Business grads told to keep striving

After many months of classroom study, new graduates of the LDS Business College on Thursday received some advice to help them through the rest of their lives.

The college's president, Stephen K. Woodhouse, and Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve spelled out more than a few bits of guidance for the graduates during the 118th commencement exercises of the college, which is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Woodhouse encouraged them to "discover what you should change about yourself and what you should keep the same." Specifically, he advocated that they "love to learn," keep high standards and "make a contribution."

"Tomorrow, when you wake up there will be no homework. No tests. No portfolios. No projects. You'll be free to live the life you longed for during those late-night cram sessions or on Saturdays spent doing assignments. You'll have time to relax, to sleep in, to recreate, to eat better — but don't get too complacent. If you revert to the habits you had before coming to the college, you may undo much of the good your education has brought," Woodhouse told the crowd gathered at Assembly Hall on Temple Square.

As for learning, Woodhouse said the college has "prepared you for the next phase of life, but you need to know, and you will want to know, a great deal more."

He listed the many ways students had helped others — collecting clothing for orphans in Russia, tying quilts for homeless families, assembling medications for health centers throughout the world, and more. "This is commendable, but it is only a start," he said. "You must magnify that contribution."

Elder Wirthlin spoke about "five keys" to help the graduating students: Don't be afraid, have faith, work, do what is right and persevere to the end.

"Fear can be a thick fog that smothers our dreams. It can be a cage that restrains us from reaching our destiny. It can be a weight that restrains our every step," he said. "There are some who give up on the great goals of their lives because of fear. They don't apply for the perfect job, they don't put in the necessary effort to really become successful with their families, church assignments, or in their daily work."

But faith can help a person overcome fear, Elder Wirthlin said. And work can make them happy.

"It's surprising how much you can accomplish if you simply set goals, write down the things you must do to get you closer to achieving them, and then work at them a little at a time," he said. "If you consistently work towards righteous ends, the Lord will bless you as you work, and you will find satisfaction, joy and a sense of confidence and accomplishment."