Academic Vice President Keith Roberts, substituting for BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway who normally delivers the first devotional address each new school year, urged the audience to surmount their diversity through "the unifying culture of the gospel as we experience it here on this campus."
"Each of us - students, staff, faculty, administration - have been specially prepared to be here at this time. These are precious years for all of us. The church has invested substantially in us and expects our best efforts," he said, adding that President Shumway was at an Executive Committee Meeting of the Board of Trustees and asked him to fill the speaking assignment on August 26.
Dr. Roberts noted BYU-Hawaii has a particularly strong mix of diversity and cultural traditions, such as warm traditions of family and respect for elders. "Others are traditions of the natural man," he said, pointing out that King Benjamin taught that "the natural man is an enemy of God, and has been from the fall of Adam" and asked us to yield "to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord" (Mosiah 3: 19, 20).
"Consider his teachings as you begin this school year in this very special place," Roberts continued, pointing out that "we each come to this campus with unique experiences and a unique culture. The power of this place is that we learn from each other's experiences and each other's culture. We begin to understand that we are brothers and sisters in spite of our differences."
Or as Paul taught the Ephesians, he continued, "'For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God.' That is our directive here at BYU-Hawaii, to be strangers no more," Roberts said.
He quoted Elder Richard Scott, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, who said an "appreciation for ethnic, cultural, or national heritage can be wholesome and beneficial, but it can also perpetuate patterns of life that should be set aside by a devoted Latter-day Saint."
He also quoted Elder Donald Hallstrom, who was born and raised in Honolulu and frequently visited our campus, who said, "uplifting traditions play a significant role in leading us toward the things of the Spirit."
"When each of us come to this campus it is important for us to determine which things of our experiences and our culture are worthy to be here in Laie," Roberts said. "You are bringing your own culture, you are interacting with many other cultures, and you are hosted by the Hawaiian culture within the context of twenty-first century American culture. And the one thing that ties you all together is the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
For example, Roberts noted that President Howard W. Hunter gave this counsel to the students and faculty at the Church College of New Zealand: "Measure everything against the teachings of the Savior. Where you find a variance from those teachings, set that matter aside and do not pursue it. It will not bring you happiness."
Roberts also cautioned some international students that America "is truly a place where you can practice free agency," where the danger extends to everyone of making the wrong choices.
"We all know what high standards of taste and decency are. We are expected to refrain form disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct and expression. This includes how we speak to each other, how we dance, how we dress. It includes what kinds of environments we create for ourselves. Rise to the occasion and pick the best choice. There are many opportunities on campus and in the community in general to participate in wholesome activities. Choose these activities and surround yourself with others that choose the right," Roberts continued.
"So, although you are preparing for a career, it should always be second to your quest for eternal salvation," he said, adding that "just as our hope is that the gospel will enable us to be even better Americans, even better Samoans, even better Brazilians, or even better Koreans, we must be sure that we will integrate the teachings of Jesus into our lives so we will become better social workers, better teachers, better biologists, better accountants, and better historians."
Roberts explained that here in Laie we're blessed "to understand that virtue and compassion transcend culture. Here you are able to live the life that Jesus intended you to lead. Please take advantage of this opportunity. You will learn more about the brotherhood and sisterhood of man in three or four years here on this campus than most people will learn in a lifetime."