Brothers and Sisters Aloha, and to our Chinese Brothers and Sisters: Jou Sun
It is certainly a great honor and privilege for my wife and I to be invited to speak in devotional. We really appreciate this wonderful opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings with all of you.
When I graduated from BYU [in] Provo in 1970, the last place that I wanted to work was here, then known as CCH. This was because I had been raised in Laie and I knew many of the faculty, staff and students and on top of that my mother was working here as the business office manager. But through the guidance of the Spirit and much prayer, many things happened and the Lord in all his wisdom led us home after serving in the military overseas for 3 years. And now I have been here for the past 34 years. I am forever grateful for the opportunity of working on this great campus, and for the promises and blessings that are ours for being a part of the Lord's institution.
As I pondered and prayed about what I should speak on, I reflected on what has helped me progress and grow the most in my life. So I decided that the most valuable message I could impress upon you today would be the need for you to make use of the spirit in your daily lives.
Let me first start with a quote from Elder Oaks, who gives us a clear definition of the Spirit and his mission.
"The Bible tells us that when the Savior gave his final instructions to his disciples, he promised that he would send them 'the comforter' (John 16:7) Earlier, he taught them the mission of this comforter, which is otherwise referred to as the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of the Lord, or simply the Spirit. The comforter dwells in us (John 14:17) He teaches us all things and brings all things to our remembrance (John 14:26)."
Ours is an institution that is unique in its mission. To illustrate this, let me share with you a statement that was made at the groundbreaking and dedication of this campus that took place on February 12, 1955, when I was nine years old. I remember that great occasion because that event has forever changed our community for the better.
The first President of CCH/BYU Hawaii, President Reuben D. Law said the following:
"We must have an institution that deals not only with the various phases of learning but also with the great ideals and principles of the gospel. This institution must always emphasize these great ideals and principles of the gospel. Through the influence of the Holy Spirit the powers of the human mind may be quickened and increased. Through the inspiration of our Father in heaven and the advantages that come from adhering to the great principles of the gospel, good learning is made meaningful."
Do you think that the Holy Ghost can teach you English, math, psychology or any other subject? Of course, the answer is YES. As students and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you have the privilege of using the Spirit to amplify your studies. You can draw on the Spirit to learn in every class you take. But in order to be able to exercise that privilege you must be worthy of it.
It is very important that you obey the commandments and keep the Honor Code and dress and grooming standards.
You should depend on the Spirit, to call on him when you need his help and let him guide you. As you practice using the Spirit more often you will recognize its influence. In 3rd Nephi chapter 11 verse 3 it tells us that the Spirit comes as a still small voice and a voice of perfect mildness.
How do you use the spirit? If any of you are struggling with a certain class please remember these scriptures and put them to the test. Get on your knees and ask to have the Spirit with you each time you begin and end your studies. In your personal studies and classrooms, you should seek diligently to recognize the inspiration and promptings that come from the Spirit. Once you recognize the Spirit's influence, you should follow the promptings and do something about it. When you do this you are taking the Holy Ghost or the Spirit as your guide as stated in D&C 45: 57. See for yourself how, as Reuben D. Law said, through the influence of the Holy Spirit the powers of the human mind may be quickened and increased.
Let me share a personal experience that strengthened my testimony of learning by faith in my studies through the spirit. A little over 25 years ago I was enrolled in an intern doctoral program with BYU [in] Provo, and as I was preparing for the comprehensive written and oral examinations, which were to be held over a two-day period, I was very nervous. I certainly needed the help of the Lord and the Spirit to help me study all of the materials that we had covered over the course of the previous two years. I remember arising early many mornings to study with one of my classmates, Paul Freebairn. At that time I was also serving as a campus bishop and did not have that much time to devote to my studies. I remember making a promise with the Lord that if I did my best to magnify my calling as a bishop, then He would bless me with the Spirit so that I might be able to study, concentrate and pass the comprehensive exams. On the morning of the first day of exams, we were given 10 essay questions and we were to answer eight of them during the first four hours. As I read through them, I recognized that I had studied the materials that could answer seven of them. Now, when it came to the eighth question, I was not very confident about it but I managed to answer it partially. We were given another 10 questions in the afternoon and almost the same thing happened where I could answer at least eight of the questions. As a result, I successfully passed the exam and received a doctoral degree in educational administration.
Every time I remember this experience I know that it was certainly through the power of the Holy Ghost that I was taught and that things were brought to my remembrance by that same power.
I hope all of you students will find success in all of your studies as you use the Spirit which is a promised blessing to each of us when we partake of the sacrament in that "[we] may always have His Spirit to be with [us]."
Next, I would like to address the faculty and staff by reading what President David O. McKay said regarding all of us who are employed here: "God bless you... and whoever teaches here in this school, I'll put it this way; No man or woman should teach in this college who does not have in his or her heart an assurance, not a mere belief, an assurance, that God has had his hand over this entire valley."
With that statement we know we are being held to a much higher standard whereby much is required of us. I am pleased that President Wheelwright has instructed our faculty to begin each class with a word of prayer. I know that having a prayer would invite the spirit to be present to quicken and enlarge our capacity to teach. And by the same token, the Spirit will quicken the minds of our students so that they might better understand the lessons taught.
Elder David Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve gives us more insight into this subject when he stated: "We should always remember that the Holy Ghost is the teacher who, through proper invitation, can enter into the learner's heart. Indeed, you and I have the responsibility to preach the gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter, as a prerequisite for the learning by faith that can be achieved only by and through the Holy Ghost (D&C 50:14). In this regard, you and I are much like the long, thin strands of glass used to create the fiber-optic cables through which light signals are transmitted over long distances. Just as the glass in these cables must be pure to conduct the light efficiently and effectively, so we should become and remain worthy conduits through whom the Spirit of the Lord can operate."
We should always remember that Elder Bednar's message of teaching by faith in spiritual matters applies also to us as instructors of secular knowledge. He says, "We must be careful to remember in our service that we are conduits and channels, we are not the light." Teaching, learning and understanding can all be greatly enhanced if we depend on the Spirit in all classroom settings.
Another way we as faculty and staff could make use of the spirit is to discern the needs of our colleagues and students. For the brethren, do not hesitate to ask your co-workers or students if they need a priesthood blessing. I recall the many times as I visited or counseled with a student who was worried, depressed or not performing well
academically. I would ask if he or she would like a blessing of comfort. I would then lay my hands on that person's head and pronounce a blessing. Since we are serving in the Lord's institution I see no problem in giving a priesthood blessing when there is a need for it. I hope that we will listen to that still small voice and serve one another.
In February, 1847, Brigham Young saw the Prophet Joseph Smith in a dream or vision. Brigham Young asked the Prophet if he had a message for the Brethren. The Prophet Joseph replied,
"Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and to be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice, it will teach them what to do and where to go, it will yield the fruits of the kingdom."
As you may have noticed, of all the many truths the Prophet Joseph could have taught, he taught us the importance of keeping the Spirit and using it in our lives.
My brother and sisters, it is my prayer that we will all remember to use the Spirit in our daily lives in all that we do and say. As Helen and I prepare to depart on a new assignment to serve in the Hong Kong China Temple, we are humbled, honored and very excited. Our temple district will include almost half of the world's population. It includes China, India, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. It is quite overwhelming and we know we will be relying on the Spirit a lot over the next three years in the temple.
I encourage all of you to remember the counsel of our living prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley: "Where time and circumstances permit, members are encouraged to replace some leisure activities with temple service. All of the ordinances which take place in the House of the Lord become expressions of our belief in that fundamental and basic doctrine of the immortality of the human soul. As we redouble our efforts and our faithfulness in going to the temple, the Lord will bless us."
May we all go to the temple more often and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to feel the Spirit even more in our lives.
I testify that our Heavenly Father lives and Jesus Christ is our Savior and He atoned for our sins. I am grateful for the scriptures especially the Book of Mormon and I am thankful for the Prophet Joseph Smith for the restoration of the gospel in this last dispensation.
I am thankful for my family, my wife, children and grandchildren. I am also grateful for my parents who joined the church when I was about three years old and for raising us in the gospel. I am grateful for each of you for your love and support. I love you and I pray for your success in pursuing your education. You are in the right place and doing the right thing. May the Lord bless and guide you always with His spirit.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.