BYU-Hawaii Devotional Address by President Alton L. Wade on Jan. 7, 1996

"BYU-Hawaii: An Institution of Prophetic Destiny"

"From the date of its dedication in 1955 to the present, BYU-Hawaii has been on a path of prophetic destiny to make a significant impact in building the Kingdom of God and in preparing for the second coming of His son, Jesus Christ. The institution and those who have worked and studied here over the past 37 years have experienced the agony and ecstasy of the refinement process.  We here today are standing on the shoulders of giants who, through their dedication and sacrifice, have made it possible for this university to be the wonderful and unique institution it is today.

Significant bench marks and plateaus can be identified in the history of BYU-Hawaii, an example of which was moving from a two year to a four year institution.  Especially significant was the changing of the name in 1974 from The Church College of Hawaii to Brigham Young University-Hawaii Campus.  The benefits of being identified and directly associated with the prestigious Provo campus continue today to provide us with tremendous advantages and blessings.  We are extremely proud to carry the name of Brigham Young University and we are constantly mindful and always challenged by the responsibility we have to uphold the impressive reputation which has been in the making in Provo since 1875.

However, inasmuch as BYU is one institution with two very distinct campuses, it is appropriate to recognize that BYU-Hawaii is not BYU Provo, nor does it aspire to be.  Even though we have the same purpose, that of assisting individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life and the education of the whole man and woman, BYU-Hawaii has its own special and unique role to play in the building of the Kingdom.  From my perspective, a time frame which goes back to 1963, BYU-Hawaii has never been more eminently positioned nor prepared to fulfill that role than it is now.

I believe that BYU-Hawaii was established in 1955 by a prophet of God in anticipation of and in preparation for the internationalization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I was in Korea on the mid-1970’s when the first Church stake was established and Rhee Ho Nam was called as the first stake president in that country. In 1971 there were 5,165 members, no stakes, and one mission.  In 1991, in Korea, there were 62,000 members, 14 stakes and four missions.  I was in the Philippines in the early 70’s when there were 9,700 members, no stakes and one mission.  At the end of 1991 there were 266,000 members, 44 stakes and 12 missions.  I was working in Chile and Brazil in the 70’s when the Church was struggling for identity.  These two countries combined had 55,000 members, four stakes and three missions.  Today there are 315,000 members, 51 stakes and six missions in Chile, and 400,000 members, 54 stakes and 15 missions in Brazil.  I these four countries the combined membership has grown from 70,400 to 1,043,000; from four stakes to 173 stakes; and from five missions to 37 missions in just twenty years.

What has happened politically in Europe over the past two years and what is taking place in Russia and Africa today are further evidence of what Elder Neal A. Maxwell meant when he said, “God will hasten his work.  He will shorten the last days for the elect’s sakes; hence, there will be a compression of events.” (Ensign May ’92, p. 39)

I am deeply moved when I read such prophetic statements about BYU-Hawaii.  In 1956, Elder Marion G. Romney said, “In the name of Israel’s God, I prophesy that the time will come when from among those educated here on this campus will be prophets, seers, and revelators.”(Law 67)  These are thought-provoking prophecies.  However, none of these statements humble me more than two quotes taken from President David O. McKay’s 1955 groundbreaking address.  One we have heard many times:

You mark my word, from this school, I tell you, will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally. (Law 67)

It is, however, his next statement which amazes me most of all:

We dedicate our actions in this service unto thee and unto thy glory and to the salvation of the children of men that this college and the temple and the town of Laie may become a missionary factor, influencing not thousands, not tens of thousands, but millions of people who will come seeking to know what this town and its significance are. (Law 69)

To understand its significance it is important to study this prophecy in its time frame of 1955.  First, the Church could hardly be referred to as an international entity in 1955.  In 1955 there were only 4,046 L.D.S. in all of South and Central America.  There were 37,000 in Europe and, can you imagine, there were just 1,392 members in all of Asia!

Second, while Hawaii was beginning to be recognized as an attractive tourist destination, only 109,798 tourists came to Hawaii in 1955, most of them from the mainland U.S.  That’s hardly enough to support the prophecy (that millions of people would come to Laie) or to suggest that there might be some dramatic changes in the near future.  Cont'd next page