June 5th, 2025, 9:31am MDT
Colorado Springs, Colorado – Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of 12 Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke to the 2025 Latter-day Saint alumni of the US Air Force Academy at the annual Bacalaurea Service in Bacalaurea on Sunday, May 25th.
It was a rainy night in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There, the spirits of the elderly, families and guests were not dampened, but rather raised and encouraged.
Each Memorial Day weekend before the official graduation ceremony at the Academy Base will honor Latter-day Saint Cadets later in the week, incorporating spiritual reflection and guidance to classes receiving new duties to continue their military careers after graduation.
This year’s ceremony was held at the Latter-Day Saint Meeting Hall on Lexington Drive, north of Colorado Springs, due to a renovation project at the iconic chapel on the Air Force Academy campus.
The service began with a song of the patriotic national anthem “Beautiful of America,” written by Catherine Lee Bates after experiencing the dignity of Pikes Peak for herself in the late 1800s.
The poem called “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee Jr. was read by Cadet 1st Class Denver Dalpias. It reflects the beauty of the sky from a pilot’s perspective. Cadets have experienced pilot training while students at the academy.
Elder Stephenson says he was excited and surprised that he would visit the Air Force Academy, and he and his wife often do not get the opportunity to speak in such an intimate environment.
He recalls the origins of “American Beautiful” and how it was written above the Peak of Pike. “It will be special for the rest of my life.”
He reported to the church President Russell M. Nelson after his visit and said, “I felt the strength of their (cadets), their strength. I think I came to Zion from Zion.”
Elder Stevenson began by talking about the church’s growth and the presence of 3,600 stakes and over 17 million members worldwide. Currently there are 205 dedicated temples, with Ivory Coastal Temples in Abidjan dedicated on the same day.
He showed a slide of the ECCA family, who joined the Nigerian church in 1979, and was unable to wait to enjoy the temple blessings.
He then showed a slide with a map of Africa, including 29 temples under construction, dedication and announced.
“It’s that we are explaining that the Lord is in a hurry to do his work in his time,” he said.
Elder Stephenson said in the future, no matter where military missions take the cadets, there is a likely temple nearby. “This is an age where the gospel fills all over the world.”
The presentation continued with an emphasis on four points. The first is to “enjoy the blessings of the bishop.”
Elder Stephenson said each bishop is instructed to serve the cadets, to meet them, to love them, to develop friendships with them.
“You have to say, ‘Bishop, I am here to serve you in any capacity and way.’ ”
The second is to “maintain a gospel perspective.” He said, “To maintain this gospel perspective is like holding an iron bar.”
The third emphasis is to “maintain mental balance.” This is a challenge to maintain a balanced life that shows everyone’s spirituality.
“The Lord is the fulcrum. Our relationship with Him allows us to maintain this critical balance,” he said.
The final point that Elder Stevenson emphasized was knowing, “The Lord will help you.” He said this in regards to maintaining the right to receive the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement and answers to prayer.
He concluded with his testimony. “Jesus Christ is the main cornerstone. This is his church. We are the custodians of his church. I am a witness to the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.”
After graduating, Andrew Espinosa of Cadet Class 1 attending intelligence officer training at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas, said it was special to hear the address from Elder Stevenson. “This is the best way to end the life of a cadet and begin life as an Air Force officer.”
“He gave us great guidance to help us with our careers and future lives. Part of the mental balance was a highlight for me,” Espinosa said.
Cadet 1st Class Denver Dalpias will continue his undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. He states: “I feel I’m trying to focus on Christ right now. I can balance spirituality with the demands of our officers. I love Elder Stevenson to lead our lives to focus on the temple, especially when we go out into this world. We are blessed with having an international church.”
