It is a humbling privilege to be here with you today. A generation ago, my wife and I had the opportunity of serving for a number of years while I was president of what was then Ricks College. We came here way back in 1985. That was 28 years ago! Some of your parents would have been students here at that time. We have watched from the sidelines the great progress that is being made here at BYU-Idaho.
There are a lot of fine institutions of higher education, but in my opinion, you students are blessed to be enrolled in the best geographical, educational, social, and spiritual university setting you could find anywhere. President Clark and his staff and faculty are doing an outstanding job.
If you take full advantage of this experience, when you graduate you will leave here remarkably prepared in at least four ways:
First: Academic competence in your area of study.
Second: Preparation to be a teacher and a leader in and out of the Church wherever you go.
Third: An enlarged and refined understanding and testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Fourth: An inner spiritual commitment to stand by your standards and convictions in whatever environment you may find yourself. In other words, you can become more independently righteous so that, as President Brigham Young said, you will be able to be "righteous even in the dark."[1]
As I mentioned, some of your parents were probably students here when we called Rexburg home. A lot can happen in a generation, technologically and otherwise. I recently read the following insightful observation:
Twenty years ago, if you had asked someone to "e-mail me" or said, "check out my Web site (or blog)," or began a phrase with "www" or asked if an article was "available online," you would have received a blank stare. "Amazon" was known simply as a forest in South America, and "google" meant nothing.[2]
The Church has also progressed, and is progressing, in remarkable ways. For example, I responded to the call to serve in the Mexican Mission in October of 1948 (65 years ago!). At that time, there were only a few more than 2,000 missionaries serving throughout the world. We were told that our October 1948 group of about 350 missionaries was the largest the Church had ever had in one month. By way of contrast, in August of this year, 5,855 missionaries arrived at Missionary Training Centers around the world -- more than 16 times as many!
Back then, the Mexican Mission included all of Mexico, plus the seven countries of Central America. When I was released in 1951, there were just over 5,000 members of the Church in all those countries combined. There was one mission, no stakes, and no temples. Now in Mexico and Central America there are 52 missions, 331 stakes, 18 operating temples, and more than 1.8 million members. Most of the converts have come into the Church as a result of the efforts of missionaries the ages of many of you in this audience. It is truly a miracle!
How and why did this happen? I believe principally because the Spirit guides to all truth. It bears witness that Jesus is the Christ and testifies of the powerful ideas contained in the restored gospel -- ideas that can satisfy the most inquiring minds.
I do not have words sufficient to express my gratitude for the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the powerful ideas that are contained within it.
These ideas contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ are truly life changing. Years ago, I taught an LDS doctrine and philosophy course during the summer session at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah. As I became acquainted with the class members on the first day, one of the students introduced herself as a nonmember. She was a very bright, attractive third-year student majoring in history and political science.
She asked a lot of questions and participated freely in class discussion; her presence in the class helped to stimulate all of us.
Generally, things seemed to be going along well in the class. We had discussed our Latter-day Saint ideas relating to the nature of the Godhead, man's relationship to God, revelation from God to man, and so on.
Then, three weeks before the summer session was to end, she stopped coming.
I wondered and worried about what I might have unintentionally said that could have offended her in any way.We had no further contact until September, when students began registering for the fall quarter. She called my office and arranged to come and visit for a few minutes.
When she arrived, her conversation went something like this:
Last summer, I registered for your course so I could find out more about what you Mormons believe. I had met a medical student who was a returned missionary. We had dated a few times, and I was interested in him. I decided I wanted to find out more about his beliefs in a setting where he was not present and where I would feel free to ask any questions I had on my mind.
As it turns out, all that is behind us. We are not going together anymore.
She glanced down at her handkerchief that she had wound around her fingers and continued, "I suppose you are wondering why I stopped coming to your class last summer."
I nodded, and she continued:
Well, on the first day that I missed the class, as I was walking across campus toward the institute building, the thought crossed my mind, 'What if all this is true?' That thought -- as she said it -- spooked me so badly that I decided not to go back to class again. I would just drop the course and get away from it. I returned to my own church. I joined the choir. I even joined the civic action program sponsored by the church. I was there every Sunday and in between. I immersed myself in all the activities, but in spite of all my efforts, the ideas would not let me go.
Is there something more that I could study about the Church?
She enrolled in a Book of Mormon course, met with the missionaries, and became a member of the Church--all because "the ideas would not let her go." She later married and moved to the Northwest. I don't know whether she has continued to be active in the Church or not, but I think one thing is sure: she will never be the same again. Once the powerful ideas of the gospel stretch our minds and spirits, and after knowing and believing even some of them, we are never again the same.
Yes, as William M. Paxton wrote:
Ideas go booming through the world louder than cannon. Thoughts are mightier than armies. Principles have achieved more victories than horsemen or chariots.[3]
The ideas and messages contained in the fullness of the gospel and the plan of salvation can satisfy the most inquiring, sincere minds. Unfortunately, trends indicate a decline in membership in mainline Christian churches. Studies have indicated that among Americans generally, those with more formal education are not as active in their churches as those with less education. However, research has shown that within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the situation is just the opposite. Church activity is higher among Latter-day Saints who have the most formal education. In fact, nearly 85 percent of members who are college graduates have a high degree of religious commitment, compared with only 50 percent of those with just a high school education.[4] I believe this is the result of being exposed to and understanding the great ideas of the restored gospel.
I had an experience that illustrates this notion:
I served for a time as a member of the Association of Directors of Religion at a university in the Northwest. A broad variety of faiths was represented in the group. We met monthly to discuss common concerns about our assignments with the university students of our particular denominations. One Monday morning before the meeting had formally begun, I was seated to the left of one of my Protestant minister friends. I can still see it in my mind's eye. He leaned back in his chair with his hands clasped behind his head and, in his typical manner of expression, shared a concern and question. It went something like this:
It seems to me that in the evolutionary development of college-age religiosity, we have come to a time when it is no longer considered relevant by university students to attend Sunday evening worship services.
In other words, attendance among his group was decreasing.
He turned to his right, and asked, "How do you find it in your group?" Each minister in his own way agreed that, over time, the attendance in their groups was decreasing in their worship services.
Finally, after everyone else in the circle had commented, my turn came. At the time, I was also serving as the bishop of the student ward. Coincidentally, at our ward's sacrament meeting the night before this meeting, a note was handed to me by Brother Huber, our ward clerk. It contained the following message: "Congratulations, Bishop! Tonight we have the highest sacrament meeting attendance we have had since we were called to serve." Our experience was just the opposite of all the ministers who had responded. The attendance of our university students was steadily increasing. I tried to figure out a way to report that to the group as humbly as possible.
For a few moments, let's turn our focus to the Prophet Joseph Smith, through whom God restored these powerful ideas of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The angel Moroni appeared to Joseph on the twenty-first of September in 1823. Joseph said of this visit:
He called me by name, and said that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues.[5]
This is a most remarkable prophecy! Anyone could hope that his or her name would be had for good -- not evil, of course -- among all nations, and it simply would not happen. Most of us will not be known outside of the immediate area where we live.
As we all know, there was much evil spoken of the Prophet and much evil done to him and those who believed his message. Almost from the beginning, Joseph Smith's name was vilified as the vast majority of the nonbelievers around him spoke slanderous evil of him. He was attacked verbally and even physically by those who should have given him at least the common human courtesy of tolerant patience. After he told others of his remarkable experience in the Sacred Grove, many began charging that he was lazy, indolent, opportunistic, psychologically unbalanced, immoral, lecherous, heretical, blasphemous -- and the list goes on and on. Indeed, evil has been spoken of him in the past, and there are those who continue to do so today, but I tend to look for the positive.
Fortunately, over the years, some good has been spoken of the Prophet Joseph Smith as well. Some very respected nonmember scholars have come to recognize the significance of his work and contributions. For example, Dr. Harold Bloom, a distinguished professor of humanities at Yale University has written about Joseph Smith. Although I don't agree with everything he wrote, I do agree with some of his statements about the contributions of the prophet Joseph Smith. For Example:
If there is already in place any authentic version of the American Religion then, as Tolstoy surmised, it must be Mormonism, whose future as yet may prove decisive for the nation, and for more than this nation alone.[6]
Bloom continued:
I also do not find it possible to doubt that Joseph Smith was an authentic prophet. Where in all of American history can we find his match? In proportion to his importance and his complexity, Joseph Smith remains the least-studied personage, of an undiminished vitality, in our entire national saga.[7]
That is quite a statement!
One of the greatest aspects of the Prophet Joseph Smith's ministry was the continuous flow of revelation that came through him to become scripture. President Stephen L. Richards, a former counselor in the First Presidency, said this about the contributions of Joseph Smith:
His literary labors must not be forgotten. He produced more scripture, that is, the revealed word of God, than any other man of whom we have record. Indeed, his total scriptural productions would almost equal those of all others put together.[8]
President Richards continued: "The society which Joseph Smith established is without question the peer of all social systems on the earth."
The Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred at the young age of thirty-eight. The Doctrine and Covenants contains this tribute about him: "Joseph Smith did more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it."[9] This tribute has been supported by the testimonies of literally millions of others whose lives have been changed for the better by the work of Joseph Smith.
President Brigham Young said:
I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained, and to whom he gave keys and power to build up the Kingdom of God on earth and sustain it.[10]
I also feel like shouting hallelujah all the time when I think that I ever had the privilege of knowing even a portion of the powerful ideas revealed through Joseph Smith the Prophet that to me are so intellectually and spiritually satisfying.
Listen to these words from President Stephen L. Richards:
If any man has received in his heart the witness of the divine truth embraced in the contributions of the Prophet Joseph, I charge him to be true, -- true to his testimony, true to the Prophet, the founder, true to the cause and its duly commissioned leaders, true to the covenants he has made in holy places, and true to the brotherhood of man in the service that he renders.
To anyone who has not yet received a witness of the restored gospel, President Richards gave the assurance that:
If you will receive and apply the teachings of Joseph Smith you will be made happy. Doubt and uncertainty will leave you. Glorious purpose will come into life. Family ties will be sweeter. Friendships will be dearer.Service will be nobler, and the peace of Christ will be his portion.[11]
These are blessings that anyone would give almost anything to receive.
When you finish your studies here at BYU-Idaho, many of you will enter the work force; others will go on to graduate studies, including attending some of the academically elite universities. You will all be tempted and challenged in every way-- including challenges to your intellect, your moral standards, your beliefs, and your lifestyle. A few of you will even face those who would take your very lives simply because you are Christian-- and especially a Mormon.
How can we make sure that the life-changing contributions of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration become infused in our souls and in our actions in light of these challenges? Among so many that could be mentioned, here are five very practical suggestions that can help each of us. These suggestions are not new. We have all heard them before. But, this afternoon, let's candidly and honestly analyze ourselves and make whatever adjustments in what we are doing or not doing wherever they are needed.
1. Listen to and faithfully follow the counsel of the living prophets.
The Lord's anointed will not lead us astray. We heard great counsel from them during the last general conference. We should now review and carefully study their messages to see how our lives can and should be improved. Of what value is it to have living prophets if we do not heed their counsel?
2. Read scriptures daily.
We are commanded to "feast upon the words of Christ"[12] and not just nibble. Every day, we should find a time when we can really study the scriptures without interruption. Remember that our iPhone, iPad, iPod, computer, or whatever has an "off" switch. We should use it. Turn it off and avoid being interrupted by text messages or interrupting audible or visual announcements of any kind. Let the power of the scriptures feed our minds, hearts, and spirits.
Remember President Spencer W. Kimball's statement:
I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures, the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.[13]
There is no book that testifies more convincingly that Jesus is the Christ than the Book of Mormon. Scholars have found that there are 3,925 references to the Lord in its pages. On average, the book has a reference to the Savior every 1.7 verses.[14]
The Book of Mormon is indeed another testament that Jesus is the Christ.
3. Really pray and don't just "say prayers."
In the rush of things in our busy lives, there are occasions when meaningful prayer does not exist. And there are times when we may not feel like praying. Remember what President Brigham Young said: "It matters not whether you or I feel like praying. If we do not feel like it, we should pray till we do."[15] We should ask ourselves, "Am I really communicating the deep feelings of my heart and not just repeating trite expressions?"
On a few occasions, I attended meetings where President Marion G. Romney, a former counselor in the First Presidency, offered the prayer. He prayed with such sincerity and humility. I wished that I had anywhere near that capacity. Some people really learn how to pray, and it is a goal for which we all should strive.
4. Decide now to be strictly morally clean and not get involved in any form of pornography.
Pornography is all around us, and every one of us knows that. At the click of a computer mouse, we can be flooded with the vilest of immoral images, and watching such trash can become addictive. Our spirituality, our activity in the Church, and even our marriages can be destroyed by it.
President Hinckley has said:
Pornography grows increasingly worse. It is like a raging storm, destroying individuals and families, utterly ruining what was once wholesome and beautiful. I speak of pornography in all of its manifestations.
He continued:
I know that I am speaking directly and plainly. I do so because the Internet has made pornography more widely accessible, adding to what is available on DVDs and videos, on television and magazine stands. It leads to fantasies that are destructive of self-respect. It leads to illicit relationships, often to disease, and to abusive criminal activity.[16]
In the following general conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, motivated by the same inspiration, gave a powerful address on the same subject. He said, "I know that many of you are exposed to pornography and that many of you are being stained by it."[17] I ask that you stand with me today in pledging to stay clean from the plague of pornography.
5. Keep worthy to have and use a current temple recommend as frequently as circumstances permit.
Of all these suggestions, worthily having and using a temple recommend is the most comprehensive and important way to keep safe from the sins of the world wherever we may be.
Remember the nonmember university student who found that the ideas of the gospel "would not let her go." Each of us needs to study these ideas, learn them, and recommit to live our lives consistently with them. The gospel of Jesus Christ not only is world changing but also can and should be truly life changing for each of us.
Remember that the gospel of Jesus Christ embraces all truth. As members of the Church, I am grateful that we are not asked to believe anything that is not true. Courageously stand for the eternal truth contained in the gospel and remember the powerful words of President John Taylor:
Truth will stand proud and erect, unsullied and uncontaminated by the pestiferous breath of calumniating mortals, and no power can stay its progress.[18]
You are a vital part of this unprecedented progress. The Lord is hastening his work in its time.[19] We should become independently capable of being firm and true to our commitments and sacred covenants wherever we are. As President Brigham Young said, we should become righteous "even in the dark."
We respect you. We have confidence in you. We trust you. And we love you. How reassuring it is to have living prophets such as the Prophet Joseph Smith who could share such a straight-forward statement as this from his personal experience:
And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That He lives! For we saw Him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that He is the Only Begotten of the Father-- That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.[20]
I testify that the restored gospel is true. Our Heavenly Father knows and loves all of us as his sons and daughters. Jesus is the Christ, and this is His Church led by living prophets. May we all develop an inner spiritual commitment to stand by our standards and convictions in whatever environment we find ourselves - even in the dark. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Brigham Young Office Journal, January 28, 1857; as cited in Neal A. Maxwell, "Meekly Drenched in Destiny" (Brigham Young University fireside address, September 5, 1982), speeches.byu.edu
[2] William J. Bennett, From the Collapse of Communism to the Rise of Radical Islam, vol. 3 of America: The Last Best Hope (Thomas Nelson: Nashville, 2009), xiii
[3] W. M. Paxton, in The New Dictionary of Thoughts: A Cyclopedia of Quotations (New York: Standard Book, 1959), s.v. "ideas."
[4] For example, see Benton Johnson, Dean R. Hoge, Donald A. Luidens, "Mainline Churches: The Real Reason for Decline" (First Things, March 1993), 13-18; http://www.pewforum.org/ 2012/01/12/mormons-in-america-beliefs-and-practices/
[5] Joseph Smith--History 1:33
[6] Harold Bloom, The American Religion: The Emergence of the Post-Christian Nation (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1992), 97
[7] Bloom, The American Religion, 95; emphasis added
[8] Stephen L Richards, Contributions of Joseph Smith (pamphlet, 1958), 7
[9] D&C 135:3
[10] Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe (1971) 458
[11]Richards, Contributions of Joseph Smith, 9
[12] 2 Nephi 32:3
[13] Spencer W. Kimball, What I Hope You Will Teach My Grandchildren and All Others of the Youth of Zion (address delivered to seminary and institute faculty, Brigham Young University, July 11, 1966), 6
[14] Susan Easton Black, Finding Christ through the Book of Mormon (Deseret Book: Salt Lake City, 1987), 16, 27
[15] Discourses of Brigham Young, 44
[16] Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Tragic Evil among Us," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 59, 61-62
[17] Dallin H. Oaks, "Pornography," Ensign or Liahona, May 2005, 87
[18] John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham (1987), 356
[19] D&C 88:73
[20] D&C 76:22-24