Going Forward in the Second Century | Dallin H. Oaks | 2022
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ก.ย. 2022
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Drawing on President Kimball's Second Century Address, President Oaks urges us to stand tall in the gospel and embrace our uniqueness at BYU.
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"My dear brothers and sisters, I am thrilled to be with you. As president of BYU for nine years, I heard many lectures and devotional addresses. The most memorable talks during that period were not those that only reaffirmed familiar subjects or introduced new facts but those that changed a way of thinking about a subject. I hope that something I say today will suggest or reinforce a helpful way of thinking about something important in your life.
I.
In one of the first devotional assemblies in the fall of 1975, President Spencer W. Kimball delivered his inspired address “The Second Century of Brigham Young University.”1 I was then president of Brigham Young University, so I listened to and subsequently pondered his talk as intently as any person living.
The subject was that Brigham Young University has “a double heritage,”2 being concerned with both “the secular and the spiritual.”3 Thus, President Kimball explained, BYU must not be shackled by “worldly ideologies and concepts.”4 “It must not [allow itself to] be made over in the image of the world.”5 As he neared his conclusion, he repeated that challenge:
As previous First Presidencies have said, and we say again to you, we expect (we do not simply hope) that Brigham Young University will . . . “Become a unique university in all of the world!”6
What must BYU do in its second century to secure and magnify that uniqueness? The first way BYU will be unique is that it won’t desert or dilute existing truth. President Kimball explained:
BYU . . . must continue to resist false fashions in education, staying with those basic principles that have proved right and have guided good men and women and good universities over the centuries.7
A second way BYU will be a unique university is its focus on undergraduate education:
While the discovery of new knowledge must increase, there must always be a heavy and primary emphasis on . . . the quality of teaching at BYU . . . [that] includes a quality relationship between faculty and students.8
A third and vital source of uniqueness is our personal and institutional relationship with God:
We expect the natural unfolding of knowledge to occur as a result of scholarship, but there will always be that added dimension that the Lord can provide when we are qualified to receive and He chooses to speak.9
President Kimball also spoke about our relationship with other universities:
We can sometimes make concord with others, including scholars who have parallel purposes. . . .
In other instances, we must be willing to break with the educational establishment (not foolishly or cavalierly, but thoughtfully and for good reason) in order to find gospel ways to help mankind. Gospel methodology, concepts, and insights can help us to do what the world cannot do in its own frame of reference.10
Please note that President Kimball and other First Presidencies are not asking BYU to be a unique university just by being different. Our uniqueness will always be rooted in our following the inspiration that we prayerfully seek in our personal work and that we receive from the university administration and our prophetic leaders. When leaders such as Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Commissioner Clark G. Gilbert and President Kevin J Worthen repeat the same counsel and give the same challenges, hear it for what it is: inspired direction for what BYU and we must be and become."
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“The church that weds itself to the culture of the day will be a widow within each succeeding age.” -Neal A Maxwell (Eternalism vs Secularism)
Recently I have been seeing more students, professors, and even administrators at BYU make decisions or comments about wanting to follow worldly philosophies and try to change the university from within. It concerns me to send a child to BYU someday if that is where BYU goes. But I’m grateful for President Oaks and Elder Holland clarifying that this is not the direction BYU should go and that we need embrace our uniqueness thoughtfully, whatever the consequences.
Same. 💯
Amen! What a great address! He speaks with such clarity and logic, but most importantly, courage and testimony of the Savior! I love Elder Oaks and am grateful for his wisdom and direction!
Thank you Pres. Oaks! I know this talk was a balm of Gilead to many ailing souls worried about the direction of BYU and their children's education.
💯
It’s been disturbing to see to the point I don’t want my kids going there😢but nowhere else is different but that’s the problem it’s not a refuge from the world and it’s lies
🌿🦋🐝🤗
I am so glad I'm not the only one that feels this way, it has been so disappointing!
BYU needs to ensure that it doesn't allow itself to be transformed into simply a church affiliated school rather than a church school.
It represents all members of the Church across the world.
Pres. Oaks BRINGS IT HOME again!🎉
He has lots of class as he reminds everyone of BYUs high quality education, high quality standards, and God's requirement to be different.
He also explained that President Kimball spoke about such of the same, and he was another AMAZING prophet 💜
I FULLY sustain our leaders who are guided and foreordained by God to help those of us who choose to return to our Father in Heaven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen 🙏🏼🤍🕊
The Church continues to stand for principles. The world will not like it, but the church and BYU should remain firm.
Grateful for President Oaks and his clearness on what is right and how BYU ought to be. It should be a light to the world because of Jesus Christ. Pure, beautiful, and intelligent because of eternal truth given and taught through the spirit. ❤️
A much needed and timely talk, thank you Pres. Oaks!
I always look forward to hearing Elder Oaks’ clear speech about things weighing on my mind. Thank you. 🙏❤️
what a blessing to hear from an apostle of God in these ever so confusing times.
I am a witness to the greatness and uniqueness of this noble or special institution BYU. I am proud to be an alumnus. However, I came to focus more on religious freedom, the love of God, and of all mankind. Hence, we can continue to maintain Honor and exactness, undeviating course, nurturing or nourishing both our secular and spiritual desires. I have been blessed for seeking God first and his righteousness after which all these blessings have been mine. My personal experience in BYU Law as a Human Rights Defender is to stand for human dignity because Zion is here and the gathering of Israel is moving at a faster pace as President Nelson describes. We are all sons and daughters of our loving heavenly father no matter your background race, color etc. Therefore, BYU is the best place to be.
AMEN ❤🙏🤍🙌🦋
Again, today, I have been blessed by Elder Oaks. We can never know who we influence, for good or ill, but we can be certain we are an influence. I have been blessed by his life for 69 years and he doesn’t even know me. We are all, always, an influence.
Great counsel from a former BYU President and Apostle of Jesus Christ!
Beautiful words. Let's be different and a peculiar people from the world. Be happy that we are not of the world and not ashamed.
Wow, what a treat. I still employ President Kimball's counsel to make lists of things to do, and to paint up, clean up, and fix up our home and surroundings. I was unaware of the threat to our religious liberty from Congress way back then, and am glad for BYU's intercession. Anyway, what a rich talk from President Oaks.
I love it when he give talks, thank you President Oaks!
This was an amazing talk President Oaks. I love it, thank you so much President.
Thank you, President Oaks! I just graduated from BYU and am so grateful for its unique and special mission that I get to now carry into my postgraduate work and professional career.
I love president oaks! So much wisdom
'Thank you President Oaks for this timely and needed reminder that we are unique in the world and our institutions should reflect that uniqueness! We cannot back down to any worldly standards!
This is what I’ve been needing to hear
Oaks is the best!
Fortunate am I to have been influenced by Pres. Oaks’s stellar life for 69 years. I continually thank Heavenly Father that he is councilor to God’s Prophet
Thank you Elder Oaks
Love this man. God bless brothers and sisters 🕊️🥰🤗
Thank you. Such good pure truth.
Great council for all of us especially those at BYU who teach our children.
Perfect for today. Love this council!
Love this, thank you President Oaks❤️.
Powerful and Very Timely!! Thank You, President Oaks!!!
I LOVE Dallin H Oaks!!
Thank you for your excellent and timely instructions and guidance. I pray that your inspired guidance will have the effect that it is meant to have on the audience. It is essential that we maintain our reliance upon and our love of the Savior and our Heavenly Father during this times where the philosophies of men are so loud and contrary to the revealed Word of God.
Inspired council for our times.
Brilliant and timely!
One of the best I have heard him give. Thank you, Elder Oaks.
Brilliant & thought provoking. Thank you for elevating understanding.
I love this so much and the peace I felt from your message. Thank you. 💕
Thanks
Powerful!
Love the talk just wish there was some action so I can feel comfortable sending my kids there again
Wonderful❣️
I love it! If you don't have eyes to see or ears to hear the loving message Elder Christofferson shared back in August, we will send to you Elder Oaks. Awesome.
AMEN
I love this man. Each time he speaks, I learn a little bit more. So grateful for his service.
Wow!
Great speach!
Amen!
I’m so grateful for speeches like this one. Under the influence of the Holy Ghost, I find these talks edifying. I don’t have any social media to post to so please allow me to express some thoughts I had while listening to this message. My thoughts are deeply personal and to strive to share appropriately, I will not give specifics (as not to hinder or offend the Holy Spirit) yet will try to be as transparent as appropriate for this platform and forum.
I am a Latter-day Saint and a latter-day sinner. I have found this interesting and disturbing dichotomy in my life. I may have have an addiction to both gospel learning and partaking in certain sins. I feel I have been able to grow spiritually despite my back sliding yet it is very evident that my growth has been stunted in so many ways. I’d like to do away with my sins once and for all yet it can be best described as that Marianne Williamson quote about our greatest fear being that we are capable of doing anything and that we are more fearful of the power within us than any doubts we may have. It’s like when I strive to do right, it’s not long before I find myself falling in some of the same traps. I struggle to know if there is something “more” I need to do or if I’m just being called to endure well and “never give up.” When will I overcome these trials and be the man I know I can be? When will I do away with the filth of this world and prepare for a far better one (with real intention to act and live according to His purposes)? When will I fight agains the natural man in me that wants to do what it wants to do? When will I win that battle within? Will I ever win that battle within?
I’ve noticed a pattern in my life. When things get hard or when I feel people getting to close to me, I will drop everything and everyone and attempt to “start over.” Always run I g from the problem get never finding a resolve. I keep thinking maybe I need to do something big or drastic to initiate a desire within to once and for all make the changes I need to.
This is my lot. This is one of the challenges I was created to encounter and overcome. There are times when I have full confidence and faith that I can and will. Then there are times shortly after these spurts of confidence where the fear is literally crippling. Where can I turn for peace? I have turned constantly and consistently to God as a result of this trial. If there is any consolation or positive from my trials and challenges, it is that they have led to a personal relationship with the Eternal Architect and Builder of life itself. This relationship and faith in Them is the bedrock upon which my faith and life rests. But how can this be when my life seems to teeter the line/fence where righteousness and wickedness meet. You cannot serve two masters. We must choose a side. Whether I am holy enough to choose God or not I choose Him. Whether I am perfect enough or not I choose Him. Whether my actions resemble that of a saint or a sinner, in the depths of my heart and soul I CHOOSE HIM. Nothing can separate me from His love. That is a comforting truth to hold on to.
Maybe there is purpose in this dark time. Maybe there is something I am to learn. Maybe I need to trust more in God and His timing. Maybe there IS more for me to do. Maybe I need to stay on my knees in prayer and studying Gods word even when it feels like my life is stagnant.
It’s hard to adequately express the roller coaster that my mind is experiencing trying to reconcile where I want to be spiritually versus where I am currently. If I know nothing else, I know that God loves me and I pray for strength to overcome these things that I may dwell again with Him in the end.
I will pray with you too. You are loved.
Please reach out for support. Since you are dealing with addictions, the Church ARP might help you focus on Christ and be accountable. Addiction is a tough trial, but I have faith that you can overcome with Christ's help. May God bless and keep you!
THIS WAS AMAZING!🤍 The spirit was so strong and really testifying of what Elder Oaks was addressing!
So grateful for this talk clarifying once again the mission of BYU. Timely message needs for times like now. Was beginning to worry that BYU would go the way of other universities leaving behind the principles it was founded on. My worries have been calmed by this talk. ❤️
A servant for our challenging times.
Truth
❤️❤️
Oh I'm guilty of that, after release... I relax and enjoy it, but I quickly get back up and get moving, I love callings!
That part touched me also, I don’t want a “summer cottage in Babylon” or a “vacation” from being active in loving and serving the Lord and His children.
Thank you
He is our next prophet. God has trained this man in the law for a reason. I’m so glad there are men like him who follow the spirit and are not afraid to stand up.
Chegará um belo dia, depois da preparação chegará, em que todos compreenderão ainda mais, como um uníssono suave e sonoro som do Espírito
Amarás a Deus sobre todas as coisas e a teu próximo como a ti mesmo.
It's too bad I've never attended BYU. ❤
I also remember President McKay’s, Lee’s and Benson’s warnings about false educational ideals! BYU Class of 1973
They expect, not just hope... that means the radicalized change agents within the school must repent. They have no right to fight against the authorized prophets of God.
Ancient Israel had to decide whether or not to follow the prophet Moses into the wilderness. In that temple place of learning, as they traveled toward the promised land, many rebelled from the prophet.
Once again, Israel must choose between their own worldly wisdom and the words of prophets and Apostles. This is the great divider. Will we spiritually cut ourselves off and be separated from God? If we do not fully sustain our modern-day Moses, we indeed cut ourselves off. Choose you this day whom ye will serve.