Weekly Ward Message 11/1/26
Updated: 2 days ago
Click for our Sacrament Program (programs are visible on Sunday morning):
Clearing the Clutter: Gospel Lessons from Pest Control
By Jimmy Fitzgerald, Elders Quorum 1st Counselor
Aloha brothers and sisters.
I work as a manager at a pest control company, and as I go about my day, I often find myself noticing parallels between everyday work and the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of those random thoughts I'd like to share with you.
What pests need
Pests, like people, have basic needs: food, water, a place to live, and family. When those needs are met, they thrive.
In my industry, we fix pest problems in two ways. First, we treat the problem. Second, we educate the customer about the sanitation conditions that create the problem and make it worse. Both parts matter. A treatment without cleanup is only half a solution.
Conducive conditions
Clutter, grease, and grime are what we call conducive conditions: conditions that create an ideal living environment for pests. They do two kinds of damage. They give insects everything they need to thrive, and they physically block our treatments from reaching the pests. Our products can only work where they can reach.
It doesn't take much to sustain a pest problem. A cockroach can live for around a month on the oils from a single fingerprint, and it can spend its whole life within an inch of its food source. Small, overlooked messes are more than enough.
Under the prep counter
Sometimes when I'm treating a restaurant, I'll look under the prep counter and find a shelf packed with forgotten clutter. That clutter blocks the staff's view of what's underneath, and hidden beneath it there's often rotting fruit, pieces of cheese, and rubbish. Behind all of it is exactly where the pest problem lives.
I treat the area, behind it, and as close to it as I can. Then I show the staff and managers what I found and explain the limits of what I can do until the area is properly cleaned.
And yet, month after month, I'll come back to find the same mess untouched. The customer grows frustrated. For a couple of weeks after each treatment they see fewer pests, but before my next visit the pests come back strong.
There's another problem, too. When pests aren't eliminated completely, the survivors can build a resistance to the treatments. Over time, the very products that used to work become less effective.
Our weekly treatment plan
As members of the Church, we are blessed to be on a weekly "pest control plan." Each week, as we repent and renew our covenants through the sacrament, the Lord, our Master Technician, provides a much-needed treatment through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That treatment is powerful, and it is always available.
But just like in that restaurant, if we don't remove the clutter, grease, and grime from our lives, the treatment can't reach its full effectiveness. The Lord will treat as close as He can, but He respects our agency. He won't clear our shelves for us without our invitation. And if we keep partaking week after week while leaving the mess in place, we can slowly build a resistance of our own. The sacrament can start to feel routine, and our hearts can grow less sensitive to the Spirit.
The Lord's invitation through Isaiah fits perfectly: "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes" (Isaiah 1:16).
What's under your shelf?
Each of us, especially me, has clutter we should remove so the Lord's treatments can work more fully in our lives. It might be a habit, a grudge, a distraction, or something we've stopped noticing because it's been there so long. It's always worth asking ourselves: What is my clutter, and am I ready to clean it up?
Honestly, sometimes when I ask myself that question, the answer is, "I know what it is, but I'm not ready to clean it up yet."
If that's where you are, that's okay. You're doing a good job. You're exactly where you are supposed to be. Keep coming back for your weekly treatment, and when you're ready, even if it's just one shelf at a time, your Master Technician will be right there to help you clean it up.
Sharing the Gospel in Natural Ways
Take a minute to listen to a message on sharing the gospel from our missionaries, Elder Guillermo and Elder Petersen. If you like the message, see the next section.
Missionary Meals
Feeding the missionaries is a happy little service with a big impact. Please add your name to the SIGN-UP SHEET and spread some aloha, or call Elders Guillermo & Petersen at 808.253.8666 to meet with them.
Young Women
Young Men
Primary
Check out the Primary Newsletter! CLICK HERE to view it.
Announcements
Join our WhatsApp Community for mobile Ward alerts. While on your phone, CLICK HERE
Tithing Declaration starts in September and ends on December 15. Please sign up with Brother Owen Adams to schedule an appointment.
YSA Institute (18-35) - Every Thursday at 7 pm at the Kailua Chapel
Institute (open to anyone) - Every Thursday at 7 pm at the Kaneohe Stake Center
Youth Stake Mission Prep
2nd Sunday at 2:15 pm - Keolu Chapel
4th Sunday at 2:15 pm - Stake Center
NEW Sunday 2nd Hour Schedule:
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Sacrament
12:35 pm - 1:00 pm Sunday School
1:05 pm - 1:30 pm Class & Quorum Meetings
Calendar
November 1, 2026 11:30 am - Sacrament Meeting @ Kaneohe Stake Center
November 4 - Kaneohe Stake Temple Day/Night
AM Sessions
9:30 am Endowment Session (arrive by 9:00 am) - 34 patrons max
9:30 am Initiatory - 6 brothers, 6 sisters
10:00 am Initiatory - 5 brothers, 6 sisters
PM Sessions
7:00 pm Endowment Session (arrive by 6:30 pm) - 34 patrons max
7:00 pm Initiatory - 6 brothers, 6 sisters
7:30 pm Initiatory - 6 brothers, 6 sisters
November 7-8, 2026 - Kaneohe Stake Food Drive
November 7, 2026 4:00 pm - Stake Priesthood Leadership Session
Those who should attend High Councilors
Bishoprics
Elders Quorum Presidencies and Secretaries
Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Advisers
Stake and Ward Mission Leaders
Stake and Ward Family History Leaders
November 7, 2026 7:00 pm - Stake Conference Adult Session
November 8, 2026 10:00 am - Stake Conference General Session
November 21, 2026 - A Season of Gratitude & Joy - Nativity Display & Music Concert
November 26, 2026 - Ward Activity Night cancelled. Happy Thanksgiving!
December 6, 2026 - First Presidency Christmas Devotional
December 19, 2026 - Ward Christmas Party
December 20, 2026 11:30 am - Sacrament Meeting Only
Annual Ward Events
December 19, 2026 - Ward Christmas Party
EQ/RS Lesson Schedule
Nov 1 - TBA
Stake Temple Recommend Schedule
In-person temple recommend renewal interviews will be conducted at the following buildings and chapels during the listed times:
Buildings/Chapels | Sunday | Address | Time |
Waimānalo Stake Center Keolu Hills | 1st 1st & 3rd 3rd | 41-972 Oluolu St. 46-117 Halaulani St. 1461 Kanapuʻu Dr. | 9:30 - 11:30 am 9:30 - 11:30 am 9:30 - 11:30 am |
No appointment is necessary for renewal interviews.
First-time temple recommend holders (for your own endowment): After your
interview with your bishop or branch president, please call Dayton Labanon 808-232-9869 to schedule an appointment. You may contact the temple only after your interview with the stake president is complete.
You are welcome to attend any of the listed chapels for your interview. Please come dressed in Sunday best attire.
Comments