A Prophetically Directed University | Ronald A. Rasband | August 2024
Aug 29, 2024
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Ronald A. Rasband, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shares insights on the unique mission of Brigham Young University as a Christ-centered institution. He highlights the importance of prophetic guidance in higher education, emphasizing how it serves as a strategic asset for the university. Key initiatives like the UNIV 101 course aim to enhance student success and foster spiritual growth, showcasing how prophetic governance can transform the university experience.
The introduction of UNIV 101 at BYU aims to improve student success by fostering a sense of belonging and holistic care for at-risk students.
Prophetic guidance from Church leadership empowers BYU to uphold its unique academic and spiritual missions, ensuring alignment with its covenant discipleship values.
Deep dives
Innovative Student Success Initiatives
The introduction of UNIV 101 at BYU represents a significant innovation aimed at enhancing student success across the university. This course is designed to instill a deeper understanding of BYU's mission among students while providing resources that facilitate academic persistence and a sense of belonging. By integrating first-year mentors and forming the Academic Student Success Council, BYU is actively addressing the needs of at-risk students, which emphasizes the institution's pastoral duty to care for its learners holistically. This approach not only cultivates academic achievement but also aligns with the university’s commitment to spiritual strengthening through education.
The Role of Prophetic Governance
BYU's governance structure, guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offers a unique advantage that shapes its academic and spiritual missions. The First Presidency, which includes President Russell M. Nelson as chairman, provides prophetic direction that aligns the university's operations with divine guidance. This relationship reinforces the call for the institution to maintain its distinctiveness and resist external pressures that may compromise its values. As such, the prophetic leadership encourages the university community to elevate its mission, ensuring that educational efforts remain centered on becoming a place of covenant discipleship.
Amplifying Prophetic Teachings
The teachings of President Russell M. Nelson are highlighted as a source of guidance and inspiration for BYU students and faculty alike. His messages encourage individuals to stay on the covenant path and strive for spiritual maturity, emphasizing the importance of identity rooted in being a child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ. This emphasis on covenant discipleship urges the university community to reflect on how they can amplify these teachings in their daily lives and interactions with students. By fostering an environment where these principles are shared and practiced, BYU can continue nurturing individuals who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world while remaining true to their faith.
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The Mission of a Prophetically Directed University
Prophetic guidance, properly understood, is a strategic asset that will allow BYU to do things unique in all of higher education. Ronald A. Rasband, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered this university conference address on August 26, 2024. You can access the talk here.