"Hopefully, one of the things that will motivate you to work hard in your learning here on campus is knowing that you have a specific mission to fulfill on earth and that your education is critical to accomplishing that mission," said President Steven C. Wheelwright in his devotional talk given on September 29, 2009, at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. His talk, divided into three parts, focused on 'Education: The Lord's Standard'.
Gaining an education, both secular and ecclesiastical, is crucial and a commandment, President Wheelwright said. That is why the Church has established the three BYU campuses.
President Wheelwright expressed his gratitude for having been raised in a home where education was valued, a place where he grew to love and appreciate learning.
He continued, quoting Elder David A. Bednar when he said, "Learning by faith and from experience are two of the central features of the Father’s plan of happiness."
To demonstrate learning by experience, President Wheelwright told a story of how he learned to swim. His mother signed him up for a swim class. The swimming instructor lined the students up at the deep end of the pool and went down the line, pushing them in. President Wheelwright recalls thinking he was going to drown that night. He didn't drown, and later competed on the high school and university swim teams.
He then gave three suggestions to students. First, establish a daily pattern of prayer and scripture study. Second, establish a habit of obedience. Third, make learning by faith part of your life.
To remind students of these things, President Wheelwright arranged for everyone to receive a commemorative coin as they left devotional.
"We hope that this commemorative coin will not only be a daily reminder to you of the mission the Lord has for you on this campus, but that it will help you better focus on conforming your own learning to the standards and pattern that a loving Father in Heaven has revealed through His prophets," said President Wheelwright.
One side of the coin (at left) has the Laie Temple to remind us of our covenants made there. The words Aloha, Atonement, Love, and Obedience are also written on this side.
The "A" is for Atonement. The "L" is for the need to love God and our brothers and sister. The "O" stands for obedience to receive blessings. The "H” is for the breath of life, or eternal life.
On the other side of the coin (at right) the university's motto and its founding date is inscribed to remind students of our blessed heritage and their sacrifices. BYU–Hawaii's motto "Enter to learn, go forth to serve," is also inscribed for the purpose of reminding us to learn spiritually and academically, and to bless the lives of others after we finish our education.
--Photo of President Wheelwright by Monique Saenz--Photo of coins by Mike Foley
Click here to read the full transcript of President Steven C. Wheelwright's devotional