BYU Commencement: 'You have a mark upon you'

"You have a mark upon you," Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve told graduates of Brigham Young University during commencement exercises in a filled Marriott Center on April 19. The graduates — totaling 5,996 degrees for bachelor, master and doctorate recipients — and their supporters filled the Marriott Center on the university's campus.

"The mark you receive as a BYU graduate is neither involuntary nor self-imposed," he said. "You sought this mark, and it is put upon you by proper authority. After today you have more than a new line on your resume. You have been marked. As a BYU graduate, you are, as we say, a marked man or woman."

Recognizing the challenging times facing graduates — wars and rumors of wars, natural disasters, recession and the prospect of further financial disaster, values and standards being denied or cast aside as more people call evil good, and selfishness replacing service —Elder Oaks told the graduates they should still take heart.

"There have always been challenging times," he said. "We, the generations of your predecessors, have survived daunting challenges and so will you. The answer to all of these challenges is the same as it always has been. We have a Savior, and He has taught us what we should do."

It is through looking to the Savior's teachings that individuals are able to find peace in this world and everlasting life in the world to come, Elder Oaks said.

Quoting the words of President Marion G. Romney to graduates on April 20, 1973, Elder Oaks said, " 'You all have a mark upon you after today — you will be known as a graduate

of Brigham Young University, which is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The people who know you and see you will judge the Church by you. Your great mission is to hold the banner high.'

"We all have marks or labels upon us," Elder Oaks added. "Our names and many characteristics of our appearance, such as family similarities, are marks. So is our speech. These marks are involuntary. Other marks are voluntarily assumed, like religious symbols that various faiths use on their apparel, which we honor, and tattoos, which we discourage. Our Savior is the model for the self-imposed mark of the utmost significance."

Just as President Romney said almost forty years ago, Elder Oaks spoke of the "mark" graduates have from attending BYU. Elder Oaks said that the significance of the mark is two-fold; first, like a banner, it will be visible and it will have an effect on others. "But the most important effect of the mark put upon you today is not the signal it sends to others, but the influence it should have upon you," he said. "A mark can and should be a reminder of our relationship to those who put the mark upon us and also of the responsibilities we have assumed as a result of the certifications they have given us." The "mark" of a BYU education may be academic to others, but to a graduate the "mark" of a BYU degree should be a continuing reminder, Elder Oaks said.

"Foremost among the things you should remember from your years at BYU are the teachings you have received about the things of eternity and the principles of right and wrong that have been upfront in your religion classes and pervasive in many others," he said. To illustrate this point, Elder Oaks shared some of the teachings of Brigham Young — whose name the institution carries. Elder Oaks started with Brigham's advice on practical living, self-reliance and education.

"Beyond Brigham Young's wisdom, so necessary to lead the Saints in supporting themselves and in building their homes and society in a barren wilderness, he was foremost a prophet of God," he said. "He taught eternal truths and guided the Saints to apply them in their mortal circumstances."

He also spoke of the responsibility individuals have of searching out the things of God.

"Typical of [Brigham Young's] philosophy of self-reliance, he taught that we have a duty to know these eternal truths for ourselves." It is through personal revelation that individuals are able to see and understand the things of God for themselves, he taught.

"Here is what Brigham Young said about this responsibility of personal revelation: "'How are we to know the voice of the Good Shepherd from the voice of a stranger? Can any person answer this question? I can. It is very easy. To every philosopher upon the earth, I say, your eye can be deceived, so can mine; your ear can be deceived, so can mine, … but the Spirit of God filling the creature with revelation and the light of eternity, cannot be mistaken — the revelation which comes from God is never mistaken. When an individual, filled with the Spirit of the Lord pierces their inmost souls ... and they see and understand for themselves.'"

Elder Oaks used the words of Brigham Young to teach the principles of following a prophet, and teaching individuals how to conduct their lives in harmony with the gospel in a world that pursues other values. "As BYU graduates and other Saints suffer worldly criticism and perhaps even persecution, they will do well to remember Brigham Young's declaration: 'Every time they persecute and try to overcome this people, they elevate us, weaken their own hands, and strengthen the hands and arms of this people. And every time they undertake to lessen our number, they increase it. And when they try to destroy the faith and virtue of this people, the Lord strengthens the feeble knees, and confirms the wavering in faith and power in God, in light, and intelligence.'"

Elder Oaks told students to emulate Brigham Young's inclusive attitude toward his fellowmen. He quoted again from the early prophet's words: "'It has never altered my feelings towards individuals, as men or as women, whether they believe as I do or not. Can you live as neighbors with me? I can with you; and it is no particular concern of mine whether you believe with me or not.

"'Our religion is adapted to the capacity of the whole human family. It does not send a portion of the people to howl in torment for ever and ever, but it reaches after the last son and daughter of Adam and Eve, and will pluck them from the prison, unlock the doors, and burst the bonds and bring forth every soul who will receive salvation.'"

Also speaking at the graduation were BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson, emeritus member of the Seventy; Michael O'Conner, president of the BYU Alimni Association; and Stephen Benson Richards, a graduate.

Convocations for the different colleges are scheduled for April 20, at various times and places on the university's campus.

mholman@desnews.com