"May I suggest that Nephi's experience in building that ship is a model for us at [BYU-Idaho] as we prepare for and move into the next century. We, too, must build something we have never built before in order to go someplace we have never been before."
- Elder David A. Bednar
A ship of curious workmanship
By divine design, BYU-Idaho will continue to navigate uncharted waters in higher education.
A Steady, Upward Course: The Future of BYU-Idaho
As it has throughout its history, Brigham Young University-Idaho will continue to move forward on a divinely guided journey of growth, change, and innovation.
In his 1998 inauguration as president of Ricks College, Elder David A. Bednar compared the school to the ship the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi built under the direction of the Lord. Elder Bednar noted it was a ship of "curious workmanship" that was "not built after the manner of men," and was, when complete, "exceedingly fine" (1 Nephi 18:14).
The ship of curious workmanship that was Ricks College is now BYU-Idaho, and those prophetic words still describe the university's mission. By divine design, BYU-Idaho will continue to navigate uncharted waters in higher education.
The new technologies, innovative concepts, and inspired scholarship foreseen by President Kim B. Clark will come through the faithful efforts of students, employees, and alumni. Brigham Young University-Idaho will continue to move forward on a course set by the Lord, becoming everything He wants it to be.
