10 Years

10 years ago I arrived to work at the President's Office at BYU-Idaho. Someone walked in and told us that there had been 'a tourist attack'. We were all pretty confused. We turned the TV on. I was in the same room as Pres. Bednar (who is now one of the 12 apostles of the LDS church). He quoted Hymn 52, the world is in "commotion from ocean to ocean." Later that day he gave short remarks before the weekly devotional. May we remember to "stand in holy places" and "carry on."

 Bednar's Remarks:

 This morning as I was watching the tragic events unfolding, a scripture came to my mind. The scripture that came to my mind is the second one that will be portrayed on the screen above; but before I read the verse, to place it in a proper context, I need to make reference to another verse. You might want to jot down the reference for these particular verses. They are found in section 45 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

 In verse 26 there is a phrase that simply states: ". . . and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them . . . ."

 That is the context. The key verse, however, is 32. Please listen carefully, brothers and sisters: "But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved . . . ."

 This is a time for us as members of the Church to demonstrate faith in the Savior and unity. It is not a time for fear. This is a time for us as disciples of the Savior to be concerned less with public demonstration and more concerned with personal, private devotion. This is a time for us as disciples of the Savior to carry on, not to halt nor to pause. We have received a number of phone calls today in the President's Office: "Are classes cancelled?" The answer is no. "Will devotional continue as planned?" The answer is yes. On this, of all days, we as disciples of the Savior have the opportunity to gather together and stand in holy places.