By Study & By Faith
Educating Our Righteous Desires
Educating our righteous desires involves aligning our efforts with God’s desires, receiving God’s gifts and grace, and keeping our covenants.
“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
When you love your neighbor as yourself, despite your own biases and prejudices, we can build the kingdom of God on the earth.
The Science of the Beloved Community
Forum address delivered by American journalist and science correspondent, Shankar Vedantam, centered on how to build a beloved community.
Choose to Be Humble
President Worthen teaches us that by choosing to be humble, we can enhance our spiritual and secular lives.
Six Rules for Success
BYU professor Gilbert W. Fellingham presents six rules for success in life from the perspective of a statistician and coach.
The Dignity and Demeanor of Discipleship
Rebecca L. Craven explores what the dignity and demeanor of discipleship look like. Standing as a witness of God means standing out.
Choosing Who You Will Become
Alyssa M. Baer, representative of her graduating class, explains why choosing who you will become is more important than what you will do.
Finding the Road to Character
David Brooks, respected political and cultural commentator, teaches about the importance of character and persevering through life's challenges.
“This Is My Day of Opportunity”
Trials help build character, draw strength from covenants and ordinances, and deepen family relationships. This is our day of opportunity.
“I Can Sleep When the Wind Blows”
Elder Bowen discusses how character, honor, and integrity can give us the confidence to remain calm and have peace in times of trial.
Banishing All Shadows
In this commencement address, Holland declares that the light of God's love is powerful enough to banish all shadows and forces of darkness.
The Economics of Goodness
A honorary BYU doctorate recipient imagines a world governed by the economics of goodness, where our character can solve society's ills.
Building Character
BYU President Kevin Worthen discusses how striving to develop a humble, optimistic attitude will lead to greater character strength.
The End of Wonder in the Age of Whatever
Michael Wesch discusses the intersection of two knowledge machines—universities and the internet—and how without questions, students cannot learn.
Character
Character is not the result of chance, but of continuous right thinking and right acting. James E. Talmage is a remarkable example of this principle.
A New Tradition
Consider your own traditions and how they align with the gospel of Christ.
So, What Do You Really Want to Be When You Grow Up
Robert H. Todd asks us what Christlike attributes we aspire to attain, and he shares how we can become more like our Savior.
Greatness
True greatness is not found in lofty titles or high salaries, but in being a good husband or wife, father or mother, friend and neighbor.
Comparing, Competing, and Individual Worth
We live in a day where comparing and competing are viewed as normal ways to get ahead in life, but we can overcome that mindset.
The Heart of Don Quixote
The text for this speech is unavailable. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
Living Right
BYU graduates are counseled to live right and be obedient to the Spirit. Integrity is the bedrock of character.
Remember Who You Are!
To remember who we are is to access a divine birthright of power, focus, and hope. It changes not only what we think of ourselves, but what we do every day.
A Brighter Day
The summer graduating class of 2001 should remember the light they received at BYU while heading into their future.
Lift Up Thine Eyes to the Mountains
BYU freshman should take the BYU Aims seriously and build character, enlarge intellect, strengthen spirit, and prepare for lifelong service.
Gold Fever, Athletic Fervor
Willard M. Hirschi powerfully reminds us that the behavior of BYU fans, coaches, and athletes should be Christlike, with no exceptions.
Be As Good As You Can Be
Steve W. Albrecht demonstrates how making wise decisions and being as good as you can be protects, not inhibits, our agency—in finance and in spirituality.
Magnifying Magnanimity
“I hope that we may continually improve our behavior toward others in the way our Savior would have us do, to be magnanimous in our thoughts and deeds.”
Ethics and the Press
The Deseret News editor passionately describes the need for journalists who seek integrity in everything they do, despite the tough competition for readers.
Honest, Simple, Solid, True
Being self-centered and self-absorbed is the absolute antithesis of being honest, simple, solid, and true.
A Man After God’s Own Heart
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone shares touching examples of the love and compassion we need to develop in order to have a heart like God's.
Lessons from the Potter and the Clay
If we allow ourselves to be molded by His loving hands, Heavenly Father will be our Potter. He can make more of us than we can dream.
Out of the Best Faculty
Brigham Young University needs the contribution of faculty who are strong in scholarship and faith in order to fulfill its great mission.
Lessons That Have Helped Me
Although everyone on earth has a different experience, the lessons that have helped people lead a good life are universal.
Education: Molding Character
Education can transform us into the divine beings we have the potential to become. By molding character in each of us, education can also mold our future.
Choice—The Crucible of Character
Christlike character is cultivated through our choices, not our circumstances or predispositions. We are always accountable for our actions.
The Authority of Personality, Competence, and Character
There are many in positions of authority, but those with personality, competence, character, and integrity posses real authority.
Being a Worthy You
As we become the most worthy versions of ourselves and strive to lift others, the Lord will be able to use us to build His kingdom.
“On Staying Power”
To have dependable staying power in your life, subscribe to basic principles, consistently do your best, and choose character over reputation.
“Unless You’re a Mormon”
What does it mean to be a Mormon? When the pressure mounts to break our standards, will we be true? What values define our character?
Leaders and Managers
Good managers produce personal gain and rely on the wisdom of the world, but great leaders build the Lord's kingdom. Leadership relies on God.
Character—The Aim of Education
The aim of education is so much more than getting a job. Education has the capacity to shape our character—a blessing that cannot be replaced.
“For Such a Time as This”
We will all experience trials. Hard times do not make us courageous; the decisions we make in response to everyday situations shape our character.
Experience, Excellence, and Obedience = Character
If we strive to experience excellence and endure here on earth, we will build character that will last throughout the eternities.
Be and Not Seem
Avoid the trap of vanity and hypocrisy. Instead of worrying about how you seem to others, be the kind of person you know you can and should be.
Joseph Smith Lecture 2: Joseph’s Personality and Character
Using quotes and stories from those who personally knew Joseph Smith, Truman Madsen describes the Prophet’s personality and character.
Keys to Spiritual Growth—A Game Plan for Life
To make the most out of life, says BYU football coach LaVell Edwards, you need to have a game plan. Christlike living is the way to “win” eternal life.
The Loneliness of Leadership
To be covenant children of God is a call to leadership. The price for such leadership is often loneliness, but peace of conscience is the reward.
The Qualities Needed for Greatness
The text for this speech is unavailable. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
Your Hall of Fame
May you emulate the great men and women in history who made a difference in the world no matter the cost. May your fame be your character.
The Importance of Honor
BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson tells the story of Karl Maeser's conversion and his legacy of honor and urges students to live by the Honor Code.
Stability
The Lord needs more than the half-hearted faith and obedience of lukewarm disciples. Let us seek stability in our devotion to Him.
The Miracle of Personality
Sterling W. Sill discusses what we must do to develop strong characteristics of personality, such as being true to what we believe.
Avoiding Diseases of Character
Elder Clark examines some of the common diseases that plague men's characters and shows that Christ gives spiritual healing.
