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Elder Val R.
Christensen, former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy,
spoke to Brigham Young University-Idaho students during
Tuesday’s devotional on October 18, 2005 about the importance of
developing leadership qualities.
Elder Christensen began, “How important it is that you develop
the traits that will allow you to immerge as a significant
leader in the lives of the people who come and go as you move
through this beautiful process called living.”
He asked students, “What qualities or characteristics stand out
the most when viewing the lives of influential people?” He
further explained the two most important qualities he believes
influential leaders portray.
“First, the people who have the most influence in my life
display a high degree of integrity. Think about it for a minute,
the people that influence you the most are those people you can
really count on to be honest and have integrity,” he said.
Elder Christensen counseled students how God would want them to
be the same on the inside as they portray to be on the outside.
“God would have us develop integrity of the heart,” he said.
Referring to Shari Dew’s book, No Doubt About It, Elder
Christensen explained Sister Dew’s experience with Mike Wallace
from 60 Minutes after he concluded his interview with President
Hinckley. Sister Dew wrote, “Mr. Wallace was most impressed with
President Hinckley because he had done everything during the
interview he had promised to do.”
Later, when Sister Dew approached Mr. Wallace and asked if he’d
like to see how she quoted him for President Hinckley’s
biography, Mr. Wallace said, “That’s not necessary, you’re a
Mormon, I trust you.” Sister Dew knew Mr. Wallace trusted her
because of his experience with President Hinckley.
Elder Christensen pleaded with students, “Let us develop
integrity of the heart my young brothers and sisters. Let’s be
the same on the inside as we pretend to be on the outside, a
beautiful and faithful servant of the Lord.”
Along with integrity, Elder Christensen discussed how service is
an important characteristic of influential leaders.
“Our purpose is always found in giving to others. This is heaven
on earth. Jesus had this special touch; he knew how to serve
others,” he said.
Elder Christensen concluded, “I love Jesus because he has
integrity. I love him because he serves my needs always. May all
of you become the leaders your President wants you to become. He
gave you a beautiful challenge just a week ago, leaders that can
have a significant influence on your families, your church, your
community and in your work. This will come best if you have
integrity of the heart and a desire to serve other people. May
God bless you to have that desire in your heart.”
Next week’s devotional speaker will be Brother Brad Farnsworth,
Administrative Vice President of BYU. Devotionals are held
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional
seating in the Hinckley Chapel, Taylor Chapel and Kirkham
Auditorium. Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m.
and rebroadcast Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. |