“A truly educated man never ceases to learn. He never ceases to grow.”
These words, spoken by President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1997, emphasize the inspired nature of lifelong learning. BYU Continuing Education (CE) doesn’t just offer education for profit or as a secular effort to do good. No; the BYU CE mission is much more. It stems from the boldly religious values of its parent university, the true capability of divinely enabled educators, and the very mouth of prophecy.
As President C. Shane Reese says, “We recognize our unique governance. . . . BYU is ‘founded, supported, and guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.’” This being the case, we also recognize “the guidance given to this university by latter-day prophets” and to the world.
This weekend marks the 195th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For Latter-day Saints worldwide, general conference heralds in hope from on high and provides a precious opportunity to engage with the divine. The same authorities that guide Brigham Young University and its divisions will speak to the world.
In the early years of BYU CE’s Education Week, General Authorities were familiar faces. The first program in 1922 practically flooded campus with Church authorities, including members of the First Presidency and multiple members of the Quorum of the Twelve.
By 1954, the process for securing General Authority speakers for Leadership Week became more formalized. President Ernest L. Wilkinson would request specific speakers from President Joseph Fielding Smith for the program. This practice continued until the late 1950s, highlighting a tight-knit connection between BYU CE and the leaders of the Church.
It's a connection that remains in force to this day. Recent Education Week messages from General Authorities align with BYU CE’s vision of enlightening minds, encouraging growth, and expanding opportunities.
Enlightening Minds
August 21, 2007
Elder Richard G. Scott
Elder Scott’s 2007 address focuses on recognizing and taking advantage of spiritual enlightenment in a lifelong learning context. “Knowledge is power,” he says, and “there are those whose learning, experience, and talent are used to lift, encourage, motivate, and bless others around them.”
Elder Scott defines spiritual guidance as "direction, enlightenment, knowledge, and motivation you receive from Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.” He emphasizes the personalized nature of enlightening one’s mind, highlighting that it's "adapted to your individual needs by one who understands them perfectly."
He encourages those teaching to help their students recognize and follow the promptings of the Spirit, stating that "if you accomplish nothing else in your relationship with your students than to help them recognize and follow the promptings of the Spirit, you will bless their lives immeasurably and eternally.”
It’s true; as BYU CE knows well, spiritual enlightenment and intellectual enlightenment are mutually beneficial. The same flavor of spiritually rich enlightenment that is present at general conference is a foundational component of every BYU CE offering.
Encouraging Growth
August 20, 2024
Elder Neil L. Andersen
Elder Andersen’s 2024 Education Week address presents the concept of “educating our righteous desires.” Elder Andersen frames personal growth as a continuous journey, stating that "our road to becoming is more than a marathon; it is the journey of a lifetime—and well beyond." Elder Andersen stresses that a successful journey begins with our desires, and so by starting with righteous desires, we can facilitate spiritually sound growth.
According to Elder Andersen, one key to encouraging this growth is regular temple attendance. “While [the] five [temple] covenants, at first reading, seem very clear, as we mature in our spiritual sensitivity, we realize that within each of these promises there are multiple layers of understanding and commitment. . . . My promise to you is that as you thoughtfully prepare to enter the Lord’s house with a willing heart, with real intent, awaiting the Lord’s direction, you will receive the lifting power to educate your desires and strengthen you in your desire to become.”
In spirituality and education alike, desire, willingness, and intent are crucial to making meaningful progress. Powerful, divinely intricate temple ordinances and covenants are a quintessential representation of the continual growth BYU CE strives to encourage.
Expanding Opportunities
August 20, 1996
Elder Henry B. Eyring
In his 1996 talk, Elder Eyring focused on the faith of those who have come before us. His message was rife with examples of ancestors bettering their circumstances and expanding their opportunities through strength, determination, and divine intervention.
To drive this message home, Elder Eyring quoted from D&C 58: “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.”
“The Lord’s ‘nigh at hand’ is often not as nigh as we would choose,” Elder Eyring said. “But He sometimes honors the most faithful by offering the chance to share His view of time. And we stand in awe of those who patiently bow to the Lord’s longer view, in the process becoming more like Him, beginning to see as He sees.”
While God may not make every problem vanish at a moment’s notice, He can, and will, expand our opportunities in marvelous ways. He gives us the opportunity to change, improve, and even inherit eternal life.
“Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ all are delivered from death, and all will rise in the resurrection, regardless of their transgressions. And by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all may gain peace in this life, washed clean from the sorrows of sin, and have hope of a glorious resurrection with the just,” Elder Eyring said. Through the Atonement, opportunities are provided where they otherwise wouldn’t exist.
These divinely inspired teachings drive us to be Christlike and align with the aims of a BYU education. BYU CE’s objectives are defined on the deepest level by prophetic principles. This weekend, we invite you to tune in to general conference to be enlightened, grow spiritually, and recognize new God-given opportunities to lift those around you.
