Good character something you make
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The greatest assurance to finding success and satisfaction in the decisions you make is to develop who you are — your character, Elder L. Tom Perry told graduates of LDS Business College on April 10.
"A good character is something you must make for yourself. It cannot be inherited from parents. It cannot be created by having extraordinary advantages. It isn't a gift of birth, wealth, talent or station. It is the result of one's good endeavor. It is the reward that comes from living good principles and manifesting a virtuous and honorable life."
In the historic Assembly Hall on Temple Square, Elder Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve addressed graduates from the Church-owned business school in downtown Salt Lake City. This spring's graduating class was the last in which a majority of graduates knew both the new campus on 300 West and the old campus in the Wall Mansion on South Temple.
In his remarks on a sunny spring day, Elder Perry said, paraphrasing from "The New Dictionary of Thought," that a man's character is, in reality, himself. "His reputation is the opinion others have formed of him. Character is in him. Reputation is from other people. Character is the substance. Reputation is the shadow."
As an example, Elder Perry shared the account of the settling of what is now San Juan County in southeast Utah. The apostle related how, under the leadership of Silas S. Smith, the pioneers split into three groups to cut a trail down 2,000 feet to the Colorado River and then build a ferry. They were successful and established Bluff City on April 6, 1880.
"As with the pioneers, we have many decisions in life," Elder Perry said. "I like the way they tried to solve their challenges. First, they sat down and counseled together. They considered their options. One road was the easy way. It was longer, but it was on level ground. However, it was fraught with dangers.... They would take the difficult road.... The hard way was really the only way.
"Life is full of such decisions. Most of the time the easy way is not the right way."
In closing, Elder Perry declared, "God bless you as you leave this phase of your life, better prepared to take on the next challenge that is before you."
In his remarks, LDS Business College President Stephen K. Woodhouse referred to the move in 2006 from the mansion to the new site for the college. "As a group, you are the last of our new-campus pioneers.... Keep learning, fill your souls with light, and be obedient. If you do, God will lift you to new heights."
During graduation ceremonies, Allen J. Muhelstein, retired president of Bear River Mutual Insurance and director of Utah operations for Germantown Mutual, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the highest award given by the college.
E-mail to: julied@desnews.com
