On August 29, new students of Brigham Young University–Hawaii (BYUH) attended the Laie Hawaii Temple as part of their New Student Orientation (NSO). This spiritually significant event allowed incoming students of the Fall 2024 Semester to participate in sacred ordinances with the guidance of the New Student Experience (NSE) Team and the ordinance workers of the temple. The event was made possible through a collaboration between the BYUH NSE Team and the Laie Hawaii Temple presidency, inviting students to begin their academic journey by strengthening their connection to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The event was designed to complement BYU–Hawaii’s mission to prepare students to become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. “It’s an amazing opportunity since it’s part of the triad of learning here in BYU–Hawaii. They’re studying their major, the cultures around them, and the spiritual aspect of the university,” said Emma Hippolite, a student ambassador for the NSE and a senior from Hawaii majoring in social work. “Starting off the semester by focusing on the eternal perspective with Jesus Christ helps the students understand who they are, where they come from, and the importance of establishing peace internationally.”
"BYU–Hawaii is fortunate to be adjacent to the Laie Temple, and students have a significant opportunity to worship and serve there. We want to encourage students to regularly access the spiritual power of the temple in their lives,” said Kala Kau, student life vice president. He adds, “It is inspiring to see their devotion to the Lord and have them gain experience to serve in temples wherever they are part of Zion in the future. We want to support students in receiving the blessings promised by President Russell M. Nelson in his recent General Conference remarks and are grateful to have had this as a successful introduction for students to recognize the intentional association between the temple and BYU–Hawaii.”
Many of the new students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and feel the peace of the temple on the first few days of their university experience. “It was beautiful to see the culture and the wonderful atmosphere here in Laie reflected inside the temple,” shared Macy Wallace, a new student and a sophomore from Utah majoring in communications. As a recently returned missionary, she adds, "It’s amazing to carry that spiritual strength that I felt on my mission over to my school life.”
Ordinance workers at the Laie Hawaii Temple were also instrumental in guiding the students through the experience. "The event is a privilege for [the new students] to be strengthened through their covenants with Jesus Christ," said Eloisa Lulab, a temple ordinance worker and BYUH student from the Philippines majoring in psychology. She adds, "It gave me an opportunity to gain friends and be reminded of the importance of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
The New Student Orientation is a pivotal moment for many incoming students, and the Temple Visit event was tailored to give not only the new students but everyone in attendance a peaceful, reflective start to the semester. “It’s the best way one can start their student experience here in BYU–Hawaii,” said Mosese Mo’o, a recent BYUH alumnus from Hawaii and temple ordinance worker. “The students were able to come forward with questions and concerns, being able to leave the temple with peace and be faithful for their future as a student.”
This event's significance shaped the students' overall experience for the semester. “The importance of the temple for the community is that it allows the people of Hawaii access to the powers of heaven. In a sense, we wanted the new students to have that opportunity before the semester started so they could also bring heavenly power into their studies, relationships, and callings,” said Zachary Cruz, a student specialist for the NSE and a sophomore from Australia majoring in psychology.
The temple visit for new students was part of a broader initiative to help them feel more connected to their faith, fellow students, and the Laie and BYU–Hawaii community as they transition into their studies this fall. As the new semester begins, the NSE team and temple ordinance workers hope that the spiritual foundation built in the temple will support these students in the years to come as part of the university’s vision for students to “be an example to the world of intercultural peace and unity through living the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
