Enter to Learn, Go Forth to
There are many things about BYU that make our MBA experience special and different from other programs around the country. Take for example the unofficial BYU motto “enter to learn, go forth to serve” that greets everyone as they arrive at the west entrance of campus. The connection between education and lifelong service that encompasses the mission of this university is something that distinguishes it from most others . . . or does it? As it turns out, there are schools from California to Connecticut that espouse the same motto: Delaware State University, Tennessee State University, Keene State College in New Hampshire and Oakland City College in Indiana. Internationally, the list includes the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition in Mumbai, India (does anyone else think that is funny?) and Berean Baptist College in the Philippines.
So if we’re not alone in our espousal of lifelong service we better be sure that we are measuring up to dour competition. But what does “going forth to serve” actually mean? (Suddenly the words of a familiar song begin to fill my mind . . . “Because I have been given much . . .”) Yes, we have been given much. And I mean it; we've been given a lot! Considering the average MBA program costs $40,000 a year in tuition and fees alone (and BYU is clearly above average in by biased opinion), each of us can realize how much we are benefited by the generous tithe payers of the LDS church who significantly subsidize our education. Now comes our part . . . we too must give. Vai Sikahema, former NLF star and distinguished BYU alum, referred to this responsibility as a solemn covenant. Indeed, when we look at how we have and will benefit from others’ generosity by attending this university, we should feel compelled to pay it forward. And I know from my experience that my education at BYU has certainly left me well-equipped to do just that.
Aside from any responsibility we have assumed by attending BYU, committing ourselves to lifelong service also brings forth an increase in our spirituality. Elder Derek A. Cuthbert of the Seventy, offers ten ways lifelong service brings forth greater spirituality:
1. Service helps establish true values and priorities by distinguishing between the worth of material things that pass, and those things of lasting, even eternal, value. Next time you are feeling down or depressed, get over
yourself by finding someone who needs your service.
2. Service helps us establish a righteous tradition. Establish a habit of church and community service. It’s the quickest way to forget the phrase “what’s in it for me?”
3. Service helps us overcome selfishness and sin. Sin is selfish and most often occurs when we’re idle. Being selflessly engaged in service provides a double-whammy against sin.
4. Not only does service overcome selfishness and sin, but it helps to recompense for sin. Service is part of the repentance process and helps “hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). Next time you see me helping an old lady across the street, you’ll know why.
5. Service helps us generate love and appreciation. All you need is love (and appreciation, but that part didn't fit as well in the song).
6. Service is the principal way of showing gratitude to the Savior. Matthew 25:40 and Mosiah 2:17 say it best.
7. Service channels our desires and energies into righteous activity. This goes right along with the phrases “you are what you eat” and “stupid is as stupid does.” Looking back on what I would've done with all of my “desires and energies”, I think this is why the church adopted scouting.
8. Service helps us cleanse ourselves and become purified and sanctified. Having trouble with “Be ye therefore perfect”? Start with service.
9. Charitable service helps us do as the Savior did. Christ set the perfect example for us.
10. Service helps us to get to know the Savior. “How knoweth a man the master whom he has not served?” (Mosiah 5:13.)
Let us not wait to make a commitment to lifelong service. If you don’t start now, what makes you think it will be any easier in the future?
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