183rd Annual General Conference--Saturday morning session

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang Redeemer of Israel
President Dieter F Uchtdorf conducted
The choir sang In Hymns of Praise
Elder Randall K Bennett offered the invocation
President Thomas S Monson

• Traveled to Germany and Idaho in the past six months  to dedicate temples.
• Didn’t attend cultural celebration in Calgary because it was Sister Monson’s birthday
• President Uchtdorf dedicated Honduras temple
• Announced new temples in Cedar City Utah and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• In October changes to missionary age announced
• As of April 4, there are 65,634 full-time missionaries with 58 new missions
• We were invited to donate to the general missionary fund of the church

The choir sang Hark, All Ye Nations!
President Boyd K Packer

• He shared a short poem he wrote in 1992 at age 68 (he updated it at 78 and again at 88).
• He is getting older. Although he loses physical ability, there are “great spiritual gains” that come with age.
• We need to protect our homes. The priesthood has been given to protect the home
• There are few things more powerful than the prayers of a righteous mother.

Bishop Dean M Davies

• Talked about experiencing the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco.  Many buildings collapsed because they were not built on a sure foundation.
• Just as buildings need to use the right material, we need to be built properly spiritually on a sure foundation to be safe (Helaman 5:12)

Sister Elaine S Dalton

• spoke about the first line in the YW theme… we are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him
• we need to understand "we are daughters of an exalted being"
• women have a significant role to play in building the kingdom of God.
•  Was comforted by remembering What e'er thou art, act well thy part.

The choir and congregation sang Let Us All Press On

Elder Craig A Cardon

• The Savior forgives sin on earth, not just in the eternities
• In this forgiveness the enabling power of the Atonement helps us
• False faith does not justify sin
• The Savior knows our weakness; however, “Notwithstanding your sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you”

Elder M Russell Ballard

• “And worlds without number have I created” (Moses 1:33)
• The Milky Way is just one of 200 billion galaxies which for most of us is difficult to grasp.
• The priesthood is power by which these were created and the source of this power is God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ
• While men administer the priesthood, they are NOT the priesthood.  Just as a woman cannot have a child without a man, a man can’t properly use his priesthood without a woman
• Shared an analogy of growing a tomato plant, its potential, and what happens when it is neglected (it wilts).
• Those who hold the priesthood but don’t honour it will wilt spiritually
• Spoke of the recent Worldwide Leadership Training videos about the role of priesthood and strengthening the family

The choir sang Faith

President Henry B Eyring

• This is the Church of Jesus Christ and we take His name upon us as we enter it.
• The Savior tells us, “I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.” (D&C 6:20)
• Recounted much of the life of Christ
• Great blessings come from faithful service
• Christ has shown us how to hear our Heavenly Father

The choir sang My Redeemer Lives

Sister Jean A Stevens offered the benediction

Kaneohe 1st Ward church today 3/24/13

Sacrament Meeting

• Presiding: Bishop Bert Oshiro
• Conducting:  Tommy Friel, Bishopric 2nd Counselor
• Opening hymn:  #241 "Count Your Blessings" (chorister Van Wai Sr, organist Isabella Lesa)
• Invocation: Brother Dayle Turner
• Ward business:   Sustained--Nicole Gonsalves (Ward Missionary); Nachelle Wai (Relief Soceity Meeting Coordinator).
• Sacrament hymn:  #180 "Father in Heaven, We Do Believe"
• Sacrament administration by Priesthood
• Youth Speakers:
• Ku'uli'i Hanohano spoke about the Plan of Salvation and how it can bring happiness. (Alma 40:11-12)
• Eric Yugawa spoke about magnifying callings (D&C 88:40).

• Adult Speakers
• Brother and Sister Davis from Logan, Utah (and formerly of New Mexico) are serving a mission here.

  

  Sister Davis

    One of "64 retired military couples serving as senior missionaries at U.S. military bases around the world" The Davises "assist local church leaders in serving and encouraging LDS service men and women" [source].  Sister Davis spoke about "enduring to the end" and the things we can do to endure as well as what we can do to help others, especially new church members, tto endure.  She quoted President Gordon B. Hinckley, who said "There is no point in doing missionary work unless we hold onto the fruits of that effort. Converts must be nurtured." 

  

  Elder Davis

  Elder Davis made reference to a talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who spoke about the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and "they can definitely help us to avoid future regrets."
  
  

• Closing Hymn: #252 "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel"
• Benediction: Brother Mark Stride

Sunday School

• Gospel doctrine:  Lesson 12 -- "The Gathering of My People"
• Gospel Principles: see manual

Elders Quorum

• Announcements/quorum business: 
• Redeem the Dead:  
• Worldwide Indexing Challenge.  Details of the challenge TBA.
  
• Perfect the Saints:  
• Family Fireside.  Friday April 12 at Parkway Rec Center.  5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Potluck.
• Wednesday evening team-ups with the missionaries.  Brothers Piena and Turner will be going out this week. 
•  Proclaim the Gospel:
• "Will you?" challenges from the Hawaii Mission President:  Will you pray for the success of missionary work in our stake? Will you identify and invite someone to be taught by the missionaries? 
• Home teaching.  District Leaders (Turner, Sellers, Tamashiro) will be contacting home teachers for reports on home teaching assignments for March.  Goal is 100%

• The lesson in the quorum today was presented by Brother Dayle Turner and was based on the talk "The Atonement" from the October 2012 General Conference by Elder Boyd K Packer.  Elder Packer said,
• In mortality we [will] fall short of being perfect. It [is] not expected that we [will] live without transgressing one law or another (see Mosiah 3:19).
• From the Pearl of Great Price, we understand that “no unclean thing can dwell [in the kingdom of God],”³ and so a way was provided for all who sin to repent and become worthy of the presence of our Father in Heaven once more.
• A Mediator, a Redeemer, was chosen, one who would live His life perfectly, commit no sin, and offer “himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.”⁴
•  Concerning the importance of the Atonement, in Alma we learn, “For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; … or else all mankind must unavoidably perish.”⁵
• ^{If you have made no mistakes, then you do not need the Atonement. If you have made mistakes, and all of us have, whether minor or serious, then you have an enormous need to find out how they can be erased so that you are no longer in darkness.}

Kaneohe 1st Ward, Church Today 3/17/13

Sacrament Meeting

• Presiding: Bishop Bert Oshiro
• Conducting:  Robert Carlile, Bishopric 1st Counselor
• Opening hymn:  #252 "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel" (chorister Van Wai Sr, organist Lormona Meredith)
• Invocation: Brother Glen Tani
• Ward business:  Released--Ken Otsuka (Assistant Cub Scout denmaster),  Sustained--Van Wai, Jr. (Ward Missionary).
• Sacrament hymn:  #179 "Again, Our Dear Redeeming Lord"
• Sacrament administration by Priesthood
• Youth Speakers:
• Kawehi Filiaga spoke about reconciliation through the Atonement of Christ (Jacob 4:11).
• Nakea Hanohano spoke about gratitude.  "If we are grateful, we cannot be bitter," he said.  (D&C 78:19 and D&C 59:7)

• Adult Speakers



Alan Yugawa


• Brother Alan Yugawa, baptized a member of the church in January, spoke about how he "bought the cow" after 23 years of investigating the church.  He quoted President Lorenzo Snow, who said, "Every man has got to learn to stand upon his own knowledge; he cannot depend upon his neighbor; every man must be independent; he must depend upon his God for himself entirely. It depends upon himself to see if he will stem the tide of trouble and overcome the impediments that are strewn in the pathway of life to prevent his progress. A man can get information by the operations of the Holy Spirit, and he approaches to God and increases in his faith in proportion as he is diligent."
• Brother Kevin Vidinhar (Stake High Council), spoke about the law of tithing and told us, "We show are faithfulness to Heavenly Father through our tithing."  He related a story of a car trip to Sacramento, where he and his family received the blessings of heaven--because they were faithful tithe payers, despite only having a few dollars for gas.  He quoted Malachi 3:10.

• Closing Hymn: #281 "Help Me Teach with Inspiration"
• Benediction: Brother Sean Jung

Sunday School

• Gospel doctrine:  Lesson 11 -- "“The Field Is White Already to Harvest”
• Gospel Principles: see manual

Elders Quorum

• Announcements/quorum business: 
• Redeem the Dead:  
• Committee initiative forthcoming.
  
• Perfect the Saints:  
• Family Fireside.  Proposed for Friday April 5 at Church (pending building availability)
• Teacher Improvement Workshop, 3/23 Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. All teachers are invited to attend.
• Wednesday evening team-ups with the missionaries.  Brothers Piena, Chong Tim, and Turner will be going out this week. 
•  Proclaim the Gospel:
• "Will you?" challenges from the Hawaii Mission President:  Will you pray for the success of missionary work in our stake? Will you identify and invite someone to be taught by the missionaries? 
• Home teaching.  District Leaders (Turner, Sellers, Tamashiro) will be contacting home teachers for reports on home teaching assignments for March.  Goal is 100%
• Chapel Clean-up duty for the quorum was on 3/16 Saturday.  Mahalo to all who participated.  

• The lesson in the quorum today was presented by Brother Rory Lono and was based on Chapter 6 of the TPOFC--Lorenzo Snow: Becoming Perfect before the Lord: “A Little Better Day by Day”.  President Snow said,
• With diligence, patience, and divine aid, we can obey the Lord’s command to be perfect. 
• When we comply with a requirement from the Lord, we are perfect in that sphere.
• Rather than become discouraged when we fail, we can repent and ask God for strength to do better. 
• With divine help, we can live above the follies and vanities of the world. 
• We cannot become perfect at once, but we can be a little better day by day.

Kaneohe 1st Ward, Church Today, 3/10/13

Sacrament Meeting

• Presiding & Conducting:  Bishop Bert Oshiro
• Opening hymn:  #239 "Choose the Right" (chorister Van Wai Sr, organist Isabella Lesa)
• Invocation: Brother Kanoa Kanahele
• Sacrament hymn:  #178 "O Lord of Hosts"
• Sacrament administration by Priesthood
• Youth Speaker:
• Sister Lelei Stanley spoke about divine nature and individual worth.  "Because I am a child of God, I should never settle for less," she said.

• Adult Speakers



Spencer Christian

• Sister Stevette Santiago gave an update on her son Elder Braeden Santiago, who is serving a mission in the Tacloban, Phillipines Mission. 
• Brother Spencer Christian spoke about how we should strive to live a balanced life.  He quoted Elder Dallin H. Oaks, who advocated "a steady, tranquil dedication [to] gospel living [which] means living the gospel by becoming a 100-percent Latter-day Saint 100 percent of the time [instead of having] an intense focus on goals [which] can cause a person to forget the importance of righteous means."

• Closing Hymn: #247 "We Love Thy House, O God"
• Benediction: Brother Makana Tani

Sunday School

• Gospel doctrine:  Lesson 10 -- “This Is My Voice unto All”
• Gospel Principles: see manual

Elders Quorum

• Announcements/quorum business: 
• Redeem the Dead:  
• Ward Temple night 3/13 Wed.  7p.m. Laie Hawaii Temple; 
• Perfect the Saints:  
• Emergency Prep Workshop, 3/16 Sat. 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., all are invited to attend;
• Family Fireside.  Proposed for Friday April 5 at Church (pending building availability)
• Teacher Improvement Workshop, 3/23 Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
•  Proclaim the Gospel:
• "Will you?" challenges from the Hawaii Mission President:  Will you pray for the success of missionary work in our stake? Will you identify and invite someone to be taught by the missionaries? 
• Home teaching.  District Leaders (Turner, Sellers, Tamashiro) will be contacting home teachers for reports on home teaching assignments for March.  Goal is 100%
• Quorum members are asked to participate in team-ups with full-time missionaries on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 830pm.  Sign up sheet was circulated.
• Quorum members are asked to offer prayers at Sacrament meetings in March. Sign up sheet was circulate.
• Adopt-a-highway service project.  3/9 Saturday.Mission accomplished.  Mahalo to participants.
• Chapel Clean-up duty for the quorum is on 3/16 Saturday, 7a.m. 

• The lesson in the quorum today was presented by President Dayle Turner and was based on Chapter Five of the TPOFC--Lorenzo Snow: The Grand Destiny of the Faithful.
• President Snow said," As man now is, God once was: as God now is, man may be," and "God...has bestowed upon us the capacity for infinite wisdom and knowledge, because He has given us a portion of Himself."

Kaneohe Hawaii Stake General Priesthood Meeting

Saturday March 9, 2013, 6:30 p.m. at Keolu Hills Chapel

• Conducting: President Carl Kawakami, 1st Counselor, Stake Presidency
  

  

  Julian Perkins

• Opening hymn: #100 "Nearer My God to Thee"  (Chorister:  George Poliahu, Pianist: Rick Nelson)
• Benediction:  Kekoa Tato (Olomana Ward)
• Priesthood sustainments:  Several brethren were sustained to the offices of Elder and High Priest by the body of the priesthood assembled
• Speaker 1:   Julian Perkins (Olomana Ward?), spoke about the duties of the Aaronic Priesthood.
• Speaker 2: Gerald Lam (Olomana Ward), spoke about pureness of character, Zion (the pure in heart), and taking the high road.
  

  

  Gerald Lam

• Speaker 3:  Pono Kelly (Elders Quorum President, Olomana Ward), using himself as an example, told us old dogs can learn new tricks.  "Repetition is the key," he said, as is the enlistment of professional help (Heavenly Father via prayer).
• Rest hymn:  #29 "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief"
  

  

  Pono Kelly

• Speaker 4:  President Charles Dalton (Hawaii Mission President) updated us on the missionary work being done in Hawaii which included 1124 convert baptisms (67 in our stake) in 2012. "Eighty (80) percent of convert baptisms," he said, "are from member referrals.  He issued two challenges to us:  [1] to pray daily for the success of missionary work in our stake and [2] to identify one person for the missionaries to teach.
• Speaker 5:  President Bud Gibson, Stake Presidency, 2nd Counselor.
• Speaker 5: President Carl Kawakami, Stake Presidency, 1st Counselor
• Concluding Speaker:  President George Kaluhiokalani, Stake President, using world record holding skydiver Felix Baumgartner as an example, spoke about making preparations, making course corrections, and taking leaps of faith.
• Closing Hymn: #85 "How Firm a Foundation".

Quorum Service -- Highway Cleanup

On this  rainy Saturday morning, quorum members turned out for service by picking up litter along Likelike Hwy and Kahekili Highway. Mission accomplished and job well done.

We will service our adopted highway sections again on Saturday May 11.  Come and join us!

Kaneohe 1st Ward--2/24/13 Church Today

Sacrament Meeting

• Presiding:  Bishop Bert Oshiro
• Conducting: Brother Robert Carlile (Bishopric, 1st Counselor)
• Opening hymn:  #239 "Choose the Right" (chorister Van Wai Sr, organist Isabella Lesa)
• Invocation: Brother Roy Hirokawa

• Ward business:  Released: Mary and Isaac Miyashiro (Emergency Preparedness Leaders), Taunalei Wolfgramm (Relief Society Instructor).  New callings (sustained):Mary Miyashiro (Relief Society Instructor), Bobbie Le'i (Asst. House Librarian & Emergency Preparedness Leader)

• Sacrament administration by Priesthood
• Youth Speakers:
• Deanne Yugawa, a senior at Iolani School, talked about her bout with "senioritis" and how she took an exam at school whereby she relied upon faith and had less than satisfactory results.  Her point:  faith without works is dead (James 2:20)
• Nephi Hikila, the first member of the Hikila family to introduce himself to the ward, spoke about his love of primary classes at church.
• Asaeli "Sae" Hikila, brother of Nephi,
• Mahina Hikila, sister of Nephi and Sae, spoke about her affection for Yu-Gi-Oh and the many good friends she has made in the church.

• Adult Speakers

• 

  Isi Hikila

  Sister Kehau Hikila, mom of Nephi, Sae, and Mahina, spoke about growing up in a home where her parents taught her to love people, having friends who were members of the church, taking the gospel lessons from missionaries, meeting her husband Isi, being baptized, marrying Isi, and living the gospel with her family.
  
• Brother Isi Hikila, dad of Nephi, Sae, and Mahina and husband of Kehau, talked about the application of principles set forth in The Family: A Proclamation to the World with his family. Describing himself as "an analyzer, Brother Hikila told stories of two times he followed directions to complete tasks and likened the Book of Mormon to a set of instructions we can follow to help us complete tasks in our lives.

• Closing Hymn: #237 "Do What is Right"
• Benediction: Brother Dana Chong Tim

Sunday School

• Gospel doctrine:  Lesson 8 -- The Restoration of the Priesthood
• Gospel Principles: see manual

Elders Quorum

• The lesson in the quorum today was presented by Brother Ka'ano'i Walk and was based on Elder David Bednar's talk "Converted unto the Lord" from the Oct. 2012 General Conference. We discussed the meaning of testimony (i.e. knowledge of the truth) and conversion (i.e. actions that lead to change to be Christ-like)--see Alma 23-6-8.   We also discussed the Parable of the Ten Virgins and how the parable pertains to testimony and conversion.  Quoting Elder Bednar: "As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves.” These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time—“line upon line [and] precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible."
• Announcements/quorum business:
• The laulau fundraiser was a success.  Mahalo to all quorum members who assisted with their time, talents, and contributions.
• Personal Priesthood Interviews (PPIs) will be conducted by President Turner for all quorum members from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.  Elders will be contacted for interview date & time. 
• Home teaching.  District Leaders (Turner, Sellers, Tamashiro) will be contacting home teachers for reports on home teaching assignments for February .  Goal is 100%
• Quorum members are asked to participate in team-ups with full-time missionaries on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 830pm.  Sign up sheet was circulated.
• Quorum members are asked to offer prayers at Sacrament meetings in March. Sign up sheet was circulated
• Adopt-a-highway service project.  3/9 Saturday.  Meet at 8a.m. at Kaneohe Burger parking lot.
• Stake General Priesthood Meeting.  3/9 Saturday.  6:30 p.m. at Keolu Hills Chapel.  All priesthood holders in the stake are asked to attend.