BYU–Hawaii Devotionals & Speeches

Latest Episodes:

Spiritual Hypertrophy | President Brennen Owan | May 27, 2025 May 28, 2025

Show notes

President Brennen Owan Stake President, Makakilo Hawaii Stake, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
In his devotional address, President Brennen Owan compares spiritual growth to muscle hypertrophy, emphasizing that just as muscles grow through consistent effort, our testimonies strengthen through daily spiritual practices. He encourages us to use our spiritual gifts, be interruptible like Christ to serve others, and repent regularly. President Owan also urges frequent temple worship, promising that these actions will build lasting spiritual resilience and deepen our confidence before the Lord. "I invite you to ask Heavenly Father to help you see your spiritual gifts and the talents He has entrusted to you and how you can use them to lift, love, and strengthen His children." –President Brennen Owan
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President Brennen Owan was born and raised on Naniloa Loop in Laie, just across from the Laie Hawaii Temple. His parents served at BYU–Hawaii, with his father dedicating 44 years to the university. After graduating from Kamehameha Schools and serving a mission in Japan, he earned a degree in Exercise Science from BYU and a medical degree from A.T. Still University. Now a physician with Kaiser Permanente and stake president of the Makakilo Hawaii Stake, he and his wife, Amy, are raising their six children in Hawaii. #BYUH #BYUHDevo #SpritualGifts #Interruptible #DiscipleofChrist
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The Difference Is You | Sister Tracy Y. Browning | May 20, 2025 May 20, 2025

Show notes

Sister Tracy Y. Browning Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
During her BYU–Hawaii devotional address, Sister Tracy Y. Browning, Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, taught that each of us is a creator with divine gifts meant to be discovered, developed, and centered on Jesus Christ. Drawing inspiration from Da Vinci’s "Last Supper," she emphasized that like the painting’s perspective lines, our lives should point to the Savior through daily devotion and discipleship. She reminded us that our talents are unique, intentional, and meant to bless others—not to compare with others, but to fulfill our own divine potential. Ultimately, she testified that “the difference is you,” and that through Christ, our lives can become masterpieces that reflect His love and purpose. “Our concern shouldn’t be of failing to match the greatness of others, but of falling short to live true to our own divine potential.” –Sister Tracy Y. Browning
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Sister Tracy Y. Browning was sustained as Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2022. At the time of her call, she was serving on the Relief Society General Advisory Council and has previously served in various callings, including as a counselor in ward and stake Relief Society presidencies, a Relief Society and Sunday School teacher, and in the Young Women organization. She studied at St. John’s University and has worked in financial services for 15 years; she currently serves as an account services director in the Church’s Publishing Services Department and has also volunteered with community and civic organizations. Born in New Rochelle, New York, Sister Browning was raised in Jamaica, the West Indies, as well as New Jersey and New York, and she and her husband, Brady Browning, are the parents of two children.
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Building Our Legacy on the Covenant Path | President Stanton Imua Loo | May 13, 2025 May 14, 2025

Show notes

President Stanton Imua Loo Stake President, Kona Hawaii Stake Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
In his BYU–Hawaii devotional address, President Loo reflects on the legacy we each build as disciples of Jesus Christ, drawing from personal stories of faith, family, and life on a four-generation cattle ranch in Waimea. He teaches that true legacy is not measured by worldly success, but by the eternal impact of our covenants and daily discipleship. President Loo urges students to trust in the Savior’s plan and let Him guide their steps, even when the path isn’t easy to see. “To build a legacy that endures, we must choose to walk the covenant path daily—trusting the Lord, striving to follow Him, and letting His love define the trail we leave behind.” –President John Loo
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President Stanton Imua Loo currently serves as the Stake President of the Kona Hawaii Stake. A lifelong resident of Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii, he comes from a four-generation ranching family and brings a deep legacy of faith, hard work, and community to his leadership. Prior to this role, he worked as a heavy equipment operator foreman for Waste Management and served in various Church leadership positions, including president of the Kona Hawaii Stake. President Loo holds a degree from Brigham Young University and has spent much of his life supporting education and spiritual development in his local community. He and his wife, Ellise Yoshie Kanai Otake Loo, have been married for nearly 30 years and are the parents of four children. They were sealed in the Laie Hawaii Temple. #BYUH #BYUHdevo #Legacy #LegacyBuilding
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(Mis)Communication in Dating and Marriage | John S.K. Kauwe III and Monica S. Kauwe | May 6, 2025 May 06, 2025

Show notes

President John S.K. Kauwe III and Sister Monica S. Kauwe President and First Lady of Brigham Young University–Hawaii Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
At devotional today, President and Sister Kauwe share honest stories from their own relationship to highlight the importance of clear, Christlike communication in dating and marriage. They teach that open conversations, trust, and unity help couples navigate both joyful and difficult moments. Strong communication not only strengthens relationships—it invites revelation and brings the power of God into our lives. "Living righteously in unity invites divine power. As you make spiritual decisions and exercise priesthood authority together, you will find joy, revelation, and peace through God’s power and mercy." –President John S.K. Kauwe III "Communication creates love and unity, invites revelation from the Holy Ghost, and brings power from God to guide your family through both blessings and trials." –Sister Monica S.
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Kauwe President John S.K. Kauwe III is the eleventh president of Brigham Young University–Hawaii. He assumed the presidency in July 2020. He was sustained as an Area Seventy on April 4, 2024, and continues to serve in that role today. Prior to his current position, he was a professor of Biology at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, where he also served as chair of the Biology Department and as Dean of Graduate Studies. Sister Monica S. Kauwe is the First Lady of Brigham Young University–Hawaii, serving alongside her husband. She holds a degree in chemistry and has worked in the pharmaceutical industry before transitioning to a full-time mother of five. Her educational background and professional experiences have shaped her commitment to supporting students in their academic and spiritual journeys at BYU–Hawaii. Together, they have been married for over 20 years and are actively involved in guiding students at BYU–Hawaii. #BYUH #BYUHdevo
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I Will Not Forget Thee | Elder Bun Huich Eng | April 8, 2025 Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Elder Bun Huoch Eng, Asia Area Seventy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
In his BYUH devotional address, Elder Bun Huoch Eng shares his personal journey from post-genocide Cambodia to finding faith in Jesus Christ through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Despite growing up in poverty and loss, he testifies of God’s hand guiding his life, the reality of miracles, and the fulfillment of promises made through covenants. He emphasizes that God never forgets us, even when answers to prayers take time, and urges us to press forward in faith and let God prevail in our lives.
"To exercise our faith means that we will believe and hope in Christ, let God prevail and guide our paths, and trust in His timing." –Elder Bun Huoch Eng
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Elder Bun Huoch Eng was sustained as an Area Seventy for the Asia Area on March 30, 2023. Prior to this calling, he served faithfully as the Stake President of the Phnom Penh Cambodia North Stake from May 2014 to April 2023. Professionally, Elder Eng holds a master’s degree in Development Management from Norton University and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of a local real estate company. Born on July 7, 1981, in Kandal Province, Cambodia, he married Pen Dany in 2005, and together they have five children. Elder Eng has served in various Church leadership roles, including full-time missionary (2000–2002), Branch President, District Presidency member, Mission Presidency member, District President, and Stake President.
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Shoot Your Shot: Having Courage in Dating and Marriage | Scott Stiles | April 1, 2025 Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Scott Stiles encourages young adults to have courage in dating and marriage by applying the revelatory pattern of “study it out and ask,” then trusting the Lord to direct their paths. He emphasizes the importance of open communication, mutual consent, and realistic expectations, while also urging students to date more and fear rejection less. Through personal stories and prophetic counsel, he testifies that eternal marriage built on Christlike love brings lasting joy and direction from the Lord.
"I have a testimony that the Lord answers prayers. He wants to direct our path, but he also wants us to develop our agency. If he gave us immediate answers to every prayer, we would not be developing our agency." –Scott Stiles
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Scott Stiles was appointed chief of staff to the president on August 1, 2024. He provides strategic counsel to the president and President’s Council, leading key initiatives to improve the student experience.
A BYU–Hawaii business graduate, Stiles co-founded Fair Employment Agency in Hong Kong to reform migrant worker recruitment. The agency has placed over 10,000 people in safe jobs and influenced ethical hiring practices across Asia. He later led fair hiring efforts at SEEK, a major Asia Pacific employment platform.
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A440: Staying In Tune With the Gospel | Charles Bradshaw | March 25, 2025 Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Charles Bradshaw
Dean, Faculty of Arts & Letters
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional (Tuesday, March 25)
In his devotional, Dr. Charles Bradshaw uses the analogy of piano tuning to illustrate how we can align ourselves spiritually with Jesus Christ, our constant and perfect standard—our "A440." He emphasizes the importance of stillness, patience, and listening in seeking personal revelation and creating harmony in a diverse community like BYU–Hawaii. By recognizing Christ in one another’s experiences and making room for individual spiritual growth, we can become instruments in the Lord’s hands, helping to create a campus culture that is both united and beautifully unique.
“I would encourage you to find your still places, both physically and metaphorically, where you can hear the voice of the Lord and attune yourself to His will.” –Charles Bradshaw
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Dr. Charles Bradshaw is a professor in the English program. He teaches classes in early and modern American literature, literary studies, and composition. He served in the England Bristol mission, and his wife, Jennifer, served in the Wisconsin Milwaukee mission. They met and later married while attending BYU in Provo after his best friend and her sister got together and lined them up on a date. After completing his PhD in American literature and rhetorical studies at the University of Missouri, he taught at the University of Tennessee at Martin for 17 years where he and Jennifer raised their three children. Since 2019, they have lived in Laie. Dr. Bradshaw has served as a Faculty Advisory Council Representative, as a member of faculty promotion committees, as English Program Lead, and now as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
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Grow To Love Him More | Sister Marjan Boom | March 18, 2025 Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Sister Marjan Boom emphasizes the importance of drawing closer to God through prayer, scripture study, and trusting Him in times of difficulty. She teaches that personal prayer allows us to counsel with the Lord in all things, while daily scripture study helps us build a relationship with Christ and receive His guidance. Through life’s challenges, we can trust that God will strengthen and sustain us, helping us grow spiritually and come to love Him more.
"As we learn, reflect, and apply what we learn from the scriptures, we not only grow in knowledge but also draw closer to our Savior. We build a relationship with Him, grow to love Him, and become more like Him." –Sister Marjan Boom
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All is Well...I have learned for Myself | Elder Hans T. Boom | March 18, 2025 Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Elder Hans T. Boom shares about seeking personal revelation, following Joseph Smith’s example of learning for oneself through prayer and study. He warns against distractions and worldly influences that can hinder spiritual growth, urging students to prioritize their discipleship, scripture study, and temple worship. By doing so, he testifies, we can come to know Jesus Christ, understand His Atonement, and confidently declare, "All is well … I have learned for myself."
"When we come to know our Savior Jesus Christ and gain a better understanding of His Atonement, we change, and we will continue to change, and we will be able to hear Him, having learned for ourselves and being able to say that... all is well." –Elder Hans T. Boom
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Your Future Is Bright and Full of Promise | Elder Gerrit W. Gong | March 9, 2025 Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Elder Gerrit W. Gong
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Brigham Young University–Hawaii Devotional
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