The late President Jeffrey R. Holland believed that good things could happen. The former president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who passed away Dec. 27, 2025, was well known for his teachings on faith and optimism, and often testified that Jesus Christ was “the high priest of the good things to come,” recalled Brigham Young University President C. Shane Reese.
President Dallin H. Oaks, the current prophet, “has a similar prophetic sense of urgency for good things to happen,” President Reese said. “President Oaks, a living prophet and oracle of the living God, believes in you. Jesus Christ himself bled and died because he believed in you.”
“So, believe in yourself. Believe in the One who has the power to save. Believe that good things will happen, and try.”
President Reese’s remarks were made during BYU’s winter semester opening devotional on Tuesday, January 13, on the school’s campus in Provo, Utah.
His address paid tribute to Presidents Oakes and Holland, who “served successively as presidents of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1989,” and encouraged students to trust in God and have hope for the future.
President Reese’s wife, Sister Wendy Reese, also attended the devotional and spoke in front of her husband. She also testified of the need to trust God, pray for guidance, and live by the promises of our covenants.
“Trust God with all your heart this semester,” Sister Reese said. “I promise you it will make a difference. I promise you that as you make good decisions and move forward in faith, God will help guide your path. The destination God has for you is far beyond anything you can imagine.”
“Immeasurable and ongoing” influence
In his address, President Reese shared the life stories of Presidents Oaks and Holland that demonstrate their strong faith and resilience.
For example, President Holland was in a coma for several weeks after the death of his wife, Sister Patricia Terry Holland, in July 2023. During that time, he had a divine experience. There he was advised to return to ministry with more urgency and focus on the Savior. The Dutch president woke up and did just that until the end of his life.
President Oaks has overcome similar challenges. President Reese shared President Oaks’ early life experiences of losing his father, being bullied at school, and struggling academically until his family stabilized and a wise teacher helped him reach his potential. President Oaks continued to stand out as one of the “world’s most respected jurists,” and at one point was considered for appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.
President Reese said that if there was a “patron saint” of BYU, it would be President Oaks and President Holland.
“Their influence on this campus over the past two centuries has been immeasurable and continues to this day,” President Reese said. “It is eternal and equally important to you, students. They both sat where you sit. They walked where you have walked. Their path was not paved for them, just like yours. Their homes were not picture perfect, but their faith in the Lord was and continues to be extraordinary.
“They came to this school to learn, they went to work to serve, and they never stopped serving.”
“Your future is in your hands”
President Reese concluded his address by inviting students to consider two questions. “What has God personally revealed to you that is more urgent?” “What have prophets, seers, and revelators taught you to encourage you to act with the same urgency?”
He referred to President Oaks’ “masterful” general conference talk in October 2000 entitled “The Challenge to Become,” and said that while the world teaches people to be something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges people to become something.
“Be something. Be a disciple,” President Reese said. “Make the most of this winter, this semester, this week, this day.”
He also testified that Jesus is the Christ and that He is alive. Because of His atoning sacrifice, all the injustices in this world will be righted. “Not only in eternity, but much of it here and now” will be corrected.
As Sister Holland once reminded President Holland, “Your future is in your hands, even Jesus Christ,” President Reese said.
