Thank you, President and Sister Meredith, for your friendship and leadership. We have loved spending time with you! It’s a privilege to be with you and to reconnect with so many students and faculty we know and love. After a stake conference on Sunday, we gladly accepted an invitation to attend a family home evening in Portuguese. We then visited more new friends. I’m happy to report that they passed the apartment check! And we ate all their food!
Wendi and I had never been to Rexburg, but thanks to many of you, we feel like we have. We have heard your stories: Frozen eyelashes, sledding on cafeteria trays, inner-tube water polo, hallway dodgeball, road trips to Yellowstone, the sand dunes, and basically anywhere with something open past 9 p.m.
But for Wendi, the coolest place on campus is the Hyrum Manwaring Center. She comes from the wonderful Manwaring family, and Hyrum is one of her relatives. He was a tremendous president of Ricks College, almost as good as President Meredith. And Hyrum’s uncle, George Manwaring, wrote many of the hymns we sing, including “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer.”
When I was 12, before my voice had changed, I sang that hymn—in full soprano. Had Wendi been there, I wonder if she would have wanted to marry me, because I totally butchered her family’s most famous hymn.
“A Great Check”
Today I would like to speak about what the Book of Alma calls “a great check.” [1] The scripture describes the people being checked as to the pride of their hearts. They humbled themselves before God, assembled together at their sanctuaries to worship God, and watched and prayed continually.
As we liken the scriptures to ourselves, [2] the phrase "a great check" can signify not only the act of restraining pride and worldliness, but also a process of self-examination which leads to that outcome. A great check causes us to pause and honestly evaluate where we stand before God. It can be a spiritual inventory and reflection. It compels us to make a choice. It’s not merely a decision between right and wrong, but between competing priorities—between what we gain and what we give up. There is a cost when we say yes to one thing and no to another. Economists call this opportunity cost.
I was reminded of this principle during an experience our family had years ago.
Wendi and I took our four young boys to my dad’s hometown in Germany to watch England play Portugal in a quarterfinal match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Our seven-year-old son Kyle was especially excited and could hardly believe he would get to see a World Cup in person.
The day before the game, we were eating at a fast-food restaurant when an English fan started talking with us. When he found out we were attending the game, he looked at Kyle and jokingly—but seriously enough—said, “I’ll give you $1,000 for your ticket!”
Kyle’s eyes got huge. He pulled me aside and whispered, “Dad, should I do it?”
I told him, “That’s up to you. But remember—you’ve always wanted to see a World Cup game.”
After thinking about it, he politely declined the offer because he believed the experience would be worth more than the money.
The next day we went to the game. After 90 minutes of regulation, the score was tied. Then overtime. Still tied. A trip to the semifinals would come down to penalty kicks. Kyle was literally on the edge of his seat, praying England would win.
But they didn’t. Portugal won, and Kyle was devastated. Tears streamed down his face. And in one unforgettable opportunity cost moment, he cried out: “I told you I should have sold my ticket!”
We often evaluate our choices based on immediate outcomes. If things don’t turn out the way we hope, we begin questioning. Sometimes discipleship can feel that way. And in our own “great check,” we may occasionally wonder whether following the Savior is worth the sacrifice of time, popularity, convenience, relationships, money, or personal ambitions.
President Dallin H. Oaks taught: “As we consider various choices, we should remember that … even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.” [3]
Responding to the Savior’s Invitation
The scriptures repeatedly teach us that faithful disciples eventually discover that what God offers is always greater than what we give up. Let’s consider a few of these individuals and their stories.
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee and saw Simon Peter and Andrew washing their nets. Jesus joined them on the boat and taught a large group of people. Peter and Andrew then witnessed one of His miracles while fishing and expressed their faith in Jesus as the One of whom the prophets had written. Jesus extended a simple invitation: “Follow me.” [4] And they "forsook all, and followed him." [5] Jesus likewise called James and John with the same invitation, and they left their father in the ship and followed Jesus. [6]
There was no bargaining. No hesitation. No question. No conditions. This “great check” came in the middle of ordinary life—and they chose discipleship over everything that was familiar to them.
Mary Magdalene’s story is one of complete transformation. She became one of Jesus Christ’s most ardent, devout, and faithful followers. She was present in the most significant acts of Christ’s life. She was healed by the Savior and then ministered to Him—along with many other women who followed Jesus from Galilee. She was near the cross at Golgotha and at Christ’s burial. And in the most significant act of all, Mary Magdalene was the first to see and bear witness of the resurrected Savior. When Jesus simply spoke her name—“Mary”—she recognized Him. Her response was deeply personal. Her discipleship was not just immediate—it was lasting and permanent. [7]
Most of us would like to believe that if the Savior stood before us and said, “Follow me,” we would immediately respond like Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Mary Magdalene. Sometimes, however, we may be like the following two men who placed their own terms, conditions, and timelines on the Savior’s invitation:
“[Jesus] said … Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. … And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at my home.” [8]
Jesus taught that discipleship requires us to put Him first, even above things we deeply value. [9]
Defining Moments
Years ago, when I informed my colleagues and senior leaders at work that I would be leaving the company for three years to serve as a mission president in Brazil, I received a variety of reactions.
I first broke the news over dinner in San Francisco to a senior leader in the company. I put it this way: “You’re Catholic, right?”
“I am.”
“If the Pope ever came into your office and asked you to leave the company for a specific assignment, would you do it?”
“Yes.”
“Well, the Pope of my church has asked me to serve as president of a mission in Brazil for three years.”
“Are you going to do it?”
“Yes, beginning this July.”
He nodded, and said, “OK, but give me a call in a few months if it doesn’t work out.”
I simply smiled and said, “It’s going to work out. I’ll call you in three years.”
And I did!
But my decision did not ride on the response or opinions of others. Some thought I was crazy. Some called it a career killer. I was told that in terms of opportunity cost, accepting a call to serve was a terrible business decision. And the math was simple. Monetarily speaking, it was a terrible business decision!
But Jesus taught: “Wherefore, seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” [10]
Participating in the building up of the kingdom of God is an absolutely priceless experience and an investment in eternity. It is an exercise of faith. As I prepared to leave for Brazil, my boss approached me and said, “Corey, this blows me away and makes me want to re-examine my own faith.” This also became a great check for him.
The story of the rich young man is a lesson in placing value in the wrong places. He approached Jesus asking what he needed to do to gain eternal life. He had kept the commandments. By most standards, he was likely a good person. [11]
Then the Savior identified the one thing standing between the young man and full discipleship. “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast … and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” [12]
The young man wanted eternal life—but not for the price he was asked to pay. He did the math rather than the soul-searching. And at that moment he felt the opportunity cost was too high.
Moving across the spectrum of answering the Lord’s call, Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah were described as actively trying to destroy faith. [13] An angel appeared and essentially stopped them in their tracks. Alma later described his experience as being “racked with eternal torment” [14]—a painful but transformative check.
And yet, what followed was remarkable. They didn’t just change—they were “born of God … being redeemed of God” and became “new creatures,” [15] dedicating their lives to the Lord. The sons of Mosiah even gave up a kingdom to serve as missionaries. [16]
Principles to Guide Us
When you look at all these scriptural accounts together, a pattern becomes clear—the Savior invites all people everywhere despite their different circumstances. The invitation requires sacrifice, change, and effort. The individual response defines the outcome.
Some respond immediately. Some respond gradually. Some walk away.
You may feel like you’re “all in.” Or you may feel that your “spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [17] Or you may feel discipleship just isn’t a priority. You may feel the tugs and pulls of secular life.
Wherever you may find yourself in your own “great check,” let me share five principles to guide us:
1. There is only one way that leads to unlimited growth and joy.
President Oaks taught us simply and plainly: "Again and again, [Jesus Christ] has taught us that He is the way." [18] Our prophet is pointing us to our Savior, who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” [19]
2. He receives your best effort.
If you don’t feel like you’re “all in” or are unworthy or don’t measure up, remember the story of Peter, who, after witnessing a miraculous catch of fish, fell down at Jesus’s knees and said, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” [20] Peter had a “great check” moment and humbled himself. And that is exactly when the Savior called him. God does not wait for perfection before inviting us to follow Him.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell wrote: "Our perfect Father does not expect us to be perfect children yet. He had only one such Child. Meanwhile, therefore, sometimes with smudges on our cheeks, dirt on our hands, and shoes untied, stammeringly but smilingly we present God with a dandelion—as if it were an orchid or a rose! If for now the dandelion is the best we have to offer, He receives it, knowing what we may later place on the altar. It is good to remember how young we are spiritually." [21]
3. Jesus Christ is always there for us.
The Lord said, “Mine arm is lengthened out all the day long.” [22] He may reprimand you and me when we need to hear it, but “thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things.” [23]
We falter but begin and begin again. Elder Patrick Kearon reminded us: “New beginnings are at the heart of the Father’s plan for His children. This is the church of new beginnings! This is the church of fresh starts!” [24]
The Lord declared, “As often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.” [25]
4. Lasting change takes time.
This is a lifelong pursuit. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment.” [26] Many scriptural accounts, including those we reviewed today, tell of miraculous, even instantaneous change. But, as President D. Todd Christofferson taught, “For most of us, our mighty change of heart occurs incrementally over time. In either case, the outcome is the same and equally valid. And in all cases, it requires faith in Christ, repentance, a baptismal covenant of obedience, and the grace of Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.” [27]
5. Discipleship requires effort and sacrifice.
Any spiritual blessing or experience requires our active participation. In 2018, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland emphasized this point when he met with our missionaries in Brazil. As he energetically stepped off the pulpit and approached the sisters in the front row, Sister McKenzie Baker had a moment of pure panic!
Elder Holland looked directly at her and declared with all the love and conviction of his soul: “You can’t have a million-dollar experience with 50 cents’ worth of effort!”
What are we willing to give the Lord? What are we willing to sacrifice to become more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ? Consider Amulek, a reputable, wealthy man, who admitted he had been “called many times” but “would not hear.” [28] For Amulek, it was incremental change! He ultimately turned to God and gave up “all his gold, and silver, and his precious things,” being “rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred.” [29]
Now, I’m not saying that you should abandon healthy relationships, neglect your studies, stop working, and withdraw from life. There is goodness and joy in meaningful work, education, friendships, hobbies, recreation, music, and good food. And especially in the celestial sport: soccer!
We want to excel in our various pursuits and interests! President Spencer W. Kimball taught, “Your double heritage and dual concerns with the secular and the spiritual require you to be ‘bilingual.’” [30] We must become fluent not only in our discipleship and in the gospel of Jesus Christ but “in the language of our disciplines, professions, and training.” [31] Just keep your eyes lifted for something higher and holier.
We cannot afford to sacrifice or substitute the spiritual for the secular. Indeed, as President Russell M. Nelson implored: “Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.” [32] That is the essence of a great check. To whom—or to what—are you committing your life?
Indeed, as President Ezra Taft Benson said: “When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.” [33]
The Savior Still Calls Us Today
The Savior may not walk along the shore and call us by name as He did with His early disciples, but He still calls us. Through the Spirit. Through the scriptures. Through experiences and circumstances. Through quiet impressions. Through prophets, leaders, teachers, and coaches. Even through our roommates. Which brings me to my college roommate Billy.
Wendi and I had been dating for nearly a year and a half. She was ready to get married, but I figured if I just kept the status quo and dated Wendi while studying and playing soccer for BYU, I would not have additional financial pressure or feel FOMO on carefree single life. Wendi wisely told me: “Corey, we can accomplish so much more together than you can on your own.” Yet, I still wavered.
One afternoon I approached Billy and explained why I thought I should wait another year before taking the leap. But Billy knew how to tell me things straight up. He said, “Corey, you’re an idiot!” Perhaps I can paraphrase Jacob in this instance: “[Billy] speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, [he] speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things [were] manifested unto [me] plainly.” [34]
He told me I was being unfair to Wendi. He told me if I lost Wendi, he would never speak to me again. He told me she was my only chance at celestial glory. Then he pulled out a calendar. Knowing my soccer schedule, he calculated the only possible wedding date that summer. He pointed and declared: “Saturday, July 18!”, then went next door and taped a large poster in the front window facing the street, announcing that July 18 was the day that Corey was marrying Wendi. To make sure I could not remove it, they locked the door and refused to answer when I knocked.
And July 18 was the day!
Nearly 34 years later, I remain grateful for that great check.
It wasn’t easy. When we got married, we had enough in our checking account to pay for one month of rent. Wendi had one semester left at BYU. I had two years remaining. We ate spaghetti with watered-down sauce because adding meat was too expensive. We bought an old, ragged couch for 15 dollars. We went to the grocery store deli late at night to buy discounted food before it was thrown away.
But those early years became some of the most meaningful of our lives. We learned to live within our means. We learned to rely on Heavenly Father and each other. We were able to find joy, even when it was hard.
So how will we respond when we honestly check ourselves before the Lord? Will we leave our nets? Will we trust Him even when we don’t fully understand? Or will we walk away or give up?
An Invitation
I return to Alma’s description of the people who experienced “a great check.” The scriptures say they assembled together to worship God. That principle leads me to my invitation. As you prayerfully consider your standing before the Lord, I invite you to worship Him in His holy house. If you have not received your endowment, please prayerfully prepare now to do so. And if you have already received your endowment, return to the temple often!
President Nelson said, “If it were possible for me to speak one-on-one with every young adult, I would plead with you to seek a companion with whom you can be sealed in the temple.” He also taught: “I would urge you not to wait until marriage to be endowed in the house of the Lord.” [35]
My friend Nicole had not served a mission, nor was she getting married. But she faithfully chose to receive her endowment. She said of her decision to make covenants in the house of the Lord: “My life has been forever blessed. Best. Thing. Ever.”
You do not need to wait for some future milestone to become closer to God. All it takes is desire and willingness to make and keep covenants! When you do this, the bond between you and Heavenly Father grows stronger. In the temple, the Lord endows His people with His power. What greater gift could we seek in this chaotic and uncertain world? Please make this part of your own great check. And bring what you can to the Lord, even if today your offering is only a dandelion.
The Lord declared, “Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.” [36] I testify that He truly is with you. Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. He invites us to follow Him, make and keep covenants, and trust Him. As we do, we discover that what He gives is always greater than anything we surrender. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Alma 15:17.
[2] See 1 Nephi 19:23.
[3] Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 104–105.
[4] Matthew 4:19.
[5] Luke 5:11.
[6] Luke 5:1-11.
[7] See Luke 8:2; Matthew 27:55–56, 61; Mark 15:40–41, 16:9–10; John 19:25, 20:11–18.
[8] Luke 9:59–61.
[9] See Matthew 16:24–25; Luke 14:26–27, 33; Matthew 10:37–39.
[10] Joseph Smith Translation Appendix, Matthew 6:38.
[11] See Matthew 19:16–22; see also Mark 10:17–22.
[12] Matthew 19:21–22.
[13] See Mosiah 27:8–11.
[14] Alma 36:12.
[15] Mosiah 27:25-26.
[16] See Alma 17:6–13.
[17] Matthew 26:41.
[18] Dallin H. Oaks, "Coming Closer to Jesus Christ" (Brigham Young University devotional, Feb. 10, 2026), speeches.byu.edu.
[19] John 14:6.
[20] Luke 5:8.
[21] Neal A. Maxwell, "That Ye May Believe" (1992), 100.
[22] 2 Nephi 28:32.
[23] Doctrine and Covenants 95:1.
[24] Patrick Kearon, “Jesus Christ and Your New Beginning,” Liahona, Nov. 2025.
[25] Mosiah 26:30.
[26] Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 211.
[27] D. Todd Christofferson, “The Character of Christ,” Liahona, May 2026, emphasis added.
[28] Alma 10:6.
[29] Alma 15:16.
[30] Spencer W. Kimball, “The Second Century of Brigham Young University” (Brigham Young University devotional, Oct. 10, 1975), speeches.byu.edu.
[31] Gerrit W. Gong, “Becoming Our Best BYU Self” (Brigham Young University commencement address, Apr. 25, 2024), speeches.byu.edu.
[32] Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 121–122.
[33] Ezra Taft Benson, “The Great Commandment—Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988, 4.
[34] Jacob 4:13.
[35] Russell M. Nelson, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 95.
[36] Doctrine and Covenants 68:6.
About Elder B. Corey Cuvelier
Elder B. Corey Cuvelier was sustained as a General Authority Seventy in the April 2025 General Conference. At the time of his call, he was serving as a member of the Eleventh Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southwest Area. Elder Cuvelier has served in several Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Brazil São Paulo South Mission, bishop, high councilor, stake president, mission president, and Area Seventy.
Elder Cuvelier received a bachelor of arts degree in public relations from BYU in 1994. He joined Shell Oil Company in 1996 and spent his career leading various businesses in North America. He has also served as a director and officer on several national and regional boards.
Brian Corey Cuvelier was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 12, 1969. He married Wendi Sue Manwaring in 1992. They are the parents of four children.