Weekly Ward Message 9/27/26
Updated: Sep 29
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Choosing Him Again and Again
By Justin Okamura, Assistant Ward Clerk
Choosing Him daily—
again and again we rise
toward His gentle call.
Christ at the center—
the compass of every step,
the way home to Father's light.
There comes a moment in every disciple’s journey when the heart whispers a simple but life‑shaping question:
“Who comes first in my life?”
Not in theory.
Not in Sunday language.
But in the real rhythm of everyday life.
When we look at the world around us, it is incredibly easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of demands on our time. We juggle family responsibilities, careers, church callings, schooling, and the endless stream of digital notifications. In the middle of all this noise, we can find ourselves spiritually overwhelmed and drained, wondering how to balance it all.
For those who follow the Savior, Jesus Christ, the answer we want to give is clear—Him. Always Him. Yet the world is loud, our schedules are full, and our attention is constantly pulled in a dozen different directions.
Prioritizing Jesus Christ isn’t just a spiritual ideal; it’s a daily practice that reshapes how we see, choose, and become disciples. We don’t find balance by giving everything equal weight. We find balance by putting Jesus Christ first. When He becomes the center, everything else finds its rightful place in our lives. Peace becomes possible in a chaotic world. Direction becomes clearer. The capacity to love becomes deeper. And life—ordinary, imperfect life—becomes our holy ground and sanctuary.
Christ doesn’t ask us to be perfect disciples. He asks us to be intentional ones. Prioritizing the Savior isn’t about adding more to our already bursting to‑do lists. It’s about shifting the focus and order of our hearts toward the Savior.
President Russell M. Nelson offered this powerful invitation:
“I plead with you to take charge of your testimony of Jesus Christ. Work for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Then watch for miracles to happen in your life.”
So, how can we nurture that testimony in practical ways and keep Jesus Christ our priority in a world designed to distract us? Here are three simple, daily anchors we can lean on.
1. Prioritize Him by Walking the Covenant Path
We begin by walking what President Nelson calls the “covenant path.” This path is not a list of rigid rules; it is a well‑defined way to draw closer to our Heavenly Father through sacred covenants. Staying on this path gives us spiritual strength, momentum, and peace.
The Book of Mormon teaches repeatedly that covenants bind us to Christ and unlock His power. Nephi reminds us that the Lord “giveth no commandment… save he shall prepare a way” (1 Nephi 3:7), a promise that applies directly to covenant living. When we make and keep covenants, we are not walking alone—we are walking with divine help.
King Benjamin teaches that when we enter covenants, we become “children of Christ” (Mosiah 5:7), taking His name upon us and receiving His sustaining power. And Moroni teaches that ordinances performed by priesthood authority invite the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion (Moroni 2–3).
When we make space for worship through sacrament meeting, temple worship, and quiet reflection, we aren’t just fulfilling obligations or checking off to-do items. These are sacred invitations to realign our hearts with heaven and renew the covenants that bind us to Him.
Artwork: Be Glad and Rejoice by Yongsung Kim
2. Prioritize Him in Your Time and Everyday Choices
We also prioritize Christ in our daily choices and our time—our most precious, non‑renewable resource. How we spend it reveals what we truly believe and understand of His gospel. Prioritizing Christ means giving Him our first fruits, not our afterthoughts or leftovers.
The Book of Mormon teaches that small, daily spiritual habits bring great eternal blessings. Alma invites us to “experiment upon the word” (Alma 32:27), suggesting that even small beginnings—like a verse of scripture or a quiet prayer—can grow into a powerful, life‑changing testimony.
Here are simple ways to put Him first through our everyday choices:
Begin the day with Him: A sincere prayer whispered before the world wakes up. A verse that steadies the soul. A moment of gratitude that resets the heart before scrolling through social media.
Let His teachings guide your decisions: When faced with a choice—big or small—ask, “What would Christ have me do?”
Choose compassion over convenience: Christ’s priorities always include people.
Let His voice be louder than the world’s: The Lord’s voice is “still” and “small,” yet it pierces the soul (Helaman 5:30). We must quiet the world to hear it.
3. Pause Long Enough to Notice
Artwork: After the Storm by Yongsung Kim
Sometimes prioritizing Christ means pausing from the world's rush long enough to notice the quiet gifts already around us—to stop and smell the flowers, to look up at a beautiful rainbow, to hold out your hand and feel the rain, or to watch as the light changes across the sky. Slowing down is not wasted time. It creates space for gratitude and stillness, inviting the Spirit's gentle impressions more readily into our lives. In those uncluttered moments of peace, we remember that life is more than a schedule to manage; it is a sacred gift to receive and enjoy.
When we step back from the noise, we become more attentive to the Savior’s presence and more aware of His creations. A deliberate pause can soften a hurried heart, restore our perspective, and help us hear His still, small voice more clearly.
4. Focus on Eternal Treasures Over Earthly Ones
Finally, we prioritize Him by focusing on eternal treasures over earthly ones. It is easy to chase worldly metrics of success—prominence, wealth, or perfectionism. But the scriptures remind us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
Jacob warns against being consumed by riches and pride, teaching that we must first “seek… the kingdom of God” (Jacob 2:18). Mormon reminds us that “the love of God… endureth forever” (Moroni 7:47), while worldly pursuits fade.
Our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and our relationships with our families, are the only things that pass through the veil with us. No professional success or material possession can replace a home built on the foundation of the gospel.
The Blessings of a Christ‑Centered Life
When Jesus Christ becomes our first priority, and we step onto His covenant path, something beautiful happens: we begin to see our fellow brothers and sisters, the Lord’s creations, and life through His eyes.
We feel more patient with ourselves. We become gentler with others. We recognize miracles we once overlooked. We carry hope into places that feel dreary and heavy.
The Book of Mormon teaches that Christ’s disciples become “new creatures” through His grace (Mosiah 27:25–26). He doesn’t just change our behavior—He changes our being. He turns disciples into peacemakers, burden‑lifters, and light‑bearers. He turns ordinary days into sacred journeys back to Him and Heavenly Father.
Every morning, the Savior extends the same invitation He gave long ago:
“Come, follow me.”
Not once. Not occasionally. But continually.
Prioritizing Jesus Christ is choosing, again and again, to walk with Him. To trust Him. To let His grace steady our steps. And as we do, we discover that the path He offers is not only the right one—it is the joyful one.
May we choose Him first.
May we choose Him always.
And may our lives quietly testify that Jesus Christ is not just part of our story—
He is its center.
Artwork: Oh, Lord by Yongsung Kim
Weekly Family Message
By Bishop Kamuela Kimokeo
Aloha Kāne‘ohe 4th Ward families!
Lately, I have found myself thinking more carefully about the things I watch and listen to. There have been times when I am watching a show that is not necessarily “bad,” but I suddenly think, “I am meeting with someone tomorrow, and I may need the Spirit to help me know what to say, what to ask, or even what not to say. Is what I am watching right now preparing me to receive that revelation?” This question has increasingly occupied my mind. I am learning that there is a preparation necessary to tune our hearts and minds to the Spirit. We cannot consume things that drive away the Spirit and then expect to immediately hear the voice of the Lord when we need Him.
While my calling as bishop has caused me to think about this more deeply, the truth is that we all need revelation. We need the Spirit to help us lead our families, strengthen our marriages, understand our children, make important decisions, and know what the Lord would have us do. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” If we want to hear His voice more clearly, we need to prepare ourselves to receive it.
This week, I invite each of us to consider what we are allowing into our eyes and ears through television, music, social media, and other entertainment. We might simply ask ourselves, “Is this helping me be ready to hear the Lord?” One way we can prepare ourselves to receive inspiration is by being more intentional about what we consume, so that when the Lord speaks, we can “be ready always” to hear His voice (1 Peter 3:15). I love you all and pray we are always ready to hear what Heavenly Father needs to tell us.
Aloha,
Bishop Kimokeo
Sharing the Gospel in Natural Ways
Take a minute to listen to a message on sharing the gospel from our missionaries, Elder Garner and Elder Guillermo. 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 Garner & Guillermo at 808.253.8666 to meet with them.
Meet the Pricketts
Aloha! We are the Prickett family. We are so happy to be living in the Kaneohe 4th Ward.
We moved to Oahu last month from Dallas, Texas. Jason and Angela met briefly in Utah at a Family Home Evening activity. We were set up on a “blind date” about 4 days later and were married almost a year after that. We stayed in Utah after getting married for a couple years. We then moved to Florida for Jason to attend grad school. After graduating, we lived in Tennessee for a year and then moved to Texas, where we lived for 11 years. Jason loves the mountains and Angela loves the beach, Hawaii felt like it was the perfect place for us and the right next step.
Jason is a Nurse Anesthetist and he is working at Straub hospital and Kapiolani Women’s Center. Jason is newly scuba certified so if you are going to dive, give him a call. Jason loves the outdoors–hiking and camping. He has climbed to the highest peak in 11 states including Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Angela enjoys reading, watching dance shows, and learning to play piano (quite badly). Angela is also the teacher of all subjects in our family homeschool. And she loves to be near moving water–the waves of the ocean, waterfalls, flowing streams.
We have four children. Navie is 18 and newly graduated from high school. She attends the Kaneohe YSA. Navie just began working her first job at Target. If the food and bev section is looking particularly neat and well stocked, that was all her (and her team). Navie also enjoys reading and acting in plays, baking, and listening to music.
William is 11 turning the big 12 in December. William is down to try anything. He loves to read, especially graphic novels. He can also teach you a thing or two about most insects and animals.
Benji is 9, turning 10 in January. Benji loves to read and eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Benji is definitely the peacemaker in our home and he makes us all laugh with his great jokes.
Jack is 7. Jack just decided earlier this month he was ready to take off the arm floaties and plunge his head under the water. And now swimming with his new blue goggles is his favorite. Jack also likes to spend money mostly on stuffed animals and monster trucks.
We look forward to getting to know you and acquiring a greater knowledge of all the beautiful aspects of Hawaii from each of you. We are sponges, ready and excited to learn all about Hawaii—its culture, landscape, history, and people. We are so grateful for your warm welcome and aloha spirit.
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Primary
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Announcements
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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
Starting on September 6, 2026, we will begin the 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
September 27, 2026 11:30 am - Sacrament Meeting @ Kaneohe Stake Center
October is Chapel Cleanup Month at 7:30 am every Saturday morning
October begins Seminary Security for Kaneohe 4th Ward. Please see Bishop's email to sign up for a day!
October 3-4, 2026 - General Conference
November 7, 2026 7:00 pm - Stake Conference Adult Session
November 8, 2026 10:00 am - Stake Conference General Session
December 6, 2026 - First Presidency Christmas Devotional
December 20, 2026 11:30 am - Sacrament Meeting Only
Annual Ward Events
October 24, 2026 - Ward Trunk-or-Treat
October 25, 2026 11:30 am - Primary Presentation @ Kaneohe Stake Center
December 19, 2026 - Ward Christmas Party
EQ/RS Lesson Schedule
Sep 27 - The Character of Christ, Elder Christofferson
Oct 4 - General Conference, No Quorum Meeting
Oct 11 - Remember, Remember, Elder Wong
Oct 18 - “Here Am I, Send Me”, President Porter
Oct 24 - Jesus Christ Is The Way, President Holmes
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.
Awesome messages. Love the reminder, Bishop! And welcome to the ward ʻOhana Prickett! William is in my sunday school class, and he is an awesome dude! :)