Elder Huntsman tells Y. students to focus on integrity, hard work

PROVO — "God did not put us here to fail," Elder Jon M. Huntsman Sr., a prominent businessman and philanthropist, told BYU students during the university's weekly devotional Tuesday in the Marriott Center.

"I would say to you, have faith in yourself, believe in what you are doing and, most importantly, be a person of integrity," said Elder Huntsman, an Area Seventy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "It is totally up to you and no one else how your life evolves."

Elder Huntsman spoke of the personal responsibility each individual has in shaping his or her own future and the importance of goal setting and hard work.

"What we become, who we are and the footprint we will leave in life is based entirely on our own determination, hard work, education and sacrifice," he said. "Our Heavenly Father expects the best from each of us. We must believe in ourselves."

Elder Huntsman told the students to work hard and show integrity in all aspects of their life, regardless of prosperous or hard times.

"Don't give in when the going gets rough," he said. "You are laying the foundation of a great work, and that great work is your life. Never cut corners, demean other people or waste time 'hanging out.' Decide who you are and what your goals entail, then go for the roses. Life has little regard for those who waste time."

Drawing from a Book of Mormon scripture (2 Nephi 2:25) in which Lehi tells his son, Jacob, that "men are that they might have joy," Elder Huntsman spoke of the importance of following one's own dream, no matter the obstacles or difficulty of the task.

Remembering his college years, Elder Huntsman spoke of when he realized he needed to study hard to reach his dreams.

"Making dreams become reality requires great sacrifice and determination," he said. "Most people are content to just coast along. Many really don't like to apply their talents and abilities or to put in long hours of work. But to achieve any dream and to make something truly remarkable happen in our lives, we must face adversity head on, and we must overcome all of the obstacles in our pathway."

The world today is filled with significant obstacles everywhere, Elder Huntsman said. Attempted suicide, pornography, drug abuse, eating disorders, sexual identity and addictions of various forms and disguises plague society, making some feel as though they cannot fulfill their dreams, he said.

But these are only momentary setbacks, Elder Huntsman said. There is a road to recovery that many can travel and have done so through the atonement of Jesus Christ, he said.