Aloha, thank you for being here.
I start by testifying of Jesus Christ, that He lives, and because He lives, I know that He has prophets, seers, and revelators. I know that we have one of His prophets, seers, and revelators with us tonight. I'm grateful to be here with Elder Rasband and Sister Rasband. Thank you for this opportunity.
We had a very special day yesterday at the Polynesian Cultural Center. During the day, we were told about Queen Liliʻuokalani, who had as a motto, “‘Onipa’a,” which means steadfast. Her motto in its entirety was, “Be steadfast in the seeking of learning and in the seeking of knowledge.” And I thought about that “in the seeking of knowledge.” Now, knowledge is, well, I will say this, you are an embodiment of that vision that she had for these islands. You represent what she saw. But knowledge, in and of itself, isn't enough. It needs to lead to wisdom. The difference that we sometimes hear is that knowledge, if you're a botanist, knowledge is that a tomato is a fruit. But wisdom is not putting a tomato in a fruit salad. There's a difference there. Knowledge needs to lead to wisdom. And it does when you know who you are, where you came from, why you are here, why you are learning what you are learning, so that you can bless other people, and so that you can help more and more come unto Christ, to enter onto the covenant path that leads back to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
President Dallin H. Oaks, in a beautiful talk I think it was in 2008, spoke on testimony, and he said that knowledge encourages obedience, and it means, as you know the plan of salvation, it helps you keep your covenants. But he says the reverse is also true: obedience enhances knowledge. As you are true and faithful to the covenants that you make, as you seek to keep the commandments, you see things through a different lens. You are able to think celestial. You are able to see how you can bless other people, as was so beautifully described by Sister Chase.
We seek knowledge so that we might be wise, so that we might bless others. Your mission is to bless. In For the Strength of Youth, in the chapter “Truth will make you free,” it says this very simply: “Education increases your ability to serve the Lord. It empowers you to bless others, especially your family. The more you learn, the more you can help build God's kingdom and influence the world for good.” I see that goodness in you. This is the work of the Lord, to bring to pass our immortality, which He has done, but also the eternal life of all of God's sons and daughters. That's where He invites us to help. As you learn in this great institution, go, serve, bless, love, and the Lord will bless you and your families and generations to come.
I bear my witness of Him joyfully, that He lives, that through covenants we can be bound to the Savior and our loving Heavenly Father.
And I bear that witness to you with all of my love, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
[1] Miles Kington (1941-2008)
[2] Dallin H. Oaks, “Testimony,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2008, 26.
[3] For the Strength of Youth