While listening to a Jewish podcast, something I heard caught my attention. The podcaster and his guest discussed with total faith the existence of a well that supplied water to the children of Israel in the wilderness and then followed the wanderers on their journey. I’ve read the stories in the Old Testament, but never noted that after its initial discovery the well of Miriam traveled with the people. To summarize their discussion, after the Lord located the well for... Read more
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to the Hawaii Waipahu Stake’s stake conference in October 2019. Amidst his soul-stirring speech, including Jesus’ recognition of the people’s weakness when preparing to leave them and report His ministrations to the Father, Elder Holland counseled us to study that first day the Savior visited the people at the temple in Bountiful. It’s recorded in 3 Nephi 11-3 Nephi 18. Of course, I’d read these chapters before, but I hadn’t read them in the context... Read more
One way I’ve personally decided to keep the Sabbath day holy is to avoid purchasing things from businesses on Sunday. Sometimes I need divine assistance to help accomplish that goal. I celebrate the miracles that enable me to keep my commitment. On Sunday, with driving to church in the afternoon and various spots in the morning, our vehicles had both slipped to 1/4 tank. I decided I wanted to attend a musical fireside celebrating the Lāʻie Temple’s 100th birthday. A favorite... Read more
Am I heeding recently prophetic invitations? Do I even remember what they are? My brother Donovan recently shared thoughts about what some of the recent prophetic invitations and some of their promised blessings. By Donovan Bushman Primary kids know that Jesus told us that the wise man built his house upon a rock – or a sure foundation. Helaman talked to his sons about that foundation. He said that the sure foundation to build on is “our Redeemer, who is... Read more
In the Old Testament, especially, the meaning of people’s names held great significance. Two of my favorites, Maher-shalal-hash-baz and Shear-jashub meant “To speed to the spoil, he hasteneth the prey” and “The remnant shall return.” The names recorded pointed to the Lord or warned against a path away from Him. Names are still carefully selected, sometimes for their meaning or for their sound or for their familial connection or just feeling like that’s the child’s name. In the Hawaiian culture, the... Read more
The Lord lists spiritual gifts throughout the scriptures and specifically teaches about spiritual gifts, listing gifts like faith, healing, and prophecy. See, for example, this partial list of spiritual gifts from Doctrine and Covenants 46. To another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge. And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed; And to others it is given to have faith to heal. And again, to some is... Read more
The Lord promises spiritual and temporal gifts to His children. Gifts like life and breath and Earth and diversity and autonomic body functions and resurrection are gifts He freely gives. He also promised that everyone received at least one spiritual gift from Him. “…to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.” Many additional gifts are available, conditional on our asking God for them. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but... Read more
Carrie Niu eloquently shared some “whys” and “hows” to fortify our homes with strength and holiness against the attacks of the adversary. The following are Carrie’s thoughts: Fortifying Our Homes Against the Adversary Elder Ronald A. Rasband delivered a talk April 2019 General Conference about making our homes into fortresses of spirituality and protection. He specifically focused on spiritually protecting ourselves from the wickedness in the world, and I’ll do my best to add something worthwhile to that theme. I... Read more
I met Liam Greene the day he was born and I’ve adored him his whole life. He is currently in the Provo Missionary Training Center preparing to serve in the Washington Vancouver Mission speaking Spanish. Liam’s overcome great adversity in his life. I’m grateful that he chose to share thoughts about how his faith transformed that adversity and how he came to see beauty and purpose in his pain. A Changed Viewpoint: Seeing Beauty in the Pain of Trials by... Read more
May Wheeler shares her heartfelt reflections on fasting and Fast Sunday. How could she find more joy in fasting? *** Fasting is a law that the Lord has restored in the latter days. In obedience to this law, we, as a church, once each month, fast on the first Sunday. We are instructed that a proper fast day observance includes abstaining from food and drink for two consecutive meals. Sounds easy enough right? So then I’m left to... Read more
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