The Church is the scaffolding for individuals and families as they engage in the most important building projects of their lives, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve told students during a campus devotional at Brigham Young University-Idaho on Jan. 24. Elder Perry addressed the students in the BYU-Idaho Center on the university's campus in Rexburg.
"I would like to issue a challenge to you — the future graduates of BYU-Idaho," he said. "Prepare yourselves now to take advantage of the significant opportunities the new year will bring to all members of the Church. Demonstrate by what you say and the way you live the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Exemplify a Latter-day Saint, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ."
Remembering some of the teachings of President Harold B. Lee, the 11th president of the Church, Elder Perry spoke of the principle that the Church is a scaffolding — a support — for individuals as they build themselves and the Church.
"What he [taught] powerfully was that the core of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is individuals and families, and the Church functions as a support system for those individuals and families," he said. "Most of you are at the wonderful and confusing time of life when you are selecting the plans for building your family and your professional lives. The decisions you make at the beginning of your adult lives are clearly the most important decisions of your life because they shape everything that comes after."
The Church as scaffolding for family life.
"We meet as members of the Church to teach and learn from each other the principles of righteousness and receive saving ordinances so the scaffolding is stable and steady as we build our eternal family units," Elder Perry said. "Notice, the Church is not meant to do the work of parents — it guides the work of parents. The Church offers an eternal form. As builders of eternal families, we are reassured by promises that if we build according to this eternal form, our efforts can provide the safety and protection we seek for those we love the most. ...
"Perhaps each of us should consider building structures for our spiritual security, free from the influences of the world — places where we can protect and also teach family members how to meet the challenges of a world that is always threatening our core values," he said. "... I look to the Church — the scaffold with which I build an eternal family."
The Church as scaffolding for professional lives.
"A member of the Church who is worthy of a temple recommend should always stand out in whatever professional circles he or she belongs," Elder Perry said. "My advice to you is to dare to be different. Never worry about offending others by living up to the standards of the Church. I promise you that living up to temple recommend standards will bless and never hurt you in any situation in which you may find yourself."
Sharing personal examples from his professional career as a retail executive, Elder Perry spoke of the courage he needed as he attended business meetings, many of which included a cocktail hour. He said he was uncomfortable in the setting in which nearly everyone was holding an alcoholic beverage. He felt he had to hold something, otherwise someone would offer him a drink. He asked for a glass of milk so that others would not be deceived about what he was drinking. Not only did he live his values, but others noticed and some even followed.
"I learned an important lesson from this experience," he said. "If I kept my promises to the Lord, He would always keep His promises to me. He would always fulfill His end of the bargain — and much, much more — if I fulfilled mine. ...
"As I read and watch the news each day, I am shocked at the difficulties we are creating for ourselves," he said. "As times and conditions change and become more complex, there seem to be fewer and fewer individuals capable of shouldering the responsibilities of leading positive change. I wish to issue a challenge to you who are the leaders of the future to recognize the world is changing very rapidly. There is an urgent need for leaders capable and bold enough to take on the immense challenges that face us today."
The strong moral foundation based on justice — compassion and respect for human dignity and the light of Christ — appears to be eroding in the United States, Elder Perry said. It was something that was part of the character of most men and women of a country that was 'one nation under God.' While the number of citizens who subscribe to those beliefs and values is dwindling, Church members must remain true.
"I believe that more than anything else this is because the Church is the scaffolding for both our families and professional lives. … I know scaffolding allows me to reach heights I could not reach otherwise, and do things I could not otherwise reach. ... If we stay firmly centered on the scaffolding of the Church we remain safe and protected. ... You are blessed with a royal heritage. You are part of this very wonderful school which has been dedicated to preparing bright minds to go forward and bring forth positive change to a troubled world. You reflect the light of Christ. Please remember all that the scaffolding of the Church has done, is doing, and see what it can do for your family and your professional lives."
Accompanying Elder Perry was his wife, Sister Barbara Perry, who spoke later that day to a large group of women at BYU-I.