Week 9

This week I really enjoyed the talk Brigham Young University–Idaho:  A Disciple Preparation Center (DPC) that Elder David A. Bednar gave in August 2004 about BYU-Idaho. He talked about at the time 17 Missionary Training Centers around the world. He noticed 5 things that these missionary training centers had in common:

• The missionary training centers are rather isolated geographically and are few in number

• Missionaries reside and study in the MTC for relatively short periods of time.

• The nature of the instruction in the MTCs is focused and intense.

• There are in the MTCs distinctive requirements for demeanor and dress.

• Most missionary training centers are located near a temple.

He said as he considered these similarities, he was struck by the fact that Brigham Young University–Idaho in Rexburg possesses these same characteristics.     

•  BYU–Idaho is located in a rather isolated geographic area. 

•  By and large, students are enrolled at BYU–Idaho for a relatively short period of time.

•  The learning and teaching processes at BYU–Idaho are focused and intense.

•  There is at BYU–Idaho a distinguishing standard of deportment and dress.

•  And as was announced by the First Presidency last December, BYU–Idaho will soon be adjacent to a temple.

Elder Bednar stated, “Brothers and sisters, it should be obvious to all of us that something spiritually significant is taking place in Rexburg, Idaho. The announcement in June of 2000 that Ricks College would become Brigham Young University–Idaho was much more than the establishing of a new baccalaureate degree granting institution. The addition of new faculty and other employees is not simply about covering classes and meeting staffing needs. The construction on and remodeling of this campus are about so much more than new laboratories and classrooms and study areas.

Let me suggest that in Rexburg, Idaho, we are in the process of creating not a missionary training center (MTC), but a Disciple Preparation Center—a DPC. In this special and sacred and set apart place, you and I have access to unparalleled spiritual resources that can assist us in developing and deepening our devotion as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the primary and most important reason for the existence of Brigham Young University-Idaho and for its sponsorship by and affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

I am on online student this semester, but I plan to be there for the spring semester in April. I hope my experience at BYU-Idaho will help me develop and deepen my devotion to Jesus Christ. I also hope I have a lot of fun and learn lots.

 

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