Congratulations, graduates. I join your faculty mentors and other members of the BYU-Idaho team in celebrating your achievement. You are now poised to take your prophesied place as natural leaders in the world at large.
At the risk of sobering you at this joyous time, I want to forewarn you of a paradox you will face in the world beyond Rexburg. That paradox is manifest in a statement that Moroni made to Joseph Smith when he was just 18, the age of a typical college freshman. Moroni momentously prophesied that Joseph's name would be had for good and evil among all nations and people.[1]
Without pretending to prophesy, I can venture from personal experience that you will face this paradox as you move forward, wherever you are inspired to go. Among some people, you may be required to sacrifice your professional ambitions as following the Savior requires you to metaphorically "take up [your] cross."[2] That could mean suffering discrimination for your beliefs, which may increasingly fall into social disfavor. Discrimination might also flow from your refusal to labor on the Sabbath or to work in the evening when you have Church-related obligations.
Fortunately, Heavenly Father can protect and prosper His faithful Saints. Such protection is described by Nephi, who was shown this vision:
And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.[3]
This promise of spiritual protection from enemies of the Church is augmented by an encouraging prophecy about unexpected friends. The prophet Isaiah saw a day when secularism and social pressures would turn many against the Saints. But, paradoxically, Isaiah also saw that some good-hearted people would develop interest in the Church and seek its members out, as described in these passages:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.[4]
Graduates, you have been educated on the mountain of the Lord, in the house of the God of Jacob. We regularly welcome visitors drawn not by invitation from us but by word of mouth. As recently as two weeks ago, we hosted a delegation of new friends eager to learn of the prophetic design of this university, which is unique in the world and stands as an inspired example.
Three times each year, following celebrations such as tonight's, we send thousands of BYU-Idaho graduates out to share their knowledge of the Lord's word and the path He would have all of Heavenly Father's children walk. As you now take your turn, I promise that you can qualify to fulfill Isaiah's prophecy. The pure in heart, including many not of our faith, will recognize you as being guided by higher powers and principles. They will look to you for friendship and will want to learn more about your hopeful outlook and generous spirit.[5]
That will allow you to share the truths you have been taught and now practice in daily life. Before long, you can become natural leaders of your colleagues. You may even receive formal authority over those who once persecuted you, as Joseph of Egypt did in the court of Pharaoh.
The key to this success will be your faithfulness to gospel covenants at all times, in all things, and in all places.[6] Through that faithfulness, you can qualify for the constant companionship and direction of the Holy Ghost, even in matters that seem purely temporal. As you tend the metaphorical sheep in your care, your fellow shepherds will look to you for leadership, as the servants of King Lamoni looked to Ammon.
I have experienced this blessing, and I promise that it can be yours as well, as you keep your covenants and seek to lead in righteousness and love. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Joseph Smith--History 1:33
[2] Matthew 16:24
[3] 1 Nephi 14:13-14; emphasis added
[4] Isaiah 2:2-3
[5] 1 Peter 3:15
[6] Mosiah 18:9