BYU NewsNet - Elder Scott Speaks on Establishing Foundations

Students should establish a secure foundation for life through principles found in the scriptures and by trying to understand the Atonement, said Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at Tuesday's devotional.

Trying to reach each student on an individual level through the Holy Spirit, Elder Scott started his talk with basic principles from Alma 7:23 to help in each stage of one's life.

"In that single verse, Alma gives an extremely effective formula for success and happiness in life," Elder Scott said. The steps in the formula were:

* Ye should be humble."

* Be submissive and gentle. "Harshness in interpersonal relationships isolates one from precious friendships,"

* Be easy to be entreated. By having this quality, he said students will be amazed at how they can overcome and avoid challenges in their lives.

* Full of patience and long-suffering. Elder Scott acknowledged that this is not always easy when one has been wronged, but said one would qualify for inspiration and guidance to a solution when practiced.

* Be temperate in all things.

* Be diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times. "You can't be diligent once," Elder Scott said. "One who keeps the commandments only when convenient will not receive the strength and inspiration needed in time of difficulty."

* Ask for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal.

* Always return thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

The second half of Elder Scott's talk-- and what he deemed as his most important-- counsel to learn about the Atonement. He recognized that even though full comprehension of the Atonement is beyond the grasps of mortal beings, it is still essential one does all they can to know about it.

"The Atonement is that essential ingredient of our Father in Heaven's plan of happiness," Elder Scott said, "without which that plan would have no significant meaning."

Elder Scott then challenged students to "establish a personal plan to better understand and appreciate the incomparable, eternal, infinite consequences of the perfect fulfillment by Jesus Christ." He testified as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ that one's understanding of the Atonement will enhance the knowledge and skills learned at this university.