Thank you very much, President Wilkes. It is indeed an honor for me to be Elder Bednar’s junior companion. Given my age, I am not a junior companion to very many people anymore.
What a delight it is to be here with Elder and Sister Bednar for this very important and historic occasion. I would take this opportunity to bear witness in advance to those things to which he will testify. There is always a place in the Lord’s work for a second witness, and I am delighted to offer mine in advance.
You are aware of the marvelous role that Elder Bednar played in the visionary approach that has been taken in response to the prophetic direction given to this institution. He has played such an important role. I can sense from the feeling on this campus and from expressions I have heard the great love that you have for both Elder and Sister Bednar. You can be appropriately proud of his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and know that he is representing you and the Lord with honor.
BYU-Idaho has a rich tradition, and you are part of it. I even feel somewhat a part of it because of my wife and her family. My wife’s brother is here in this room this afternoon. He served many years ago as student body president at Ricks College. He, my wife, and their sister all graduated from Ricks and have always and consistently expressed their great love for this institution, for the faculty who blessed their lives, and for the experiences they had here.
I am reading the history of Ricks College with which most of you will be acquainted, written by David L. Crowder and entitled The Spirit of Ricks. It is very clear that this institution’s trip through history has not been an easy one. Brother Mark Ricks certainly alluded to that in his remarks today. Note just a few of the chapter headings in this well-written book: The Church School in Idaho, Will It Last?; Let’s Give Ricks to the State; Let’s Not Give Ricks to the State (actually, the title of that chapter is Let’s Not Give Ricks Away); “Lambing Sheds” for a Four-Year College; Junior College Again! In Idaho Falls?; and finally, Can’t Get Ricks Through the Rigby Underpass.
Ricks College rose above each of its challenges and survived every threat to its existence. It has emerged as a marvelous and unique university with unlimited promise and potential for the future.
Significantly, The Spirit of Ricks, is dedicated to the memory of Thomas E. Ricks. It was his vision, as you all know, that lead to the founding of this institution. How fitting it is that this event today, like so many occasions in the past, should honor Rexburg’s most prominent pioneer. It is significant to note that when President Hinckley announced the transition of the college to university status and to change its name, he said, “The memory of Thomas E. Ricks will continue to be appropriately honored and perpetuated.”
This beautiful building and the adjacent garden are an appropriate and lasting part of that promise. The profound legacy of Thomas E. Ricks will endure through the object of today’s celebration. I am truly honored and blessed to participate in this memorable dedicatory event. I pray for the Lord’s blessings upon each of you—upon the faculty, upon the students, upon the future of this marvelous institution, and particularly upon the future of this building and what it will mean to the lives of thousands and thousands of students to come. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.