“Become the light to the world” – Church News

Provo, Utah — As Brigham Young University graduates prepare to be distributed nationwide and around the world, they must live their beliefs with courage while fully involved in the community, Elder Clark G. Gilbert said he is a Cebueti and Church Education Commissioner.

In offering this year’s opening speech, Elder Gilbert announced the charges. “Suppress the light that it may shine in the world” (3 Nephi 18:24).

“When you leave BYU today, have the courage to stand up and shine a light on the world,” Elder Gilbert told the alumni. “Even if our prophets are involved as ambassadors and peace overseers whom we ask, please maintain your spiritual integrity.”

Nearly 7,200 alumni, together with friends, family and mentors, filled almost each of the 19,000 seats in the Marriott Center, held on a mild spring morning on Thursday, April 23rd.

President Darrin H. Oaks, the first counselor and university president of the first presidency, chaired the event and represented the first presidency, J. Congratulations to Clifford Wallace.

Wallace was the longest-serving federal judge in the United States and the first member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who served both in the US Court of Appeals and its Supreme Court.

President Oaks said: “I believe in the rule of law because of my commitment to the sacredly inspired principles of the US Constitution that apply to all men. I honour Judge Wallace as a valuable example of that rule of law and praise his example to lawyers, judges and citizens around the world.”

By accepting an honorary degree, Wallace, 96, looked down at the lecturer with nearly 250 doctoral graduates and jokingly apologized “to those who have completed their PhDs through so many jobs here.”

He then said, “But I’m not going to refuse it.”

Wallace said his success in life could be attributed to advice given to him by the late Elder LeGrand Richards, a member of the quorum of the 12 Apostles.

Wallace is told to prioritize his family first, then church services as he is trying to establish his practice and with his younger family. “And if you’re still there you can make a living,” Elder Richards told him.

“I have found that I have achieved more real value in my life’s efforts, carefully praying, aligning the most important parts of my life with their eternal values,” Wallace said.

BYU President C. Shane Reese both conducted lawsuits and provided simple addresses. Elder Patrick Caeron of Qualum, the sister of 12 Apostles and his wife, Jennifer Caeron. Sister Kristen Oaks, wife of President Oaks. sister Christine Gilbert, wife of Elder Gilbert; And Sister Wendy Reese, BYU’s first lady, was also present.

During the ceremony, the university awarded 7,194 degrees. He has earned 5,885 bachelor’s degrees. 1,146 Masters degree. 255 Ph.D.

“I’m off to serve”

Graduates need to learn to balance expectations for professional distinctions with integrity to faith, or calls for excellence and disciples, Elder Gilbert said.

“If a call for excellence challenges your disciples, you risk imitating the world and ultimately apologizing for your faith. You may maintain your faith, but you miss an opportunity to become light in the world,” he warned.

He is excellent at professional and community engagement, but he should not replace other people’s agendas or replace subordinate disciples. At the same time, he added, “maintaining faith should never be a catalyst for isolation.”

He encouraged graduates to build friendships with others of different beliefs and invite them into their lives, and “always represent the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with courage, faith and dignity.”

The Lord said, “I will go before your face, and I will be on your right hand and to your left, and my spirit will be in your heart, and I will turn around you to embrace you” (D&C 84:88).

“This is our hope and our responsibility to you today,” Elder Gilbert said.

Other speakers on the launch, including BYU Alumni Association President Hilary Nielsen and alumni Amy Ortiz Sanchez, reflected invitations to make an impact on the world.

“You’ve come in to learn, now I’m off to serve,” President Reese said.

Repeated calls for members of the Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ Church to become agents of peace in this divided world, President Reese has promised that “using your BYU education to use will encourage greater peace and goodness in this world.”

The ceremony also included music numbers from BYU’s men’s chorus, “Welcome Home.”