BYU-Hawaii political science professor Dr. Jon T. M. Jonassen drew on his extensive experiences as a leader and diplomat in the South Pacific to encourage university students, faculty and staff to "engage and endure well" during his October 25 devotional address in the Cannon Activities Center.
Before joining the BYU-Hawaii faculty, Jonassen — a BYU-Hawaii alumnus — served his native Cook Islands as a government minister and in various leadership positions as well as ambassador to New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. He was also a chief executive with the South Pacific Commission, which is now called the Pacific Community of nations.
He formulated the title of his address from Doctrine and Covenants 58:27 — Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; and 2 Nephi 31:15 — ...Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
"Endurance is not only acceptance of the things allotted to us, but to act for ourselves by magnifying what is allotted to us," Jonassen said, citing the example of Te'eu Makimare, his relative from the island of Manahiki: In 1963 Makimare and a group of men from his small atoll were ferrying badly needed food supplies from the island of Rakahanga, 24 miles away, in a 16-foot cutter when a violent storm capsized the boat.
"In the storm, Makimare single-handedly saved four of his six weakened and dispirited colleagues. Two unfortunately drowned before he could get to them," Jonassen said, noting the survivors then drifted for 2,000 miles over the next 64 days before making landfall on Eromanga in Vanuatu.
"To survive, Makimare caught rainwater and fish with his bare hands. He led them in prayers regularly, kept his faith and never gave up hope," Jonassen continued. "By accepting his situation and magnifying his talents to improve the situation for himself and others, Makimare anxiously engaged and endured well."
Jonassen, who is also a skilled martial artist and musician, likened such responses to a Cook Island proverb: "Be steadfast like a breadfruit tree, but flexible like the neck of a duck. In other words hold on to your principles with the same determination as a breadfruit tree's roots in the soil, but be willing to learn and grow in any situation like a duck's neck, which can turn to view 360 degrees."
This is not easy, he said, suggesting four methods that will help:
- Exercise faith in Christ, "with a balanced sense of humor and a sense of commitment when facing any difficult period.
- Be confident, "whatever happens."
- Be of service "with a willingness to engage at all times, working with the Spirit."
- Grow from "each and every experience."
For example, he said his government service led him into many situations that "required elements of engagement, endurance and the constant guidance of the Spirit," including speaking in other Christian churches; and his Scandinavian heritage led him to become a consultant for Norwegian Public Broadcasting Television, which produced a historical documentary about his grandfather.
"I though discovering the family home in Norway and watching my father and his sister's emotional visit [there] would be the major highlight in my life, but there are always more challenges and mighty spiritual experiences ahead for all of us," Jonassen continued. "The test of endurance anchors itself in one's responsibility to make the right things happen."
"Whatever is allotted to you, the challenge is to magnify it. Jesus Christ paved the way for all of us," Jonassen said, quoting Elder Hugh B. Brown: The Master who loved most of all, endureth the most and proved his love, by his endurance. "Elder Brown also shared a golden gem for us when he said, No matter what your past has been, you have a spotless future."
"In whatever challenge faces us, we have hope. If we have not already done so, we can begin now. We can engage. We can endure. We can grow from experience. We can emulate the example of Jesus the Christ, our Savior."
— Photo by Monique Saenz
:: Listen to Dr. Jonassen's devotional or read the transcript
:: View video excerpts from his devotional address