Elder and Sister Nash, President, and Sister Kauwe, parents, family, friends, aloha! And graduates, you look fantastic! Congratulations! We are all thrilled for you!
At President Kauwe’s inauguration, President Jeffrey R. Holland, as a lifelong educator and as Chair of the Executive Committee of BYU–Hawaii’s Board of Trustees, gave you some homework. You’d expect that wouldn’t you? Among his brilliant and prophetic directions was this enthusiastic assignment.
“Every now and then—and I say this primarily to the students—school is supposed to just be fun.
Now most days you won’t think that, but today is one of those, so I command all of you to be happy.
You are to have fun today in one of the highlight days in this university’s history.” [1]
You will never forget your graduation day. So, remember, you’ve been commanded to have fun today!
It is my great privilege to represent BYU–Hawaii’s Board of Trustees. In preparation for today, I’ve thought a lot about you, about your Board, and about President Kauwe, and I wondered how AI would describe President Kauwe’s leadership style. It described President Kauwe and his leadership as faith-centered, authentic, collaborative, and humble. You may remember that Elder Bednar recently taught us that AI “does not care about you. It does not really know if you exist or not.” [2]
And AI has no idea the impact a disciple of Jesus Christ can have on this university. It simply does not understand the far-reaching influence of a president who surfs, who somehow convinced Sister Kauwe to marry him, and who now together are preparing to send their son, Sai, on a mission in 67 days, and who also together spend finals week passing out "finals week survival kits" to the students! Along with you, I’m deeply grateful for President Kauwe and for your consecrated faculty and staff, and for
a board led by the First Presidency, all of whom seek for and receive inspired direction for you.
Prophetic Governance
Elder Ronald A. Rasband taught that we operate “under the guidance of a unique and distinctive Board of Trustees which is led by the First Presidency, with President Russell M. Nelson serving as Chairman. This university’s governance structure creates a tremendous advantage for the university, its president, the work of its faculty and staff, and the spiritual development of its students.”[3]
BYU–Hawaii has been shaped by these prophets, seers, and revelators who are not bounded by mortal intelligence, but rather who speak on behalf of the Savior. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Jesus Christ is the most intelligent being ever to grace this planet.” [4] “What the Lord knows is, fortunately, vastly more—not just barely more—than the combination of what all mortals know.” [5]
The Prophet’s Call and Promise
My dear young friends, “the glory of God is intelligence.” [6] During your time here at BYU–Hawaii, you’ve been seeking more than just a diploma. You have actually been pursuing the glory of God. As you’ve studied late into the night, faster,d and prayed over your studies, you’ve been doing much more than preparing for finals. You’ve actually been clothing yourself in the glory of God.
Last general conference President Nelson shared with each of us both a stirring invitation and a promise. In a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today, I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!
I bear my solemn witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I am His disciple. I am honored to be His servant. At His Second Coming, ‘the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.’ That day will be filled with joy for the righteous!” [7]
Graduates, we love you. You are graduating from a university with the distinct advantage of being directly led by prophets, seers,
and revelators who speak for the Savior. I testify that choosing to be led by the Savior and by His prophet and apostles is the path of safety, confidence, and crystal-clear direction . And I testify that Jesus Christ, whose glorious birth we are celebrating, is the “bright and morning star,” [8] the shepherd of our souls, [9] and will come again, dressed in reminding red, [10] as the giver of every good and perfect gift! [11]
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
[1] Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Historic and Special Day,” Inauguration of President John S.K. Kauwe III, BYU–Hawaii, October 19, 2021.
[2] David A. Bednar, “Things as They Really Are 2.0” [worldwide devotional for young adults], November 3, 2024.
[3] Ronald A. Rasband, “For Such a Time as This,” [Brigham Young University devotional, September 19, 2023], speeches.byu.edu
[4] Neal A. Maxwell, Even as I Am, Deseret Book Company, 1982, 29.
[5] Neal A. Maxwell, All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience, Deseret Book, 1979, 22.
[6] Doctrine and Covenants 93:36
[7] Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Ensign or Liahona, November 2024, 121.
[8] Revelation 22:16
[9] 1 Peter 2:25
[10] Doctrine and Covenants 133:48
[11] James 1:17