Elder Richard G. Scott, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, used the "hallowed greeting, aloha," during the June 24 commencement to teach the nearly 300 BYU-Hawaii graduates five keys to success and happiness.
Speaking before an audience of over 3,000 in the Cannon Activities Center, Elder Scott told the new graduates they had "not only attained an outstanding secular education, but you have done it while meeting the highest standards of integrity and spirituality. Among graduating students in the world you are among that unique body that do so from our Church universities. Therefore, what we expect of you are future accomplishments far beyond those asked of a graduating class elsewhere."
"My message to you who graduate today is simple, yet when lived, can have profound significance in your personal life," Elder Scott continued, as he then used each letter in the familiar Hawaiian greeting to identify the key concepts.
A is for Attitude: "Your life will be full of opportunities and challenges. Your attitude will determine how well you will meet them as well as how much they will fortify your character and capacity to succeed," Elder Scott said. "Because you are exceptional young men and women, the Lord will accelerate your growth by giving you experiences that will stretch your current capacity."
"Let your predominant attitude be faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, confidence in His teachings, trust in His ability to keep His promises and reliance on His capacity to inspire, motivate, and guide you."
L is for Love: "The highest priority of life should be love of Father in Heaven and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ, manifest in obedience to Their teachings. Love of spouse, children, and parents should be the next priority," Elder Scott said.
"Pure love is the incomparable, potent power for good. Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage. It is the primary cause of contented well-developed children," he continued. "Pure love bridges deep cultural differences, heals heartache, increases compassion, and solidifies the bonds of friendship. It is the strongest and most effective influence to settle dispute, calm anger, soften hate, and resolve serious misunderstanding."
O is for Ordinances: "Today I emphasize the ordinances of the temple. One of the most beautiful, comforting doctrines of the Lord, one that brings immense peace, happiness and unbounded joy, is the principle of eternal marriage. This doctrine means that a man and woman who love each other deeply, who have grown together through the trials, joys, sorrows and happiness of a shared lifetime, can live beyond the veil together forever with their family members who also earn that blessing."
"That is not just an immensely satisfying dream, it can be a reality," he said. "If you have not already received the ordinances of the temple, decide now that at the appropriate time you will obtain them all. Don't let anything overcome that decision. If you are single and haven't identified a solid prospect for celestial marriage, live for it. Pray for it. Expect it in the timetable of the Lord. Do not compromise your standards so as to lose that blessing."
H is for Home and Family: "Your home should always be a haven of peace, free of conflict and dissention. It is in your home where the gospel is most effectively taught and lived. Make the place where you live, no matter how humble or temporary, the embodiment of a clean and righteous environment where the Spirit can dwell," Elder Scott counseled.