Addressing the BYU-Hawaii faculty, staff, and students for the last time as president of of the university, President Eric B. Shumway encouraged them to be unified, open to change, and to press forward in faith.
He used the recent Concert Choir tour to China and Mongolia as a metaphor to make four points encouraging the university ohana to take the anticipated changes a new president will bring in stride.
“The preparation of the choir allowed them to perform with radiance,” said Shumway, referring to the apostolic blessing given by Elder Richard G. Scott in November 2007. “That bless has been dramatically fulfilled.”
He compared the choir’s journey to the mission of BYU-Hawaii in four ways.
First, just as the choir was on the Lord’s errand in China and Mongolia, the BYU-Hawaii faculty, staff, and students are on the Lord’s errand in Lai’e, Hawaii.
President Shumway recounted that as the choir performed in various cities, many people were touched by the Spirit of the Lord: In Xi’an, China, one audience member said, “It was as if the heavens opened and angels came down and enfolded me in the arms of love.” The Saints in Mongolia couldn’t say enough thanks to the choir for coming to their country, he reported.
“In spite of exhaustion,” said Shumway, “the choir members gave their all.” In return, several of them reported feeling that they were supported by the presence of divine beings.
Second, just as the choir members were the focal point of the tour, students are the focal point of concern on the campus. There is a circle of angels surrounding campus, he said, that includes the faculty and staff.
“Our success,” said Shumway, “is tied to relationships. To illustrate, he gave the example of a former Asian Executive Management student who is now a translator for the Chinese Friendship Association. During her first speech in an English class on campus, she was unable to present because of stage fright. After class the teacher embraced her and took her to the reading/writing lab to get her help with the assignment. The teacher, Marguerite deLong, went beyond the student’s expectation to assist her. Now that student is a successful translator for the Chinese government.
Third, superb performance is based on hard work and hours of preparation. We need to have the will and willingness to be perfected, said Shumway. He referred to D&C 80:45, which counsels the saints to “treasure up in your mind continually the words of life” and promises that words will be given to you in your hour of need. Shumway encouraged university ohana to offer their best and to ask themselves: Am I giving best value?
Fourth, to move forward effectively consistent cooperation—unity and harmony, are required. The choir members had implicit trust in the director, just as we must have implicit trust in the Lord. Choir members also prayed for each other, he said, which is what we must do for each other in order to work together effectively. “Contention is of the devil,” Shumway reminded the congregation. “We must have the spirit of love.”
He encouraged faculty, staff, and students to accept the new president along with the opportunities for change and growth this transition would bring. “Change can be painful,” said Shumway,” but this should be a welcome moment in our school’s history.”
