BYU–Hawaii Devotionals & Speeches

Latest Episodes:

What’s Your Plan A? | Jimmer Fredette | November 10, 2026 Nov 11, 2026

Show notes

Jimmer Fredette
Professional Basketball Player
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
Jimmer Fredette teaches that making Jesus Christ the center of life can bring a greater purpose than any personal goal or dream. Drawing from his journey from pursuing an NBA career to facing unexpected challenges, he explains how daily scripture study changes his perspective and helps him find joy even when his circumstances remain the same. He encourages students to make the Savior their Plan A, put Him first in their decisions, and trust His guidance through both challenges and successes.
“When I made the Savior my Plan A, he showed me an even greater plan.”
— Jimmer Fredette
Jimmer Fredette is a professional basketball player who gained national recognition during his college career at Brigham Young University, where he was named National Player of the Year. He was selected tenth overall in the 2011 NBA Draft and has continued his basketball career internationally. Through his experiences in sports and life, he shares messages about faith, perseverance, and keeping Jesus Christ at the center of every pursuit.
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#BYUHawaii #BYUHDevotional #JimmerFredette #PlanA #JesusChrist #FaithInChrist #SeekFirstTheKingdom
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More Than We Can Imagine: Trusting the Lord with Our Lives | Jenny Oaks Baker | October 27, 2026 Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

Jenny Oaks Baker
Concert Violinist, Recording Artist and Founder of the SoulFill Music Foundation
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
Jenny Oaks Baker teaches that trusting the Lord with life’s uncertainties allows Him to make more of a person’s life than could ever be imagined alone.
Drawing from personal experiences with grief, unexpected career changes, miracles, and prayers that were answered differently than expected, she shows how faith in Jesus Christ brings strength, direction, and hope through life’s challenges. She encourages students to seek guidance through the Holy Ghost, remain obedient, and trust the Lord to guide their next steps, even when the path ahead is unclear.
“You don’t have to know beforehand. You just need to trust the One who does.”
— Jenny Oaks Baker
Jenny Oaks Baker is a concert violinist, recording artist, and founder of the SoulFill Music Foundation. A Grammy Award-nominated musician, she shares her love for the gospel of Jesus Christ through music and produces sacred concert experiences, including Joy to the World! A Sacred Celebration and The Redeemer: Music on the Life of Jesus the Christ.
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#BYUHawaii #BYUH #BYUHDevotional #JennyOaksBaker #FaithInJesusChrist #TrustInTheLord #PersonalRevelation
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Defined and Refined by Heaven | Wilford Wu |October 20, 2026 Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Wildford Wu
Regional Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager, Asia Area
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
Wilford Wu teaches that Heavenly Father defines our eternal identity while Jesus Christ refines us into who we can become. Through personal experiences with education, career decisions, and revelation, he explains how the Lord can use unexpected changes and sacrifices to shape our purpose. He encourages students to think critically, pray precisely, act faithfully, and trust the Savior’s guidance even when the next step is unclear.
“Think critically. Pray precisely. Act faithfully.”
— Wilford Wu
Wilford Wu serves as the Regional Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager for the Asia Area. Before joining the Church’s workforce, he built a career in international business development, including experiences with The Ritz-Carlton and The Walt Disney Company. He shares lessons from his professional and spiritual journey about trusting the Lord and becoming more like Jesus Christ.
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#BYUHawaii #BYUHDevotional #BYUH #JesusChrist #PersonalRevelation #Faith #SelfReliance #SpiritualGrowth #SeasiderLife
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Choosing What Lasts: Trade-offs in Time and Eternity | Alice Yiu | October 20, 2026 Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Alice Yiu
Head of Advocacy and Outreach
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
Alice Yiu explores how everyday decisions and major life choices shape who we become. Drawing from her career in sustainable transportation, family experiences, and faith, she explains the importance of looking beyond immediate benefits to recognize what truly matters in the long run. She encourages students to seek Heavenly Father’s perspective, make sacrifices for what lasts, and trust His guidance through difficult decisions.
“Look past what's easy to count, and see what really matters.” — Alice Yiu
Alice Yiu works in advocacy and outreach and has a professional background in sustainable transportation research and development. Her work has involved collaborating with countries, investors, and industry leaders to improve transportation systems.
BYU–Hawaii devotionals are now available wherever you listen to podcasts.
#BYUHawaii #BYUHDevotional #BYUH #Faith #EternalPerspective #Discipleship #SeasiderLife
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Caring for Those in Need | W. Christopher Waddell | October 13, 2026 Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Bishop W. Christopher Waddell
Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotiona
At devotional, Bishop W. Christopher Waddell teaches that caring for those in need is a divinely appointed responsibility of the Church and an essential part of following Jesus Christ. Drawing from global humanitarian efforts and experiences responding to disasters in Türkiye, Syria, and Lahaina, he shows how Church resources and individual acts of service help relieve suffering and bless communities around the world. He encourages students to follow the Savior’s example by recognizing opportunities to serve, using their talents, and remembering that even small acts of kindness can make a difference.
“The most important thing I invite you to do is to pray and ask God how he can use you, and then for you to act on the promptings you receive.”
— Bishop W. Christopher Waddell
Bishop W. Christopher Waddell serves as the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this role, he helps oversee the Church’s temporal affairs, including humanitarian and welfare efforts, Church finances, facilities, and resources that support the Church’s divinely appointed responsibilities.
BYU–Hawaii devotionals are now available wherever you listen to podcasts.
#BYUHawaii #BYUH #BYUHDevotional
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No One Breaches Alone | Jaime Lopez | October 6, 2026 Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Jaime Lopez
Facilities Management Director
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
Jaime Lopez teaches that no one is meant to face life’s challenges alone and that God places people in each other’s lives to support, strengthen, and create opportunities for one another.
Drawing from military service, family experiences, and the example of the Savior, he shows how faith, preparation, and standing beside others can help create a path toward Jesus Christ. He reminds students that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Breacher, opening the way through His Atonement and inviting each person to help others find that path.
“Sin, sorrow, weakness, injustice, pain, and ultimately death are not obstacles that we can simply work hard enough to overcome. We needed someone who could go before us and create a way where there was no way. Jesus Christ did that for us.”
— Jaime Lopez
Jaime Lopez serves as the Facilities Management Director at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. Before joining BYU–Hawaii, he served 26 years in the United States military, including service with a Security Force Assistance Brigade in Afghanistan. His experiences in military service, family life, and supporting a son with special needs have shaped his perspective on faith, service, and the importance of helping others create a path forward.
BYU–Hawaii devotionals are now available wherever you listen to podcasts.
#BYUHawaii #BYUH #BYUHDevotional #Devotional #JesusChrist #Faith #Service #Ministering #Discipleship #LatterDaySaints
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I Am a Witness | Luke J. Nichols | September 29, 2026 Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Luke J. Nichols
Host of Outdoor Boys YouTube Channel and Young Men Advisory Council Member
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
Luke J. Nichols teaches that evidence of God’s existence can be found through the testimonies and experiences of countless witnesses. Drawing from experiences as a missionary and criminal defense attorney, he shares personal accounts of miracles, divine guidance, and feeling God’s love for people facing serious challenges. He reminds students that Jesus Christ is the Savior, that no one is beyond the reach of His love and Atonement, and that each person can seek a personal witness of God and the truth of the scriptures.
“The evidence exists: God lives, Jesus is our Savior and the scriptures are true. The witnesses are many and each of you can pray to God to know the truth for yourselves.”
— Luke J. Nichols
Luke J. Nichols is the host of the Outdoor Boys YouTube Channel and a member of the Young Men Advisory Council. Before creating YouTube videos, he worked as a criminal defense attorney for 11 years, representing approximately 2,000 people during his legal career. His experiences in law, missionary service, and family life have shaped his testimony of God, Jesus Christ, and the scriptures.
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#BYUHawaii #BYUH #BYUHDevotional #Devotional #IAmAWitness #JesusChrist #Faith #Testimony #Scriptures #LatterDaySaints #OutdoorBoys #LukeNichols
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Discovering God's Purpose Along the Way | Abraham Manutai | September 22, 2026 Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Abraham Manutai
Food Services Director
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
At devotional, Abraham Manutai teaches that God can guide lives in unexpected ways as individuals follow Him and discover their purpose along the way. Drawing from his journey through education, career changes, family, and Church service, he shares how small acts of service and faithful choices can change lives and prepare individuals to lead. He reminds students that the opportunity to live and lead begins now, through their homes, communities, professions, and callings.
“The opportunity to live and lead is right here before you. Don’t wait until you graduate or get settled into your profession to start living and leading.”
— Abraham Manutai
Abraham Manutai was raised in Kaimukī and graduated from Moanalua High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi in 2011 and serves as the Food Services Director. He is married to Larie Kuulei Langi Manutai, and they are proud parents of their son, Alapati.
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#BYUHawaii #BYUH #BYUHDevotional #Devotional #LiveAndLead #JesusChrist #Discipleship #Service #Purpose #LatterDaySaints
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Choosing the Lord Again and Again | Tialei Scanlan | September 15, 2026 Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Tialei Scanlan
Associate Professor
Faculty of Business & Government
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
At devotional, Tialei Scanlan teaches that choosing the Lord again and again brings strength, peace, and lasting blessings through life’s challenges. Drawing from experiences with faith, service, education, and family, she shares four ways to choose the Lord: through life’s challenges, feelings of inadequacy, lifelong learning, and personal priorities. She reminds students that consistent efforts to follow the Savior, serve others, continue learning, and make time for spiritual growth can strengthen faith and increase personal capabilities.
“I know that as you choose the Lord again, and again you will be blessed. Your path will be guided, and you will be able to accomplish things that you could have never accomplished on your own.”
— Tialei Scanlan
Born in Guam and raised in Orem, Utah, and Laie, Hawaii, Tialei Scanlan holds an MBA from the Shidler College of Business and a Ph.D. in Learning Design & Technology from the College of Education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She has taught at BYU–Hawaii for over eight years and lives with her husband and their four children.
BYU–Hawaii devotionals are now available wherever you listen to podcasts.
#BYUHawaii #BYUH #BYUHDevotional #Devotional #ChooseTheLord #JesusChrist #Faith #Discipleship #LatterDaySaints
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Upon the Rock of Our Redeemer | John S.K. Kauwe III and Monica S. Kauwe | September 8, 2026 Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

President John S. K. Kauwe III
University President
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
Sister Monica S. Kauwe
First Lady
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
President John S. K. Kauwe III and Sister Monica S. Kauwe share messages of faith, healing, and peace through prayer, reminding students that they are children of God and that His plan of happiness for them is real. They emphasize the blessings of being children of the covenant and disciples of Jesus Christ, encouraging students to show Christlike love, remain grateful, and trust in the Savior’s guidance and comfort. They remind BYU–Hawaii students to recognize the blessings surrounding them and move forward with faith and gratitude.
“You are a Child of God. The plan of happiness that He prepared for you is real. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement are central to that plan and to your salvation and eternal happiness.” - Sister Monica S. Kauwe
President John S. K. Kauwe III and Sister Monica S. Kauwe serve as the University President and First Lady of Brigham Young University–Hawaii. President Kauwe specializes in Alzheimer’s disease genetic research and serves as the 11th president of BYU–Hawaii, where he has served as university president for six years. President and Sister Kauwe are the parents of five children. Their oldest son, Sai, is currently serving a full-time mission in Hamilton, New Zealand.
BYU–Hawaii devotionals are now available wherever you listen to podcasts.
#BYUHawaiiDevotional #SpiritualGrowth #Discipleship
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