BYU-Idaho strives to promote inclusion across its entire student body in all of its departments, and one class recently had the opportunity to hear from the university's chief inclusion officer about these efforts.
Bill Riggins spoke to a Foundations of Early Child Development class on Wednesday. In his message, Riggins emphasized the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion by treating all with kindness and love, regardless of skin color, cultural background or other differences.
Riggins pointed to the doctrine of the atonement of Jesus Christ as a good starting point.
"The Atonement, by the way, the word 'Atonement' means ‘at-one-ment,’" Riggins said. "This concept connotes inclusion. The word describes the setting at one of those who have been estranged and denotes the reconciliation of man to God. The very concept of The Atonement is being one with God."
Riggins deferred to a 2020 general conference talk from President Russell M. Nelson, the late president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to share The Lord's teachings.
"Listen to what he said again," Riggins said. "'Brothers and Sisters, please listen carefully to what I'm about to say. God does not love one race more than another. His doctrine on this matter is clear. He invites all to come unto Him, black and white, bond and free, male and female.'"
Lilli Wahlquist is a part of the Student Leadership Council for BYU-Idaho and represents the Belonging and Inclusion Office under Riggins. She is an African American born in New Orleans and was adopted as a baby by a white family.
She invites all students to be part of the greater effort.
"How can we make campus a better community? It's going to take all of us and it's not easy. It's not," Wahlquist said. "Sometimes you might feel like it's not your responsibility and think 'why do I have to go out of my way to make someone feel safe here?' It's going to take all of us to make things work and to make campus better."
Riggins left students with an invitation of his own when it comes to welcoming international students who come to Rexburg.
"Can you imagine being a student coming here never having been to the United States, never having been to Rexburg, and you show up at an airport and somehow, you're supposed to make it to BYU-Idaho?" Riggins said. "Please, please reach out. Become friends with one of them. Find out about them. Don't just walk by them, go sit with them. Say 'Hey, I want to be your friend.'"