BYU-Hawaii June 2016 Graduation - Elder Gerrit W. Gong "Believe in God"

BYUH June 2016 Graduation - Elder Gong
Transcript
President John S. Tanner, Brother Mark Woodruff, BYU-Hawaii faculty and staff, June 2016 graduates, parents, family, friends, dear brothers and sisters - aloha!
The lei beautifully symbolizes celebration and the circle of eternity. At commencement, we see many beautiful leis and even more happy smiles!
Not long ago, Sister Gong and I and our family visited scenic New Zealand. In Mata Mata, big signs read, “Welcome to Hobbiton.” Hobbiton- home of the hobbits, home of Lord of the Rings. We boarded a green Gandalf bus, and made our way to the Shire, Bag End, and Bilbo Baggins house.
For Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and the hobbits, the Shire is beautiful and familiar -- perhaps a little like Laie. In a minute, we’ll return to Laie and the Shire, and specifically to leaving Laie and the Shire for the outside world.
But first I want to congratulate you graduates and your families at this, your commencement.
At commencement we offer hearty congratulations. “Almost graduated” and “graduated” are not the same. You’ve done it! Congratulations on graduating!
In many cases, you’ve worked and attended school - at the same time. You’re learned at school and applied what you’re learned at work; you’ve also learned at work and applied what you’re learned at school.
May that life lesson of learning to learn wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, continue to bless your family, church service, and community. May you always be a finisher, someone who completes your honorable goals.
At commencement we reflect with gratitude. You graduate on the wings of eagles - the love and sacrifice of others.
Your parents and families have loved and sacrificed to give you opportunities they themselves may never have. Many throughout the Church have loved and sacrificed to give you, our rising generation, educational opportunities sought for across the world.
As you go forth, your commencement invites you to remember the responsibility that comes with a degree from Brigham Young University - to live worthily of the love and sacrifice others have given you.
Never look down on parents, family, or others if they have less education or experience than you. Always be grateful to those who helped you learn and grow. Always live with honor as you bless and serve in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, including the isles of the sea and every country and heritage from which you have each come.
You are leaving a unique place. In all the world, only three places have a House of the Lord, a Brigham Young University campus, and a learning community dedicated to learning and serving according to the spirit and standards of the Holy Temple and Brigham Young University.
I hope you will remember your BYU-Hawaii years with the fondness and gratitude with which Sam and Frodo remember the Shire. When Frodo and Sam come to the edge of the Shire, Sam says, “This is it. If I take one more step, it will be the farthest away from home I have ever been.”