At BYU-Idaho’s forum last week, Music Department faculty member Randall Kempton talked about the importance of making God the first priority in life. His talk was titled “From Universities Studies Major to Singing for African Royalty.”
After his mission in Italy, Kempton made the plan to become a doctor. Upon applying for medical school, he realized that his heart wasn’t in it and he wanted to pursue something he had always loved – music.
He tested out the music field and found he could have success in it. That led him to be a choir director at Ricks College/BYU-Idaho.
His work at BYU-Idaho has allowed him to have many experiences, such as being asked by the first presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to take the Collegiate Singers to Ghana to do a performance tour. This helped build bridges between Ghana, the Church of Jesus Christ and BYU-Idaho.
He believes all the skills he gained throughout his journey from studying medicine to becoming a choir director have been used by the Lord to do good.
“If I am committed to being a disciple, I want to build the kingdom with whatever talents the Lord has given me, that the Lord will use whatever I learn. Nothing that you learn will be wasted,” Kempton said.
Kempton emphasized that if we pursue our passions with practicality and with God’s work as a priority, He will provide and use our work to benefit us and the lives of others.