BYUH students and a community member says the temple is where they learn, grow and serve fellow men
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For BYU–Hawaii students and community members, Laie Hawaii Temple is more than just a landmark. It serves as a sanctuary—an access point to heaven where they build a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ, make sacred covenants and learn about commitment. “Everyone can have different perspectives about the temple’s importance,” shared Siosiana Heitonga, an accounting junior from Tonga, “but for me, it feels like home. It’s a place of peace, safety and comfort,” she said.
Growing and learning about oneself
Beyond that sense of security, Heitonga said she decided to volunteer as a temple worker because it was one of her lifelong goals. “Before my mission in 2020, I wasn’t able to do that. So, right after my mission, I decided to do it,” she shared. She said serving has shown her the blessings others receive, and she’s grateful the temple is only a short walk from BYU–Hawaii.
For Heitonga, temple service is an opportunity to learn more about herself and strengthen her testimony—it helped her stay on the covenant path and make wise decisions. “I’m grateful to be a temple worker because the house of the Lord is a place where I always learn something new, like balancing spiritual growth with other aspects of life,” she expressed. Serving also taught her to look beyond her personal spirituality and value conection with visitors and fellow temple workers, she said.
Heitonga said temple service taught her empathy and helped her connect with people outside her own culture. “I’m grateful because I learned service is something you can extend to anyone, no matter their backgrounds,” she shared. She said serving also improved her ability to relate to people of all ages.
The blessings are incomparable, Heitonga noted, but the role also comes with challenges. The hardest part, she admitted, is herself. “The challenge is to always be worthy. There are times I feel lazy about going to the temple, but I push myself.” It is a constant choice to go, remain worthy and carry that responsibility, she said.
Heitonga described her service as profoundly meaningful and sacred—an endeavor that blesses, protects and strengthens others. She said she hopes to help people gain a deeper understanding of temple work. The responsibilities are demanding, she explained, and holiness isn’t a quality they perform perfectly. “We’re not perfect, but we’re just like every other person who’s always striving to be worthy of God’s calling,” she shared.
Sacred covenants and relationship with Jesus Christ
For Michael Westberg, a psychology senior from Colorado, the temple holds deep meaning for two reasons: he made sacred covenants with his wife for time and eternity, and it constantly reminds him of Jesus Christ and his relationship with Him. “Elder Rasband visited BYUH and spoke about putting the Lord first and everything else will fall into place. As a temple worker, I’m trusting that promise more than anything,” he shared. Temple service, he said, has strengthened his bond with his wife, improved his balance in life and deepened his understanding of service.
The most rewarding part, Westberg said, has been serving with his spouse, Hannah Westberg. “At first, it was just her who wanted to be a temple worker. But we thought about it, prayed and decided together,” he shared. “If it wasn’t in the Lord’s plan for us, [serving together] wouldn’t have worked out with our schedules. But my application was approved quickly.”
After two months of serving, Westberg said they are both grateful for the opportunity. “We’re excited because there won’t always be a time in our lives when our schedules align to serve together, especially with having the temple so close by,” he shared.
Westberg also noted how temple service has helped him find balance. “It’s a big commitment, but I still find time for everything I need to do,” he shared. The experience has deepened his understanding of service the gospel’s power to bring people together. “It’s amazing to see how everyone serve in different capacities. It taught me that anyone can serve. When you’re in the service of your fellow man, you’re in the service of God, and that’s exactly how it feels in the temple.”
Though new to temple service, Westberg said the experience makes him feel closer to the Savior. “There are challenges. But through the love and support of the people in the temple, I feel strengthened, especially in my relationship with Christ,” he shared.
Once you realize it’s His house and His work, you feel peace and joy in serving.
Commitment, compassion and Christlike love
Daryl Marie Whitford, a Saturday morning temple shift coordinator from Laie, said she enjoys working with students because of the joy and energy they bring. Serving with them, she said, has taught her compassion and Christlike love. “I have a lot of love for the workers I serve with because they bring me so much joy. They’re always willing to go wherever I ask and take on any position.” She said she’s seen the true meaning of commitment in students who balance academics, jobs and temple service, yet still put the Lord first and rely on His promised blessings. “You don’t need to be a worker to do that. As long as you are committed to attending the temple regularly—whether weekly or monthly—and you show up, that’s what matters,” she explained.
Temple service, Whitford said, requires great commitment. She encourages students to continue that devotion after graduation, especially those returning to countries where temples are being built. “As they learn commitment here, they can carry that same dedication into other areas of their lives,” she said. Despite the challenges, Whitford said both she and the students find balance and joy through service. “Once you realize it’s His house and His work, you feel peace and joy in serving,” she said. Even when students occasionally call in unable to serve their shifts, she said she doesn’t worry. “The Lord takes care of everything. That’s the attitude many workers share. Because it’s His house, He will provide.”
Whitford began working at the temple in 2011 and has served as a shift coordinator for the past 10 years. When assigning duties, coordinators “usually start with the more mature, experienced workers,” she said. “But we’ve seen that younger workers can do it too, so we let them assist in certain ordinances.” She said temple workers are trained with love, which helps bring a family-like spirit into their service.
Words of advice
Whitford said anyone who wants to serve in the temple only needs a willing heart and a current temple recommend. “Go talk to your bishop, and the rest will follow. Next thing you know, you’ll be assigned to a shift,”
she explained.
Westberg encouraged others not to miss the opportunity. “There may not be another time in your life when the temple is this close and your schedule this flexible,” he said. He advised students to go through the process and meet with a member of the temple presidency, who he said are willing to help and accommodate individual schedules.
Serving in the temple requires a spirit of striving, Heitonga added. “Keep going, even if you feel unworthy at times. We’re all striving to be worthy, to be holy. Remember, there’s always something greater ahead of you,” she shared.
She emphasized temple workers are never alone in their journey. “If you don’t feel worthy, there are people in the temple you can talk to. There is so much to gain and so many more blessings to receive as an ordinance worker than trials.”•