September 16th, 2025, 3:53pm MDT
Next year, when Brigham Young University celebrates its 150th anniversary, campus communities can become “beacons of light” in a world that “deeply needs.”
Students, faculty and staff gathered at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah on Tuesday, September 16th, President Reese repeated the school’s Sesquentennial theme. “Celebrating the gift of light.”
“My dear student, the answer to darkness is light. The answer to evil is Christ. He is the ultimate gift of light. And this year’s goal for me – our 150th year as a university is to celebrate, celebrate, share his light.”
During Tuesday’s campus prayer, President Reese was located about four miles down the road when political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated during a rally with students, a “really dark” event that occurred last week at Utah Valley University, a neighbouring agency at BYU.
“There was that day in the darkness,” President Reese said. “But I am here to testify that a better angel will win. I am here to testify that the light of Christ will win. His light provides the comfort we need at any time of trial, wounds, or sorrow.
President Reese repeatedly advised President Russell M. Nelson, becoming a peacemaker and “take your heart out. Be the peace you want to see in the world. This is how our master does it.”
Sharing light with the world
The best place for universities to begin growing and sharing light is to exercise greater faith in Jesus Christ, President Reese said.
“There is room for growth, but we are making progress. In recent years, BYU has seen a marked increase in the proportion of BYU graduates reporting their faith in Jesus Christ and his living prophets and apostles,” President Reese said.
BYU welcomed one of the biggest classes of freshmen to enroll in college. This year’s alumni will join more than 466,000 living alumni around the world, he reported. “Only, you cannot hide your light. Together, the light will flood the earth.”
On average, 70% of BYU alumni offer the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ for Latter-day Saints. Graduates are also likely to carry the titles of mother, father, husband and wife, President Reese said.
“There is little limit to the possibility of affecting this world for better things, but our light grows to its perfect glow as we approach the greatest gift ever given to us,” he said.
Like other birthdays, BYU’s 150th year is about gifts. “It’s the gift of light that we have given us, and the gift of light that we can share with others.”
President Reese shared several biblical examples of gift givers and receivers. Jacob prepares a gift before reconciliation with his brother Esau. Magi brought a gift to the children of Christ. and Mary, sister of Lazarus, who brought a box of alabasters of “very precious ointments” to paint Jesus his head.
“Dear student, how can the gifts rise and see what they represent? Can we see why we are a great gift as a disciple of Christ and why it is important to receive the gift of light?” asked President Reese.
Magi and Mary gave them what they could, President Reese observed. “I encourage you to share your gifts for the glory of the Savior – give your money, give your frankincense, give your alabaster box, give your gifts of light. As you do, the light of your life and the light of this campus will brighten up to the perfect day.”
He testified: “No matter your past, Jesus heals and helps. He will overcome sin. He and I will be clean. Choose him. I love God and I promise that your grace will be sufficient for you.
BYU women
In her remarks, Sister Reese highlighted some of the women at BYU who exemplify examples of Jesus Christ’s vision, devotion and disciples. One example she shared was Sister Patricia Holland, the late wife of President Jeffrey R. Holland, the quorum proxy of the 12 Apostles. President Holland and his sisters served as leaders at BYU from 1980 to 1989.
“What I like about Sister Holland is that she was deeply caring for the students and was incredibly sensitive to the troubles they faced,” Sister Reese pointed out.
Sister Reese expressed her hope that each student would choose not only to BYU but also to make the world shine “the growth of that light will brighten and brighten.”
