As Brigham Young University–Idaho President Alvin F. Meredith III and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith, addressed students Tuesday, Sept. 12, they extended a special welcome to freshmen “because [we] are freshmen, too,” President Meredith said.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced in May that President Meredith would replace President Henry J. Eyring on Aug. 1, becoming the university’s 18th president.
President Meredith was also sustained on April 3, 2021, as a General Authority Seventy and will continue in that role as he serves as BYU–Idaho’s president.
On Sept. 12, he and Sister Meredith spoke during the back-to-school devotional, encouraging students to rely on Jesus Christ and live by Honor Code standards.
Sister Meredith spoke first and recalled an advertisement for online “master classes” taught by authors, actors, chefs and other experts in their fields.
Then she read Hebrews 3:1, where the apostle Paul calls Jesus Christ the “High Priest of our profession.”
“What learning could Jesus Christ impart to us to help us master our professions or fields of study?” Sister Meredith said. “He is, after all, the Creator of the world, which surely involves knowing how to do everything within it.”
BYU–Idaho’s mission is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ, she continued, and by attending the university, students have enrolled in “Discipleship 101.”
She invited students to spend time with the Savior through prayer, scripture study, repentance, ministering and temple attendance. Over time, these actions will increase a person’s capacity to hear Him and receive personal revelation.
“Participating in His ‘master class’ will enhance and accelerate your learning, and every other area of your life,” Sister Meredith said. “... Whatever you do, do not drop this class. It will bring peace and joy.”
President Meredith followed his wife by addressing recent updates to the Church Educational System Honor Code.
The revisions standardize expectations across schools owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are consistent with the principles taught in the Church’s “For the Strength of Youth” guide that was updated in October 2022, Church News reported.
President Meredith shared three ways the Honor Code helps students become more like Jesus Christ.
First, it helps build the spiritual muscle necessary to become covenant keepers. The Honor Code expectations are similar to those that keep individuals on the covenant path, he said.
“Those who keep their covenants with God will become a strain of sin-resistant souls,” he said. “... When we enter into a covenant with God, we have made a covenant with Him who will always keep His word. He will do everything He can, without infringing on our agency, to help us keep ours.”
Second, the Honor Code gives students the opportunity to act with integrity, President Meredith said. Integrity flows from the first law to love God; because someone loves God, they are true to Him.
He also pointed out that the new edition of “Preach My Gospel” has added integrity to the “Christlike Attributes” section. The manual states that integrity means not lowering standards or behavior to impress others; and that what a person does when they believe no one is watching is a strong measure of their integrity.
“Preach My Gospel” promises that those who live with integrity will have inner peace and self-respect, and will be trusted by the Lord and others, President Meredith continued.
“Even at a place like BYU–Idaho, there may be times that you are tempted to cut corners and do things that are not completely honest,” he said. “Thank you for being strong and acting with integrity.”
Third, the Honor Code gives students an opportunity to walk by faith, President Meredith said.
For instance, some students may not understand why the Honor Code requires certain dress and grooming standards.
“To be clear, we do not assert that our dress and grooming expectations are celestial worthiness standards,” President Meredith said. “But while at BYU, they do stand as an outward sign of an inner commitment to, if nothing else, do what we signed up to do.”
President Meredith closed by encouraging students to show kindness to themselves as they adjust to new classes and other rigors of college life. Ask for help when needed and stay close to the Savior, he said.
“The strength of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is for you, if you will seek it,” President Meredith said.
