My dear Brothers and Sisters, Aloha.
I am honored to share with you this day of celebration. I came to this school in 2006, recently returned from my mission to the Philippines. The thought of spending a few more years in a tropical paradise, and of being able to continue using Tagalog made this school instantly appealing to me. Other than that, however, I had very few initial expectations. I came to this school completely unaware of the impact this place would have on me. ln all honestly, if I had known that in less than three years I would be married to a beautiful woman with a baby son now four days old, I probably would have been more apprehensive about boarding that plane. Let me assure you however, that it was one of the best choices I have ever made. Coming to BYU–Hawaii was one of the great defining points of my life, as I'm sure has been the case with each of you.
My wife, Katrina, and I first met at that most romantic venue Foodland in the beginning of fall semester, 2006, but it wasn't until a few days later, when I offered to buy her a meal at the cafe that she decided I might be worth a closer look. We are both second-generation BYU–Hawaii alumni, following in the footsteps of our parents. Their decisions to attend this school initiated righteous family traditions which have immeasurably impacted both of our lives. Like our parents and forebears who blazed trails for each of us, we now bear a solemn responsibility to carry on their gospel and family centered traditions. Establishing or continuing these righteous traditions can lead to expanded opportunities for generations yet unborn. Each of us, as graduates, are participating in the establishment of righteous traditions in our families and homelands. Never take for granted the decisions you have to make and the impact they will have.
In the opening scenes of the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”, Tevye, the main character, makes the observation that, “Because of tradition everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do.” ln light of the gospel, we can see that tradition helps us keep our perspective fixed on the eternities. We have all garnered gospel traditions from this school; traditions that embody timeless principles of righteousness such as obedience, honesty, and charity. We know what God expects us to do. lt is my hope that we all work hard to establish those traditions in whatever locale we find ourselves, and to build or lay anew a firm foundation of faithful gospel obedience.
One of the unique missions of BYU–Hawaii is to establish peace internationally. Christ, the great author of peace, instituted that tradition in our hearts through the Atonement, but it is up to us to perpetuate it in our homelands through righteous example. The world is becoming an increasingly hostile place but if we incorporate into our daily walk the principles we have learned at this school we can and will become ambassadors for peace. President Henry B. Eyring, in his most recent conference address noted that, "the lord Jehovah will return to live with those who have become His people and will find them united, of one heart, unified with Him and with our Heavenly Father." They will be recognizable because of the righteous traditions they have established and upheld. I urge each of you to find your place within the framework of those traditions and move forward in life accepting all who will join with you.
Many of today's graduates will be returning to lands where the gospel is not a predominant faith. lt is up to you to be as the light on the hill mentioned in the fifth chapter of Matthew and to shine forth that all may see your good works. For those of us who will return to established Stakes of Zion, it is no less our obligation to stand tall and firm in our righteous traditions. As one who has recently felt the mantle of parenthood responsibility, I now look confidently to the traditions of my forebearers and church leaders in helping me raise a righteous generation. This is the way the lord intended it.
It is my honor to be among this graduating class. The bonds of friendship and loved forged at this school will continue on throughout this life. May the lord God continue to bless each of us during this exciting time is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.