Graduates, families, and friends, aloha!
Some people come to BYU–Hawaii with a clear calling and a four-year plan. Others come to make their parents proud or build a better future for themselves. I came with three things; a scholarship, a list of beaches I wanted to visit, and a very relaxed plan to “see how it goes.” So the fact that I’m the one giving the speech today says a lot about how much this place has changed me.
I would like to tell you a little story. But before, let me share with you three very important numbers: two, 1,438, and one. Once again two, 1,438, and one. Together, these numbers tell the story of how a two-dollar bill changed my 1,438 days as a BYU–Hawaii student and revealed the number one secret to real success.
I’ll be honest, when I first came to this school, my main goal was just to enjoy life and have fun on a full-ride scholarship. But about a year and a half later, a professor challenged me in a way I didn’t expect. One Saturday afternoon, I attended a presentation by that same professor. He asked, “Who here would like to introduce themselves?” The room was quiet, but crowded, until one brave student finally raised their hand and shared a quick introduction. The professor walked over, gave them a two-dollar bill and said, “Everyone in this room could have gotten this. Everyone had the same opportunity to raise their hand, but only one did.” Then he said something that I’ll never forget: “Everyone has the equal opportunity to become unequal.”
In other words, the opportunities are real and available, but what makes the difference is who chooses to act—who asks, serves, shows up, and gives first. That moment was Heavenly Father's invitation for me to stop waiting and start giving so that He could multiply what I received.
And this leads to the third number, which is the number one secret to success I learned at BYU–Hawaii. True success doesn’t come from getting more — it comes from giving more.
Give. Give first. Give more than what’s expected.
If you want more success in life, find ways to give more.
Giving truly opens doors — sometimes doors you didn’t even know existed.
For me, giving was the key that opened doors to mentors who saw more in me than I saw in myself, starting a campus club that brought together over 400 students, entering two business competitions, traveling to six countries (Vietnam, China, Korea, Japan, and Kiribati), and even seeing my video work displayed at the United Nations.
Now, I’m not sharing this to flex or say “wow, look at me, I’m so cool.” No. I’m sharing this so you can realize things are in your hands. You can choose to give, and you can also choose to be grateful.
Every major opportunity I’ve had started with a moment of giving. By sharing my talents, expressing gratitude, and welcoming each new experience, I became part of a cycle — the more I gave, the more I was given. Heavenly Father doesn’t just want you to give; He also wants you to receive, so that you can give even more.
As powerful as those moments have been, there’s one example of giving that rises above all others, and that's Jesus. Giving was His priority, as a matter of fact all he did was give. In every interaction He had, He gave. He gave people blessings, He gave hope, healing, and knowledge; He gave his time, His love — and He gave second chances.
Let’s not forget that you and I, graduates, are here today, because in one way or another, so many people have given.
Giving creates space in your life for Heaven’s blessings. Each of you has gifts that only you can receive. But there are also gifts only you can give. If you shut yourselves off — out of pride, fear, doubt, or entitlement — you're closing yourselves off to the full flow of Heaven’s miracles.
Let me close with words from President Howard W. Hunter, “The time for happiness is today, not tomorrow.” [1] So, as we leave BYU–Hawaii, please remember success isn’t measured by what you collect, but by what you give. Let’s choose to be grateful, receive humbly, live a life of giving, and be happy.
I testify that Heaven truly opens to those who give first, receive graciously, and live gratefully.
If you want miracles and more success in life — choose today to give.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
[1] Howard W. Hunter, “Gifts That Money Cannot Buy” [Brigham Young University devotional, April 26, 1961], speeches.byu.edu