Although thinking of and remembering our Father in Heaven seems like a basic gospel principle, President Finau Hafoka spoke on this topic at a weekly devotion on August 17 to remind students and faculty of what they have learned and should remember.
President Hafoka is the president of the Laie Hawaii North Stake. He was born into the Methodist church but converted to the Church at age 17 and later converted his family.
“I am convinced that the problems we face today and the reason that we make bad choices is because we forget who we are. We are children of our Heavenly Father … The problem is that too often we forget who we really are and make bad choices because we just don’t remember,” said President Hafoka.
He explained the importance of remembering our baptismal covenants, our spiritual experiences and remembering to pray and to read our scriptures.
“When I truly remember these things by receiving that witness once more, I am renewed. I gain new strength and new insight, and my testimony increases. I fully realize once more that I am working with the Lord in building His kingdom here on earth,” said President Hafoka.
President Hafoka suggested three things that we should remember.
First, remember to build our foundation on Jesus Christ. We can do this by pressing forward, holding fast to the iron rod, partaking of the fruit of the tree, and disregarding those who make fun of us for doing what is right.
Second, remember that the Lord is bound when we do what he says.
“We have two choices: we can either follow the Lord and do what He says and have peace, light, strength, and knowledge, or we can follow someone else, or find any other way, and do it alone—without His support, without His power, without His protection. So ask yourself, which way is better?” said President Hafoka.
Third, remember to stay in the straight and narrow path.
“Even though the teachings of the Savior are plain and direct, we are still at risk of getting sidetracked. Some people choose to follow the teachings of the Lord and of his living prophet only when convenient but reject them when sacrifice or deeper commitment is required. Some fail to follow because His divine teachings do not agree with their own,” said President Hafoka.
See full transcript of President Hafoka's devotional address here.
Photo by Monique Saenz