Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Seventy taught BYU–Hawaii students, faculty and staff to “Be Not Afraid, Only Believe” at the weekly campus Devotional on Tuesday, September 24. Elder Gong presented his message of encouragement as advice on making some of life’s biggest decisions.
Elder Gong, who currently serves as the President of the Asia Area, began his talk by presenting a brief autobiography to give perspective for those in attendance. He recounted a time in his life when we was scared and unsure and what was done to overcome an obstacle. He expressed concern for the individual hardships and challenges that students were facing, and his sympathetic understanding was coupled with a message of hope: “There are many ways and many reasons we feel uncertainty, doubt, or fear, or are lonely or afraid. But each is an opportunity to grow: fear and faith do not exist at the same time, just as light and darkness do not. Believe our Lord Jesus Christ: Be not afraid, only believe.”
Elder Gong then addressed important life questions. “We make three great life decisions – faith, spouse, and education and career,” he said. “Each life decision offers opportunity to set a course early where we can choose to be not afraid, only believe.” He explained that it is with the aid of the atonement that we are able to hold on to the good and let go of the bad.
Elder Gong emphasized that we are individuals who are free to make decisions and act. We need to seek to understand a situation, seek divine counsel, and then make a decision
“Life is too short to choose an educational or career path simply because they may seem prestigious or pay well. Supporting a family is of course important, but we become what we think and do. Guided by good sense, discussion, and your patriarchal blessing, choose education and a career that you enjoy, that draw on all your faith and talents, and that allow you to contribute in unique ways you may barely imagine now.” Then he continued, “The world needs men and women of integrity, character, experience, and skill in every field – most importantly in our homes, neighborhoods, communities, and countries. So, dream a little, let the Spirit inspire you, then work really hard and really smart.”
Elder Gong ended his talk with the admonition to not forget the Savior. “Please remember our Savior. He is always here with us, inviting gently, powerfully, lovingly, be not afraid, only believe.”
University Devotionals are held each Tuesday at 11 AM in the Cannon Activities Center. Previous Devotionals can be viewed at devotional.byuh.edu.