PROVO, Utah — Church members can share the gospel only to the extent that they live it, Elder Robert D. Hales told more than 2,700 BYU graduates Aug. 14.

Photo by Stuart Johnson

BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson of the Seventy participates in his first BYU graduation ceremony since taking the BYU helm May 1.

Photo by Stuart Johnson

Members of BYU Living Legends performance group participate in graduation.

Photo by Stuart Johnson

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve receives BYU honorary doctorate of Christian Service.

Offering the keynote address at BYU's summer commencement exercises, Elder Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve said, "As you go forth to serve, you will find that your greatest success and influence won't come solely from the knowledge you've gained. It will come by what you do with that knowledge."

During the ceremony, Elder Hales was given an honorary doctorate for his "sterling work ethic, his life of service, his dedication to BYU and for his devotion to the Lord."

BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson of the Seventy — participating in his first graduation exercises since taking the BYU helm May 1 — also awarded an honorary doctorate to Stanley A. Peterson, former administrator of the Church Educational System, for his service to Church education efforts.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve and chairman of the executive committee of the BYU Board of Trustees, presided at the ceremony, which marked the conferring of bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees on 2,758 graduates from 49 states and 43 countries.

During brief remarks, Elder Scott told the graduates to establish a set of guiding principles in their lives and never compromise them. "Make no exception to them. Difficulty in life begins when small deviations of true standards are made to justify a quick jump to a greater accomplishment. Over time, that pattern brings failure."

Strength, Elder Scott said, comes from making no exceptions to foundation principles.

"Be honest and loyal. Keep your word and keep your commitments …. Admit mistakes when you make them, for we all do. That act builds character and also respect. Accept full responsibility for your actions."

Elder Scott told the students to live so they can be trusted, smile, not complain and serve others. "Immense happiness comes from serving others selflessly. Always have a Church assignment. Always. Don't request specific callings but ask to be used so that you are constantly connected to the reality of eternal truth. That effort will keep your life in balance."

During his address, Elder Hales awarded the graduates an additional degree: "the L.L.B.A. — Living Life by Axioms degree."

The 10 axioms he spoke of were distilled from his own experience in living the gospel and in living life, he said:

• It's not the obstacle that counts, but how you overcome it. "Now it's axiomatic that we will all encounter obstacles in our lives," Elder Hales said. "Temporal obstacles make eternal development possible. So you must decide how to meet those obstacles."

• Pursue your goals with all your heart, might, mind and strength. You are doomed for failure if you pursue them in a vacillating manner. So often, he said, "we are tentative and don't move forward with conviction."

• From a tiny spark can come a great conflagration. "In the course of moving forward, it is natural to generate a few sparks," he said. "Misunderstandings, differences of opinion, and diverse personalities and styles can produce friction. Remember, if we are not careful, little things can easily become big things."

• Our greatest strengths can become our greatest weaknesses, by forgetting that gifts, talents and intellect are given by God, he said.

• Failure is one of the greatest teachers, if we have the faith to learn from it. "We should embrace the opportunity to learn from our mistakes, analyze where we could have done better, and make plans to improve," Elder Hales said.

• It is not how you start the race or where you are during the race. It is how you cross the finish line that matters. "We came with a mission and a purpose, and that is to endure to the end," he said.

• "If you wish to get rich, save what you get," he said, quoting Brigham Young. "A fool can earn money, but it takes a wise man to save and dispose of it to his own advantage."

"It is to our advantage to cultivate genuine happiness in our lives," Elder Hales said.

• You cannot learn the Lord's will without exercising your agency and becoming accountable for your decisions. "Too often we think that with little or no effort on our part, the Holy Ghost will give us answers to our questions."

• The more things change, the more they stay the same, Elder Hales said, quoting a new interpretation of the old French proverb. The Church and the world continue to be a distance apart, he said. "As a member of the Church … you should expect to be different from your peers in the world."

• The temple of God is the greatest university. "The knowledge of the truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the most valuable knowledge you will ever possess."

Concluding, Elder Hales asked the graduates to remain faithful. "If you will be true to the Savior's name and worthy of His eternal blessings — be able to have a temple recommend and be worthy of the sacrament each week — you will always have the light of the Holy Ghost to be with you, to lead you, to guide you and to buoy you up."

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