'Ohana

The annual 'Ohana Meeting was held on Friday to welcome all employees, missionaries and volunteers to the start of a new semester at BYUH.

We were treated to an outstanding piano duet performed by Scott and Stacy McCarrey of the music department and introductions were made.

As part of the keynote presentations, President and Sister Tanner spoke to prepare and inspire us as a new school year begins.

Sister Tanner spoke about three simple principles they taught to grandchildren this summer and how the same principles apply to us as BYUH 'ohana. Taken from familiar primary songs, the principles are:

1. "When we're helping, we're happy..."                    - be helpful
2. "I want to be kind to everyone"....                         - be kind
3. "When my mother calls me, quickly I obey"...      - be obedient

President Tanner presented seven Hawaiian words that he and Sister Tanner have grown to love and how they apply to this university. He often quoted President David O'McKay through words written and spoken by the former prophet.

Aloha - affection and peace, acceptance and love. The spirit of aloha should be evident in all that we do.

Pono - righteousness - The Hawaiian State Motto is Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono, which translates as "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness." Again, President McKay talked about building "testimony and character," "noble men and women," and "genuine gold." 

'Ohana - family
In his diary of Feb, 1921, David O McKay wrote: "...the Church of Christ will truly make of all nations one blood." We are brothers and sisters - 'ohana.

Kuleana - one's personal sense of responsibility. We should look for ways to improve our surroundings by taking responsibility for ourselves and each other.

Malama ka-aina - one's responsibility to love and respect the land. President McKay challenged the people to keep their yards beautiful and clean--that the area may project an "aura of light."

pu-uhonua - place of refuge. President McKay prayed that this place would "be what the early fathers blessed this land to become." He was speaking of not just the early church leaders, but the early fathers of Hawaii.

hukilau - pulling together - the hukilau was a way to raise money to build a church when the first one burned down, it was a way to provide funds for education. It is the spirit of the university pulling together for the benefit of all.

As missionaries, we have a unique opportunity to share in the vision of BYUH and to contribute in our own way for the short time that we are here.

We are grateful to be welcomed as part of the BYUH 'Ohana.