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By Rachel Sturzer Gibson church news
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Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran of the General Authority Seventy and his wife Olufunmilayo after a BYU-Hawaii Campus devotion held at the Canon Activities Center in Laie, Hawaii, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Students talking with Sister Omolola Ojediran. Photo by Monique Saenz, courtesy of BYU Hawaii. All rights reserved.
President Russell M. Nelson told Latter-day Saint youth during a worldwide devotional on May 15, 2022, that now is the time to establish “priorities and patterns that will have a dramatic impact not only on this life but also on eternal life.”
Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran of the General Authority Seventy, speaking to students during a prayer time on the campus of Brigham Young University Hawaii on Tuesday, May 21, shared the words of the prophet, He talked about how this applies to his own education.
His family, who live in Ibadan, Nigeria, came from a “poor upbringing” and his parents made sacrifices so that he could get an education. There were times, he says, when food was scarce and he couldn’t afford to buy textbooks.
However, as a 23-year-old college student, he was taught the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“One of the priorities and patterns I established was to build my spiritual foundation on the rock of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This made it easier for me to succeed academically because other priorities could be placed as building blocks on this foundation, beyond the reach of the devil’s mighty winds, whirlwinds, and storms” (see Helaman 5:12), related Elder Ojediran.
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Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran of the General Authority Seventy speaks during the BYU-Hawaii Campus Devotional held at the Canon Activity Center in Laie, Hawaii, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Photo by Monique Saenz and provided by BYU-Hawaii. All rights reserved.
Elder Ojediran focused on BYU-Hawaii’s beautiful beaches, mountains, and warm climate, and decided to change his own academic life to stay focused on his educational and career goals and not get distracted by the “fun” around him. He advised students to establish priorities and patterns.
Establishing priorities and patterns for mortal survival is just as important as establishing them academically, but spiritual priorities are even more important, “because they have eternal implications.”
The Lord created “all things, both spiritual and temporal” (D&C 29:31). Although academic success and career are “great and desirable,” the benefits are ultimately mostly personal and material.
But combining engagement in God’s work with academic and career success “combines temporal and spiritual endeavors that will have a positive impact on all of God’s children here and ensure eternal joy,” Elder Ojediran said.
He then sent out four invitations using the initials of the school’s name, BYUH.
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From left: Sister Olufunmilayo Omolola Ojediran, Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, BYU-Hawaii President John S. K. Kauwe III and Sister Monica Kauwe pose after a BYU-Hawaii campus devotional at the Cannon Activities Center in Laie, Hawaii, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Photo by Birgun Enkhbaatar, courtesy of BYU-Hawaii. All rights reserved.
B — “Believe that you can do it.”
President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, taught: … It is not enough for any of us to simply do something. … What ultimately matters is what we become because of our efforts” (“The Future,” Oct. 2000 general conference).
Elder Ojediran advised the students to avoid the temptation of just going through the motions. “Challenge yourself to become like the Savior through your labors of love and commitment to following the doctrines of Christ. The Savior Himself will hold your hand and walk with you, drawing on His presence as you continue to abide in Him. I promise you that as you walk with Christ, you will receive the light of Christ, and as you continue to abide in God, the light of Christ will increase in you. I promise you, until it brightens and the day is perfect.”
Y — “Yield to the Temptation of the Spirit”
Elder Ojediran said the Holy Spirit can guide, guide, instruct and be a constant companion as people walk the covenant path.
President Nelson taught, “In the coming days, it will be impossible to live spiritually without the guidance, direction, comfort, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” April 2018 general conference).
Elder Ojediran told the students, “The Holy Ghost will guide our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual dangers as we strive to stay on the path that is the only path that leads to eternal life. He will guide your academics, your careers and every decision that will affect you both temporarily and eternally.”
U — “Understanding the Reason for Covenants”
Covenants point the way back to God and are evidence of a connection between God and Jesus Christ, Elder
Ojediran taught.
“Through our faithfulness to our covenants, we qualify for blessings such as love, strength, power beyond our own power, peace, joy, and happiness needed to survive this life and enjoy eternal life.”
Elder Ojediran taught that covenants establish an eternal relationship with God, “a relationship that began before the world was and will continue in the world to come as long as we are faithful and allow God to triumph in our lives.”
President Nelson taught: God never abandons His relationships with those with whom He has formed such bonds. In fact, all who enter into a covenant with God are entitled to special love and mercy. ”
H — “Keep your Covenants”
Elder Ojediran, who called the audience his “dear friends,” spoke about the importance of honoring the covenants we make with God and Jesus Christ.
“Honoring our covenants brings with it greater blessings of love and mercy. Covenants affect who we are and how God helps us become what we can become. We become His special treasure. Honoring the covenants we make at baptism, priesthood ordination, and endowment and sealing in the temple calls us to perform our duties and qualifies us for the promised blessings, ultimately eternal glory.”
Elder Ojediran concluded by testifying that all things are spiritual and material. “We were brought into mortality to have the experiences necessary for salvation and exaltation. Mortality is a critical period in the plan of salvation and a time when we are united to God and Jesus Christ. It is essential to receiving ordinances and covenants.”
