My beloved brothers and sisters, today marks a significant milestone in your journey as you graduate from Brigham Young University. As you step into the world as alumni, you carry the responsibility to embody the values and principles of this esteemed institution. Your lives, actions, and aspirations will collectively define the legacy of BYU.
It is a joyous occasion as we, along with your families, celebrate your remarkable achievements. This day is filled with cherished memories, captured in photographs and messages, reflecting the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. As convocations unfold and future plans are discussed, remember that graduation is not an end, but a commencement—a beginning filled with opportunities and challenges.
I fondly recall my own graduation from BYU. My wife and I were anticipating the arrival of our first child, embarking on further studies, navigating financial constraints, and eagerly embracing the future. Looking back, we recognize the Lord’s guiding hand in our lives, leading us through each phase of our journey.
Throughout my life, I have been privileged to witness countless commencement ceremonies—as a student, parent, professor, university president, and friend. These experiences have taught me a valuable lesson: while commencement speakers offer words of wisdom, it is the spirit of the occasion and the celebration of achievement that truly resonate with graduates and their families.
Therefore, my gift to you today is a concise message centered on a vital principle: Learning To Love learning. This principle is not merely an academic pursuit but a fundamental aspect of our spiritual, personal, and professional lives. It is essential to understand why learning to love learning is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ, vital for our ongoing spiritual and personal development, and an absolute necessity in today’s dynamic world.
1. Learning to Love Learning: Foundational to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The very essence of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness revolves around providing us, His spirit children, with opportunities to learn and grow. The Atonement of Jesus Christ, coupled with the agency He grants us through His sacrifice, is divinely orchestrated to facilitate our eternal progression through learning. The Savior Himself invites us, “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me” (D&C 19:23). This invitation is not just a suggestion; it is a commandment to actively engage in the process of learning about and from Him.
The Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead, serves as our divine tutor in this lifelong pursuit of knowledge. He illuminates truth, testifies of all things, and brings forgotten knowledge to our remembrance (John 14:26, 16:13; Moroni 10:5; D&C 39:6). The Holy Ghost ignites within us a profound and lasting love of learning, guiding us towards spiritual understanding and enlightenment. This divine assistance underscores that learning to love is not a solitary endeavor but a divinely supported journey.
The scriptures repeatedly urge us to seek knowledge through faith and diligent study. We are encouraged to “ask in faith” when we lack understanding (James 1:5–6), to “seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118), and to “inquire of God” to receive instruction from His Spirit (D&C 6:14) and to “know mysteries which are great and marvelous” (D&C 6:11). The restored Church of Jesus Christ stands as a testament to this principle, existing to aid individuals and families in learning to love and receive the transformative blessings of the Savior’s gospel.
However, not all learning holds equal weight. The Apostle Paul cautioned against being “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). While acquiring facts and information can be beneficial, gospel truths are paramount. The love of learning we cultivate should prioritize understanding and living by these eternal principles, guiding us towards our divine potential. This type of learning transcends mere data accumulation; it is about acquiring and applying knowledge for righteous purposes, shaping our character to become more like our Heavenly Father.
The scriptures proclaim that “the glory of God is intelligence” (D&C 93:36). Intelligence, in this context, extends beyond innate cognitive ability; it encompasses the righteous application of knowledge. President David O. McKay emphasized that true education, “for which the Church stands… is the application of knowledge to the development of a noble and Godlike character” (David O. McKay, “True Education,” Improvement Era, March 1957, 141). Therefore, learning to love is intrinsically linked to our divine nature and our pursuit of becoming more like God.
Our earthly sojourn is a preparation for eternity—a time to learn how to learn, to acquire both temporal and eternal knowledge, and to assist others in their quest for wisdom and truth (D&C 97:1). Understanding our divine identity and purpose instills in us a profound responsibility to learn to love learning, recognizing it as a key to unlocking our eternal potential and fulfilling our divine destiny.
David A. Bednar
Elder David A. Bednar delivering a commencement address on the importance of learning to love learning, emphasizing its role in spiritual and personal growth.
2. Learning to Love Learning: Vital for Spiritual and Personal Development
Brigham Young, the namesake of this esteemed university, epitomized the principle of a lifelong learner. Despite limited formal education, President Young grasped the significance of acquiring both spiritual and secular knowledge. His life journey as a furniture maker, missionary, colonizer, governor, and prophet of the Lord showcases his unwavering commitment to learning to love.
President Young’s approach to learning and the extent of his knowledge are truly remarkable. He was a perpetual student of divine revelation, scriptures, and edifying books. Perhaps his unconstrained approach to learning, unbound by traditional educational structures, contributed to his profound wisdom. He wholeheartedly embraced learning to love, mastering the art of learning itself. This dedication transformed him into a powerful disciple and teacher, precisely because he was first and foremost an effective learner.
President Brigham Young consistently taught that “the object of [our mortal] existence is to learn” (JD 9:167). His profound understanding of eternal progression emphasized the continuous nature of learning, extending far beyond the confines of formal education. His statements underscore the importance of learning to love as a lifelong pursuit:
Statement 1. “The religion embraced by the Latter-day Saints, if only slightly understood, prompts them to search diligently after knowledge. There is no other people in existence more eager to see, hear, learn, and understand truth” (JD 8:6). This highlights the inherent connection between faith and the love of learning.
Statement 2. “Put forth your ability to learn as fast as you can, and gather all the strength of mind and principle of faith you possibly can, and then distribute your knowledge to the people” (JD 8:146). This statement emphasizes the active pursuit of knowledge and the responsibility to share it with others, fueled by the love of learning.
Statement 3. “This work is a progressive work, this doctrine that is taught the Latter-day Saints in its nature is exalting, increasing, expanding and extending broader and broader until we can know as we are known, see as we are seen” (JD 16:165). This illustrates the expansive and eternal nature of learning within the gospel context, driven by learning to love divine truth.
Statement 4. “We are in the school [of mortality] and keep learning, and we do not expect to cease learning while we live on earth; and when we pass through the veil, we expect still to continue to learn and increase our fund of information. That may appear a strange idea to some; but it is for the plain and simple reason that we are not capacitated to receive all knowledge at once. We must therefore receive a little here and a little there” (JD 6:286). This statement emphasizes the continuous, step-by-step nature of learning, both in this life and beyond, fueled by an enduring love of learning.
Statement 5. “We might ask, when shall we cease to learn? I will give you my opinion about it: never, never” (JD 3:203). This definitive declaration underscores the eternal and unending nature of learning, requiring a constant love of learning throughout our eternal journey.
Brigham Young’s conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ ignited his insatiable curiosity and love of learning. His life serves as a compelling example of continuous spiritual and personal development, inspiring us to cultivate a similar passion for lifelong learning and growth, driven by a profound learning to love.
3. Learning to Love Learning: A Necessity in Our Evolving World
Many of you have already captured graduation memories by the iconic sign at the campus entrance, bearing the motto: “Enter to learn; go forth to serve.” This statement encapsulates the essence of your BYU experience—a foundation built on learning, intended to propel you towards a life of meaningful service. However, it is crucial to recognize that your education here is not exhaustive. It is a beginning, not a culmination. The true intent is to instill in you the fundamental principles of learning to love learning and service.
Perhaps a more comprehensive motto, though too lengthy for the sign, would be: “Enter to learn to love learning and serving; go forth to continue learning and serving.” Your time at Brigham Young University has been about cultivating a love of learning and service. As you embark on new chapters in family, education, and career, remember that you are going forth to continue both learning and serving throughout your lives.
As you celebrate this significant achievement, recognize that your academic journey, marked by assignments, exams, and GPAs, is not the final destination. It is the laying of a foundation upon which you will build eternally. Much of the specific knowledge you gained in your chosen field may become outdated. The true value lies not just in the subjects you studied, but in what you have learned about learning to love. Life’s path, whether spiritual, interpersonal, or professional, rarely comes with pre-packaged solutions. Your capacity to learn, fueled by your love of learning, becomes your most invaluable asset.
Consider this fundamental test of your love of learning: when faced with the unknown, when confronted with problems lacking clear answers, how do you learn what to do? This very challenge was presented to Nephi when he was commanded to build a ship. “And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters” (1 Nephi 17:8).
Nephi was not a shipbuilder. Raised in Jerusalem, he likely had no maritime experience. He was tasked with constructing something completely unfamiliar to navigate to an unknown destination. While we may not be asked to build a ship literally, we will all face metaphorical “ship-building” challenges throughout our lives. The accelerating pace of change in our world will constantly push us into uncharted territories and demanding situations, requiring us to learn to love the process of adaptation and problem-solving.
For instance, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates that today’s graduates will hold 10 to 14 different jobs by the age of 38. The skills required for each role will continuously evolve, demanding constant adaptation and learning to love new challenges.
During a significant portion of my career as a professor, the internet, Google, Wikipedia, and YouTube were non-existent. The widespread use of the internet only emerged in the mid-1990s. Subjects related to the internet were not taught, and no majors existed in this field. I recall personally learning HTML and exploring how this nascent technology could enhance student learning. In contrast, most of you have grown up in a world seamlessly integrated with the internet. This transformation from a “no internet world” to an “internet-only world” has occurred within a relatively short span of 15 years. Imagine the changes the next 15 years will bring! This rapid evolution underscores the crucial need for learning to love learning to remain relevant and adaptable.
The abundance of readily available information and sophisticated technologies might tempt us to rely solely on our own abilities – “the arm of flesh” (2 Nephi 4:34; see also 28:31). While we must utilize our God-given talents and exert our best efforts, our mortal capabilities are finite. We must also rely on divine guidance and inspiration as we navigate complex challenges.
President Brigham Young testified that we are never truly alone:
My knowledge is, if you will follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and his Apostles, as recorded in the New Testament, every man and woman will be put in possession of the Holy Ghost. . . . They will know things that are, that will be, and that have been. They will understand things in heaven, things on the earth, and things under the earth, things of time, and things of eternity, according to their several callings and capacities. [JD 1:243]
Embrace this divine assistance as you continue to learn to love learning. It is this love that will equip you for an unpredictable future and empower you to discern opportunities that others may overlook. I have faith that you will rise to the challenges ahead, successfully navigating the unknown by drawing upon your love of learning and divine guidance.
As our sons embarked on their journeys to college, missions, and their dreams, my wife and I shared these guiding principles:
- Remember that you represent the Savior.
- Remember that you represent your family.
- Remember that you represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
And as you graduate from BYU today, I add one more:
- Remember that you represent Brigham Young University.
Today, as BYU alumni, you bear the responsibility to illuminate the world about the values and endeavors of this remarkable institution. Your lives, actions, and character will define BYU’s legacy. May the Lord bless you as you continually remember Him and serve with unwavering faith and diligence.
I bear witness to the living reality of God the Eternal Father, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. I testify of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days. May your love of learning deepen, enrich, and become ever more complete, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
