As graduates of the class of 2022 receive their diplomas and look to loftier life pursuits, four general authorities recently spoke at Church-owned universities and colleges and offered sound life advice to students completing their formal education. Here’s a summary of the counsel each Church leader gave.
Elder S. Mark Palmer
More than 6,800 students were honored for their completion of higher degrees through Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Elder S. Mark Palmer, General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, advised the graduates to create a solid foundation in Jesus Christ.
“A Christ-centered life is being faithful to covenants,” he shared. “It is loving and serving others. A Christ-centered life rejoices in eternal family relationships. It prioritizes ‘the riches of eternity’ over the riches of the world. A Christ-centered life humbly accepts that ‘to be learned is good, if [we] hearken unto the counsels of God.’ A Christ-centered life is full of joy.”
Elder Palmer also touched on the ongoing world crises and navigating life without fear by focusing on what you can control.
“You can control the way you treat others, especially those with whom you disagree. Focus on applying these radical teachings of Jesus Christ: Love your enemies. Pray for them which despitefully use you. Forgive all.”
For more details about Elder Palmer’s address and the other BYU commencement remarks, click here.
Elder Neil L. Andersen
On Thursday, April 7, 2022, 2,916 graduates of Brigham Young University–Idaho received their diplomas. One interesting note: 995 of those graduates were online students and 1,018 of them began as BYU–Pathway students.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to graduates and their families at the BYU–Idaho commencement ceremony. Elder Andersen focused the majority of his address on the four voices graduates should regularly listen to as they make important decisions and strive to live as righteous disciples of Christ.
“Will you largely be influenced by virtuous, motivating, righteous, insightful, and spiritually sensitive voices, or will you be influenced more by negative, complaining, flattering, cynical and carnal voices?” Elder Andersen asked.
The four voices he advised graduates to regularly listen to were:
- Prophets and apostles
- Your spouse, faithful family, and friends
- The Holy Ghost
- Jesus Christ
For more insights from Elder Andersen’s address and the other BYU–Idaho commencement remarks, click here.
Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi
BYU–Hawaii’s graduation commencement ceremony saw 270 graduates—255 bachelor’s degrees and 15 associate degrees—from 32 different countries celebrate the reception of their hard-earned diplomas. Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, General Authority Seventy, spoke at the commencement services on April 16, 2022 in Laie, Hawaii.
Elder Jaggi noted the success and hard-work of each recipient, comparing them to the molten rock from which the Hawaiian islands were formed and calling them “modern-day rocks” and “leaders of this generation.”
“You, the graduates of Brigham Young University–Hawaii, have been shaped and molded by fire, by time, and by pressure,” he said.
Elder Jaggi also said that everything we do has an impact on who we are and who we want to become. He quoted the late Elder Bruce R. McConkie and said, “Every thought, word, and deed has an [effect] on the human body; all these leave their marks, marks which can be read by Him who is Eternal.”
For more on Elder Jaggi’s remarks and the BYU–Hawaii commencement addresses, click here.
Elder Matthew S. Holland
The first six graduates to earn bachelor’s degrees from Ensign College received their diplomas on Friday, April 8, 2022 in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. A total of 982 awards were given to 553 graduating students including 528 certificates and 447 associate degrees.
General Authority Seventy Elder Matthew S. Holland spoke at the Ensign College commencement ceremony and shared his pride in their accomplishments: “What a magnificent sight you are! As I look out and see your happy smiles, your well-earned sense of accomplishment, your immense, exciting potential, and the radiant light of gospel goodness that shines about you, I am filled with awe and absolute delight.”
Elder Holland also told graduates that despite the current times in which they are entering the world and the workforce—where local and world events may seem daunting or scary—they should always stand proud and steadfast, unafraid to pursue their duties and their dreams.
“Today, you stand ready, and must go forth, as a true ensign to the world—a bright and brilliant banner waving in the wind, beckoning all people in all nations to see in your life that the gospel is great and glorious, the ultimate source of prosperity, peace and joy,” he said. “Remember your charge. You are trained and prepared ensigns.”
For more on Elder Holland’s remarks and the Ensign College commencement addresses, click here.
