In February of 1978, (more than thirty years ago) I stood at this pulpit and shared with the students, faculty, and staff of Ricks College the feelings of my heart.
My prayer for all of us today is the same as it was in 1978 ... it is like the prayer of many of your parents and leaders. It is the prayer of King David for his son Soloman recorded in 1 Chron 29:19:
And Give unto my son Solomon a perfect heart - to keep my commandments.
Those who love you and all who teach and direct you at this institution realize that it is when you follow the Savior with a perfect heart and keep His commandments, that you will find a life of true joy and happiness. There is no other way!
I am happy to be back here. It is good to be with you.
The first time I was on this campus in an official capacity was in the fall of 1970. I was then the Associate Commissioner of the Church Educational System and the Secretary to the Church Board of Education and Ricks College Board of Trustees. I was accompanying Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who had just been called by the First Presidency to be the Commissioner of the newly reorganized Church Educational System. President Joseph Fielding Smith and President Harold B. Lee had asked Brother Maxwell to visit this campus and express their appreciation to President John Clark and his associates for all of the excellent work that they had done and were doing here. President Clark had served for more than twenty-six years as President of Ricks College through some very trying times. During those years, he had seen the student body increase from about 200 to almost 5200 students. He was doing his work on a very limited budget and with limited facilities.
In 1970, it was time for President Clark to retire. Elder Maxwell informed the faculty and the staff that the Lord was very interested in the future of this institution and that a search was underway for a person to replace President Clark. As Secretary to the Board of Trustees, I watched as the brethren considered and approved Henry B. Eyring to be the President of this college. You, of course, know him today as President Eyring of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All I can say - that was surely an inspired choice. Following President Eyring, the Lord called a number of great brethren to lead this institution as it is changing from a rather small and insignificant Southern Idaho college to what it is to become ... it will become one of the country's most unique and outstanding institutions of higher education. (To give you an idea of what I think is to come, Brother Carl G. Maeser said, "We may go to the East for learning; but the East will come to the West for wisdom.")
President Eyring was followed by President Bruce C. Hafen, who was followed by President Joe J. Christenson, followed by President Steven Bennion, and then President David A. Bednar was called as president.
These brethren were all great educators, but, more importantly, they are great priesthood holders and leaders of the Church. Each is blessed with an outstanding testimony of the mission of the Church and of this institution, and they followed the inspiration of the Lord and the direction of the Prophets as they did their work.
Recently the Lord, through his Prophet, has called President Kim B. Clark to lead this institution ... you must be aware that there is hardly an institution of higher education in this country that would not have rejoiced if Brother Clark would have consented to lead their institution. But he followed his Prophet's call and how blessed we are and will be because he is here.
It is important to note that through this same period of time, the Lord has also directed the gathering of the most qualified and spiritual faculty and staff to assist President Clark in seeing that each of you is given an opportunity to have an outstanding educational and spiritual experience while you are here.
The Lord is now using a large amount of tithing and other resources to make this college the kind of an institution He wants it to be. According to the Lord's instruction in section 119 of the Doctrine and Covenants, one of the main uses of the tithing resources of the Church is for the "Laying of the foundation of Zion." When you read the 120th section of the D&C, you will see that it is the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, and the Presiding Bishopric that are involved in making these decisions. They are not the only ones involved in these decisions. As the D&C states, "it is the voice of the Lord unto them"[1] that guides these brethren in the work of allocating these sacred funds. It is my testimony to you that the Lord is guiding this work in the way He has said He would.
Because of some of my past assignments, I was blessed to be in many meetings when budgets and expenditures were being discussed. I witnessed the Lord making His will known to these Brethren over and over again as they approved the use of Church resources.
It is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to be involved in such an institution and such an important work. Remember, the investment that the Lord makes in this college in your behalf is to help you be leaders in the work of laying the foundation of Zion while you are on the earth. You are being trained to be leaders in your homes and in the world after you have left this institution.
Brother Karl G. Maeser, who founded BYU Academy under the direction of Brigham Young said,
The purpose of the establishment of schools in which religious instruction could be given was to combat the invasion of unbelief, skepticism, moral deficiencies and other objectionable influences which are present in this society.
We have much more evil and many more objectionable influences in our society and in our lives today than in the time of Brother Maeser. We are to help combat these evils and to do a good job of it, because of our experience at BYU-Idaho.
I have reviewed some of the background and purposes of BYU-Idaho to help you see what it is becoming and to suggest that each of you is to become a leader in building Zion on the earth. There is one thing you can be sure of - this institution will still be changing in the years to come as it becomes more perfect in the performance of its mission. You should change and grow in a like manner.
Remember that the Lord has told us that we will be judged by what we have become as a result of our experiences while we live on this earth. We need to remember His instruction to us - remember, He asks us, "therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Even as I Am."[2] This should be our goal.
May I share with you some lessons that have been important lessons in my life and that have helped me to become different than I might otherwise have been?
We have all been taught that it is impossible for men to be saved in ignorance.[3]
We are all reminded that "whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."[4] "And we have been taught that the glory of God is intelligence, or in other words light and truth."[5] The Book of Mormon defines truth as follows: "... the spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be ..."[6] Truth, then, is knowing things as they really are, not as they may appear.
At the same time, we are reminded "to be learned is good, if they hearken unto the counsels of God."[7] Remember the IF!
We do need to study and seek diligently and then, through the Lord's spirit, we can be led to the truths that help us use what we have learned in ways that help us become what we are to become.
Please remember this word of counsel from the Lord through apostle John A. Widsoe,[8]
The children of men are expected to use their own powers in all their affairs. The gathering of knowledge is no exception. Only when man has gone as far as he can, and more knowledge is required, does the Lord come with direct help.
Perhaps this process is a little like we are taught about being saved in the Book of Mormon. "It is by grace that we are saved - after all we can do."[9] You will not be given the answers to your questions if you do not first do all you can to find the answers. After you do all that you can, then you should go to the Lord and ask for verification by the Holy Spirit.
As an aside, just remember the little saying, "Work will win when wishy washy wishing won't" It is a great lesson to learn to work hard.
To illustrate my next suggestion, may I share a personal story with you?
I was aware of the Lord's counsel concerning seeking to learn and grow. My parents and grandparents had taught me to work hard and I was living my life like I thought I should live it.
In 1963, when the world was less hectic and I was much younger, I had an experience that helped to change my life. I had completed my college degree, served in the army during the Korean War, and had returned home to Northern Utah. I had worked for a CPA firm, received my CPA license, and then after, some time and experience, I was finally working for a company in a small Utah city. We were satisfied and happy. Life was just as we had planned it would be. I had an important and well-paying position, and, as far as I was concerned, I had reached my professional goals. Then the Lord took a more active part in changing my life.
I was called to be ordained a Seventy. (Those were the days when the Seventies were ordained in each Stake). Elder Boyd K. Packer (now President Boyd K. Packer) who was then an assistant to the Twelve, was assigned to our stake conference. During his visit, he was to interview those to be ordained, and then after the conference, to ordain us in our Priesthood calling. It was the interview and the blessing that I received from Elder Packer that began to change my life.
As a part of a very powerful blessing, Elder packer blessed me that I would be "blessed with the spirit of divine discontent." He indicated that I should not and would not be content with what I was doing in my life unless I was doing all I could to "be about the Lord's work in the earth by serving my brothers and sisters to the best of my ability." Now that is the kind of a blessing that gives you a great deal to consider. It dawned on me later that he was reminding me of the Lord's command to "seek ye first the kingdom of heaven."
I continued to work in that community and was, after a time, called to be the bishop of the ward at a young age. I thought that I was responding to the blessing. I was doing all I could do to serve my brothers and sisters in the ward, and we were happy as a family in where we were living and what we were doing.
But ... I was not content! I felt that there was something else I should be doing.
It just so happened that in about 1965 or 1966, the Church announced in the Church News that it had an opening in the position of director of long-range planning. I applied. I did not even get a response to my application. In fact, I was not qualified and I knew it, but I was worried about that Priesthood blessing. To make a long story much shorter, it was seventeen years later, after many small miracles in my life, that I was asked by the First Presidency to assume the responsibility to coordinate the long-range planning efforts of the Church. This was the very work I had expressed interest in many years before. During those seventeen years, I had received many opportunities to be involved in the work of the Lord's kingdom and to utilize whatever talents the Lord had given me to do His work in the earth.
My suggestion is to listen to the Lord as He directs your life. Examine your patriarchal blessing, think of other blessings and council you have received and listen to the Spirit guiding you as you strive to be about His work on the earth. Do not be satisfied with your daily work or career unless you feel you are blessing others by the work you do. Remember the story of the rich young man as recorded in Mark 10:16-22.
The story of the rich young man is depicted in a picture that's in every temple in this Church. As the Lord taught that young man an answer to his question, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" You remember that he told the Lord that he kept all of the commandments and he'd done everything he thought he should do, and you remember what the scriptures record? The scriptures record that the Lord looked at him and loved him because he was who he was. But because He loved him, He gave him further instructions. And those instructions are contained in the last covenant you make in the holy temple of the Lord.
To illustrate the next suggestion I would make today, I would share with you another story.
In 1967, when I was a very young controller at The University of Utah, still striving to follow the council of the Lord through Elder Packer, I was asked to meet with President Harold B. Lee in his office at Church headquarters. I had only met President Lee one brief time before that day. President Lee informed me that Brother Neal A. Maxwell, who had been appointed as the new commissioner of the Church Education System, had asked that I be called to be his new Associate Commissioner responsible for all finance, budgets, buildings, etc. in that world wide school system. President Lee asked me if I would accept the position. I told him that I would. He asked if I did not need to visit with Sister Andersen before making such a career change. I told him that I did not need to visit with Sister Andersen. We had decided together that we would always do whatever we were called to do in the Lord's kingdom. President Lee then asked if I needed to know how much the salary would be for that assignment. I told him no, I was sure that I would be satisfied with whatever arrangement he made in that regard. His response was very interesting. He said, "Well, since you feel that way about it, I have some other assignments that I would like you to accept." He then outlined several other tasks that he wanted me to work on with him to help accomplish what he had in mind for the Church. That was just the beginning of some wonderful experiences with President Lee.
Let me tell you about one such experience. One day, as I entered his office to ask him to sign some papers, he asked how things were going. The work that he had asked to be accomplished was not easy, in fact, in some cases, I wasn't sure I could get it done, and so I told him what I thought. Well ... his response was more interesting. He got up from his chair, went to the door of his office, told his secretary, whose name was Frances, to see that we were not disturbed and then closed the door. I could tell that Brother Andersen was going to the woodshed!
Brothers and sisters, you have read about the Brother of Jared being chastised by the Lord for three hours for not calling on Him in prayer as recorded in Ether 2:14. I hope you remember his experiences. He learned how much the Lord loved him and wanted to help him. Here I was, being chastised by the Prophet of the Lord and I was going to learn the same lessons. It was one of the sweetest occasions of my life.
President Lee had me sit in a chair and then he laid his hands on my head and by the power of his Priesthood taught me the things that he felt I needed to know to accomplish the work that was to be done. He would bless me and teach me out of the Doctrine and Covenants, and then bless me and teach me again, and then bless me and teach me again. He was a master teacher and a loving friend. When he was finished, he asked me if I thought I could do what needed to be done. I told him that with that kind of help and understanding I was sure that I could get it done, and if I did not, it would be my fault, not his or the Lord's.
Here is the council I would leave with you today.
Never refuse a call to build up the kingdom of God in the earth or to help establish Zion. Be prepared in advance with a determination to always serve the Lord and along with your wife and family, put His work first in your life. Please be willing to accept whatever calls the Lord sends your way.
President Thomas S. Monson teaches us that we can do anything that the Lord calls us to do. Remember His statements: "who the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies" or "the Lord shapes the burden to fit the back of those who are to carry it." Believe what the Lord tells you through his modern-day Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. Part of being a covenant people is that we covenant to use our time to build up the kingdom of God on the earth.
Just in passing; as you receive any call to the position in the Church, take time to read the instructions in the handbooks as to how you are to do His work, or if you are a teacher, how to teach the lesson as contained in the lesson manual. I continue to be amazed at how many of us think that we know so much, that we have no need to read what has been prepared for us by the servants of the Lord to help us do the work in the Kingdom. Read the handbooks and lesson manuals and follow the instructions.
I have seen on a first-hand basis how hard the brethren work to be sure that we are instructed in ways that allow us to know how to fulfill any calling we are given or to teach any lesson in any class. Following the manuals is just like following the Lord. Or to say it another way, when you do not follow the manuals, you may have a very difficult time getting something done the way the Lord wants it done.
My final observation is that you should take advantage of the greatest opportunity the Lord has given to this generation ... that is to search out and learn the lessons that the Lord has prepared for each of us in His Holy House. To learn these lessons may take you much of your life but these are the most important lessons you can learn, and the Temple is the place the Lord has prepared for you to be taught.
You have had many wonderful lessons taught at this pulpit on the blessings of the Temples. Let me add my testimony to those you have already heard.
You are so blessed to be able to go to the Temple. Once you have your recommend, you can go about as easily as you can attend you various classes on the campus. The lessons you learn and the service you give in the House of the Lord are more important for your eternal progress than any lessons you may learn in the classrooms on this campus. (Do not use this as an excuse to miss any of your classes.) Although you have outstanding teachers and examples at this institution, consider who is to be your teacher in the Temple.
Remember the lesson contained in D&C 84: 19-22:
And this greater Priesthood administereth the Gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the Kingdom even the key of the Knowledge of God. Therefore in the ordinances thereof, the power of Godliness is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of Godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father and live.
The most important lessons taught in the Temple are the lesson of service to others who cannot help themselves and those lessons contained within the Priesthood ordinances. Just like other lessons, these cannot be learned in a single exposure. You should not think of going through the Temple but of attending often enough to let the Temple go through you. Attend the Temple and learn as much as you can as often as you can.
Just a thought that may apply to some of you: a large number of Temple workers are required for a Temple to operate as they should. Temple workers have a great opportunity to learn as they serve. There may be times in your life when you desire to serve as ordinance workers in the Temple. Let your Bishop know if you think you could be a Temple worker. He will explain to you the conditions of such a call. If you are able to serve in the Temple, your life will be greatly enriched. More than you can imagine.
My experience in the Temple has taught me that I would have certainly been a better person, a better father and husband, a better missionary and a better Priesthood leader, if I would have understood the lessons of the Temple earlier in my life. I am convinced that there are a great many members of the Church who think that going through the Temple was all they had to do to receive the blessings of the Temple. I do not believe this is true. The lessons must be learned and the blessings earned.
To conclude, let me just quote one lesson from the Dedicatory Prayer of the Kirtland Temple that the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith as he prepared to dedicate that Temple. The same blessings are available in every Temple to every worthy son or daughter of our Heavenly Father.
And we ask Thee, Holy Father, that they servants may go forth from this house armed with Thy power, and that Thy name may be upon them, and Thy glory be round about them and thine angels have charge over them. And from this place they may bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth, that they may know that this is Thy work, and that Thou has put forth Thy hand to fulfill that which Thou hast spoken by the mouths of the Prophets, concerning the last days.[10]
These are desirable blessings for each of us to become what we are to become.
I pray that each of us will do those things we need to do to receive the blessing of the Temple and to continue becoming what we are to become.
I leave you my testimony. A testimony of the truthfulness of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony of the great love our Heavenly Father has for each of us, a testimony of the divinity and majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ and His desire to have us all become "like Him." May we become more like Him as we learn to learn, as we learn to serve, and as we learn to listen to the Lord and to grow.
I say these things in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] D&C 120
[2] 3 Nephi 27:27
[3] D&C 131:6
[4] D&C 130: 18-19
[5] D&C 93: 36
[6] Jacob 4:13
[7] 2 Nephi 9:29
[8] Joseph Smith p.221
[9] 2 Nephi 25:22
[10] D&C 109:22-23