BYU devotional: 'Correctly focused zeal'
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PROVO, UTAH
Individuals must learn to balance the appropriate amount of zeal in all aspects of life, President Cecil O. Samuelson said Tuesday, Sept. 7, during the first campus devotional of the 2010-2011 school year at Brigham Young University. During the devotional, President Samuelson of the Seventy and president of BYU and his wife, Sharon, each spoke, welcoming students and faculty to the new school year.
"We are in favor of correctly focused zeal," President Samuelson said. "We admire courageous leaders and those who are willing to sacrifice or stand for what they know is right."
Drawing from examples in the scriptures, President Samuelson spoke of the need for individuals to use the proper amount of zeal — to avoid being over or under zealous — as they approach all activities in which they are involved.
"The scriptures are replete with references to zeal and the word is often attached to Deity. Without zeal and other associated virtues and courageous leaders and followers of previous days we would not have this nation or this university. The gospel would not have been restored and many other events of extreme importance would not have happened."
Although zeal can be a good thing, President Samuelson spoke of two areas — politics and sports — as examples of when being overzealous could be detrimental.
"In the political arena we are in an election year and emotions are already beginning to be evident with strong opinions and advocacy and criticisms. I encourage you to become informed, to register to vote if you are eligible and have not done so and to vote your educated conscience on election day," he said. "Participate in the process as your time and inclinations allow, but please be considerate of other people's opinions and perspectives."
Just as in the political arena, discussions of sports can cause discord if not handled with the appropriate amount of zeal.
"While most of our students and community are exemplary in their sportsmanship, we as a group of avid boosters can do better and must do better in respecting our opponents and, frankly, ourselves by acting the way representatives of Brigham Young University should act," President Samuelson said. "We applaud your enthusiasm and our student athletes recognize and appreciate your support. However, in both athletics and politics we see far too many examples of overzealous behavior. … I caution and admonish you to help solve the problems and not be the creators or promoters of offensive behavior."
During his address, President Samuelson endorsed a report that will soon be released by the BYU presidential commission on sportsmanship — a group chosen from across the community — that includes suggestions and recommendations.
President Samuelson spoke of every individual's responsibility to respect others — regardless of how inappropriate their behavior may be.
"It doesn't matter what others do, their poor judgments or actions do not justify imitation," he said. "They certainly do not justify acting or behaving in unseemly ways by those who have made commitments that members of this community have."
President Samuelson also spoke of the need for individuals to not judge others.
"We occasionally witness among those that counsel, criticism from those who do not have all the facts or the responsibility to so comment," he said. "Inappropriate observations about the personal choices of others, when differing from their own preferences, unfortunately are not restricted to just politics and athletics. ... [they include]intensely personal decisions such as who to marry and when to have children if married," he said. "Opinions about proper and improper majors or career choices for women and men, and other intrusive verbal or behavioral assaults should never be heard or seen in the BYU community. Happily, they are rare, but when they do happen they are extremely hurtful."
Above all, no one should ever attempt to impose guilt or distress upon another by being overzealous in interpreting the direction and counsel of the living prophets, President Samuelson said. "The Brethren are extremely careful in what they say and mean, and we should follow their example."
As individuals keep their zeal in proper boundaries, they are able to be involved in tremendous opportunities to grow in the gospel and mature in their academic education, President Samuelson said.
"I can promise you that if you will plan your time, discipline your activities and set your priorities properly, you will grow and develop in all spheres of your lives in ways which would not be possible elsewhere," he said. "You need to be intellectually stretched, but also spiritually strengthened."
Sister Sharon Samuelson spoke about the importance of gratitude in all things.
"God asks us to give thanks," she said. "Even when we have little to be thankful for."
She referred to the story found in the New Testament in Luke 17, when the Savior heals the 10 lepers. Of the 10, only one of them returned to thank the Savior.
"We do not know what happened to the other nine," she said. "We do know that their ingratitude was a disappointment to Jesus. I think that sometimes our behavior is similar."
To be grateful is a commandment, she said, and a virtue all must develop.
She also spoke of the responsibility individuals have to recognize and develop their talents, and to avoid comparing themselves to others.
"Find your gifts and talents, acknowledge them, develop them and use them to develop His kingdom," she said. "Gratitude is a commandment ... may we all have a grateful heart, count our blessings and use our talents to bless others."
