Summer 2010

President Larry Richards

Date:
Title:

"You Really Gotta Wanna or You Won’t Get It"

You Really Gotta Wanna or You Won’t Get It

Introduction

Welcome to Summer term. I commend you for your desire to endure school in the summer. When I was growing up in elementary school, I had some learning challenges and “had” to go to summer school. It was a requirement. Therefore, when I got to college, there was no way that I was going to do a summer semester. I had a friend talk me into trying it. By the end of the term when I got my grades, I was right and he was wrong. I couldn’t do a summer semester. So I respect your efforts and am committed to help you succeed.

Pursuit of Excellence

Will Durant, the American philosopher, summarized a thought expressed by Aristotle. I shared a statement at New Student Orientation last week. It is powerful and so I want to share it with you. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit.”  

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Kenneth DuVall

Date:
Title:

"Why Does Your Heavenly Father Want You Here?"

Why Does Your Heavenly Father Want You Here?

As I was driving here today I passed several golf courses. I really enjoy golf, although I’m not as good at it in real life as I am in my dreams. It is in incredible day outside, and with those golf courses in mind as I walked into the building I asked myself “what are we doing here today?” Last week President Richards challenged us to ask “Why does your Heavenly Father want you here?” I would like to explore that this morning.

So, why are we here? Most of you will recognize that question from Primary. It is the middle of 3 questions that are the basis for the Plan of Salvation. Where did we come from?, Why are we here?, and Where are we going after this life? 

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D. Louise Brown

Date:
Title:

"The Fire in the Bookstore…and What Came of It"

Transcript

The Fire in the Bookstore…and What Came of It

   I’m grateful for the chance to speak to you today. And thankful to my assistant, Moises Correa, for his help creating and running the technology side of what I want to share with you today.

   A couple of months ago my son, who is about your age and a recent graduate of LDS Business College, made a comment that caught my interest. He said he wished he’d known more about the College while he was still a student here. He then added, “I know I would have appreciated being there more if I had realized what I had.” 

I’ve thought several times about that comment, and because of it, choose to share with you today a few stories that will tell you how and why you are sitting in this room, on this campus. And by the end of our time together, I suspect you will have a greater understanding of, and appreciation for what you have here.

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Brett R. Merkley

Date:
Title:

"Measuring Success: Particles to Pillars"

Measuring Success: Particles to Pillars

Defining the measures of success in the way the world often uses; we see these images displayed in a variety of ways, and they are often distorted. To some success is measured by winning the race, reaching the summit, or becoming the ‘champion.’  
 
To others it may be finishing the race or just competing in it. Others may cheer in success of hiking the mountain, just walking life’s path, and others, like students: success is just getting out of bed for an early morning class.
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Karen Hales

Date:
Title:

"Remember How Merciful the Lord Has Been"

Remember How Merciful the Lord Has Been

Recently I have been thinking a great deal about the word “Remember” and how the act of remembering plays an important part in our lives.

Elder Marlin K. Jensen said, “If we pay close attention to the uses of the word remember in the holy scriptures, we will recognize that remembering in the way God intends is a fundamental and saving principle of the gospel” [Marlin K. Jensen, “Remember and Perish Not,” Ensign, May 2007, 36-38].

Elder Jensen went on to say that when prophets admonish us to remember it is frequently an invitation to action: to listen, to see, to do.

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Marki Baxter

Date:
Title:

"Lessons from the Past"

Lessons from the Past

Thank you for all the prayers that have been offered in my behalf.

I wanted to sing the opening song to place in your mind the fact that things aren’t always what we expect. I never expected to be on this side of the podium.

When I received the call to speak from Brother Nelson, I was standing, keys in hand, ready to head out the door to catch a flight to Arizona to attend the Gila Valley Temple open house. I thought, great, July 27th. That’s close to Pioneer Day and I’m going to the home of some of my ancestors. I’ll speak on pioneers. That’ll be easy. I could just stand up, read pioneer histories for 35 minutes, say “amen,” and sit down. Right?

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