Students should let their own unique light shine and reach out to help others, lifting them up and “presenting them wings,” said Janielle Christensen, director of BYU Living Legends.

“Opportunities to serve, to reach out to others, to make a difference in someone’s life are available to all of us if we will seek for them, and have the faith and courage to accept them when they come,” Christensen said. “If we will prepare and live worthy to have the inspiration of our Heavenly Father with us, whatever our culture or heritage might be, He will guide us to be instruments in His hands.”

Christensen encouraged students to appreciate the rich diversity that exists here on campus and reminded students that each one of them comes from a great heritage.

She spoke Tuesday at Devotional to a filled de Jong Concert Hall. President Samuelsen was not present at the program, but Vice President Brad Farnsworth presided in his place.

The group Christensen directs, BYU Living Legends, is a unique group consisting of individuals of various cultures. She told students about the times she watched the group ‘present wings’ to people all over the world.

“Seeing a grand march of angels is often how I feel as I travel with Living Legends,” Christensen said. “These are students who dedicate their time and talents, often at great personal sacrifice, to carry forth the message of The Book of Mormon through the music, dance and legends of their cultures.”

On one trip with the group to a Native American reservation, the principal at the high school asked a woman from the group to speak to the students about immorality. As she spoke, she taught the high school girls the Young Women’s Values.

“I knew that Heavenly Father was giving us an important opportunity to leave a message,” Christensen said.

Living Legends traveled to a village in Alaska to perform and be part of an anti-drug campaign. Christensen said it was an opportunity to reach out with a message of hope and encouragement to the young people feeling the challenges of life in an isolated area.

“A wonderful spirit prevailed during that particular performance with children seemingly drawn to the dancers as they moved closer and closer to the stage,” Christensen said.

In all of these situations, the members of Living Legends presented these people with wings, and students can also do the same for others they meet, she said.

“That you might let your own unique light shine,” Christensen said. “That you might use the spiritual and temporal education you have received here at BYU to reach out and help gather the elect that Heavenly Father even now is preparing to hear your words and see your example, that you will lift them up and truly ‘present them wings’ is my prayer.”



Copyright Brigham Young University 3 Aug 2005