My older siblings, Richard, Kiana and Charlotte were born on Moloka'i and raised by my grandparents, Charles and Emily Ka'ahanui, who were devoted Mormons. Their little house on the east end of Moloka'i, near Puko'o, became of favorite resting spot for many young Mormon missionaries in 1940's and 50's. My grandmother believed that even if you only have a single piece of bread, if you share it with the missionaries (or whoever comes), you will always live in abundance. Over the past weekend, our family saw the true meaning of the "abundance" that grandma referred to a half-a-century ago.
When my nephew Halem returned from this two year mission in Idaho, we were stunned at his transformation. Though we all expected that he would be a different person than the typical 19 year-old that left us in September of 2009, we didn't expect the confidence and commanding presence he carried when he arrived back on Kaua'i last Thursday. When Halem addressed his church congregation on Sunday, he looked (and sounded) like the next Governor of Hawai'i. Though he has a great physical presence (6'4", 275 lbs), it was his sense of "certainty" and the clarity of his beliefs that made his speech so mesmerizing.
My older siblings and I have different fathers so I wasn't raised as a Mormon, but I do understand their belief system and have great respect for their processes, especially the process that transforms young men into capable leaders. A two-year stint in the mission field is akin to 24 months of spiritual, physical and emotional boot camp. The life of a missionary is structured so that every minute of every day is part of a strict schedule that is designed to keep them focused, teach them discipline and test their chosen belief system.
These young men (and women, "sisters" can go out on missions at age 21) are essentially the "sales force" of the Mormons. Their job is talk to people outside the church, peak their interest in the religion and then teach the newcomers enough to get them inside the church building. You've probably seen them walking around your neighborhood with the white shirts and ties. They often run into other church members who cherish their presence, feed them, give them shelter from the elements if need be and generally encourage them to persevere in doing the Lord's work.
Unfortunately, in many places in our country and throughout the world, they are not so well received. Halem told me that during his mission, he had objects (including beer bottles) thrown at him, he was spit on, threats were made against his life, he was nearly assaulted by gang members, had curse words of every kind leveled at him and doors slammed in his face nearly everyday. Some people hate the Mormon missionaries with such vitality, these young men (and women) have been shot, murdered, assaulted, hit by cars, kidnapped and tortured. Even in a country that professes religious freedom, these young people are seen as members of a religious cult by an ignorant and uneducated minority.
The reality of our lives is that we become whatever we believe. It happens this way because whatever it is that we believe is challenged everyday. If you're a vegetarian, people offer you meat everyday. If you value time with your children, your friends are always inviting you to do other things. If you're a stanch believer is saving money, there's always someone encouraging you to spend it. If you live your life by a set of religious beliefs, there's always someone who thinks you're crazy for doing it. But once we find a set of standards to live our life, the constant wave of opposition that comes everyday only makes us stronger. Like the old saying goes, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."
It was this constant opposition and resistance that Halem faced everyday that turned him into a man. Everyday he was challenged to stand for what he believed in and the adversity made him see the strength of the values he professed. Most of us take 30 to 40 years to see this, but Halem's mission allowed him to discover one of life's most valuable lessons in just two short years.
Halem returned with the lesson my grandma was trying to teach us 50 years ago. Abundance has nothing to do with the amount of bread you have. Our abundance is in our beliefs because we ultimately become whatever we believe.
Mahalo for your inspiring insight and comment. I was raised as a Mormon in my younger years until I thought I knew better and elected not to participate devoutly. However, I've never denied my faith or spoken ill of the doctrines I was taught, I just don't practice them.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your family on the proud completion of Halem's mission. He will be a successful man as he grows into the role that he has so richly formulated over the past 2 years!