Stay worthy, grads urged at BYU-Idaho

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Apr 27, 2003 | by Julie Dockstader Heaps Deseret News staff writer

REXBURG, Idaho -- In your learning, in your acquiring, in your progress, in all your labors, live so as to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost, President James E. Faust admonished graduates of BYU- Idaho here Saturday.

"In this way, you can be liberated from the groveling of this world."

President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was the main speaker during commencement exercises for the church-owned university.

He also offered the dedicatory prayer at groundbreaking services held later Saturday morning for the new Thomas E. Ricks Building, named in honor of the pioneer for whom Ricks College was named from March 1902 to August 2001, when the name was changed to BYU-Idaho.

More than 2,000 graduates were awarded bachelor's and associate's degrees during commencement exercises on this cold, snowy and windy morning. This was the first time during BYU-Idaho commencement exercises that a senior class has been awarded bachelor's degrees since the school became a four-year institution, although several bachelor's degree were presented in April 2002.

Several church and civic leaders were present, including Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve and church commissioner of education; and Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, both of whom offered brief remarks. Conducting the proceedings was BYU-Idaho President David A. Bednar.

"To look into your faces today is inspiring," President Faust told the graduates. "You represent well the splendid young people of our church, and we applaud you."

He made special mention of the women graduating, quoting President Brigham Young: "We have sisters here who, if they had the privilege of studying, would make just as good mathematicians or accountants as any man; and we think they ought to have the privilege to study these branches of knowledge that they may develop the powers with which they are endowed."

Graduation opens up challenges, opportunities and blessings "beyond your wildest dreams," President Faust said. "You must continually learn to function and live in this increasingly complex world. If you are to succeed, you will need to work very hard just to keep up with the changes in technology."

He urged graduates to prepare for the future. "You have the heritage, training and the faith to make remarkable achievements in the various roles you will play in life. Obedience to the commandments of God and love and service to others are the grand keys to your happiness here and hereafter."

In honoring the memory of Thomas Ricks, who was president of the Bannock Stake when the Bannock Stake Academy (which became Ricks College) was established in 1888, President Faust recounted a moment in the pioneer's life. While trying to retrieve livestock from American Indians during the exodus from Nauvoo, Ricks was shot and left for dead.

He later told his family, "While I lay there weltering in blood . . . I heard a voice say audibly and clearly, 'You will not die; you will go the valley of the mountains and there you will do a great work in your day and generation.'

"This was literally fulfilled," President Faust said.

After President Faust offered the dedicatory prayer for the groundbreaking Saturday, he led an entourage outside the building not far from where the new building will be constructed. There, he turned the first ceremonial shovelful of soil, followed by others, including descendants of Thomas Ricks.

E-mail: julied@desnews.com