Miracles in Polynesia - New Book Release by Dr. Bradley Nelson & John B. Hewlett

“Among the Hawaiian Saints, miracles of healing became almost commonplace.”

— George Q. Cannon

In a world that so rarely acknowledges the reality and significance of miracles anymore, it is refreshing to read historical and modern accounts of abundant miracles throughout Polynesia.

Released in the summer of 2026 as an effort to share the gospel and strengthen the faith of believers worldwide, Miracles in Polynesia is a new book created through the collaboration of Dr. Bradley Nelson, founder of The Body Code, and John B. Hewlett, founder of Cardio Miracle.

How Miracles in Polynesia Came to Be

The history behind the making of the book isn’t covered within its pages, but it is worth sharing here to give some perspective on how it came to be.

Miracles in Polynesia was born from Brad and John discussing the many miracles within their own lives, missions, and personal histories connected to the Polynesian islands. The concept was conceived at sea while on a cruise with their wives, as each became aware of the other’s passion for the subject of miracles among people and places so important to them.

Soon, they were excitedly swapping stories from journals, along with dreams, visions, and experiences that had shaped their lives. Dr. Nelson’s grandfather, John Alexander Nelson, Jr., became an impetus for the collection. He served as a presiding authority over missions throughout the islands in the early 1900s and has been revered by Saints for more than a century. His stories of service, miracles, and remarkable experiences are still discussed with power among those of the islands today.

Stories Stretching Back to the 1850s

And then the history went even further back.

The book reaches into the 1850s, sharing stories of early pioneering missionaries braving the islands, navigating unknown languages, and entering circumstances they could never have fully anticipated. Initially assigned to teach only white people, these missionaries soon encountered extraordinary faith among the islanders. By learning their languages and teaching the gospel, they ultimately helped bring thousands to Christ.

Within this book, you will find fascinating histories involving George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, and legendary Church missionaries who brought the gospel to Polynesia. Their experiences can bolster your own faith and inspire you to become a more missionary-minded disciple.

Sections of the book include stories from Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, and Fiji, presented in a reader-friendly format with short chapters and powerful, concise, inspiring selections. Photographs accompany portions of the work as well.

If history dating back to the 1800s isn’t typically your thing, there are plenty of stories from the 1900s and even as recently as 2025, recounting miracles throughout various parts of the islands.

However, I recommend beginning with the oldest histories because they add important context to the narrative. They help explain why the faith of these people has remained so strong and why accounts of miracles continue even today. The incredible adventures of faithful missionaries from generations past may just rekindle the fire within you to become that same kind of messenger in your own life.

For that reason, I recommend reading the book from start to finish.

Missionaries, Language, and the Gift of Tongues

Some of my favorite moments are the stories of boys called on missions as teenagers, with no training in the language, who suddenly found themselves becoming fluent in fewer than 100 days through what they understood to be the miracle of God, allowing them to preach to the native people.

It is also inspiring to see how often the islanders were given up on by others, yet certain young missionaries chose to stay. Through deepening their commitment to study and prayer, and seeking the gift of tongues, they experienced incredible success.

Miracles From the Authors’ Own Lives

At the back of the book, the authors share special experiences and miracles from their own lives and missionary service. It is profound to read these modern-day stories and to see in written form so many accounts I have heard throughout my entire life.

In full disclosure, Dr. Brad Nelson is my friend, and John B. Hewlett is my father.

Candidly, when family and friends write books, we sometimes approach them with a level of skepticism. We know how much time, effort, energy, and investment went into creating them, and there can naturally be a question of whether the finished product justifies all that went into it.

I have to say, this is a very welcome and enjoyable read and a wholly worthy endeavor.

For me personally, it also serves as a treasured history of my father’s life and preserves stories he has recounted to me for decades. Reading them on the page has given me an even greater appreciation for how important it is to get our fathers’ and mothers’ words out of their journals and minds and onto paper.

I am sincerely grateful that Dr. Brad Nelson put in the time, investment, and motivation to see this book through with his friend, my Dad.

This book will be a personal family treasure for our family, and it is something I am proud to share with anyone willing to read it.

Why These Stories Matter

I promise you this: As you read Miracles in Polynesia, you will feel the Spirit of God. It will manifest to you that these stories are true, important, and worthy of being passed on.

So often, oral histories can become lost or changed through generations. The written word gives us the opportunity to preserve these histories and pass them forward as faithfully and accurately as possible.

These miracles are facts to those who experienced them, and their stories can build our confidence in God’s willingness to extend miracles to us as well.

But it is up to us to search for miracles, ask for them, and believe we can receive miracles of our own as we live our lives in accordance with God’s commandments.

A 5-Star Read Worth Sharing

This is a five-star read and is not yet available on Amazon or in bookstores.

However, you can get a copy directly through the Miracles in Polynesia website.

Do not wait.

Fill your life with stories of miracles you will find yourself sharing in everyday conversations with friends and family—stories that can bring you closer to Christ, just as these experiences have done for believers throughout Polynesia for more than 170 years.

https://cardiomiracle.com/pages/miracles-in-polynesia