My dear brothers and sisters, it is indeed
a privilege to be with you this morning. It
is now a new year—2005—as well as the
beginning of a new semester here at Brigham
Young University. My sincerest desire is that
you have a wonderful experience as you flourish
in the academic and spiritual atmosphere here
and live amidst the outstanding students with
whom you associate.
There are many aspects of getting a valuable
education, and one of these is having your
head in books, books, and more books a great
deal of the time. Perhaps most of these books
at this stage of your life are textbooks assigned
to you by your professors. However, I do hope
you also have the opportunity and desire for
some recreational reading. I have loved books
and received joy from reading them for as
long as I can remember. I recall my parents
reading to me as a young child as well as
taking me to the library, giving me the opportunity
to leave with an armload of simple books to
read as fast and as often as I wanted.
When I went to bed at night I always took
a trusted companion with me that I had hidden
in my bedroom: a flashlight! When it would
get late into the evening and I was still
reading, my parents would say, “Lights out.
It’s time to go to sleep.” Since I had
my flashlight, I could get under the covers
or go into the closet so they couldn’t see
the light under my bedroom door and I could
keep on reading.
I had some very favorite books as a young
girl. I have read them several times, and
I can still identify these stories by hearing
the first sentence or two of the narrative.
Here are examples of three of them:
“‘Christmas won’t be Christmas without
any presents,’ grumbled Jo, lying on the
rug.”
“It was the best of times, it was the worst
of times.”
“I have just returned from a visit to my
landlord—the solitary neighbour that I shall
be troubled with.”
You may have been able to identify these books
as Little Women, A Tale of Two Cities, and
Wuthering Heights. Upon hearing or seeing
one or two sentences that introduce a book
that I have so enjoyed reading, then the plot,
characters, locale, message, and emotions
I felt while reading that novel are vividly
recalled.
I believe that a book is like a life. A book
has a beginning and a conclusion—as does
our earthly existence. Some books are lengthy
and some are short. Most are composed of several
chapters. Each chapter adds to the previous
one with more knowledge and experience. Some
chapters are filled with the joy and success
of life. However, there are also chapters
containing sadness, challenge, and tragedy.
Each one of us here is writing the book of
his or her life, and reading, learning, loving,
serving, and worshipping are integral parts
of the process.
In his book Protocols of Reading, Robert Scholes
said:
If one sentence can cause me to recall a book
and what it meant to me, I might ask, “What
one sentence would I want to summarize my
life’s story and thus cause others to remember
me and the life I led?” How do you want
to be remembered and described by those who
knew you during your sojourn here on earth?
Upon my reading the following short descriptions
of four men and women, I believe that you
could identify them by one or two sentences.
For example, “[He] has done more, save Jesus
only, for the salvation of men in this world,
than any other man that ever lived in it."
Of course this is a description of the Prophet
Joseph Smith by John Taylor following the
Prophet’s martyrdom.
Another description is: “If all men had
been, and were, and ever would be, like unto
[him], behold, the very powers of hell would
have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would
never have power over the hearts of the children
of men." This is a description found in the
Book of Mormon of Captain Moroni as he prepared
to lead his people in defending their country
and religion. In one sentence we are told
the character and stature of each of these
men.
Here are two descriptions of women we honor
as described by Bruce R. McConkie: “She,
as the mother of all living, set the pattern
for all future mothers with reference to bringing
up their children in light and truth.” And,
next, “[She] is one of the greatest women
who has ever lived on earth; the spirit daughter
of God our Father, she was chosen to provide
a body for his son.” Of course these short
sentences describe Eve and Mary, the mother
of Jesus Christ.
Another statement that is a beautiful summation
of a woman’s life was made by her son:
Blessed is my mother, for her soul is ever
filled with benevolence and philanthropy;
and notwithstanding her age, she shall yet
receive strength and be comforted in the midst
of her house: and thus saith the Lord. She
shall have eternal life.
What a wonderful tribute the Prophet Joseph
Smith paid to his mother, Lucy Mack Smith.
We know that she played a significant and
vital role in his development and life.
As our lives are unfolding today, we have
completed several chapters and are moving
forward with anticipation to those that lie
ahead. You are in an exciting and very important
chapter at the present time. What occurs here
will determine and define future chapters,
just as preceding ones brought you here to
Brigham Young University. Why exactly your
book is being written at this time in the
latter days we do not know, but prophets and
Church leaders have stated that you have been
saved to come at this time and in this dispensation.
President Ezra Taft Benson delivered this
message to the students at this university
in 1979. It is also applicable to you in 2005:
How privileged you are to be writing the chapters
of your lives right now. With that privilege,
however, there is a responsibility to be living
in accordance with the teachings of Jesus
Christ.
Each one of us is valuable in the sight of
God. The scriptures tell us that “God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life." In
your book of life you have so much to offer.
As each of us writes his or her book, hopefully
we will strive to become the man or woman
we want to be as the last chapter closes.
In our past, present, and future, we did not—and
do not—have control over many occurrences
and circumstances that come therein, but we
do have our agency to choose which of the
many available paths to take. J. M. Barrie
wrote, “The life of every man is a diary
in which he means to write one story, and
writes another; and his humblest hour is when
he compares the volume as it is with what
he vowed to make it.”
We are accountable for our actions and choices
and have a personal accountability to the
Savior for them. As we write the text of our
lives and the one sentence that describes
it, we have an eternal perspective. How blessed
we are to have the guidance of a prophet of
the Lord, President Gordon B. Hinckley, as
well as a loving Father in Heaven and Savior,
Jesus Christ. That we reflect their teachings
and love by always standing tall as we “go
forth to serve” in every chapter of our
lives would be my prayer in the name of Jesus
Christ, amen.
Good morning. I am grateful, with Sister Samuelson, to be with you as we begin a new year and a new
semester. I hope you share my enthusiasm for
our opportunities and prospects in 2005. I
also hope you have not yet broken all of your
New Year’s resolutions!
As you know, the year 2005 is the bicentennial
anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Joseph
Smith. During this year, throughout the Church
and here at BYU, we will hear much and be
reminded frequently of the life and mission
of our Prophet of the Restoration. I am grateful
to be able to add my voice to the millions
of others who will honor this great man in
so many ways in the days ahead.
Just last November we were privileged to hear
from Sister Heidi Swinton, who spoke at our
campus devotional on the topic “Joseph Smith:
Lover of the Cause of Christ.” It was a
masterful address that presented history,
facts, truth, and testimony. Now that our
devotional presentations are so readily available,
I’ll not take time to repeat much of what
she said. I do want to draw attention to one
of those lines or phrases that has caused
me to reflect, assess, think, and recommit
myself. It is one that evokes sweet memories
and striking insights.
Sister Swinton mentioned a verse from section
6 of the Doctrine and Covenants that was given
to Oliver Cowdery during the time he served
as Joseph’s scribe while he was translating
the Book of Mormon. She also reminded us that
this instruction was not just for Oliver but
is for all of us as well. This is what the
Lord said:
The phrase “stand by my servant Joseph”
is the one that especially caught my attention.
What did it mean to Oliver, and what should
it mean to us?
The word stand has many meanings. The footnote
in our scriptures suggests two words as possible
synonyms for our special consideration. They
are diligence and loyalty. I believe there
are other definitions or constructions that
might also apply. I intend to consider some
of them with you.
Before I do, let me mention some of the things
we know very well about the Prophet Joseph.
From the very beginning, even before the Church
was organized, it became clear that Joseph
Smith was no ordinary young man. Although
born into modest means and circumstances,
he quickly was identified as someone very
special. You are aware of his early experiences.
The First Vision was an unexpected occurrence
that not only changed his life forever but
literally changed the history of the world.
His initial interview with the angel Moroni,
occurring while he was just 17 years old,
taught him that his life and work would not
be usual by any measure.
Listen to these words from his history:
He called me by name, and said unto me that
he was a messenger sent from the presence
of God to me, and that his name was Moroni;
that God had a work for me to do; and that
my name should be had for good and evil among
all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that
it should be both good and evil spoken of
among all people.
That is an amazing prophecy for any 17 year-old.
Think of the statistical improbability of
the assertion that his “name should be had
for good and evil” so broadly around the
world. Yet the name of Joseph Smith is widely
known among virtually all of the nations of
the earth.
Of those who have heard of Joseph, their knowledge
and understanding are highly variable and
usually incomplete in very important ways.
The Church and its leaders, missionaries,
and other representatives are doing, and will
do, much to improve what the world knows and
understands of Joseph Smith. All of us will
have parts to play, and our roles will be
important.
The understanding that people have of him
occurs at different levels. Let me mention
a few. I hope as I mention these that you
might mentally note where you stand and which
level best describes you.
Recognition: Increasingly, people recognize
the name Joseph Smith and are able to relate
him to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, the Book of Mormon, and other basics
of our faith. Some know enough, or believe
that they know enough, to have developed opinions
about him—positive or negative. Probably
most people throughout the world fit into
this category and are not exercised about
him sufficiently to try and learn more. It
is important that this group should not include
any of us.
Appreciation: Of those who recognize the Prophet
Joseph by name, there are those who know that
he accomplished some things that have made
a difference. They know that he organized
a church and movement that has grown dramatically
and has influenced many lives. Although they
may or may not believe in his work or admire
his contributions, they acknowledge that the
world is different because of his life and
efforts.
Admiration: Many who appreciate that Joseph
made a difference also admire many of his
accomplishments and contributions. Although
still not necessarily subscribing to his teachings
or his mission, they admire what he did in
Kirtland, Missouri, and Nauvoo. They admire
his ability to enlist a following and to inspire
people to sacrifice greatly for the cause
he espoused. Again, not all who admire his
accomplishments necessarily endorse his positions,
even when they speak with admiration of some
of the fruits of the gospel as he taught it.
Testimony: A subset of those who recognize,
appreciate, and admire the Prophet Joseph
are those who have a testimony of the truthfulness
of his mission, his teachings, and his accounts
of encounters with heavenly beings. They have
no reservations about him or the doctrines
he revealed, but they may not have fully internalized
what this should mean to them.
True loyalty (or those who stand by him):
Some, and I hope this includes you, have a
testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and
his unique and special mission. It is to you
that I frame my question: What does it mean
to “stand by my servant Joseph”? It means
more than just recognition, appreciation—even
admiration, belief, and testimony. The counsel
given to Oliver Cowdery is illustrative of
what I mean. To Oliver’s great credit, he
never denied his testimony of the events and
experiences he had with Joseph Smith. Unfortunately,
he did not live up to what the Lord required
of him and lost his place to one more faithful.
Another who was trusted and given great privileges
and responsibility—as well as being instructed
to stand by Joseph—was John C. Bennett.
Unfortunately, he not only was disloyal to
Joseph, he lost his testimony as well, which
is not uncommon with those who transgress.
As you know, the one called to replace Oliver
and enjoy the privileges, responsibilities,
and destiny with the Prophet Joseph was his
brother Hyrum. Without contrasting Hyrum with
others unnecessarily, let us examine how Hyrum
responded to his charge to stand by Joseph.
There are many examples. Let me focus on just
one for now.
Even before the Church was organized, Hyrum,
Joseph’s older brother by five years, knew
the truthfulness of what Joseph was teaching
and reporting. He wanted to do his part and
hoped and pled to be called as a missionary.
I believe that you will want to study carefully
the entire 11th section of the Doctrine and
Covenants, which is the answer given by the
Lord through Joseph Smith to Hyrum’s entreaty.
A useful exercise is to count the number of
times in these verses that Hyrum is told that
his work is to “keep the commandments.”
Let me just repeat part of the oft-quoted
verse that must have been both a test and
a trial for Hyrum.
I suppose, had Hyrum been inclined, that he could have been just as offended as were Oliver and others when
Joseph, acting in his role as president and
prophet, had to tell them the hard truth as
well. To Hyrum’s everlasting credit, in
spite of his initial disappointment that he
was not to be a missionary at that time, he
stood by Joseph and received the blessings
God reserves for those most loyal and trusted.
These blessings included, less than a year
later, the exact opportunity that Hyrum had
initially sought.
Another who stood by Joseph was Brigham Young.
Think of his loyalty. He said, “I feel like
shouting hallejujah, all the time, when
I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith." We
don’t have time today to catalog all of
the times Brigham demonstrated his complete
fealty to Joseph, but the Prophet recognized
and appreciated it. Near the end of his life
Joseph said, “Of the [original] Twelve Apostles
chosen in Kirtland, . . . there have been
but two but what have lifted their heel against
me—namely Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball."
Grateful are we that there were others besides
Hyrum, Brigham, and Heber C. Kimball who stood
by Joseph even when it may have seemed to
many to be folly to do so. Interestingly,
but not surprisingly, it was from this group
who stood by Joseph that replacements for
the Twelve and other key leadership responsibilities
were later selected. Let me mention just two
of them.
John Taylor, who would follow Brigham Young
as Joseph’s successor, was converted to
the Restoration by an apostle who later wavered
for a period before returning to stand by
Joseph. John Taylor, however, was stalwart
from the time of his baptism in 1836. During
the dark days in Kirtland he attended a meeting
where President Joseph Smith, not in attendance,
was severely criticized by apostates who once
had been Joseph’s friends and associates.
John Taylor courageously offered this defense:
It was Joseph Smith, under the Almighty, who
developed the first principles, and to him
we must look for further instructions. If
the spirit which he manifests does not bring
blessings, I am very much afraid that the
one manifested by those who have spoken, will
not be very likely to secure them. The children
of Israel, formerly, after seeing the power
of God manifested in their midst, fell into
rebellion and idolatry, and there is certainly
very great danger of us doing the same thing.
John Taylor saw what had happened to his colleagues
and recognized the attendant spiritual risks
that they faced. I submit that the danger
to us as well is both great and real should
we also fail to stand by Joseph.
Another who stood steadfast in the chilling
wind of a contagious apostasy was Wilford
Woodruff. He, like John Taylor, was called
to replace those who had fallen, and he himself
later succeeded President Taylor as the prophet.
In discussing these matters and instruction
given to him at the time of his call to the
Twelve, he had the following to say:
He [meaning Joseph Smith] taught us some very
important principles, some of which I here
name. . . . Brother Joseph laid before us
the cause of those men’s turning away from
the commandments of God. He hoped we would
learn wisdom by what we saw with the eye and
heard with the ear, and that we would be able
to discern the spirits of other men without
being compelled to learn by sad experience.
He then remarked that any man . . . who pursued
a course whereby he would ignore or in other
words refuse to obey any known law or commandment
or duty—whenever a man did this, neglected
any duty God required at his hand in attending
meetings, filling missions, or obeying counsel,
he laid a foundation to lead him to apostasy
and this was the reason those men had fallen.
Note with care the risk attendant to violating
commandments and covenants.
On another occasion, Brother Woodruff bore
this testimony, which witness of Joseph and
his mission was consistent throughout his
life:
It has been my faith and belief from the time
that I was made acquainted with the Gospel
that no greater prophet than Joseph Smith
ever lived on the face of the earth save Jesus
Christ. He was raised up to stand at the head
of this great dispensation—the greatest
of all dispensations God has ever given to
man.
This testimony was beautiful and clear, but
what was even more impressive and helpful
was the steady and stalwart behavior that
Wilford Woodruff demonstrated in clearly and
consistently standing by Joseph Smith.
Some of that original group of apostles and
other followers seemed to have lost their
testimonies, although Oliver and others apparently
had not, in spite of their differences with
Joseph. They just were not able to stand by
Joseph when the heat and pressure became so
severe.
What does it mean to us to stand by Joseph?
We do not have a doctrine of infallibility.
Joseph himself was quick to admit his own
shortcomings, but he was also a very good
and stable boy and man. In describing his
own situation and occasional errors, he said:
“No one need suppose me guilty of any great
or malignant sins. A disposition to commit
such was never in my nature." His openness
on these matters was lifelong, and shortly
before his death he said: “I never told
you I was perfect; but there is no error in
the revelations which I have taught."
Our testimonies are vital, but not sufficient
by themselves. The Bible reminds us that even
the devils believe in Jesus. Our love and
respect for Joseph Smith is important, but
if it is not incorporated into our lives internally
and consistently, we cannot stand by Joseph.
We may not expect to have the same experiences
that Oliver Cowdery and others had with Joseph
Smith, but we can expect to have the same
convictions—and to demonstrate them in the
same way that Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball,
John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and countless
more anonymous thousands have since the Restoration
of the gospel.
Such conviction comes to us by study, by faith,
and by always acting appropriately—and it
is hard work. Those who I have named, as well
as legions of others, have obtained this witness
and internalized it through the manifestations
of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is anxious
to confer this sustaining knowledge to us
because the testimony of Joseph’s work and
mission is key and central to our testimony
of that which is most important of all: that
Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer,
and the literal living Son of our living Heavenly
Father.
How grateful we are to Joseph for his worthiness
to witness what he did for us. How grateful
we should be that we are allowed to “stand
by” Joseph with our own actions and testimonies
of the Father and the Son.
I have come to believe that this attitude
is in large part the crux of the matter when
the question of “Why BYU?” is asked. You
know the account of our origins and our history.
You know that our people, in their absolute
poverty, have always sacrificed so that those
who follow will have opportunities for excellent
education in both things of the spirit and
of the world. I hope you know that this is
still the case. Although our collective circumstances
are better than ever, we are still the beneficiaries
of significant sacrifice on the part of many.
Why should this be the case when the opportunities
we enjoy are available to only a fraction
of the worthy and desirous who wish to be
where we are? I hope you are constantly thinking
about this as I am.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell, in his last visit to
BYU in the spring of 2004, shed some significant
light on this matter. In his comments he included
our excellent faculty and generous donors,
as well as you special students, in his expressions
of gratitude for what has been and is being
accomplished here. Listen carefully to his
words:
In a way LDS scholars at BYU and elsewhere
are a little bit like the builders of the
temple in Nauvoo, who worked with a trowel
in one hand and a musket in the other. Today
scholars building the temple of learning must
also pause on occasion to defend the Kingdom.
I personally think this is one of the reasons
the Lord established and maintains this University.
The dual role of builder and defender is unique
and ongoing. I am grateful we have scholars
today who can handle, as it were, both trowels
and muskets.
We are here not only to achieve academically,
not only spiritually, but also to do our parts
in establishing the Church throughout the
world and defending the kingdom. Happily,
in our day we do not often actually use either
trowels or muskets. We must, however, keep
the metaphor in mind as we build our own knowledge
while contributing as we can to the expansion
of understanding in the world broadly. Likewise,
we are here to strengthen faith and testimony,
both personally and in the lives of those
we are privileged to influence. In other words,
we are here to do what Brigham Young and Gordon
B. Hinckley expect us to do: to “stand by”
Joseph.
We proclaim that the mission of Brigham Young
University “is to assist individuals in
their quest for perfection and eternal life."
To this end, BYU seeks to develop students
of faith, intellect, and character who have
the skills and the desire to continue learning
and to serve others throughout their lives.
As has been stated repeatedly, these are the
common aims of all education at BYU. We want
everyone to achieve personally as much as
is possible, but we do so with the important
understanding that this goal is motivated
by the desire to help each one of us be more
effective in serving others.
Let me return to the counsel of the Lord to
Oliver that provides the basis for my message today:
In that context, Oliver Cowdery
was given this additional counsel that I share
with you now as you strive to incorporate
into your own lives the necessary characteristics
and determination that will allow you always
and forever to stand by Joseph: “Be patient;
be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith,
hope and charity." To these I would add also
the necessity of the “mighty change” of
heart that gives one the perspective and conviction
to stand by Joseph always—meaning being
true constantly and consistently to the principles
he taught and the Church that he established.
May we always be worthy and willing to “stand
by my servant Joseph” is my prayer. In the
name of Jesus Christ, amen.
