BYU-Idaho administrator teaches students about becoming disciples of Christ

Kip Harris, managing director of student support at Brigham Young University-Idaho, taught students about becoming disciples of Christ during a devotional address given Tuesday, May 20.

Harris opened his remarks by referring to an August 2004 devotional address given by Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and former president of BYU-Idaho, in which he called BYU-Idaho a "Disciple Preparation Center."

Quoting Elder Bednar, Harris said, "In this special and sacred and set apart place, you and I have access to unparalleled spiritual resources that can assist us in developing and deepening our devotion as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the primary and most important reason for the existence of Brigham Young University-Idaho and for its sponsorship by and affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

Harris stressed the importance of students taking advantage of all of the opportunities for spiritual growth afforded on this campus.

"Becoming a disciple involves much more than simply attending classes and receiving a degree. I want to speak plainly and sincerely today. If you attend classes and achieve a degree and that's all you leave with, you have wasted the sacred tithes of the church," Harris said. "There are many places you can gain secular learning, but here, there is a clear expectation that you will leave with a deeper testimony of the gospel and become a disciple of Jesus Christ."

Harris gave the students several guidelines to follow in order to become disciples of Christ. One guideline was to study the scriptures often. "We learn of Him by studying his words. This comes through our study and by truths taught by the power of the Holy Ghost," Harris said.

Another guideline was to remember sacred things. "We will become disciples as we learn to focus on and remember the covenants we make at baptism and in the temple. We can achieve this as we renew and remember those promises each week as we partake of the sacrament and by regular temple attendance," Harris said. "Our success in this life will be contingent on our ability to remember sacred things."

Harris concluded by telling the students about the important role they will play in the future. "As the Kingdom of God rolls forth and the Church is recognized in more parts of the world, you will stand as beacons of light in a world that is desperate to find such a light in their lives," Harris said. "And many will look to your example and will want to follow. May we each have a renewed sense of gratitude and do all within our power to become a disciple of Jesus Christ."

Next week's devotional speaker will be Keith B. McMullin, second counselor in the the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the Taylor Chapel during Summer Semester. Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.