A lifelong learner is in a far more secure position in the workplace than one who is not, Elder Henry B. Eyring told graduates of LDS Business College June 6.

In the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, Elder Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke to the 242 graduates of the 109th Commencement Exercises of the Church-owned college. "My guess is you need to be more worried than you are," he said. "I'm trying to worry you if I can. You've heard a lot about and probably some of your families have been caught in something in this country that's called downsizing. Lots of companies have been changing, and quite a number of people have lost positions."It's easy to think that the downsizing that you've seen today, the turbulence in employment, is simply because of a thing that's happened just for a moment or a sudden change in technology. I don't think so."

Continuing, the apostle who also serves as the Church's commissioner of education, counseled that technology will change so rapidly that "the apparent advantage you have now over those a little bit older will go away very quickly and be given to those who are a little bit younger than you, unless you have the capacity to learn."

Elder Eyring was the main speaker during the commencement exercises of the college, which is located in downtown Salt Lake City. During the warm spring evening, the graduating students received two-year associate of applied science degrees or one-year certificates.

Also attending the graduation were Elder Eyring's wife, Kathleen; and college Pres. Stephen K. Woodhouse, who conducted the meeting, and his wife, Sytske.

During his address, Elder Eyring told those listening that all the lifelong learners he's known have had a common trait - "that is an attitude of being like a child, of thinking that they can be taught and they want to be taught and they can be easily taught like a child."

Elder Eyring suggested four habits a lifelong learner should develop:

- Be a reader. "The main thing is to see yourself as a gatherer of information. You need to be a reader. Whatever form it may take, new information needs to be something you're just eager to get."

- Seek new challenges. "Seek them, don't be afraid of them. In fact, don't even just see if they come at you. Seek them. I'm not suggesting that you need to take every fashionable new challenge and grab at it. But among the challenges of new things, find the ones you think make the most difference and go for them."

- Forget what is no longer true. "There is absolute truth, and there are things that are true for the moment. And much of what you will live and work in will be truth that is truth for awhile and then conditions change, and you need to be willing to let those things go."

- Produce more than you can consume. Elder Eyring related how his father, Henry Eyring, a former well-known chemist and professor at the University of Utah, once told his son: "Hal

Elder EyringT, I want to be worth so much in terms of what I produce and how little I take from this university that if they only can afford one chemist, I'm the chemist they'll afford."

Continuing, Elder Eyring added: "You need to be somebody who is not trying to say, `How little can I give?' but, `How much can I give.' "

In referring to his suggestions, Elder Eyring said: "Let me encourage you this way. You will have the help of heaven. There is a Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost teaches all truth, and even in secular things, if your heart is right."

In brief remarks to the graduates, Pres. Woodhouse said: "The uniqueness of this institution is in the testimonies of the faculty and staff. With the help of righteous faculty, many of you have found your own testimonies and some of you have been baptized as members of the Church."

In speaking about the size of the college, the president added: "We do not subscribe to that advertising slogan that bigger is better. Our conviction is that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."

Honored during the evening was Elder Albert Choules Jr., who served as a member of the Seventy from 1988 to 1994. A 1949 accounting graduate of the college, Elder Choules received the 1996 Distinguished Alumnus Award. He received a bachelor's degree from BYU in 1951 and a master's degree from Harvard in 1953. After graduation from Harvard, Elder Choules worked as a financial analyst for Union Oil Company in Los Angeles, Calif. From 1971 to 1976, he worked in jointly owned companies: Western Savings, as senior vice president; and Romney International Hotels, as president. In 1976, he and four business associates bought the hotel chain.

Elder Choules is currently vice president of Coltrin & Associates, a New York public relations agency.

Performing music during the evening was the Mormon Youth Chorus, with Paul B. Larson directing and Linda Margetts accompanying at the organ.