President and Sister Meredith, Brother and Sister Webb, parents, family, friends, and especially you graduates, you’re an inspiring sight! Congratulations!
To borrow from President Russell M. Nelson, speaking at another CES commencement, “We are very proud of each of you! … We thank [you consecrated] faculty and staff for [your] service and tireless striving for excellence.” [1] And to each of you who have contributed to this university financially or in any other way, please accept our sincere gratitude!
Representing BYU-Idaho’s Board of Trustees
BYU-Idaho’s mission statement begins with this fundamental: “Brigham Young University-Idaho was founded and is supported and guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” [2]
Elder Ronald A. Rasband taught that this university’s “Board [of Trustees] is led by the First Presidency, with President Russell M. Nelson [himself] serving as Chairman, President Dallin H. Oaks as First Vice-Chairman, and President Henry B. Eyring as Second Vice-Chairman. … [This] governance structure creates a tremendous advantage for BYU-Idaho.” [3]
Each of you graduates has almost certainly experienced the personal spiritual advantage of being led by the First Presidency. And there is more! If you and I are acquainted with and follow the teachings of the Savior and His prophets, “There is no question—personal or social or political or occupational—that need go unanswered.” [4] The First Presidency are our very own personal watchmen on the tower, [5] warning us of advancing evil [6] and helping us to prepare for the days ahead! [7] Talk about a tremendous advantage!
Horatius
Because we are at this great university, may I illustrate with a favorite piece of poetry?
Thomas Babington Macaulay, in his stirring poem, “Horatius,” [8] inspires us as towns and families are saved from an approaching enemy by those he movingly names “the dauntless three.” [9] Dean Jason Williams, in assisting me with these remarks, told me that school children throughout England, and even Winston Churchill himself, would quote many of these lines by heart. [10]
Lars Porsena of Clusium is the Etruscan king leading the enemy against the villages and hamlets and families of Horatius. When Porsena “summons his array,” thousands on foot and tens of thousands on horses gather from every “tower and town and cottage.” It was a fearful sight as these forces marshalled:
“And plainly and more plainly
Now through the gloom appears,
Far to left and far to right,
In broken gleams of dark-blue light,
The long array of helmets bright,
The long array of spears.”
This advancing foe is on one side of the yellow River Tiber, with Horatius’ family and friends gathered inside the city gates on the other. Their only hope to “save the town” is to bring down the last remaining bridge. However, notwithstanding their desperate efforts with “axes, hatchets, bars, and crows,” the bridge’s “planks above” and “props below” are slow to give way.
Horatius, “the captain of the gate,” is “willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the entire city,” [11] declaring, “in yon straight path a thousand / May well be stopped by three” and asks who will join him on the advancing army’s side of the bridge.
Spurius Lartius and strong Herminius declare they will stand at his side and “keep the bridge with thee.”
So, do you have the picture? Can you see it in your mind’s eye? These “dauntless three” unwaveringly stand against this determined enemy, like Captain Moroni in defense “of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” [12]
Horatius exhibits the resolve of these three consecrated leaders with this inspiring declaration:
“Then out spake brave Horatius,
The Captain of the gate:
‘To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods …
“‘Horatius,’ quoth the Consul,
‘As thou sayest, so let it be.’
And straight against that great array
Forth went the dauntless Three.”
Kinda makes you wish you’d taken Dean Williams’ poetry class, now, doesn’t it!
Like Macauley’s poem, we too sense the gathering darkness. And we also have a deep and growing loyalty to the First Presidency as they stand in front of us like the “dauntless Three,” warning us of advancing evil, and teaching us how to prevail.
I add my testimony to yours using the words of the Restoration Proclamation: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints … is Christ’s New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ … [who] has once again called Apostles … The earth [and I hope we] will never again be the same.” [13]
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Russell M. Nelson, “Disciples of Jesus Christ—Defenders of Marriage,” BYU Speeches, August 14, 2014.
[2] Brigham Young University-Idaho Mission Statement.
[3] Ronald A. Rasband, “2023 Inauguration Address,” BYU-Idaho Speeches, Oct. 10, 2023; emphasis added.
[4] Boyd K. Packer, “Teach the Scriptures” (address to religious educators, October 14, 1977).
[5] See Doctrine and Covenants 101:45–53.
[6] See Doctrine and Covenants 101:54.
[7] See Doctrine and Covenants 101:54.
[8] Thomas Babington Macauley, “Horatius.”
[9] Thomas Babington Macauley, “Horatius,” in One Hundred and One Famous Poems with a Prose Supplement (Revised Edition), ed. Roy J. Cook, (Chicago, IL: Henry Regnery Company, 1958).
[10] Dean Jason Williams personal correspondence, July 16, 2025.
[11] Dean Jason Williams personal correspondence, July 16, 2025.
[12] Alma 46:12.
[13] “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World,” Gospel Library.
About Brother R. Kelly Haws
Brother R. Kelly Haws serves as the Secretary to the Church Educational System Board of Trustees. He received his associate's degree from Snow College, his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, and his master's degree from Utah State University.
Brother Haws began his doctorate work at the University of Utah, but received his doctorate degree in education and physics and astronomy from George Mason University.