BYU–Hawaii Devotionals & Speeches

President John S.K. Kauwe III addresses fear, anxiety, and self-doubt, stressing that while normal, they shouldn’t control us. He shares how preparation, prayer, and covenants with God can help overcome fear and lead to spiritual growth and freedom from fear. He concludes by encouraging students to take advantage of the many resources available at BYUH. "Freedom from fear through prayerful prepara...

President Dean A. Andersen Hawaii Honolulu Mission Leader, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Dean Andersen speaks in today’s devotional, focusing on the nature and character of God, emphasizing His perfect balance of justice and mercy. Understanding God correctly strengthens faith, eliminates doubts, and brings clarity to life's purpose. He encourages avoiding casualness in...

Sister Colleen Andersen Hawaii Honolulu Mission Leader The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sister Colleen Andersen speaks at today’s devotional, highlighting the importance of hard work as a divine principle essential for both temporal and spiritual growth. Through personal experiences and scriptural examples, she emphasizes that work brings joy, discipline, and blessings. Church leade...

Elder Ronald A. Rasband Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Executive Committee of BYU–Hawaii’s Board of Trustees Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (Tuesday, January 28, 2025) Elder Rasband encourages students to prioritize the Lord alongside their academic responsibilities. He advises integrating faith into daily life, even amidst busy schedul...

Elder D. Todd Christofferson Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Executive Committee of BYU–Hawaii’s Board of Trustees Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (Tuesday, January 28, 2025) Elder D. Todd Christofferson honors the legacy of those who built the Church in Laie and emphasizes gratitude for their sacrifices and God’s blessings. He shares ins...

President Camille N. Johnson Relief Society General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Executive Committee of BYU–Hawaii’s Board of Trustees Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional  President Camille N. Johnson compares staying spiritually steadfast to securing a boat during a storm, emphasizing the need to remove "windage"—anything creating resistance—to maintain a fi...

Heina Hanohano Budget Director Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional  Today’s devotional speaker, Heina Hanohano, emphasizes the importance of faith, a love for learning, and the role of trials in personal growth. She shares experiences of her mother’s faith-based healing and her own career challenges, highlighting how faith and learning lead to growth. Reflecting on struggles during the COVI...

President John S.K. Kauwe III University President Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional  President Kauwe speaks, urging BYU–Hawaii students to live consecrated lives by fully embracing the Honor Code and aligning their actions with God’s will. He highlights the importance of personal integrity, supporting one another, and avoiding the temptation to live on the edge of standards. President Ka...

Monica S. Kauwe First Lady Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional Sister Kauwe encourages students to focus on what truly matters by aligning their actions with Christ’s teachings. She shares advice from Elder Bednar to prioritize purpose and highlights the importance of making time for key commitments like prayer and scripture study. Sister Kauwe reminds students that by trusting God and foll...

In today’s devotional, Mark Ellis draws a parallel between navigating a traditional voyaging canoe and navigating life, emphasizing the importance of observation, choice, and decision-making in our spiritual journey. He encourages spiritual observation, making choices with love and purpose, and regularly assessing where we are in our spiritual journey. By living with spiritual awareness and making...

Elder Renlund illustrates how identifying with and emulating the Savior can transform our character, strengthen our faith, and help us fulfill our divine potential through sacred covenants and purposeful discipleship. He emphasizes how by following Christ’s example and striving to embody His attributes, we can claim the promised blessings of "power, stability, and direction." "My invitation to you...

Sister Renlund compares gaining spiritual knowledge to academic learning, highlighting the need for consistent effort through prayer, scripture study, and righteous living to invite the Holy Ghost’s guidance and retain spiritual truths. "Gaining and retaining spiritual knowledge is essential for us because it has eternal consequences. It takes some work and constant attention, but no other knowled...

Sheena Alaiasa Pacific Heritage Academy Director In today’s devotional, Sheena Alaiasa shares her life journey, emphasizing how faith has guided her through challenges and shaped her purpose. Raised in Turangi, New Zealand, she was influenced by her mother’s steadfast faith, which led her to a career in education. She reflects on the pivotal moments where prayer, divine guidance, and trust in God’...

Elder Kevin S. Hamilton General Authority Seventy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints During the BYU–Hawaii devotional, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton shares about the importance of family history work, temple worship, and the gathering of Israel." He shares personal stories about his parents' missionary service and his current role with FamilySearch. Elder Hamilton emphasizes the "Spirit of...

Susiane Manning Clinical Counselor Counseling Services, Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional In her devotional talk, Susiane Manning emphasizes the importance of love and friendship, both for ourselves and others, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. She reflects on her experiences as a clinical counselor at BYU–Hawaii, highlighting the need for social connections in combating loneliness...

In his talk, Curtis Lefrandt emphasizes the privilege and blessings of sacrifice, urging listeners to see it not as a burden but as an expression of love and gratitude to God. Reflecting on the impactful sacrifices made by individuals, Lefrandt exhorted students to embrace sacrifice as a privilege and cultivate trust in God's plans. He teaches that when we surrender our will to God, He blesses us...

Barb Cluff Service Missionary The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Barb Cluff emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's plan. Sharing personal stories, she illustrates the importance of trusting the process, even when it's uncomfortable or difficult. Cluff encourages listeners to persist in keeping the commandments and maintaining faith, even when progress seems slow. Through trust...

Mark Fitzgerald Chief Compliance Officer Office of Compliance & Ethics, Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional Mark Fitzgerald highlights the importance of actively discerning truth. Fitzgerald advises six assessment methods for evaluating information: testing information, understanding core principles, consulting trusted sources, employing critical thinking, seeking primary sources, and s...

President Kivalu Ramanlal emphasizes how trusting God comes through learning about Him, following His guidance, and recognizing His tender mercies. Even when blessings are delayed, this trust brings peace. He urges listeners to place their trust in God, knowing that He will guide them to the best outcomes. "When you choose to first put your trust in God, your life will be greatly simplified." ____...

Casey Cluff Senior Project Manager, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Casey Cluff reflects on the challenges of life, likening personal growth to the process of building and construction. He explains that, just as buildings undergo renovations, individuals are also "under construction" in God's hands, with Christ as the "Master Carpenter." Cluff encourages listeners to embrace life's...

 Isaiah Walker emphasizes the importance of creating ʻohana, or family. He explained how ʻohana, in Hawaiian culture, extends beyond immediate family to include friends and the broader community, and how this concept can help students foster meaningful relationships. Through highlighting the experiences of Joseph F. Smith, Walker encourages students to embrace the values of ʻohana by building conn...

Elder John H. Groberg Emeritus General Authority Seventy The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Elder John H. Groberg highlights the principle of "heartfelt helping," urging students to emulate Christ's example of sincere, selfless service. Sharing personal stories from his missionary work in Tonga, he illustrates the profound joy and impact of compassionate acts. Elder Groberg concludes...

President John S.K. Kauwe III University President Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional Today we were blessed to hear from President John S.K. Kauwe III speak focusing on three principles: purpose, consecration, and excellence. He encouraged students to align their lives with God’s purpose, grow spiritually, and become leaders. President Kauwe urged students to live purposefully, consecrate...

Monica S. Kauwe First Lady, BYU–Hawaii Devotional Today we were blessed to hear from  President John S.K. Kauwe III and Sister Monica S. Kauwe. Sister Kauwe encouraged students at BYU–Hawaii to recognize God’s relentless love and pursuit of them. She illustrated how God’s love is unwavering, regardless of our struggles. She reassured students that their time at BYU–Hawaii is part of God’s plan to...

Sister Amy A. Wright First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional  Sister Amy A. Wright encourages students to embrace the blessings of the priesthood through study, prayer, and personal revelation. She also reminds young adults today that they are the future of Christ's church on earth. She gives a...