Office Hours is a series focusing on unique artifacts that BYU employees display in their offices.
Israel Silva, a software developer, has a spacious, uncluttered office in the IT department of the Law School. He oversees the school's website and supervises six student developers who work in the adjoining room. The team frequently meets in his office, as there is plenty of space to gather around the whiteboard or large screen. And there is also plenty of space for his two enthusiastic sons — ages 7 and 11 — to occasionally visit.
One shelf in particular captures the boys' attention and reflects their shared father-son interests and experiences. It is filled with memorabilia: Disney movie cassettes, sketchbooks, LEGOs, action-hero figurines, and a clock and coin from Birmingham, England. Silva served a mission there for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had his first English-speaking experience outside of his native Brazil.
"These things represent me; having them here is an opportunity for my kids to see the things that I like," Silva said. "When they come and visit my office, they love seeing these things."
The shelf has become known for things "we" like. Some of them hold mutual memories, like a souvenir cup from a Legoland vacation, and a hockey puck from a game they attended. The movie mementos continue to be family favorites, including a VHS of "A Goofy Movie," released during Silva's childhood, and a figurine from "Onward," released during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's special because I like movies that now my kids can enjoy; we watch them together, and it's always a great moment," Silva said.
The kids can touch and play with the office memorabilia. They have even added an artifact of their own, a plaque that says, "Dad, My Hero."
Silva is living the family-oriented joy that the artifacts represent. He and his wife (also from Brazil) regularly invite students to join their family for gatherings such as summer barbecues or holiday dinners.
"I like showing them my family and the happiness that we have, and things that come through the gospel," Silva said. "I like sharing those things with the students."
