As they make final preparations before departing to preside as president and matron of the Hong Kong Temple, Charles and Helen Goo shared thoughts and lessons they've learned throughout the years.
While doing so, they said they wanted the audience to feel right at home.
"My kitchen is a wonderful place to talk story, and so today I'd like to invite all of you as if you are in my kitchen… the only difference is I do all the talking, and you do all the listening," Helen Goo said.
Goo, an entrepreneur and founder of Helen's Kitchen, shared what she called "pearls of wisdom from Helen's Kitchen." She said through life experiences she acquired three pearls, which she wanted to pass along to the audience.
First, Goo shared a teaching from Confucius, which, translated, reads as follows:
When we have self-discipline, there will be beauty in character.
When there is beauty in character, there will be harmony in the homes.
When there is harmony in the homes, there will be order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.
Goo stated that all things are possible, but that change must begin with the individual. "It is the little things we do each day that determine whether or not our homes are happy, our countries orderly, and our world peaceful," she said. "When we are willing to change for the better, we are beginning to acquire self-discipline and self-mastery."
Sister Goo said she learned the second pearl of wisdom—loving one another as taught and demonstrated by the Savior—in Hong Kong at the age of 12, when she was first taught by LDS missionaries. "How can we comprehend such great love? While someday, when you become parents, you will get a sense of a magnitude of that love—in the meantime, we need to practice loving one another…on this campus, on a daily basis." Love manifests itself in action, she said.
In the final pearl of wisdom, Goo counseled students to treasure the time they spend on campus and the friendships they make. "When we step on this campus we are stepping on holy ground. It is holy because it has been set aside and dedicated by the prophet of the Lord. This is a sacred place, and we must treat it as such."
Goo cited many examples of lasting friendships, and said that radiating love is important now and in the future. "Some day you'll find yourself in [a] foreign land, but it will not be so strange to you because you have known someone there and you are bound together in love and friendship established here, on this campus."
Charles Goo, associate dean of students, picked up on his wife's comments as he began his remarks. "I am forever grateful for the opportunity of working on this great campus, and for the promises and blessings that are ours," he said.
In the classic at-home feel demonstrated by his wife, Brother Goo explained he felt the most valuable message he could share was the need to make use of the Spirit in daily life.
"Do you think that the Holy Ghost can teach you English, math, psychology, or any other subject? Of course, the answer is yes," he said.
Goo saw this influence first-hand, he explained, while taking doctorate written and oral examinations over two days, which covered two years' worth of material. At the time he was serving as a campus bishop. He said he felt that if he did his best to magnify his calling while studying hard, he would be blessed in the test taking. He successfully passed the exam. "I know that it was certainly through the power of the Holy Ghost that I was taught and that things were brought to my remembrance by that same power."
Students and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the privilege of using the Spirit to amplify their studies as well, Goo stated. "In order to be able to exercise that privilege, you must be worthy of it."
That worthiness, Goo said, includes obeying the commandments and adhering to the honor code standards, including a proper haircut.
Faculty and staff can make use of the same counsel by starting meetings and classes with prayer, Goo explained. He went on to state that priesthood blessings should be offered freely to co-workers and students when needed. "Since we are serving in the Lord's institution, I see no problem in giving a priesthood blessing when there is a need for it."
Brother and Sister Goo will soon make Hong Kong their home as they serve in the temple there. "It's going to be hard for us to leave, we're going to miss all of you. But I'm sure the Lord will continue to bless you," Brother Goo said.
Those blessings, made possible by increased obedience, likely will bring feelings of comfort—much like being home.