My dear graduates, it is an honor to address you in this wonderful BYU–Idaho setting. As a member of the Board of Trustees of BYU–Idaho and the Board of Education for the Church, it is my privilege to sit in council and help make decisions that affect this school. For many years now, a great investment has been made in this university. Congratulations on achieving your goal and for becoming the newest group of graduates from BYU–Idaho.
While you have been here, you have been recipients of one of the finest educations available in the world. You have also been educated in an environment where the spirit of the Lord could flourish. I know that each of you have understood that many thousands of your peers throughout the world would dearly love to have the opportunity you have had.
While you have been at BYU–Idaho, you have committed to live an honor code. Very few institutions of learning require a special code of conduct from their members. In this permissive world we are blessed that the institutions of learning of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints still require a code of conduct. Your willingness to live the honor code has been certified every year by your bishop. I would like to talk today about the importance of continuing to live the Lord’s honor code in the years to come.
It is important to remember why the Lord has given us a code of conduct. We each received our first lessons about the plan of happiness in the world of spirits before we were born.[1] We each then fought in a great conflict to be participants in that plan. Hopefully we are each seeking the blessings that come from living that plan. We know that if we successfully navigate this life, we have the promise of eternal life, and in order to be successful, we must live by the Lord’s code of conduct.
The Lord told Abraham, “Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name…”[2] The Lord then showed Abraham all of the souls who would come to this earth.[3] Then the Lord said, “And we will prove them (that means all the people who would come to earth) therewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; And they who keep their first estate (the life we had before this one) shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate (the life we are living now) shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.”[4] We can only have that glory if we follow the Lord’s code of conduct in this life.
Additionally, we know that we are living in the last days which are described very well in Matthew 24. “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”[5]
In 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul describes our time when he says, “…men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”[6]
Graduates, that describes the world you are entering. However, you do not need to worry. The apostle Paul said, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”[7] The code of conduct you have lived at this university has been good preparation for you to navigate in the world outside of this university.
The honor code you committed to live by at BYU–Idaho has included a commitment to honesty, chastity, clean language, respect for others, not partaking of addictive substances, appropriate dress and grooming, and attendance at Church meetings. As you leave this university, you will no longer have the BYU–Idaho honor code to protect you but you should continue to follow the Lord’s code of conduct. Much of the Lord’s code of conduct can be found in For the Strength of Youth and I would recommend this book as a lifelong resource for you.
On my personal copy of that book, I have circled the word YOU, meaning For the Strength of You. I would like to review some of the Lord’s code of conduct found in this book.
Continuing to live the standard of honesty after you leave BYU–Idaho will be a blessing to you. For the Strength of Youth teaches that “dishonesty hurts you and usually hurts others as well.”[8] It counsels you to be “honest in your job, giving a full amount of work for your pay.”[9] As you live that principle you will be more likely to progress in your careers. Being honest requires courage and commitment but you will be able to do so because you have practiced living that principle here.
At BYU–Idaho you made a commitment to obey the law of chastity. You know that God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage. In For the Strength of Youth we read that when you are chaste, “you protect yourself from the emotional damage that always comes from sharing physical intimacies with someone outside of marriage.”[10] Living that principle throughout your life, will bless and protect you.
In the BYU–Idaho honor code you committed to use clean language. For the Strength of Youth teaches that “how you speak says much about who you are. Use language that uplifts, encourages, and compliments others. Do not insult others or put them down, even in joking.”[11] You will be more successful in your lives and you can “help others around you to use clean language by your example and by good-naturedly encouraging them to choose other words.”[12]
At BYU–Idaho you also committed to abstain from all substance abuse including alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, and coffee. I would also include in that the admonition of the prophets to remain free from participation in and addiction to pornography. For the Strength of Youth teaches that you must remain free from harmful addictions that have control over your life. When you do this, “you gain the blessings of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.”[13] Who would not want the blessing of a healthy body, an alert mind, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost?
You committed to participate regularly in Church services. Now you are going out on your own, you will not be part of well organized student wards. I am sure you won’t forget that the Lord has given the Sabbath day for your benefit. For the Strength of Youth teaches that “when seeking a job, share with your potential employer your desire to attend your Sunday meetings and keep the Sabbath day holy. Many employers value employees with these personal convictions. Whenever possible, choose a job that does not require you to work on Sundays.”[14] Remember, as you begin to prosper and move ahead in your lives, that “Sunday is not a holiday or a day for recreation or other athletic events.”[15] You will stand out and impress others by your willingness to continue living this principle the Lord has given you.
At BYU–Idaho you committed to observe dress and grooming standards. Most of you understand that your body is God’s sacred creation and you shouldn’t defile it in any way. For the Strength of Youth teaches that “the way you dress is a reflection of what you are on the inside. Your dress and grooming sends messages about you to others and influences the way you and others act. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and can exercise a good influence on those around you.”[16]
You have also been counseled not to disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings and to show respect by dressing appropriately for all activities. Living those principles as you go forward in your life, will invite continual blessings.
Living other principles taught in For the Strength of Youth which are not included in the honor code will also bless you. Consider the principle of education. In your homes and families, establish an environment of learning. “Education is an investment that brings great rewards.”[17] It is a lifelong principle. “You live in a competitive world where a good education opens the doors of opportunity that may otherwise be closed to you.”[18]
For the Strength of Youth also teaches the principle of gratitude. If you “live with a spirit of thanksgiving, you will have greater happiness and satisfaction in life”[19] and you will “express your gratitude to the Lord by the way you live.”[20]
The principle of friends is taught in For the Strength of Youth. You are counseled to “choose your friends carefully. They will greatly influence how you think and act, and even determine the person you will become. A true friend will encourage you to be your best self. To have good friends, be a good friend yourself. Show interest in others and treat them with kindness and respect. Go out of your way to be a friend to those who are shy or do not feel included. Invite your friends of other faiths to your Church meetings and activities, where they can learn about the gospel. Many people have joined the Church through the example and fellowship of their friends.”[21] You will have great opportunities to be an influence for good through the friends you choose in the years to come.
Remember family. You fought a great pre-earth conflict for the privilege of having a family. Satan will discourage and distract you from living correct principles regarding family because he can never have a family. Being part of a family is a great blessing. For the Strength of Youth teaches “that not all families are the same but every family is important. You can strengthen your relationships with brothers and sisters and with parents.”[22] As I have traveled in the world I have seen that many countries and cultures have adopted some corrupt and incorrect practices regarding family. Live by the principles taught in The Family: A Proclamation to the World and you will be following the Lord’s code of conduct regarding family.
For the Strength of Youth reminds you to pay your tithes and offerings. “The law of tithing is an important commandment that you should obey throughout your life.”[23]
As you live the principle of serving others, you will find that “your heart will be filled with love. Your capacities will increase, and your life and the lives of those around you will be blessed.”[24]
By living the standards in For the Strength of Youth, you will be following the Lord’s code of conduct. You will go forward with faith, being true to the Lord and His Church in all circumstances. As you live the Lord’s code of conduct, you are promised that “the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your challenges.”[25]
“You will be able to do your life’s work with great wisdom and skill and bear trials with greater courage. You will feel good about yourself and will be a positive influence in the lives of others.”[26] Those are amazing blessings that you will need as you leave this university.
Graduates, you have been blessed to live in the environment of BYU–Idaho and you have been protected by the honor code. Now you will go out into the world. Some of you may become discouraged, some of you may be tempted to give up on the Lord’s plan, and some of you may relax your standards because you are no longer committed to live the honor code; but if you continue to live the Lord’s code of conduct, you will be blessed. You will no longer need an annual bishop’s endorsement but you can look forward to interviews with a priesthood leader to renew temple recommends which certify your willingness to live the Lord’s code of conduct.
In the Book of Mormon, the Lord counseled His people to “come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things.”[27] He has commanded you to “be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”[28]
Your goal is your Heavenly home. You will be entering a difficult world. The Lord’s code of conduct will bless you, guide you, and help you navigate in that world. Remember the promise of Paul to Timothy, “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”[29]
I bear you my testimony of a loving Father in Heaven who knows each one of us and has a plan of progress for each of us on this earth. If we stay close to Him, He will guide and help us navigate in the years to come. I bear testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I bear you my testimony of the power of the Holy Ghost to guide and direct. I also testify of a living prophet today in President Thomas S. Monson who directs the work of the Lord in all the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Doctrine and Covenants 138
[2] Abraham 1:18
[3] Abraham 3:22-23
[4] Abraham 3:25-26
[5] Matthew 24:6-7,11
[6] 2 Timothy 3:2-4,7
[7] 2 Timothy 3:10,15
[8] For the Strength of Youth, page 31
[9] For the Strength of Youth, page 31
[10] For the Strength of Youth, page 26
[11] For the Strength of Youth, page 22
[12] For the Strength of Youth, page 23
[13] For the Strength of Youth, page 36
[14] For the Strength of Youth, pages 32-33
[15] For the Strength of Youth, page 33
[16] For the Strength of Youth, pages 14-15
[17] For the Strength of Youth, page 9
[18] For the Strength of Youth, page 9
[19] For the Strength of Youth, page 6
[20] For the Strength of Youth, page 6
[21] For the Strength of Youth, pages 12-13
[22] For the Strength of Youth, pages 10-11
[23] For the Strength of Youth, page 34
[24] For the Strength of Youth, page 38
[25] For the Strength of Youth, page 42
[26] For the Strength of Youth, page 2
[27] Alma 5:57
[28] 2 Corinthians 6:14
[29] 2 Timothy 3:14