Manuarii, thank you for your testimony. What we will all remember is the parable of the 2 dollar bill. As he was giving that, I thought I wish I had a pocket full of them that we could hand to every one of you students as you walk across the stage. Because every single one of you is here because you've reached out and taken that two dollar bill.
Elder and Sister Martinez, family, friends: Aloha! And graduates, it is a thrill to watch you enter and get a chance to say hello to you. We love you and we are so pleased with you and hope you feel that, and are so excited for yourselves and your future. President and Sister Kauwe, we know you are participating remotely today, we know you're watching, and maybe I can serve as a voice for everyone in this arena. We deeply wish you could be here with these students, who you love so dearly. Please know that every one of us here are praying for you.
Graduates, it was sacred and inspiring to greet you this morning! Continue with that same inspiration throughout your lives.
And on behalf of these students, thanks to each of you faculty, staff, and administration. I've thought of a statement from President Spencer W. Kimball. I believe he actually described you with prophetic vision, when he saw you coming here with a “grand and magnificent obsession” for lifting the faith, intellect, and character of these students. Thank you for intentionally committing to that “magnificent obsession.” [1] and all that it means in your life and the lives of your families.
New Officers
Like each of you, my wife Connie and I love this university. It is a humbling privilege today, to have the assignment that I have, to simply represent BYU–Hawaii’s Board of Trustees. The last time I was here, President Nelson, President Oaks, and President Eyring constituted BYU‒Hawaii's Board. Now, we've had a change. The officers of BYU–Hawaii’s Board of Trustees are President Dallin H. Oaks, President Henry B. Eyring, and President D. Todd Christofferson. We were just with them on Wednesday in a board meeting, and they love you.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, who currently serves as chairman of the Executive Committee taught that, “…this institution operates under the guidance of a unique and distinctive Board of Trustees [2]… [BYU‒Hawaii’s prophetic] governance structure creates a tremendous advantage for [BYU‒Hawaii, for President Kauwe], for the work of its faculty and staff, and the spiritual development of [each of you]…” students, receiving things you can receive nowhere else.
He went on to say, “[The leadership of the First Presidency] allows–in fact, it compels [us], to do things at this university that could be done nowhere else in the world.” [3]
What do you think Elder Rasband could see inside our classrooms, inside our buildings, inside our offices, inside our homes, and apartments? What do you think he could see when he said, "We are compelled to do things here that could not be done elsewhere"? I encourage each of us to ponder what we have received or contributed while we’ve been here that could not be done at other colleges and universities.
Teachings of the First Presidency to BYU–Hawaii
Each member of the First Presidency has spoken here, on this campus over the last few years, and I’d like to briefly share one simple, quick teaching from each of them. So graduates, I know there's a party waiting outside for you. Sit back for just a moment. Soak this in. Please let your mind and heart absorb and consider the full impact of what these statements from the First Presidency to you.
First, when President D. Todd Christofferson spoke at a campus devotional recently, he spoke glowingly and admiringly of each of you!
He said, “I want you to understand the deep and sincere affection we feel, born of the spirit, for you and your desires, your goals, the things you are trying to accomplish, the way [you]… unite in fellowship across cultures and geography…You’re an example, a great example to us and to the whole Church.” [4] How humbling is that to have a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, and now a member of the First Presidency, applaud you for your example.
President Henry B. Eyring raised our sights and deepened our determination when he declared,
“There is a divinity that shapes the remarkable development of this school. The Lord is its founder.” [5]
Such a realization hopefully fills each of us with renewed unity and unbreakable resolve.
And finally, President Dallin H. Oaks taught, lifted, and inspired us when he said,
“In these days—as in many stressful times of the past—young people should go forward with optimism and prepare for a long and productive life. Marry. Have children. Get an education. Have faith. [6]
We cannot change the evil influences that inevitably press upon us and our families, but we can increase our power to deal with them. We must try to carve out our own islands of confidence and serenity. We must strengthen our barriers against the forces that besiege.” [7]
We have each witnessed the Savior’s direction to BYU–Hawaii, especially as it comes from His anointed mouthpieces. You and I have learned that sometimes their counsel to the university is different from what we had anticipated. Sometimes it comes with challenging invitations and directions that require humility and sacrifice and faith to adopt. And always, always their counsel draws us closer to the Savior and His will.
Precisely the same blessings and opportunities await each of us like taking a two dollar bill. If we will leave this university with deep faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His chosen prophet and apostles, we will find that sometimes their counsel will be different from what we had anticipated. Sometimes their direction will come with challenging invitations that require humility and sacrifice and faith. Not a positive mental attitude solely, but actual downright faith to adopt what they ask us to do. And always, always, their counsel will prepare us “…to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in our families, communities, chosen fields, and in building the kingdom of God.” [8]
Along with you graduates, I pray that it may it be ever so with us! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
[1] Spencer W. Kimball, “Education for Eternity” [Brigham Young University devotional, September 12, 1967], speeches.byu.edu
[2] Ronald A. Rasband, “For Such a Time as This” [Brigham Young University devotional, September 19, 2023], speeches.byu.edu
[3] Ronald A. Rasband, “For Such a Time as This” [Brigham Young University devotional, September 19, 2023], speeches.byu.edu
[4] D. Todd Christofferson, Executive Committee of BYU–Hawaii’s Board of Trustees [Brigham Young University–Hawaii devotional, January 24, 2023], speeches.byuh.edu
[5] Henry B. Eyring, “An Influence for Good,” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii, November 9, 2015] speeches.byuh.edu
[6] Dallin H. Oaks, “Anxiety in Stressful Times” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii devotional, June 11, 2019], speeches.byuh.edu
[7] Dallin H. Oaks, “Anxiety in Stressful Times” [Brigham Young University–Hawaii devotional, June 11, 2019], speeches.byuh.edu
[8] BYU–Hawaii Mission Statement