BYU-Idaho President Alvin F. Meredith III and Sister Jennifer Meredith welcomed students into the Fall 2026 semester with devotional messages encouraging them to become stronger disciples of Jesus Christ through leadership, revelation and change.
The Merediths’ message complemented each other, with Sister Meredith focusing on three principles: remembering, seeking revelation and preparing to change and President Meredith teaching how those principles can help students become disciple leaders.
Sister Meredith reflected on counsel given during BYU-Idaho’s inaugural fall semester 25 years ago. She encouraged students to remember their identity as children of God, children of the covenant and disciples of Jesus Christ. She also emphasized that revelation often comes gradually rather than all at once.
“I love that description of revelation: a series of related and expanding answers,” Sister Meredith said in her devotional.
In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio prior to her devotional, Sister Meredith shared more about the message she hoped students would take with them as they begin a new semester.
“I think doing those little, small and simple things — if we’re intentional about studying our scriptures, praying with real intent, worshipping and serving in the temple as regularly as we can — those types of things will also invite revelation,” she said.
President Meredith built on the theme of discipleship by focusing his remarks on BYU-Idaho’s mission to develop disciple leaders. He explained that leadership is not limited to formal titles or positions. Instead, students can lead through examples, service and influence on those around them.
“True leadership is not about having authority over others; it is about using whatever influence we have to bless them,” President Meredith said.
When asked in the BYU-Idaho Radio interview how students can apply the idea of disciple leadership in their own lives, President Meredith emphasized that leadership can happen in everyday interactions, not just formal positions.
“We have a wonderful student body, consecrated students who are here to learn and to grow and our hope is that they will go out into their homes, to their church, and into their communities and be an influence for good with that Christlike leadership,” he said.
President Meredith taught that discipleship and leadership are not separate goals. As individuals follow Jesus Christ and become more like Him, they can use their influence to lift and strengthen others.
Together, the Merediths invited students to view the beginning of the semester as an opportunity for both spiritual and personal growth. Their messages encouraged students to remember who they are, seek direction from God, embrace change and use their influence to lift those around them.