Brigham Young University - Banyan Yearbook (Provo, UT)

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The greatest privilege a BYU student has is to hear the word of the Lord taught by prophets and apostles in assemblies and conferences. The wisdom received from these inspired leaders sparks deeper understanding of our purpose and destiny in life and the possibility of returning to our Father ' s presence, not as little children or servants, but to rule over worlds and nations. Even John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, was forced to admit, Opinion is not religion, not even right opinion. The simple reason is that true religion can onfy come from God — there is no other source. We listen to a Speaking of President Joseph Fielding Smith and his own new calling as the late prophet ' s successor, President Harold B. Lee said in October Conference, As ' the finger of Cod touched him and he slept, ' he seemed that brief moment to be passing to me, as it were, a sceptre of righteousness as though to say to me, ' Go thou and do likewise. ' ■ . •? -. • V ' v)- ' % li xvr v : « 4 .. . •V. ' L-?lfcfc» jnl ' n 28 X ' tf .. '

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In a class of our own We have been taught that man cannot be saved in ignorance. Though it was the desire for knowledge that caused our expulsion from the presence of God anciently, our return to Him cannot be achieved without that knowledge. Prayer in the classroom, required religious studies, devotional assemblies, firesides and Sunday services all help to keep students balanced in their secular and their religious knowledge. Some of the more enlightened in the country would accuse the university of prejudicing the stud- ents. To a similar accusation the English poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge responded most appropri- atly: Why prejudice a garden in favor of flowers and fruit? Why not let the clods choose for them- selves between cockleburs and strawberries? 27

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■- ' ' l. ' lt !. ■ v. Following the death of the early apostles and the disappearance of the gift of revelation which they possessed, the world was left to the opinions of men. Finally, in the spring of 1820, God called a new prophet from among men toorgar ize His Church and to be a light of truth in a world of darkness. Apostles and prophets have continued in the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ since that time. We can but pity the world that rejects them, for as Plato said: We can easily forgive a cnild who is afraid of the dark: the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. prophets voice Harold B. Lee is a powerful man in modern Israel, wrote President Marion G. Romney almost 20 years ago. The source of his strength is in his knowledge that he lives in the shadow of the Almighty. To him, his Heavenly Father is a senior partner, daily giving him guidance. His contacts with heaven are direct and regular. 29