Elder W. Rolfe Kerr, recently appointed Commissioner of the Church Education System, encourage faculty, staff and student alike to "be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only" in order to accomplish the purposes of BYU-Hawaii and the Kingdom.
Referencing the mission of the university, Elder Kerr reminded listeners of the expectations which Church leaders and the Lord have of them – to "influence the establishment of peace internationally." He added that it is important for students to have these expectations of themselves.
"[That] may seem to be an unrealistic expectation," said Elder Kerr, "but I promise you that if you will constantly think of yourselves this way – seeing yourselves making those contributions and providing that righteous influence – you will become what you think you are."
To accomplish this, Elder Kerr explained, Heavenly Father inspired prophets of this dispensation to establish and equip BYU-Hawaii to serve the needs of each individual, thus serving His eternal purposes. Not the least of these is to understand and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them” (Mosiah 4:10).
Elder Kerr continued by recounting some of the many gospel truths King Benjamin taught the people. He taught them to be obedient to the commandments of God that they might prosper. He told them to beware of contention and strife. He warned of the awful situation of those that fall into transgression and don't repent. He taught of the goodness, power and wisdom of God, and of the debt of gratitude they should feel toward Him.
He taught of the divine mission of Jesus Christ, of His great atoning sacrifice and certain resurrection. He taught of the importance of giving selfless service to others and that such service is service to God. He taught of the blessed and happy state of those who keep the God’s commandments. He promised that if they would hold out faithful to the end they would be received into heaven and there dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.
He taught that the natural man is an enemy to God. He warned against contention and rebellion and against withdrawing from the Spirit of the Lord. He taught daily prayer, humility, patience, kindness and of the need to forsake sin. He stressed responsibilities within families and of what children should be taught. And he left no question as to the importance of providing for the poor and the needy.
King Benjamin also taught that "whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them” (Mosiah 3:13).
Elder Kerr pointed out that this was 124 years prior to the mortal ministry of the Lord, and yet the people could enjoy the blessings of a righteous life style as if the Lord was among them. He reinforced this great promise with the words of a modern prophet, seer and revelator, Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
"Be it known that it is the privilege of the saints today to separate themselves from the world and to receive millennial blessings in their lives. And any person who today abides the laws that will be kept during the Millennium will receive, here and now, the spirit and blessings of the Millennium in his life."
Elder Kerr concluded by adding his testimony to that of King Benjamin and Elder McConkie, that a life in accordance to the commandments of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ "will entitle us to receive, here and now, the spirit and blessings of the Millennium in this life. With this will come remission of sins and exceedingly great joy now, even as though Christ had already come among us."