Thank you, President Eyring and Elder Oaks. We love BYU-Idaho. In Mosiah, chapter 18, verse 30, it reads, "And now it came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest...of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer."
I know this is a sacred place, as President Eyring has suggested. Sister Gilbert often has said to the students of BYU-Idaho, "You are in the right place." When we left here six years ago, we just prayed we had enough of Rexburg in us. Once again, we will be leaving; and I hope, like so many students here, that when we leave, there will be enough Rexburg in all of us.
To the BYU-Idaho employees, we love you. We have learned so much from you. We will continue to work together. I appreciate President Eyring mentioning the relationship between BYU-Pathway Worldwide and BYU-Idaho. We will continue to be intricately connected.
I would also like to speak a word of appreciation to the BYU-Idaho Pathway team. This will have tremendous impact on each of you. I want you to know we are praying for you. The creation of this university was an event that was born of sacrifice. So will be the case of the creation of BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
I want to share with you briefly an experience I had two weeks ago as I listened to Elder Oaks and Elder Holland speak. In that setting, we were taught about the mission in the Muddy, when Brigham Young came to stake conferences throughout the early Church in Utah and called people right out of stake conference and asked them to serve on the mission in the Muddy. By the description of it, you can guess it may not have been the most desirable place to relocate. The story goes that one daughter started to cry as she realized all that would change in her life. The girl next to her said, "Why are you crying? My dad was called too. There's no way we're going." And then the first girl said, "My dad wouldn't be my dad if he wouldn't go."
I hope that all of you watch this and know that in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when we are asked to do hard things, we rise up, we do them, and the Lord blesses us.
I also wanted to add my confirmation that President Henry J. Eyring is prepared in unique ways to lead this university. I have sat by his side and received his counsel. He knows and loves this university. He will be a tremendous leader in this university, and I commend him unto you. I also thank my family and Sister Gilbert for their great service. Accepting this new responsibility would not be possible without them.
In closing, I would just reiterate the mission of BYU-Idaho, which is develop disciples of the Savior Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities. I want you to know that, above all, Sister Gilbert and I have a testimony of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. We know He lives. We know He loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.