Emily Belle Freeman share her experiences during the annual Ohana Meeting
The Young Women General President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Emily Belle Freeman, visited BYU–Hawaii and shared her experiences with faculties and staff as she met with people on campus who are in charge of taking care of housing, women and children, education and infrastructure on Aug. 28 at the annual Ohana Meeting in the Cannon Activities Center before Fall Semester began.
She talked about their important roles and said, “Everybody with their different jobs and what they bring helps [BYUH] students become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Freeman expressed her astonishment at the different nations and cultures represented on campus. She said, “You might feel that this campus and island is small after living here for a while. But I just can't stop thinking about how great your reach is.” Freeman shared, “Building the kingdom of God” will happen from this campus because of the wide range of opportunities that are possible at this place.
She reminded all the faculties they are all called to build the kingdom of God, so each individual is responsible for making this school as great as it is intended to be. She shared her hope to all the staff and faculty is to read the word of God with the students in mind as part of their preparations for everyday work. She emphasized, “[One day] if somebody texts and asks you a question about religion, you will be ready to engage. Not in the philosophy of man, not in the culture, not getting the social words that are all around us, but to answer with the word of God because that is what’s going to save these kids.”
Freeman shared how it is important for the students to understand that someone noticed them, knew their names and needed them. She promised the staff and faculty if they are invested in building the kingdom of God, those whom they teach and serve will feel the Spirit of the Lord and great things will happen here, even miracles.