Church Leaders Speak at Commencements in Hawaii, Idaho, Utah

  • 26 April 2012

On April 19, 2012, graduating students at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, USA, listened to Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talk about the influence being a BYU graduate should have on them.

Article Highlights

  • April 7: Elder M. Russell Ballard at BYU–Idaho
  • April 13: Elder D. Todd Christofferson at LDS Business College
  • April 14: Young Women general president Elaine S. Dalton at BYU–Hawaii
  • April 19: Elder Dallin H. Oaks at BYU–Provo

“I urge you to make a commitment to yourself and to Heavenly Father to dedicate your life and consecrate your time and talents to the building up of the Church of Jesus Christ in anticipation of the Savior’s Second Coming.” —Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Church leaders traveled to Church schools in Hawaii, Idaho, and Utah, USA, during April to give words of advice to graduates leaving the college and university setting to pursue careers and additional education.

Read a more comprehensive report at Prophets and Apostles Speak Today.

At BYU–Idaho on April 7, 2012, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled students to “replace fear with faith.”

“I believe we are standing on the threshold of a new era of growth, prosperity, and abundance,” he said. “I urge you to make a commitment to yourself and to Heavenly Father to dedicate your life and consecrate your time and talents to the building up of the Church of Jesus Christ in anticipation of the Savior’s Second Coming.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 13, 2012, to deliver the commencement address to graduating students from all 50 U.S. states and 67 countries.

He stressed the need for students to give service throughout their lives. “Service will be your antidote against selfishness and the sense of entitlement that more and more afflict societies around the world. . . . Your service will bless others, but it will also protect you,” he said.

The next day, Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women general president, gave these words of advice to students at BYU–Hawaii: “Remember who you are.” “Work hard.” “Train for adversity.” “Dream big.” “Winners do not always finish first.”

“Run into your marathon of faith and life,” she said. “Don’t get discouraged by the hills, but see the opportunity in adversity. Go with a sure foot and a sure knowledge that you are never alone. . . . I truly believe that one virtuous young man or young woman led by the Spirit can change the world.”

On April 19, 2012, graduating students at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, listened to Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talk about the influence being a BYU graduate should have on them.

“The mark you receive as a BYU graduate is neither involuntary nor self-imposed,” Elder Oaks said. “A mark can and should be a reminder of our relationship to those who put the mark upon us and also of the responsibilities we have assumed as a result of the certifications they give us.”

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