Banners for Discipleship

I would like to first bring you warm greetings from the First Presidency. You love them, and you pray for them. And they love you and pray for you. I bring that sincere warmth and greeting from them. We operate under the direction of the First Presidency. I express my love for them, and I am grateful for their love for each one of us.

My speaking here has been a long time coming. You might remember that I was scheduled to speak here last September. On very short notice, Elder Patrick Kearon exchanged dates with me, as I had an unexpected medical procedure.

I think you must have all enjoyed your Christmas break—and the added bonus of a bowl win! Wasn’t that amazing? It felt like a home game for BYU when we saw all the fans and players engaged together. [Photos were shown of the players and of a large BYU flag passing in front of the crowd at the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl game.]

Does this evoke some positive emotion for you as well? There was a spectacle of flag waving going on before the game, during the contest, and following the win. [A photo of a huge BYU flag being held up by the crowd was shown.] This unfurling of the enormous flag at BYU sports events is your tradition here. It is so visually striking. It always adds to the atmosphere and elevates school spirit while representing so many things that are part of your BYU experience.

Now let’s switch gears here and travel back several months. It seemed the entire world was focused on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Television viewership for these games was off the charts—maybe 30 million viewers a night, up 80 percent over the Tokyo Olympics. My wife, Lesa, and I watched when we could. What we viewed we really enjoyed.

You may recall the men’s basketball final. Steph Curry scored twenty-four points—all three-pointers—and led Team USA to win the Olympic gold. Here he is on the court after the win, proudly holding the United States flag. [A photo of the basketball player with the flag was shown.]

If you think about it, flags were everywhere at the Olympics! They carry a special significance at virtually every Olympic event. With the iconic Eiffel Tower in the background, flags of competing nations were hoisted for the world to see. [A photo was shown.]

Let’s talk more about flags. Flags are familiar, representing a full range of institutions and filled with symbolism and meaning. Athletes carried their flags in a show of patriotism and unity. It was quite the pageantry, and we felt awed watching the world come together to celebrate the best in their respective sports. Athletes with flags from 205 nations were marching together to close the games.

Here is what we see every day at Church Headquarters now that the Church Office Building Plaza has reopened. [A photo was shown of the flags on the plaza.] President Russell M. Nelson envisioned flags of more than ninety countries raised each day and rotated every three months as a symbol of “the global nature of the Church of Jesus Christ, its commitment to be a friend to all nations, and the belief that the gospel of Jesus Christ will grow to fill the earth (see Daniel 2:35).”¹

Consider this image of an important flag. [A picture of Arnold Friberg’s painting Captain Moroni Raises the Title of Liberty was shown.] Captain Moroni called his banner the title of liberty, and “he went forth among the people, waving . . . [it] in the air, that all might see the writing.”² He asked the people to join his just cause, to make a covenant with the Lord, and to defend their families. “He caused the title of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land . . . ; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites.”³

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are His ensign. We develop and display His attributes to honor, respect, and glorify Him. We can wave a variety of flags demonstrating Christlike behavior—such as faith, hope, charity, meekness, brotherly kindness, and virtue. With that as a backdrop, let me share four flags that you might embrace so you might be enhanced as a disciple of Jesus Christ. These are four metaphorical flags, ensigns, or banners that you might wave as you continue your education, as you work toward temporal and spiritual self-reliance, and as you strive to follow the example of the Savior.

I hope to provide some ideas to you today with these flags that are both inspiring and practical. Consider each of them as a call to action.

The Banner of Peacemaker

The first is to wave the ensign of peacemaker.

I love the light that President Nelson shed on the immense social challenges of our day with just two words in his April 2023 conference address: “Peacemakers Needed.” He then described attributes of peacemakers:

The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.⁴

In order to further teach this principle, I share a very familiar parable—but with an interpretation that might not be so familiar. The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.—who we honored with a national holiday yesterday—often referred to the parable of the good Samaritan in his speeches to illustrate themes of peace, love, and social justice. One of his most notable mentions of this parable was in his speech titled “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” delivered in Memphis, Tennessee, on the day before his assassination.

In this speech, he interpreted the New Testament parable to emphasize the importance of selflessness regardless of the circumstances. Here is a quote from that speech:

The first question that the priest asked—[and] the first question that the Levite asked was, “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But . . . the Good Samaritan . . . reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”⁵

Reverend King used this reversal to challenge one to extend concern beyond personal consequence and take action in the face of injustice for the betterment of the whole. These Christlike attributes are central to the role of peacemaker.

A peacemaker must consider the needs of the other as much as or more than their own. This perspective of a peacemaker not only calls for individual responsibility but also underscores our connection to all people.

Each of us can elevate our flag of peacemaker higher. We can make an impact. Let me tell you about an acquaintance of mine who saw a problem and who decided that she wanted to make a difference. Interestingly, it began with her own family. She described herself as generally conservative, but at the time her family of grown children represented five different political parties across the spectrum. This would have made for interesting dinner conversations. She observed how careful and thoughtful that family and community members, thought leaders, and politicians needed to be in their discourse with each other. How might one remain a peacemaker while still holding to personal views and values?

Along with a group of remarkable people, she is cocreator of a nonprofit that developed something called the Dignity Index. This index measures whether others are treated with dignity or contempt through the words one speaks or writes in the public square.

The goal of the Dignity Index is “to prevent violence, ease divisions, and solve problems”—or, in other words, to nurture peacemakers.

“The Dignity Index scores distinct phrases along an eight-point scale from contempt [on the one extreme] to dignity [on the other]. Lower scores (1–4) reflect divisive language while higher scores (5–8) reflect language grounded in dignity.”

Level one, the lowest level, is characterized by “They’re not even human. It’s our moral duty to destroy them before they destroy us.”

As it moves along the spectrum, level four reads, “We’re better than those people. They don’t really belong. They’re not one of us.”

Level five, now moving toward more dignified speech, has this description: “The other side has a right to be here and a right to be heard. They belong here too.”

Level eight, the highest level of the index, states, “Each one of us is born with inherent worth, so we treat everyone with dignity—no matter what.”⁶

The application of the dignity index has been very effective in bringing down the temperature in conversation. In order to measure this, a nationwide group of certified analysts score political ads, debates, speeches, and campaign messaging against the index. This has helped elevate awareness for both messengers and recipients and has helped develop a greater sensitivity to striving for more civil discourse.

This peacemaking effort affecting many people started with just a few people who, with a smile, dared to try. I think President Nelson would be pleased with your intentional effort to be a peacemaker.

It was on a hill above the Sea of Galilee where Jesus Christ Himself warmly encouraged this attribute with a blessing and a promise: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”⁷

In 2020, President Nelson posted on social media, “I plead with us to work together for peace, for mutual respect, and for an outpouring of love for all of God’s children.”⁸

So carry the flag of a peacemaker. Be a peacemaker!

The Banner of Understanding

Albert Einstein once said, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”⁹ Which leads to our next banner, the banner of understanding.

In my days as a university student—before the advent of so many of these liberating elements of technology—much of the life of a student revolved around the library. We spent early mornings and late nights there. We were in and out throughout the day. My library was the library at Utah State University.

Each time I entered the doors of the library, I was greeted by a wooden engraved sign over the entry with this scripture from Proverbs: “And with all thy getting get understanding.”¹⁰ To this day, that scripture remains there, and it is indelibly ingrained in my mind.

Each of you here now is moving deeper into the “with all thy getting” phase of that scripture. What is it that you will be getting?

Well, for me, at your age I was doing exactly as you are. I was “getting” or meeting and trying to marry my girlfriend, Lesa. It was hard work to make that happen. I too, like you, was trying to get a car, hoping to get a job, and hoping to get a salary that would lead to getting a house (and a mortgage) and hopefully someday the joy of children.

“And with all thy getting get understanding.” What is the “understanding” part that we are admonished to get? In this context, I think it goes beyond just comprehension.

As I have studied and observed the use of the word understanding in the scriptures or in the words of living prophets, I have come to realize a deeper meaning.

Elder Robert D. Hales described that meaning in a way that makes sense to me:

First, we start with the intelligence with which we were born. To our intelligence we add knowledge as we search for answers, study, and educate ourselves. To our knowledge we add experience, which should lead us to a level of wisdom. In addition to our wisdom, we add the help of the Holy Ghost through our prayers of faith, asking for spiritual guidance and strength. Then, and only then, do we reach an understanding in our hearts—which motivates us to “do what is right.”¹¹

We should practice and try to perfect traits of understanding in the way we communicate. This especially includes the ongoing challenge of being active listeners—truly listening to understand, not just to respond. When we think of our smartphones, we have advanced in so many ways. Yet how many of you have found yourself, like me, multitasking on your phone while someone is speaking to you? Listening should consume more than half of your conversation. It requires deliberate, thoughtful concentration to listen.

Here is a little hint. While conversing, listen, pause before replying, and repeat back what you have heard to ensure comprehension and understanding.

President Nelson calls this “building bridges of understanding.” This is what he said about this:

If a friend on social media has strong political or social views that violate everything you believe in, an angry, cutting retort by you will not help. Building bridges of understanding will require much more of you, but that is exactly what your friend needs.¹²

And President Nelson also said, “We need to foster a fundamental respect for the human dignity of every human soul, regardless of their color, creed, or cause.”¹³ So let’s think about how we might do that by waving our banner of understanding.

The Banner of the Restoration

The next banner is the flag of the Restoration. Now this embodies everything that you are: sons and daughters of loving heavenly parents, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and active participants on the covenant path. Each of these roles is magnified, enabled, or made possible by the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Carrying the flag of the Restoration means that we hope to introduce its unique message to others. It seems the best way to do this is in normal and natural ways—but to do it. The Lord spoke directly on this matter:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel. . . .

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.¹⁴

Now, gratefully, the Savior’s admonition can be accomplished through simple, easily understandable principles taught to each of us from childhood: love, share, and invite. I have spoken about this in general conference before, and here I would like to reiterate these three simple precepts again.¹⁵ They are a wonderful way for us to proudly and boldly carry the banner of the Restoration.

Remarkably, the first of these, love, is one of the most intuitive, natural elements of your everyday digital life. As digital natives, you constantly express your approval, your support, and your love with an emoji. You know what I am talking about!

Look at this text from our four-year-old granddaughter that was recently sent to Lesa. [A picture of a block of multiple emoji was shown.] The mass of emoji is dominated by what? The symbol for the heart—representing love. This demonstrates a great attribute of your generation, which is very different from that of mine. You are so comfortable; it is natural for you to show love to others even with a symbol. You even count how many hearts you accumulate, right?

Jesus Christ is the role model of love:

The first thing we can do is love as Christ loved. . . .

Whenever we show Christlike love toward our neighbor, we preach the gospel—even if we do not voice a single word.

. . . By demonstrating Christ’s love to others, we may cause those who see our good works to “glorify [our] Father which is in heaven.”¹⁶

The second thing you do well is to share. You love and you share so well. You share things that you see, places that you visit, art that you like, and quotes that you are inspired by. You are doing this almost hourly as well—sharing things with others. How might you simply add what you love about the gospel of Jesus Christ to the list of things you already share? Let me repeat:

Sharing isn’t about “selling” the gospel. You don’t have to write a sermon or correct someone’s incorrect perceptions. 

When it comes to missionary work, God doesn’t need you to be His sheriff; He does, however, ask that you be His sharer.¹⁷ 

As we share our positive experiences in the gospel with others, we wave the ensign of the Restoration.

The third thing you can do is to invite. There are hundreds of invitations we can extend to others.

We can invite others to “come and see.” For example, you can share a Primary or Easter program or a young single adult activity. It can be an invitation to read the Book of Mormon or to visit a temple during its open house. You can share uplifting messages through social media. You are likely more aware than I am of the hundreds if not thousands of uplifting things you might find worthy of sharing that can lead to invitations.

I watched firsthand how Lesa extended her friendship to a family in a very normal and natural way. It was and continues to be for me a remarkable model of love, share, and invite. While we were living in Japan, her invitation to a friend—the mother of one of our son’s fourth-grade classmates—to attend a concert of a Latter-day Saint performer led to remarkable outcomes. Here is a picture of that night after the concert in the mission home. [A photo was shown.]

Nearly three years later—after the simple invitation to an activity and after countless missionaries and missionary lessons—the two boys who attended school with our son Kyle were baptized by their now fully participating father. Eight years later their mother was baptized. One year after that we took this picture with their family following their sealing in the Taipei Taiwan Temple. Our sons—who were both fourth graders when they met—were then serving as missionaries in Taiwan. [A photo was shown.]

Remarkably, this was a journey that had begun nine years earlier with a simple invitation by Lesa for this family to attend an activity at our meetinghouse in Japan.

The power of love, share, and invite as a normal and natural way to carry the banner of the Restoration will bless your life and the lives of many others.

The Banner of Engagement

Finally, be a flag bearer of engagement. Be active. Get involved in good causes.

Judge Thomas B. Griffith, a Church member and a retired U.S. circuit judge, advocated for awareness that civic charity—the idea that we owe each other kindness and respect in the public sphere—is a cornerstone of democratic engagement.¹⁸ We are informed by the wise words of King Benjamin, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”¹⁹

So as you embark on the next chapter of your life, strive to make a meaningful contribution as you engage in new countries, communities, neighborhoods, and wards wherever you might be. This can be done in small and simple ways as you keep the commandment to love your neighbor and also as you participate in more formal civic charity and engagement.

We encourage and are grateful for members of the Church who seek valuable places of public service at every level.

President Dallin H. Oaks said:

We should be knowledgeable citizens who are active in making our influence felt in civic affairs.

In the United States and in other democracies, political influence is exercised by running for office (which we encourage), by voting, by financial support, by membership and service in political parties, and by ongoing communications to officials, parties, and candidates. To function well, a democracy needs all of these, but a conscientious citizen does not need to provide all of them.²⁰

We don’t have to be overwhelmed. We don’t have to do it all. But we choose to do what we can.

So let’s close with one last and very good example of engagement. Here you see the family of Tanner and Allie Ward, young BYU graduates who were in Louisiana for medical school. [A photo was shown.] Tanner was busy in school, busy in church, and busy with his young family—yet he had a desire to make a contribution somehow.

Tanner saw an opportunity and became engaged. Observing the trauma and loneliness of cancer patients—with their need to receive ministering—he began simple, weekly cancer walks, starting first with patients to uplift their spirits and improve their health. These walks helped them feel loved and valued. Then family members began participating. Over the course of time, this led to elevated hope and instilled in the hearts of the cancer patients a desire to serve their fellow patients. Pictured here is a group of patients leading weekly walks for other patients. [A photo was shown.]

Due to the success of these weekly walks, an annual cancer survivor walkathon was created that is now enjoyed by hundreds in the community. Sponsors underwrite the event, allowing it to raise money to fund other noteworthy community charities. Tanner was even recognized by the state legislature for his founding efforts that created hope and happiness for those in need. Tanner has since graduated from medical school, but the weekly cancer walks continue, and the walkathon has become an annual community tradition.

You see, engagement leaves a lasting impact in the hearts of those you serve—and sometimes even in the hearts of entire communities. We hope you will engage in good causes wherever you might be. Boldly carry the banner of engagement.

As we conclude with you today and see you all gathered here in this beautiful Marriott Center, to us it feels as if you are a literal ensign of nations—disciples of Jesus Christ representing Him and the Church of Jesus Christ.

So go forth, proudly carrying His banner—the gospel of Jesus Christ. His banner includes the banner of peacemaker, the banner of understanding, the banner of the Restoration, and the banner of engagement. Carry them with enthusiasm. Carry them with dignity. Carry them as pure vessels—daughters and sons of our loving Heavenly Father.

It is a privilege for me to be here and to talk to you about these remarkable gospel precepts and principles. Brothers and sisters, we are blessed. We are blessed as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are blessed with our connections to heaven. We are blessed with an understanding of God the Father, of Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Ghost. We are blessed with the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost bears testimony of the Father and of the Son.

And so as disciples of Jesus Christ, let’s together put on His attributes, listen to the two great commandments to love the Lord and to love our neighbors, and bear testimony of Him to the world. And I bear testimony for you. I bear testimony of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost—a special witness of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I bear testimony that He is the Son of the living God, the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah. And I offer that witness of Him to you in His holy name, even Jesus Christ, amen.

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