“Blessed Are the Peacemakers”
“I encourage you to use every talent and every bit of knowledge and inspiration you have to change the world, but while you are doing that, I invite you to make a difference in the world by being true peacemakers.”
Persevere in Unity
While all human beings share a common bond as beloved spirit children of Heavenly Parents, each of us is a unique individual with individual personalities, experiences, and gifts. And each of these individual characteristics can contribute to greater unity.
Looking to the Margins: Creating Belonging
What do we see Christ do with the marginalized? As previously mentioned, He ate with them, He walked with them, He cried with them, He healed them, He validated them, and He listened to them.
“Sticks in a Bundle Are Unbreakable”
As we connect with others, our power to do good in the world is exponentially increased.
More Love, Less Contempt
If we are going to beat the problem of contempt, we’re going to need something more radical than civility—something that speaks to our hearts’ desire. We need love.
Seeing the Divinity in Others
Every single person on the earth now and forever is a child of God. It doesn’t matter what their religious or political affiliation is, it doesn’t matter where they come from or the color of their skin, and it doesn’t matter if they are just like you or are vastly different from you—they are all children of our Heavenly Father.
A Holier Approach to Ministering
Caring for others, physically and emotionally, requires an unselfish and sensitive heart. It is an important part of the gospel. This caring is done in and out of the Church by good people, believers and nonbelievers.
Questions and Answers
When we love God, we make and strive to keep our sacred covenants. I testify that living gospel commandments brings anyone untold blessings, allowing us to become our very best selves—exactly who God wants us to be.
Let’s Not Leave Jonny Behind
As we graduate and go out into the world, searching for purpose in our careers and our families, let us remember the poignant words of Charles Dickens, who once wrote, “No one is useless in this world . . . who lightens the burden of it for any one else.”
Listen, Lift, Rescue
Our Savior gave us the perfect example of love, compassion, respite, and rescue. He has beckoned us to come unto Him, to be His hands, and to love one another. May we go forward with a commitment to listen to those spiritual promptings.
Orson Hyde, the Holy Land, and Brigham Young University
In the garden is a sign that reads, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”—a quote from Psalm 122:6. And so we must. We must hope for and pray for peace.
“And They Did Fellowship One with Another”
Let us better open this campus to fellowshipping so that it may someday also be said of us, “And they did fellowship one with another, and did rejoice one with another, and did have great joy.”
“Let Us Think Straight”
Surely we will be able to think straight if we stay focused on God’s eternal plan and doctrine and use our strength in reaching out and helping others to do the same as we share our testimonies and our knowledge of the basic and simple message of the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Why We Are Organized into Quorums and Relief Societies
There is much work a quorum must do as a quorum and much a Relief Society is to do as a circle of sisters, and there is much that is to be coordinated between them.
Brotherly Love
It is my hope and prayer that we may serve our Lord by being actively engaged in blessing the lives of all our brothers and sisters and being an instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father.
The Weight of the World
May we be an instrument in God’s hands to make the burdens of others last for “but a small moment.” Let us lift up the hands of those whose hang down, that they may “endure it well.”
The BYU Experience
What do you have here that is different? I hope the BYU experience will cause you to take on those qualities that will make of you a true disciple of Jesus.
One by One
The Savior performed the Atonement for each of us, one by one. We can develop n individual relationship with Him through prayer, study, and loving others.
Charity in the Community of Saints
I recall participating in a workshop on campus about a year ago in which the invited presenter was attempting to establish the idea that all things are better understood if thoroughly studied and defined in detail. I raised my hand and said, “Some things are ruined by trying to explain them.” I feel that way to some degree today about my topic: “Charity in the Community of Saints.” I know…
“We, Being Many, Are One”
We can learn to embrace our diversity and use it to enhance our unity as members of Christ's church so that, as Paul says, "we, being many, are one body."
Hand in Hand: Breaking Barriers
The text for this speech is unavailable. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
Them and Us
I’m concerned that so often the Saints inadvertently label others in our ward families as “them,” somehow not like “us.”
“I Receive You to Fellowship”
In this BYU community of students and Saints, let us foster an environment of fellowship as we learn, work, and serve together.
Differences . . . “Allow All Men the Same Privilege”
Differences in People One of my earliest childhood memories is of my father, who was a blessed peacemaker, settling disputes in our family by using a Samoan saying he had learned on his mission in the South Seas a few years before: “Asi, asi paco”, he would say (I’m sure my mother and my brother remember it), which he said meant literally, “Ducks are different” or in other words, “Each…
Pioneer Legacy: Our Brothers’ Keepers
Those brave souls left us a legacy and a rich heritage. No amount of money could purchase what they freely gave. It cost life and limb. It cost great suffering and the most severe kind of heartache imaginable. Theirs was the noblest gift—that of love.
“All Are Alike unto God”
When it comes to race and color, we are all Heavenly Father's children and He loves us equally. There is nor room for prejudice among God's children.
All Are Alike unto God
Elder McConkie testifies that the revelation extending priesthood blessings to those of all nations and races is divine and that "all are alike unto God."
Without Prejudice, Without Bigotry
A grateful as we are for the gospel, let us never fall into the trap of bigotry and prejudice that would tempt us to think we are better than others.
Blessings We Receive Through Membership in the Church
The text for this speech is unavailable. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
