Learning is not just an in-class activity, but an all-day, everywhere process, President Thomas S. Monson told BYU graduates April 22.

"It is not all formal, rarely neat, and not at all cut and made to order," said President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency. "Maybe that is why it is so challenging.President Monson presided over BYU's 123rd spring commencement ceremonies, held in the BYU Marriott Center. A total of 3,807 April graduates and 1,714 December graduates received degrees.

President Monson was accompanied to the ceremonies by his wife, Frances. Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve and Commissioner of Church Education conducted the ceremonies.

Also in attendance were Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve; Elder Merrill J. Bateman of the Seventy and BYU president; Elder Lance B. Wickman, Elder John M. Madsen, Elder David E. Sorensen, and Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, all of the Seventy; and Relief Society Gen. Pres. Mary Ellen Smoot and Young Women Gen. Pres. Margaret Nadauld.

Roger Rosenblatt, former editor of U.S. News and World Report, and John Marks Templeton, founder of the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion as well as the John Templeton Foundation, gave commencement addresses and received BYU honorary doctoral degrees.

President Monson told the graduates that schooling and education are not the same thing. "Education is a process to which one is subjected throughout life," he said. "Schooling is only part of that process - an important part - but only a part and covering only a fraction of a normal life's span."

He noted that he had received a letter from one of the graduates who expressed appreciation for the opportunity to attend BYU and gain experiences she will cherish for the rest of her life.

"I am confident that the rest of you would echo her sentiments," he said. "The symbol of academic accomplishment, the traditional cap and gown, will soon be placed aside as tomorrow you enter the laboratories of science, the offices of commerce, the halls of justice, the classrooms of teaching."

President Monson told the graduates that they will not only enter a new world, but will also help shape it.

"As you graduates file solemnly from this distinguished institution of learning, may you ever look backward with pride and look forward with hope. Your training, your experience, your knowledge are tools to be skillfully used. They have been self-acquired. Your conscience, your love, your faith are delicate and precious instruments to guide your destiny. They have been God-given."

President Monson said the fundamental objectives of university life will be realized if the graduates, who entered to learn, will go forth to serve - "to serve God and to serve your fellowman, to be an example of one who loves the Lord with all his heart, and his neighbor as himself."

To the more than 5,500 BYU graduates - called "inspired examples in our changing world" - President Monson concluded:

"You will meet sin; shun it.

"You inherit freedom; protect it.

"You have a testimony; share it.

"You know the truth; live it."

Then, said President Monson, "the future indeed will be bright for you."

Elder Eyring focused his graduation remarks on service. "We welcomed you, I hope warmly, when you came in the door to learn, and this is the day we show you the door, with a smile, on your way out, to serve."

Elder Eyring told the graduates that they have gained the power to serve well. "Why should we be confident that you will serve well given the variety of experiences you have had and the rapidly changing world in which you will give your service?

The reason is two-fold. First, there are some constants, across time and culture, in what it takes to give service. And, second, simply by being here you have had the chance to acquire what it takes. Your transcript may not show a course in service, but you took more than one."

Elder Eyring said service takes persistence - such a trait many graduates learned on Church missions. He also noted that students signed and lived by an honor code. "You take with you as you leave a precious heritage of the choice to have integrity."

The graduates, Elder Eyring continued, have also learned what it takes to lead others in service. "A cause of sufficient magnitude will require many hands to help. And you will rise to leadership because you have the chance to learn here how leadership is really conferred."

Finally, Elder Eyring said BYU students know how to choose the service that matters most. "While you have been learning here you have been shown a quiet place to go and a question to ask when those choices are before you. You will find the quiet place in prayer. And the question is, `What does God want?' "

Elder Eyring told the graduates that there is far more that they have learned that will help them serve. "But these three - the integrity necessary to persevere, the habit of being a servant leader, and the vision of which service God would value most - give those of us who send you on your way today confidence that you will go forth to serve and serve well."