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Elder Baxter Charges Students to be the Hope of Israel

"You are, in every respect, the Hope of Israel," was Elder David S. Baxter's message to young adults at Brigham Young University–Hawaii's initial summer term devotional this past Tuesday, June 9. While en-route to establish the first Latter-day Saint Stake in the Marshall Islands, Elder Baxter of First Quorum of the Seventy and President of the Pacific Area took time to charge BYU–Hawaii students with the responsibility of the future of families, of nations, and of the church. '…We should be in no doubt that we do live in an age when a battle is raging,' remarked Elder Baxter. 'There is a war between truth and falsehood, right and wrong, good and evil. As today's rising generation the call comes to you, as it has to those who have gone before, "Hope of Israel, rise in might!" ' Elder Tad Callister, Second Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency, also accompanied Elder Baxter to the Marshall Islands.

The Future of Families
Baxter reminded students of the great importance of families as he said, "To you comes the sacred, wonderful, noble privilege of establishing homes of your own." As a solution to much of the world's problems, Baxter encouraged homes filled with peace, love, learning, self-worth, growth, and wholesome entertainment as opposed to many that are filled with abuse, ridicule, and neglect. "There can be no greater ambition," said Baxter, "no loftier goal, no more righteous endeavor, no worthier aim, no more fulfilling pursuit, than to create families that are, in every respect, eternal; homes that are but a reflection of Heaven." Echoing the words of prophets, Baxter supports a counter attack on Satan's efforts: "Young adults, if you want to fix the world, fix families. If you want to save the planet, save our homes."

The Future of Nations
Supporting the prophecies of David O. McKay and the mission of BYU–Hawaii, Baxter explained, "We have every confidence that the world will be a better place because you are in it. You will make a contribution; you will find ways to serve; you will lift the condition of those around you; you will rise up to the very best that is in you." Expressing his faith in young adults and their ability to create, to give, and to bless the world around them, Baxter also reminded students of Elder M. Russell Ballard's counsel to "influence more than we are influenced" and to "lead exemplary lives."

The Future of the Church
Baxter recounted the remarkable growth that the Church has undergone in the twenty-five years since his beginnings as an undergraduate in Great Britain but marvelled even more at the changes that are to come. "There is much of the world we have still to reach, vast populations yet to hear the message of the restored gospel. From a Church perspective the years that lie ahead of you will be the most exciting, most far-reaching, most exhilarating of any age in the history of the world," said Baxter. "Our global Church belongs to all nations and to none. …It will not be hemmed into artificial borders. We continue to work for the day when there will be no geographic, political, or cultural barriers to the spread of the gospel. …You must rise to the challenge that all of this will bring."

With this responsibility of the future of the Church, Baxter issued the call to students to "know the doctrines of the gospel for yourself," "obey the commandments of the gospel," "rise up and defend the faith," and to "follow the Master." To prepare, members of the rising generation must strengthen the fire of the spirit with their soul, equip themselves with virtue, withstand persecution, and transform their membership in the Church into a discipleship of Christ.

Baxter recounted the struggles of early church members: "In the face of ridicule, bigotry, prejudice, false charges, rejection, and persecution, these early members, the faithful few, the humble followers of Christ, had to stand tall and true. They had to withstand the cries of the crowd – and so must you. …So, stand up, rise up, make your voice heard, bear your witness, be courageous, let the light of the gospel shine from you, defend the faith."

"You are, in every respect, the Hope of Israel," said Baxter, "the hope for families, the hope for the nations from which you come, the hope for the future of the Church. Of course, the real Hope of Israel is found in the life, teachings, and atoning mission of Jesus Christ. As you embrace the doctrines of the gospel, live in obedience to the commandments, defend the faith, and follow the Savior, living the life of discipleship, so you will find peace, purpose, and direction. The Lord will perform miracles with you and through you. As you honor Him, He will honor you all the days of your lives."

–Photo by Monique Saenz

Click here to see a copy of Elder David S. Baxter's talk