“As your prophet leader, I pray for what our Heavenly Father wants for each of us — and that is to be or become active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, proceeding forward on the covenant path into the eternities.”
President Dallin H. Oaks, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed 18,324 students and employees at the Marriott Center.
He began his remarks by addressing BYU’s 150th anniversary this year, that “with the consecration and leadership of this community, BYU will become the great university of the Lord — not in the world’s way but in the Lord’s way.”
He also stated that his teachings were not just for BYU students, but for everyone who heeds the prophet’s words. He testified of the mantle he bears as the prophet and that he prays for God’s will to be revealed for him and the church. He said that he feels the power of each prayer given on his behalf.
President Oaks impressed the importance of the Holy Ghost and His constant guidance in each listener’s life.
He acknowledged the inevitable questions all people will face and prescribed four ways to turn to the Savior during times of doubt.
1. Strengthen faith in Him.
Anchoring to the core beliefs taught in the first Article of Faith will lead to greater faith. “Strong faith requires more than strong desire,” stated President Oaks. “It means daily trying one step at a time with prayer and scripture study.”
2. Increase humility.
President Oaks relayed a story from his time in law school where a student humbled him, stating that he would be a good teacher “someday.” He said that experience and words from prophets taught him that humility is showing God willingness to submit to His will and that it is a master virtue everyone should strive to maintain.
He addressed the increasing issues plaguing members of the Church in all phases of life and shared his love for each of them.
He then encouraged an increase in keeping commandments and gaining new knowledge by study and faith. He reminded listeners that “humility, faith, and trust in the Lord are the remedies for wavering,” not just learning from secular sources.
3. Seek help from others.
President Oaks acknowledged the fact that the Lord has not made all answers readily available, stating that when concerns arise, strength can be found through trusted believers and turning to Him. He shared a story of how a local stake president reignited faith in a struggling church member through bearing simple but powerful testimony.
“Protect yourself with weekly renewing of your covenants by partaking of the sacrament, and consistent effort to live according to those sacred covenants,” President Oaks admonished.
4. Be patient.
President Oaks reminded listeners that the process of growing closer to the Savior is ongoing. He encouraged all to trust in the Lord and wait on Him throughout the journey and prescribed serving others as another way to stay strong.
President Oaks closed with a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ and His work on this earth, expressing his love for the Savior.
Watch or listen to his full address at speeches.byu.edu.
