To our dear friends of BYU-Hawaii and of this unique and wonderful community, Aloha!
Diane and I are excited to be home! It has been a year and a half since our last opportunity to visit Oahu and nearing five years since our call required us to leave our home here. Not simply due to the natural beauty, but more especially because of family and friends and the experiences of many decades, nowhere can replace these islands in our hearts.
On February 12, 1955, the day of ceremonial ground-breaking for the Church College of Hawaii, I was a five-year-old boy living in Honolulu, likely completely unaware of this significant event occurring in far away Laie. In those days, travel to Laie was via the winding Old Pali Road as the tunnels through the Koolau Mountains were yet to be completed. As children, we only periodically made the long, arduous trek to this community; however, when we did so, our reward was to view the grand Hawaii Temple.
I stand before you today at 55 years of age, with half a century of profound appreciation for the institution now known as Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and its younger siblings, the Polynesian Cultural Center and Hawaii Reserves, Inc. in addition to the centerpiece of this community, the Laie Hawaii Temple. Each of these entities has had significant influence on my life because of the exemplary devotion of people those who have built and nurtured these organizations which have become a collective jewel in the crown of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is nothing like these institutions and their synergistic relationship anywhere else in the Church. They accomplish a mission which simply would be left undone were they not to exist. To you who currently bear the responsibility of these organizations and to you as proxy for the thousands who have come before, upon whose shoulders you stand as you carry on the righteous traditions and fulfill the glorious purposes for which they were formed I say "Thank You, Thank You, Thank You."
On February 13 th , the day following his presiding duties at the ground breaking, President David O. McKay, then, of course, the president of the Church, spoke at the Oahu Stake Tabernacle in Honolulu. The meeting was a seminal event in my young life. My mother dressed my older brother and me in our matching two-color, beige and brown suits. We lived adjacent to the tabernacle and I recall walking over the little bridge which crosses the drainage canal bordering the Church property, entering the large and majestic chapel, and sitting about 12 rows from the stand. With apologies to whoever else may have participated, I remember nothing from the meeting except the talk of President McKay; I do not even know on what subject he spoke. What is vivid in my memory, even to this day, is the appearance of the Prophet with his wavy white hair, and his light beige suit, accented with a thick red carnation lei. But most especially, I remember what I felt that day. It is my first recollection of feeling the Spirit of God.
At the conclusion of the meeting we sang a hymn, one still in our Church hymn book, but one we do not sing as often today. Who's on the Lord's side? Who? Now is the time to show. We ask it fearlessly: Who's on the Lord's side? Who? (Hymns, #260) With what I had spiritually experienced and the piercing question of this hymn which seemed so personal to me, I nearly leapt to my feet, waved my hand in acclamation, and shouted "I am!" Thus, perhaps it might be said that this university and I were " born " on the same weekend. I only wish I had matured as gracefully as it has.
The reason we celebrate major anniversaries of beginnings is to inspire us to be better in the future. We are to learn from the devotion, experiences, and prophecy of yesterday as motivation for tomorrow.
President Gordon B. Hinckley is the finest example I have seen of one who is able to look to the past and to the future with perfect balance. Speaking to the collective Church membership, he stated "What a wonderful thing it is to have behind us a great and noble body of progenitors! What a marvelous thing to be the recipients of a magnificent heritage that speaks of the guiding hand of the Lord, of the listening ear of His prophets, of the total dedication of a vast congregation of Saints who loved this cause more than life itself!... Our forebears laid a solid and marvelous foundation. Now ours is the great opportunity to build a superstructure, all fitly framed together with Christ as the chief cornerstone. My beloved brethren and sisters, how blessed we are! What a wonderful inheritance we have! It involved sacrifice, suffering, death, vision, faith, and knowledge and a testimony of God the Eternal Father and His Son, the risen Lord Jesus Christ....We honor those who have gone before when we serve well in the cause of truth" (Gordon B. Hinckley, "True to the Faith," Ensign , May 1997, pp. 65-67).
The same blessings and opportunities spoken of by President Hinckley are available to us this very day, and are manifest as we honor the visionaries and founders of this great university by our commitment to individually and collectively make the future better.
In the ground-breaking ceremony of the college 50 years (less one day) ago, President McKay, said "This is the beginning of the realization of a vision I saw thirty-four years ago..." Speaking of his experience of February 7, 1921, which is depicted in the mural which graces the entrance to this university, he furthered stated "I witnessed a flag raising ceremony by students of the church school here in Hawaii in Laie. It that little group of students were Hawaiians, what do you call them - Haoles, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and Filipinos. We listened to each one, a representative from each of these groups, pay tribute to the stars and stripes as the flag was pulled up there on the flagpole and all vowed allegiance. That ceremony brought tears to my eyes. Truly the melting pot, but more impressive than that was our assembly in the old chapel that stood by. There we met as members of the Church of Jesus Christ-Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, all the races represented on this island. There we met as one, members of the Church, the Restored Church of Christ. What an example in this little place of the purposes of our Father in Heaven to unite all peoples by the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Note that President McKay said "This is the beginning of the realization of a vision..." Now 50 years later, in significant fulfillment of the vision, we have a university with students from 70 nations studying various academic disciplines, all under the protective umbrella of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its apostolic and prophetic leadership.
President McKay, in the same remarks, said "I am deeply grateful...for the ideals of the Church of Christ in education. Do you realize that two years...after the Church was organized the Lord gave a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith urging the members...to study and treasure the things of education in all fields?" President McKay referenced a portion of the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants which reads "And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things, that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms That ye may be prepared in all things when I send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you" (D&C 88:77-80).
In personalizing this doctrine, President McKay said "Now that tells us what this school is being built for...First, the things pertaining to God and his kingdom, a testimony of the existence of Diety...[and] what that means toward...establishing peace in the world. Secondly, that those who are obeying those principles will develop...character, and make noble men and women. The world needs them. One man said the world needs men who cannot be bought or sold, men who will scorn to violate truth genuine gold. That is what this school is going to produce."
Thus, for these fundamental reasons and others you have heard and witnessed since coming to BYU-Hawaii, you are receiving a significant blessing, and bear a substantial responsibility, as a student here. Let me clearly state how deeply grateful we are for you who are worthy of the trust represented by your acceptance to this university. You are a blessing to your family, to the Church, to this institution, and to society. If there are any not living with the honor to which you have committed, resolve the duplicity which binds your life; do whatever is required to obtain what Joseph Smith described as "a conscience void of offense towards God" (See D&C 135:4).
Throughout this year, BYU-Hawaii has planned significant events honoring its heritage. Simultaneously, the Church is celebrating the 175th anniversary of its restoration and the 200th year since the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith. We must not allow these momentous opportunities to pass without them specifically and permanently changing our lives.
Marvelous resources are available this year to learn the history of this university, the Church, and the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. These include the Web sites of BYU-Hawaii and the Church. I have studied the Golden Jubilee section of the BYU-H Web site and archival material from this campus and at Church headquarters. I have read from the journals of David O. McKay detailing his 1921, 1955, and 1958 trips to Laie. In doing so, a spirit of gratitude and reverence for those who came before has enveloped me.
Similarly, Church Web sites, priesthood and Relief Society manuals, the Doctrine and Covenants course of study in Sunday School, and numerous other resources are available to increase our knowledge of the events of our history.
Every one of us has a heritage that which we possess because of those who have come before. Our heritage actually comes from several sources. I wish to address four, applicable to each of us: (1) The heritage we celebrate this day, that which comes from our association with BYU-Hawaii; (2) Our heritage as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; (3) The heritage provided by our earthly parentage; and (4) Our heavenly heritage.
In addition to learning the chronological history of BYU-Hawaii, of even greater value would be to study of the lives of the righteous men and women who founded, built, nurtured, and led it. We have men like David O. McKay, Ralph E. Wooley, Edward L. Clissold, Joseph E. Wilson, Wendell B. Mendenhall, Reuben D. Law, Richard T. Wootton, Owen J. Cook, Stephen L. Brower, Dan W. Anderson, J. Elliot Cameron, Alton L. Wade, and Eric B. Shumway who represent hundreds of others who were and are "genuine gold."
I was moved when reading the October 28, 2004 devotional address of President Shumway who spoke of what he described as "golden threads woven into the tapestry of our prophetic legacy." He spoke of Jerry Loveland, David Chen, Tsai Shen Leung, Eric Anderson, Nephi Georgi, Lance Chase, and the countless students, faculty, and staff who have been guided to this campus by the Lord.
Do not allow yourself to go through your time at BYU-Hawaii without feeling the experience. I have spoken with individuals in these islands, in the Pacific, in Asia, and on the mainland who have testified that their time on this campus changed their life in a fundamental way. You will forever be a son or daughter of BYU-Hawaii and that heritage can bless you continually.
The heritage we receive from membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is monumental. As a part of one of my assignments at Church headquarters, I have been directly involved in the making of a film honoring the life of Joseph Smith. This major production, to be shown in the Legacy Theater of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year by the December 23rd anniversary of the Prophet's birth. Last week I was at the Church's Motion Picture Studio in Provo observing the filming of scenes portraying the imprisonment of Joseph and Hyrum and others in the Liberty Jail.
Envision the setting several innocent men incarcerated for months in the cramped, cold, filthy, foul confines of this dungeon. More over his concern for the suffering Saints than for his own safety and comfort, Joseph pleads with the Lord "O God, where are thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrong of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries? Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them? O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil...stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us" (D&C 121:1-4).
And then, the powerful, comforting words of the Lord, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high" (D&C 121:7-8).
This is representative of our history it is an instructive and inspiring history directly applicable to you and to me as we deal with the struggles of our mortal existence. The heritage of membership in this "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" (D&C 1:30) gives us a prophetic voice in a world of many divergent voices, and the glorious opportunity to bind ourselves to act in all holiness before the Lord (See D&C 43:9).
The legacy of our earthly parentage can vary. Some in this congregation have ancestry who were instrumental in the Restoration and have a multi-generational history in the Church; others are first generation members. With few exceptions, however, all of us can learn from the positive examples of our progenitors.
When I last spoke on this campus, in the fall of 2002, I briefly reviewed the circumstances which brought my father to these islands nearly 65 years ago. Today, I wish to speak of my patriarchal grandparents. My family is certainly no better than yours. I simply know our story and want to tell you of the heritage my grandparents provided their posterity.
They lived in small towns in Idaho and then in Salt Lake City and had two children, a son (my father) and a daughter. After my father established his family in Hawaii, my aunt, who lived in Salt Lake City, married and, in time, was expecting a child. It turned out she had twins; but tragically, she and the twins all died in childbirth in 1951.
As their only descendants lived in Hawaii, my grandparents moved to Oahu when my grandfather professionally retired in 1956. My grandparents were very devoted to one another; especially, my grandfather was particularly solicitous to the needs of my grandmother. He used to often comment that he never wanted to be away from her. He even said he hoped he would die first, and then he would find a way to bring his companion soon thereafter.
They were true Latter-day Saints, completely devoted to the Lord and His Church. They enjoyed decades of service as ordinance workers in the temple of this community. Both of them were physically strong into their mid-80s. Then they began to have health problems; first one and then the other. There came a point where their health would not allow them to travel to their beloved temple in Laie. Even so, they maintained current temple recommends as a symbol of their desire to be true to their covenants.
After a time, my grandmother went into a coma. My grandfather seemed to rebound for awhile, and then one Friday night he suffered a heart attack and died. After caring for the immediate needs of my grandfather, my father went to the bedside of my grandmother, still in her coma condition, with no apparent ability to communicate. He told her that her husband had gone. Immediately, her vital signs began to diminish, and within hours she was gone. After 65 years of marriage, they were blessed to never be apart.
I was serving as my grandparent's bishop at the time. It was my privilege to conduct their double funeral. Each of the participants in the service were their grandchildren. It was not a time of sorrow, but one of profound gratitude for righteous ancestors who left their posterity an example of faith and devotion to those things that are eternal.
One of the blessings of heritage is an inheritance . While our earthly inheritances may vary, that promised by our Heavenly Father and made possible because of the Firstborn in the Spirit and the Only Begotten in the Flesh is available to all the sons and daughters of God. Listen to the promise given to each of us regardless of nationality, race, or economic status.
"But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever" (2 Nephi 9:18).
"And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God" (3 Nephi 11:33).
"Be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven" (D&C 6:37).
"But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life, or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life" (D&C 50:5).
This inheritance is established by covenant; it cannot be taken from us. Only we can disqualify ourselves. Our heavenly heritage is our most important. A daily acknowledgment of this relationship is vital. This is accomplished through prayer, pondering, and a consistent effort to live the commandments of God. "For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?" (Mosiah 5:13).
Are you living true to your heritage? Is the quality of your life reflective of the gratitude you have for your predecessors in the various aspects of your life?
Studying the lives of individuals worthy of emulation, especially men and women of Christ, both teaches and edifies us. Learn of their difficulties which seemed insurmountable and then how with faith, courage, and perseverance they overcame or, in some circumstances, simply endured with dignity.
I have intensively studied the lives of great Church leaders, especially the prophets of this dispensation. Understanding how each overcame the natural man and yielded to the enticings of the Holy Spirit (See Mosiah 3:19) and became an "instrument in the hands of God" (Alma 17:9) has given me the vision and desire to submit my will to the Lord.
Allow the Holy Ghost to enlighten and enrich your study. The Holy Spirit has the ability to teach in a manner which is personal and most needed for each of us. We are scripturally directed to "[Call] on the name of the Lord for the Comforter, which shall teach [us] all things that are expedient for [us]" (See D&C 75:10). The involvement of the Spirit elevates our study of the past from informational to inspirational .
Then, we have the responsibility to continually be changing our lives to actually "do" and not just "hear." We should regularly study the characteristics of those who have come before, with a conscious, introspective effort to learn from their righteous examples and then live them. If we do not have a "real intent" (See Moroni 10:4), the full intention to live what we learn, our progress will be intermittent at best.
Be careful, however, not to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, past or present, as this can be self-defeating. Besides, we often are comparing our "back yards" to their "front yards" and feel we simply do not measure up. This can turn into discouragement which can be debilitating. Simply look for the good in others, overlook the bad, and use their positive examples as motivation to improve.
Of course, of all those who have come before, the individual most deserving of our reverence and profound gratitude is the Savior of the World, Jesus the Christ. It is He who set the perfect example. It is He who condescended from His lofty heritage to "descend below all things" (See D&C 88:6). It is His character that is most worthy of emulation.
My hope for this Golden Jubilee year is that each of us will more fully learn our heritage and honor it; that the attributes of Godliness seen in the lives of others, and most especially in the Redeemer Himself, will be more abundantly part of our character. I praise the goodness of your lives and simply ask that at year's end we be better, as a tribute to those who have come before.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.