Collette Charles

Voi Ray Taeoalii, Stake President of the Makakilo Hawaii Stake, addressed the BYU-Hawaii faculty, staff, and the student body with an inspirational message, titled "Sustenance of Hope," at the Tuesday, March 3, 2009, devotional. He began his speech with a reminiscent thought: "Being here reminds me of the years that my wife and I lived in married student housing, drove a car that broke down regularly, and accounted for every penny, nickel and dime we earned. It was a time in our life that was challenging as you very well know." He recounted the difficulty of balancing school, family, work, and church callings; yet, the aftermath of experience taught him the need for these difficulties because "it is the power and patience of hope that can sustain us as we pursue our goals in life."

Sheri L. Dew, President and CEO of Deseret Book and beloved inspirational speaker, addressed the student body with words of hope and encouragement in her devotional speech titled "You Are a Pivotal Generation"; she began with her expression of great love for the young adults of the Church and of the spirit the youth carried: "I'll tell you though, as I have been thinking this morning, and trying to be very prayerful and careful in my preparations, I have found myself wondering if you are not the most unique group of young adults anywhere in the church. I have seen young adults in probably 60 or 65 countries and I can't think of another gathering like you."

Renowned Mormon scholar Terryl Lynn Givens outlined the importance of having passion for the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ during his devotional address at BYU-Hawaii on February 3. He drove this point home by stating that the tragedy for those that leave the gospel "out of apathy, boredom, or indifference … is … the most incomprehensible … [because] they came to the feast, but they never sat down, … never supped, … never tasted the banquet."

Dr. Terryl Givens, Professor of Literature and Religion and holder of the James Bostwick Chair of English at the University of Richmond, will be speaking at the upcoming BYUH devotional this Tuesday. Brother Givens' topic is "'Rainbows Over Rain': The Gospel of Superabundance." Although delivered from a spiritual perspective, Givens' message holds an academic angle. He will emphasize the importance of defeating apathy and having real passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The importance of the Lord’s temple as a place of refuge and blessings was what Max Purcell, temple recorder at the temporarily-closed Laie temple, and member of the Laie North Stake Presidency, emphasized in his devotional, January 20.

In a spirit of love and mutual respect, President and Sister Wheelwright stood together before the student body and addressed the important issue of moral purity at the first devotional of the year for BYU-Hawaii January 13. Their optimistic opening remarks set the stage for a spiritual and touching message,