Brigham Young University graduates should put the kingdom of God first and remember that neither their self-esteem nor their standing before God will hinge on being at the top of the corporate pyramid, said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Seventy.

Elder Holland gave the commencement address to graduates at BYU's spring commencement exercises April 25. President of BYU from 1980 to 1989, Elder Holland was also presented an honorary doctor of humane letters degree for his accomplishments as an inspired leader in education."As you stand on the threshold of your bright and beautiful future," Elder Holland told the graduates, "may heaven strip from you this very hour, this very instant, any budding taste you may be acquiring for unseemly wealth or authoritarian power or worldly acclaim.

"I pray you will always have money sufficient for your needs and I pray you will exert a righteous influence wherever life's journey takes you, but I ask you not to be lured by the siren song of avarice and greed, or the quest for dominion over your fellow men and women."

President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, conducted the 116th annual commencement exercises and delivered the concluding remarks. (See separate story beginning on page 3.)

Other General Authorities in attendance were Elders Boyd K. Packer and Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve; Elder Marion D. Hanks of the Presidency of the Seventy; Elders John K. Carmack, John H. Groberg, Alexander B. Morrison and Clinton L. Cutler of the Seventy; and Bishop Glenn L. Pace, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. Emeritus General Authorities, Elders Victor L. Brown and Royden G. Derrick, also attended.

Elder Brown was one of three persons receiving presidential citations for civic, professional and religious accomplishments. The other two were Charles E. (Chuck) and Harriet R. Peterson of Provo, Utah.

Speaking to more than 3,000 graduates, Elder Holland shared some counsel "from old friends in England," where he is serving as president of the United Kingdom/Ireland Area.

Calling them voices from the grave, he referred to the words of such noted scholars as Thomas Wolsey, William Shakespeare and Rudyard Kipling.

"Cherish the exhilaration of giving something of self not only within the Church but anywhere you see a need and are able to help," he said. "And while exerting this modest but honorable influence, remember that other corollary caution that comes from old friend Wolsey: Be honest in every way and enjoy the peace that only a clear conscience can bring you.

"Don't advance yourself through compromise. Don't feather your nest with what you've plucked dishonorably from another. Remember that in the end, surely God will be looking only for clean hands, not for full ones.

"This should be one of the greatest days of your life. But take time to remember again what so many have sacrificed and done for you in order that you could be here today. Remember with what modesty you should grasp your lofty new opportunities, standing as you do on the shoulders of so many others who put you there."

Life can occasionally be difficult, Elder Holland remarked, but "above all else I say today, I ask you to remember this. In the gospel of Jesus Christ such troubled times pass. They are never permanent. Darkness always yields to light. The sun always rises, and so do our hopes and dreams."

In his remarks to graduates, BYU President Rex E. Lee said, "Tonight's ceremony does mark more of a beginning than an ending. Definitely it is not the conclusion of your educational careers. Education is a lifelong process. What you and we have engaged in these past few years is only one phase of that process, and if you and we have done it right, it will continue through the rest of your lives, both this one and the next."

Student speaker at the ceremony was Maren Clegg, an English major from Orem, Utah. The University Singers, under the direction of Ronald J. Staheli, provided music for the exercises.