From worldwide fasts and new adjustments to Church meetings in the home, Laie members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it has been a bit of a bumpy road. Members said they are trying to stay connected and feel the Spirit by holding online church meetings and having missionary homecoming parades.
Laie Church member, Aaron Shumway, is a Seminary and Institute instructor for BYU–Hawaii students. Shumway has been holding Institute classes through the online platform Zoom. He said he sees the positive effects these classes have on his students every time they all sign on together on Thursdays.
“Any challenges [with Zoom calls] were minimal compared to the benefits we’re seeing of the young people... having a forum where they can learn the gospel, ask questions, talk about things in a way that is relevant to them and hear from their peers who have relevant experiences. Though it’s not ideal, we’re still feeling the Spirit through technology.”
Feeling the Spirit anytime, anywhere
Shumway went on to explain how these weekly Institute classes help make gospel learning and seeking the Spirit easier. He said it also creates an accessible outlet for students to come together and share their thoughts on the gospel. Even though they all wish they could meet face to face, Shumway said the Spirit is always present on their Zoom calls.
“A young adult who shows up for Institute online can still feel the Spirit, receive answers to prayers and feel connected to other people… We’re still getting the blessings we would have received in those situations.”
Helam Casey, a regular Institute student from Punalu'u, said this promise from Shumway resonated with him deeply because the Zoom classes have been a positive experience, since he feels the Spirit online just as much as in person.
“That alone has been a testimony to me of the truthfulness of the gospel and the love of Christ. It’s nice knowing no matter our circumstances, no matter what situations we’re in, if we strive to do everything we can to live, teach and learn the gospel, then [God is] just going to provide for us. He provides that through the blessing of feeling the Spirit.”
No matter our circumstances, no matter what situations we’re in, if we strive to do everything we can to live, teach and learn the gospel, then [God is] just going to provide for us.
Another Institute student, Tay Steele, said, “It just goes to show that no matter if we meet in person or on technology ... the Spirit can still be present. I’ve felt the Spirit just as much over Zoom, and the Spirit has always been there.”
Lavinia Vakalahi, a freshman from Maui studying elementary education, said participating in weekly online Institute meetings has helped her open up more in class as she is in the comfort of her own home. She said this new setting had strengthened her conviction in the gospel even more since it has been hosted on Zoom.
“People really don’t notice, but the little things do matter, and Institute’s one of them. When you’re online, not only will you find joy and happiness, but also you know peace comes along with it as well.”
A missionary procession
Another way church members in Laie have stayed connected is by welcoming missionaries who returned home early.
David Lewis, a member of Laie 3rd Ward, said he helped to put together a drive-by missionary welcome. Lewis shared it consisted of ward members driving by the homes of the returned missionaries to make them feel loved and welcomed.
According to Lewis, there were about 10 to 15 vehicles loaded with people. They were decorated festively on the nights of March 28 and 31. He said the parades were full of cheering for the newly returned missionaries. To comply with social distancing and to add a bit of Hawaiian charm, Lewis said there was a car with a 6-foot PVC pole to put leis on each of the returned missionaries.
“They need to know we are so proud of their efforts. It doesn’t matter if they went for a day, or if they went for 24 months. It doesn’t matter if they were an elder, a sister, a senior or a youth... They weren’t going to have an opportunity to speak in church or be in a group of people to be recognized for their efforts, and I want them to know that I thought they were awesome for going out.”
They need to know we are so proud of their efforts. It doesn’t matter if they went for a day, or if they went for 24 months.
A newly returned missionary herself, Essie Workman said the parades helped her feel loved by her community in Laie after serving in the Armenia-Georgia Mission. She said the excitement of the people in the cars mirrored their excitement over Kahuku High School football games. Workman said it helped her feel more validated in her mission after feeling disappointed about returning home early.
“It made me feel like I really was a missionary and that I returned with honor. It’s hard to come home early just because you feel like your work is not done yet, and there’s so much more to do. So, there’s a sense of shame and sadness that comes with that and the disappointment.
“To come home and have people welcome you home despite the obstacles that are in the way to welcoming you home … helped me know God also appreciated my efforts and the Church appreciated my efforts and that what I did was still worth something.”
Eric Workman, Essie’s father, also said he felt an overwhelming sense of joy and devotion from his fellow community members as they drove by their home.
“As a parent, you feel a little bit sad they're not going to get a grand homecoming, an opportunity to speak in Sacrament Meeting and to have everyone be able to hear their testimonies. So, the fact that members of the ward put this together and everybody showed up to get in a long procession line, shows they were reaching out and wanting to recognize these kids, which meant a lot to our family... We are really grateful to have had the extra ward support in welcoming Essie home.”
Essie said this parade was an excellent demonstration of how people can stay connected and together, even with social distancing and quarantines in place.
“I’m glad that we can all support each other and find ways to help and serve each other, even in this time of uncertainty. I’m so grateful that we’re all in this together and that we lift each other.”
I’m so grateful that we’re all in this together and that we lift each other.