Developing a testimony of Jesus Christ, holding to the iron rod, and having a positive attitude was advice given to BYU-Hawaii students at the September 16 devotional by President George Kaluhiokalani, president of the Kaneohe, Hawaii Stake. He counseled students to use adversity to strengthen their testimonies rather than let it sour their experiences.
Sharing the words of President David O. McKay, a man closely associated with BYU-Hawaii, President Kaluhiokalani said, “There are those who have met disaster, which almost seems defeat, who have become somewhat scoured in their natures; but if they stop to think, even the adversity which has come to them may prove a means of spiritual uplift. Adversity itself may lead toward and not away from God and spiritual enlightenment; and privation may prove a source of strength if we can but keep the sweetness of mind and spirit.”
President Kaluhiokalani gave examples of difficult experiences from his own life, as well as the lives of others, to encourage students to use adversity for good and not allow tough decisions to discourage them from growing closer to the Lord.
Nephi, the Book of Mormon prophet, faced much adversity in his life, mostly from his own brothers, noted Kaluhiokalani. Reading scriptures from Nephi’s story, he taught, “Of the three brothers it was Laman and Lemuel who murmured when they left their homes and left all of their possessions behind. Nephi grew closer to the Lord while Laman and Lemuel allowed their experience to do as President McKay said: There are those who have met disaster, which almost seems defeat, who have become somewhat soured in their natures.”
When the sons of Lehi were asked to return to Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates from Laban, it was Nephi who said, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.” But Laman and Lemuel murmured and beat their brothers, Nephi and Sam, because of disagreement and frustration with the task, observed President Kaluhiokalani.
“There are times when you come to a fork in the road and you will have to decide which path you are going to choose. Laman and Lemuel’s problem was that they were focused on themselves and not on the Lord. I have found in my own life that my faith is only increased after I’ve been tested, and then, if I do as I’m supposed to do… my faith is increased.”
President Kaluhiokalani also recounted the story of Joseph of Egypt, who was sold into bondage by his own brothers, tempted by Potiphar’s wife, and unjustly imprisoned, but eventually was rewarded for his faith in the Lord and continual obedience. President Kaluhiokalani explained, “In spite of the many lies and adversity Joseph experienced in his life, he used the experiences in his life to bless the lives of others and to make the best of a bad situation. When his family went up to Egypt to seek Benjamin’s freedom, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and it’s Joseph’s response to [his brothers] that separates those in life that use adversity to enhance life [from] those that use adversity to sour them.”
Years ago, as a recently appointed bishop of the Kaneohe 3rd Ward, President Kaluhiokalani was forced to make some hard choices regarding his employment. His company decided to close the branch where he was working, but he said he was given other options, all of which would have led to the Kaluhiokalani family moving to the mainland U.S. President Kaluhiokalani thought it best to remain on the island. “I had a strong belief that I had been called by the Lord and to move would mean not having faith in the Lord that he would provide. I talked to my wife and we decided that we would trust in the Lord and that all would work out. You can imagine, I was nervous wondering how I would support my family and what would happen if I couldn’t find a job, and one that would allow me to serve as Bishop,” President Kaluhiokalani explained.
“What happened next changed my life forever,” he continued. He went on to share how he was offered a position with his current employer, starting immediately as his other job was to end. “I learned from that experience,” he said. “At first I wondered why this was happening to me. I was just called as Bishop and I thought the Lord would take care of me as long as I did what I was supposed to do and yet I was being tested. I think the Lord knew what decision I would make but I had to learn that if I put the Lord first in my life and expressed faith in Him, that he would provide.”
President Kaluhiokalani then urged the students to follow three principles to help them overcome the adversity and challenges in their lives and bring them closer to the Lord at the same time:
“First, develop a sound testimony that God lives and that Jesus Christ was resurrected and that He lives. Each of us must have our own personal conversion story. I find the difference between those that serve actively in the church and those who ride on the backs of others is the depth of their testimony.”
“Second, decide to hold to the rod… We live in a world of darkness and only those who hold to the iron rod will make it to the Tree of Life. Some, because of the pressure of the world, will let go of the rod and we learn the sad fate of those who follow Satan’s path.”
“Third, have a positive attitude. If we understand the purpose of life, then we are in a much better position to deal with the difficulties of it... In Abraham 3:25 we learn that we were sent to earth to be proven, to see if we would live according to the commandments. Like the story of Joseph who was sold into Egypt: he could have been very negative wondering why he went through so many trials, but he remained positive and, because of that, he looked for solutions and relied on the Lord to help him through difficult times, to make the best of every solution.”
Photo by Ian Nitta