BYU–Hawaii Devotionals & Speeches

Becoming More Through Christ in Every Season | Verna Tukuafu | June 9, 2026

Verna Tukuafu International Area Manager - Pacific Area, BYU–Pathway Worldwide Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional Verna Tukuafu teaches that becoming who God intends us to be requires faith, resilience, and trust in Jesus Christ through every season of life. Drawing from her personal experiences, she emphasizes that challenges, loss, service, and education can all become opportunities for growth when viewed through the Savior’s perspective. She invites listeners to trust the Lord’s timing, remain faithful in difficult circumstances, and allow Him to shape them into disciples prepared for greater purpose and joy. “Through Jesus Christ, we really can do hard things. Not because we are strong on our own. But because He strengthens us.” - Verna Tukuafu Verna Tukuafu currently serves as Area Manager for BYU–Pathway Worldwide in the Pacific Area. Born in Kahuku, Hawaiʻi, and raised in Tonga, she is a graduate of Brigham Young University–Hawaii and earned a master’s degree in business administration. Verna and her late husband, Sione, raised three children, and she continues to inspire others through her leadership, faith, and lifelong commitment to education and discipleship. BYU–Hawaii devotionals are now available wherever you listen to podcasts.  #BYUHawaiiDevotional [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/byuhawaiidevotional] #FaithInChrist [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithinchrist] #SpiritualGrowth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/spiritualgrowth] #TrustInTheLord [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/trustinthelord] #BecomingThroughChrist [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/becomingthroughchrist] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Visit byuh.edu [https://byuh.edu/] to learn more.

The Truth Will Make You Free | Elder James R. Rasband | June 2, 2026

James R. Rasband Commissioner of the Church Educational System Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional  Elder James R. Rasband teaches that truth, whether gained through education or the gospel, leads to greater freedom, clarity, and purposeful living. He emphasizes that commandments are given as loving guidance rather than restrictions, and testifies that while truth makes individuals free, Jesus Christ ultimately makes them “free indeed” through His Atonement. "We need the truth because the truth makes us free. And to know the truth, we need the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." - Elder James R. Rasband Elder James R. Rasband was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 2019. He served for three years as a counselor in the Asia North Area Presidency, three years as an Assistant Executive Director in the Temple Department and was recently appointed Commissioner of the Church’s Educational System.    #BYUHawaiiDevotional [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/byuhawaiidevotional] #PerfectBrightnessOfHope [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/perfectbrightnessofhope] #FaithInChrist [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithinchrist] #SpiritualGrowth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/spiritualgrowth] #WalkwithChrist [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/walkwithchrist] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Visit byuh.edu [https://byuh.edu/] to learn more.

A Perfect Brightness of Hope | Stephanie Robertson | May 26, 2026

Stephanie Robertson Library Director and Assistant Professor at BYU–Hawaii Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional Stephanie Robertson teaches that feeling overwhelmed is a shared part of life, and that growth comes not from removing every burden, but from learning how to move forward with faith in Jesus Christ. She emphasizes that progress often happens in small, faithful steps, and that hope develops as we continue turning to the Savior, even in uncertain seasons. She invites students to recognize that they are never alone, and that angels, both seen and unseen, are placed in their lives to strengthen and support them. “The goal is not to eliminate feelings of being overwhelmed from our lives. The goal is to learn how to walk through it with the Savior.” – Stephanie Robertson Stephanie Robertson is the library director at the Joseph F. Smith Library and an assistant professor at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. She holds a master’s degree in English with an emphasis in composition and rhetoric and a second master’s degree in library and information science with an emphasis in academic librarianship, both from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She has taught at BYU–Hawaii since 2008 and continues to support students through teaching, research, and library leadership. BYU–Hawaii devotionals are now available wherever you listen to podcasts.  #BYUHawaiiDevotional [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/byuhawaiidevotional] #PerfectBrightnessOfHope [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/perfectbrightnessofhope] #FaithInChrist [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithinchrist] #SpiritualGrowth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/spiritualgrowth] #WalkwithChrist [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/walkwithchrist] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Visit byuh.edu [https://byuh.edu/] to learn more.

The Widow of Zarephath: Handing Your Life Over to God | Asa Smibert | May 19, 2026

Asa Smibert Field Associate Administrator (Seminaries and Institutes of Religion) Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional Asa Smibert teaches about the story of the widow of Zarephath and how faith in God provides strength during difficult times. The message emphasizes trusting the Lord, using agency righteously, serving others, and remaining faithful even when life feels uncertain or challenging. He invites listeners to continue following gospel principles, develop holy habits, and allow God to shape their lives through trials and discipleship. "When you feel this spiritual stretch, please trust that while God is asking more of you, He is doing so because He is not yet finished lifting you." – Asa Smibert Asa Smibert is a University of Queensland alumnus, having earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in education and a Master of Leadership with a focus on strategy and innovation. He once aspired to become a heart surgeon, but he felt impressed in his mission to work on hearts in a different way by becoming a teacher. He and his wife, Karen, are the parents of four sons, and together they share a love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and a commitment to helping others experience spiritual transformation. BYU–Hawaii devotionals are now available wherever you listen to podcasts. https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/byuhawaiidevotional #BYUHawaiiDevotional [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/byuhawaiidevotional] #Refinersfire [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/refinersfire] #FaithInChrist [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithinchrist] #SpiritualGrowth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/spiritualgrowth] #facingchallenges [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/facingchallenges] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Visit byuh.edu [https://byuh.edu/] to learn more.

Life as a Classroom, Not a Courtroom | Kala Kau | May 12, 2026

Kala Kau Student Life Vice President Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional Kala Kau teaches that life is meant to be experienced as a classroom rather than a courtroom, where growth comes through learning, reflection, and turning to Jesus Christ instead of being defined by mistakes or judgment. He emphasizes that each stage of life offers lessons that shape who we are becoming, and that students carry their own devotional messages through the experiences they live every day. “Life is not meant to be a courtroom where we feel judged or defined by our mistakes. Jesus Christ has already paid the price, so we do not need to dwell on regrets or disappointments.” - Kala Kau Kala Kau is the Student Life Vice President at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, joining the university in 2020 after serving in multiple student affairs leadership roles at Brigham Young University, including director of student wellness and associate dean of students. His work focuses on helping students pursue their best selves through Christ-centered education, wellness, and leadership. He holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from Seattle University and BYU and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hong Kong. BYU–Hawaii devotionals are now available wherever you listen to podcasts. #BYUHawaiiDevotional [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/byuhawaiidevotional] #LifeAsAClassroom [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lifeasaclassroom] #FaithInChrist [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/faithinchrist] #SpiritualGrowth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/spiritualgrowth] #Learn [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/learn] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/byu-hawaii-devotionals-speeches--6571006/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss]. Visit byuh.edu [https://byuh.edu/] to learn more.