Urban Poly Princess

This is a painful part of church history I don't like revisiting.

I had to go there because I didn't fully understand why I was so angry with my friend. I know he didn't mean any disrespect toward the Hawaiian people, but he seemed to be trivializing their experience simply because they didn't cross the plains. Instead they crossed an ocean for their faith and instead of having this strengthened upon their arrival in "Zion" they had it undermined. They were not greeted warmly by the "fellow saints" the local newspapers even ran stories that emphasized they were sinful adulterers used to mild weather and leisure.

There are so many conflicting stories that it is difficult to verify exactly what happened. Persecution, bigotry and racism however have been confirmed by multiple sources. What is murky is why Iosepa stopped and the residents were told to go home and that the church would pay for anyone who wanted to leave without money to travel back to Hawaii.

When I think of early Polynesian converts moving to a harsh climate to unite with fellow saints in Utah only to be treated like crap it makes me mad, it makes me cry. I guess it's good to remember what they endured because of their faith. They weren't permitted to stay at hotels or eat at restaurants. They were given land far from Salt Lake to develop. Every other immigrant population was given their own wards and leadership was chosen from among the members. This was not true of the group from Hawaii. They knew the truth and felt the spirit or they never would've left Hawaii. I'm sure it was heart-breaking to have the reception they received in Utah.

This is the kingdom of God on earth. It is difficult for me to realize that despite this men are fallible and even cruel. I hate that these offenders included many great leaders in the church. Even with these imperfections the gospel has richly blessed and continues to bless me. This is such an ugly part of our history. I hate that it happened BUT it still happened in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's not hard for me to believe this occurred. Things haven't changed much over the years. Bigotry and racisim remain, it's just subtle now BUT anyone who has experienced this knows it is alive and well.

I fell asleep watching White Collar online in front of my television with all the lights on downstairs. I got up at 2am. I tried to sleep BUT instead I tossed and turned the time away. I kept thinking about how mean I was to my friend. I thought a lot about Iosepa and the gathering of the House of Israel. Why were the early Polynesian saints told to move to Utah if they were eventually encouraged to return. Why did they have to suffer like that? Did the Lord have another plan for them? I kept trying to fall asleep but I couldn't. At 5:30 I finally thought to text an apology because that's the only thing that's worked in the past when I couldn't sleep. It worked AND I was able to sleep an hour. Why didn't I do that at 2am instead then I wouldn't be tired like I am now!!! 

The House of Israel is promised many blessings. Polynesians are direct descendants of the House of Israel. Anyone who joins the church is adopted into the House of Israel and thus eligible to enjoy the corresponding blessings. The lineage thing always confuses me. Is it JUST spiritual or is it literal ancestry. Why do siblings have different lineages then? My mother, brother and I are all from Ephraim but my dad was from Manasseh. Then again they were siblings.

If it doesn't matter why are we told?

Bishop always encourages us to ask questions at his firesides but I don't trust him to answer them. Too many religion professors I used to quiz at BYU. He has the spirit and he has humility. HOWEVER When I last spoke to him and told him I hope to find a job that pays more he actually encouraged me to leave. Weird. I didn't explain to him how Stevens-Henager College owns me for the next 2 years unless I want to pay them 31,000. There is only 1 thing keeping me here and while I have committed to do what I can, I can only do so much. I was shocked when Jodie couldn't get over that I've lived here a little over 2 1/2 years. She thought I was from here. Actually at the end of July it'll be 3. I started my job here at the end of May in 2010 but I commuted an hour and a half each way for almost 2 months. That was hell.

Helaman 10
4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

What lovely verses. How nice to be praised in scripture. How would it be? It must be extremely difficult for those men who have been criticized in scripture too.
Becoming Goodly Parents - L. Tom Perry
As you reach certain milestones in your life, it is helpful and instructive to reflect on the events and experiences of the past.

I don't know what Iosepa teaches me. I just get mad and sad and cry when I think about it so I don't like to do that. I wonder what Robert's version of the Iosepa story was. I'm glad I don't have to tell it. Emotional basketcase is NOT a good look for me. Anyone who has ever been treated differently based entirely on what they look like knows what I'm talking about.