctrine and Covenants 121:43
[14] Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], Gospel Library.