BYU–Hawaii Devotionals & Speeches

BYU–Hawaii alumnus Khumbulani Mdletshe shares powerful experiences as a student that shaped his perspective in life and desire to serve others. He invites students to think about their own experiences and ask themselves, "To what extent are these experiences preparing you for what lies ahead?" "In most cases, our experiences are made up of little things, but the accumulation of those little experi...

Elder Kim B. Clark Emeritus General Authority Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (March 19, 2024) Elder Kim B. Clark addresses three blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in his devotional today. His counsel surrounds the blessings of personal redemption, the blessing of divine succor, and the blessings of divine light. "When we turn to Christ and act with faith in Him to repent of ou...

Jihae Kwon Associate Professor of Faculty of Arts & Letters Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (March 5, 2024) Professor Jihae Kwon shares how her faith was strengthened and her perspective enlightened when performing temple and family history work for her ancestors. Additionally, she testifies of the Lord's work on the earth being accomplished through increased global access to temple...

Ken and Barbara Niumatalolo ​ BYU–Hawaii Alumna​ Head Football Coach at San José State University​ Brigham Young University–Hawaii (February 27, 2024) Ken and Barbara Niumatalolo share personal experiences about always turning to the Savior and trusting the Holy Ghost and the Lord's plan.  "The Lord's promptings and revelations may not always come in the time and way that we expect. But, if we are...

Sarah Jane Weaver Executive Editor of the Church News of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (February 20, 2024) Sara Jane Weaver gives a beautiful devotional drawing parallels between life's experiences and the biblical story of Peter walking on water toward Jesus. Like Peter, we experience doubts and challenges that sway us from our faith in...

During today's devotional, Andre Hippolite emphasizes the importance of understanding one's identity and relational connections. Drawing from his Māori heritage, he shares the concept of 'pepeha,' illustrating how acknowledging one's mountain, waka, and tribe provides a sense of belonging and strength. Through stories of his parents' sacrifices for education and examples from BYU–Hawaii alumni, Pr...

Chad Yuen's shares three essential points we can remember as we prepare ourselves for greater things, both in this life and the eternities. Focus, preparing with the Lord, and being confident in yourself to not compare yourself to others. "When we go to the Lord for direction, we need to make sure that our hearts are in the right place to receive that direction. That we are willing to follow His p...

Vice President Steven Tueller shares guidance with students in seeking answers to prayers at today's devotional. He highlights the importance of faith, openness to diverse answers, recognizing God's guidance in various forms, considering past experiences, and trusting personal agency, emphasizing the need to patiently and trustingly discover how God answers prayers in His way and time. “We do not...

Elder R. Kelly Haws currently serves as assistant to the commissioner of Church Education and secretary to the Board of Trustees of the Church Educational System. He has served in this capacity since 2018. Prior to this assignment, he worked for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion beginning in 1984, including 10 years of teaching in Utah, 13 years as area director for the eastern United States a...

Rosalind Malolo Pedron, a Samoan student, is graduating with a double major in political science and Pacific Islands Studies. Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia from the age of 10, she has maintained a strong connection to her Samoan heritage by preserving cultural traditions at home. She credits much of her success to her diverse upbringing and the unique environments she has experienced...

President Susan H. Porter was sustained as Primary General President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2022. At the time of her call, she was serving as First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency. Professionally, President Porter graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Brigham Young University. She has worked as a lab assistant for the Massachusett...

President John S.K. Kauwe III has served as the president of Brigham Young University–Hawaii since July 2020. He was sustained as an Area Seventy in April 2024. President Kauwe holds degrees from Brigham Young University and Washington University in St. Louis. As a Biology professor at BYU Provo, he previously chaired the Biology Department and was Dean of Graduate Studies. His research focuses on...

Then First Councilor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thomas S. Monson addresses the crowd at BYU-Hawaii's 50th anniversary known as the Golden Jubilee in 2005. BYU-Hawaii was founded on February 12, 1955 as the Church College of Hawaii. Learn more at about.byuh.edu Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals...

Nasanbold Sukhbaatar  Stake President of the Ulaanbaatar East Stake  Public Affairs and Communication Manager for the Church in Mongolia   Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (February 17, 2026)    Nasanbold Sukhbaatar shares how he grew up on the vast, empty grasslands of Mongolia, riding his horse for hours through snow to get to school. When changes in government left him unable to read,...

Elder John D. Amos  General Authority Seventy  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (February 3, 2026)  Elder Amos teaches that discipleship requires both knowing and living Christ’s teachings, framing conversion as a lifelong, incremental process essential to attaining eternal life.     “A disciple is not only a follower of Jesus Christ, but...

Sister Michelle D. Amos  Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (February 3, 2026)  Sister Michelle Amos shares her family’s conversion story and testifies of the truthfulness and power of the Book of Mormon, emphasizing how sincere prayer and study lead individuals to Jesus Christ and lasting faith.    “When we read the Book of Mormon, we draw nearer to God and receive power to overcome the t...

Kate McLellan  Associate Professor of the Faculty of Sciences  Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (January 27, 2026)    Kate McLellan, Associate Professor of Health & Human Sciences, testifies that opposition in all things is part of God’s plan and that opposing forces work together for growth and balance. Using scripture and examples from education, family life, and eternal roles, she...

Ammon Kau  Puna Hawaii Stake President  Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (January 20, 2025)  Ammon Kau, Stake President of the Puna Hawaii Stake, teaches that enduring joy comes through the Holy Ghost, who enlightens the mind, brings peace, and directs life-shaping decisions. He shares real experiences from education, marriage, missionary service, and temple worship to show how acting on...

Elder Clark G. Gilbert  General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of the Church Educational System  Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (January 13, 2025)    Elder Clark G. Gilbert shares the love and confidence of the First Presidency and Church Board of Education, formally announcing a temporary leadership transition to support President John S.K. Kauwe III’s healing. The university was...

Connie Haws  Acting First Lady  Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (January 13, 2025)    Sister Connie Haws, Acting First Lady of BYU–Hawaii, invites students to pray every day, teaching that consistent, sincere prayer invites guidance, peace, and the influence of the Holy Ghost in academics, relationships, and personal decisions. Lives are expanded when God is allowed to lead daily, and b...

R. Kelly Haws  Acting President of Brigham Young University–Hawaii  Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (January 13, 2025)  Acting President R. Kelly Haws encourages students to allow the Lord to nudge their lives, reminding them that miracles follow when spiritual promptings are recognized and acted upon. By living with purpose, consecration, and excellence, and responding quickly to inspi...

Brad Smith Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, BYU–Hawaii Brad L. Smith teaches that God’s creations testify of His love and invite His children to seek truth with both faith and intellect. Drawing on experiences in marine biology, research, and mentoring students, he outlines four principles for recognizing God’s hand in the natural world: observe with intention, remain teachable, seek truth through...

Brooke Peterson Director of Marketing and Communication, BYU–Hawaii Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional Brooke Peterson shares that God is always listening and delights in hearing from His children. Drawing from personal experiences of answered prayers, loss, and trials, she teaches four principles of prayer: pray with specificity, pray with vulnerability, pray with the expectation that He...

David Bearss Chief Executive Officer of Halia Therapeutics Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional  David Bearss explores the relationship between science and faith, illustrating how the principles of quantum physics reflect eternal truths about divine light and connection with God. His message emphasizes that every soul is eternally linked to the Creator through the light of Christ, which tran...

Brett Okland President, Okland Construction BYU–Hawaii Devotional October 28, 2025 Brett Okland shares how "He shall direct our paths" and four spiritual rules to guide your life:      1: The journey is meant to be enjoyed.      2: Know that you are on your own unique path.      3: Keep pressing forward.      4: There is safety in your covenants. Brett Okland has served as President of Okland Cons...