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President and Sister Hallstrom discuss their hopes for students and the blesssings waiting at the temple

James and Kathleen Hallstrom
Photo by President Hallstrom

James E. Hallstrom and Sister Kathleen King Hallstrom, Laie Hawaii Temple president and temple matron for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shared they want students of BYU–Hawaii to feel welcomed and loved when they enter the temple.

Sister Hallstrom said a temple is a unique place where students can be guided and feel the Spirit. “It’s the place our Father in Heaven can touch you in the things you really need in your life.

“I would hope each one of [the students here] has a future of the temple, whether it’s temple work or temple attendance. I would hope each one of them will accept the invitation of the Spirit to come. Our Father in Heaven loves us, and this temple is a symbol of love.”

Having lived on Oahu for the majority of his life and calling Laie home, President Hallstrom stressed the importance of regular temple attendance and how attending the temple frequently can change worthy people for the better.

“The temple transforms the inner soul. So, with frequency in being in the House of the Lord, you change, you become more like Him ... People are made better spiritually. It’s all about preparing ourselves to be ready to be in His presence and to become as He is.”

Temple in our countenance

President Hallstrom said when students put their best efforts into repentance and going to the temple regularly, Heavenly Father will take care of the rest.

“I think as you consecrate yourself, focus on the temple, and you are willing to do whatever it takes, He makes up the difference.”

Sister Hallstrom added serving in the temple, and being there almost every day, brings blessings into her life. “Because you are here most of the time, you always ask yourself, ‘Am I taking real advantage of where I am? Am I able to bring a worthy person here every day?’

“Those are questions you try to keep at the forefront ... Our emphasis and focus are to give an opportunity for the saints to come and be blessed by the Lord’s ordinances that are here.”

With the holy ordinances and sacred covenants that take place in the temple, President Hallstrom said the teachings of the temple are centered around a higher level of spirituality and personal awareness.

“You begin to embody the message, and it just becomes apart of you. Being in the House of the Lord clearly changes your perspective and your spirituality.”

Mighty work to be done

To better understand Heavenly Father and His plan, President Hallstrom shared extensive preparation for entering the temple is required.

“As we come prepared to receive, then He reveals to us the doctrines and changes that we want ... And until we are ready to receive, all we will do is come and have a wonderful day, but there won’t be an inspirational, revelatory experience until we are ready to have one.”

President Hallstrom and Sister Hallstrom both expressed the blessings the temple can bring members of the Church and the need to have the temple in sight.

“The temple always has to come first, and it always does ... I think some of the incredible blessings are to be able to work in a wonderful, peaceful place with people that are just saints. It’s kind of like your happy place ... It’s a wonderful place to be, and all you have to do is feel and radiate the Spirit that’s here,” President Hallstrom shared.

Similarly, Sister Luker, a senior missionary serving in the Laie Hawaii Temple Visitors' Center, said she has been able to share the gospel with people from all over the world.

“People come here because they sometimes don’t know why they’re here and think it’s going to be a tourist attraction, but really they’re being taught the gospel. They come from all over the world, and that’s really a fun part [of serving here].”

With the centennial of the Laie Hawaii Temple approaching, President Hallstrom shared he hopes students and community members will make special efforts to attend the temple more often and partake in the blessings waiting behind its doors.

“The fact we can come to the temple frequently really enlarges who we are and who we can become. So I would hope in celebrating the temple, we can show our love by attending more and benefitting more.”