WEDNESDAY AUG. 22 — Let me start by saying that last year was my first Education Week in over a decade and I forgot how demanding it could be. I spent the week last year hiking from one end of campus to the other listening to people I had never heard of. I found a few good presentations along with a few that were not what I expected. At the end of each day, my feet hurt, I was hungry and feeling like I had missed out on better presentations.
That is why this year I decided to keep it simple. I spent the entire day Tuesday, with one exception, in the Wilkinson Student Center (WSC) listening to presentations by Millet, Scoresby, Peterson, McConkie, Christensen, and Bott. I spent the last hour with some guy named Wilcox and his son talking about missionary work in the Harold B. Lee Library. I actually missed most of Elder Scotts talk so that I could eat and rest for an hour. You know Ill be tuning in to KBYU later to hear him speak from the comfort of my own home.
Brother Millet is a treasure. I feel rewarded every time I listen to the guy. If hes at Education Week, do yourself a favor and be there. Nobody knows the Middle East and Islam like Brother Peterson, at least no one who speaks English. He talks so fast and I love it because I write faster. Bring it on!
Brother Scoresby got pretty deep speaking of how to improve and how to receive what God is giving. I like deep and I like Scoresby. I will say that he was a little hard to follow at times, but I think he is still serving as a stake president these days. So, Im going to cut him some slack. Brother Christensen was hilarious at times, but when he got down to business, the doctrine from the Book of Moses was fascinating.
Randy Bott was a bit punchy from getting little sleep with his wife in the hospital (kidney stones, that hurts!), but his energy level was great and he pulled no punches when it came to the details of the Resurrection. Brother Wilcox and his boy were a pleasure to listen to. My oldest will be on a mission a year from now. I talked to him about that last hour as soon as I got home.
My advice to everyone is to let the Education Week novices get a tour of the entire campus to listen to the unknown presenters. I assure you that they will find a future star in their travels, but at what price? If the new presenters in the Conference Center, the Joseph Smith Building (JSB) or the Martin Building (MARB) are really that good, they will be presenting in the WSC Ballroom for years to come.
This is like waiting for a good movie on DVD. Save yourselves physically and emotionally. Buy their books instead if you like. But for Education Week, stick with those who have proven themselves for years unless the title is just so fascinating you just cant resist, or you have heard a reliable rumor that the new person is really good, or the Spirit whispers clearly, Go.
Side note: Whereas the population of Utah is the youngest in the nation, the same cannot be said for the population of Education Week. I am amazed at the commitment, sacrifice and sheer tenacity of our seasoned saints to learn just a little more before they cross over the threshold to the next stage of existence. A few of them seem to be only days away from that transition. A couple of times, as I watched them leave the Wilkinson Center to walk to parts of campus unknown, I felt like calling out to them, Dont do it! Its not worth it. Stay here with me where it's safe. But then I realized that these people have their priorities in order. If they live to tell the tale, they will have beautiful truths to dwell on while they recover from more walking in a week than they will do during the following year. If the overexertion sends them to the other side unexpectedly, just think of the education they will receive there. Im sure there are a few people on the other side who can answer the questions they didnt get a chance to ask Brother Millet or Brother McConkie. Today I'm just going to cheer them on and smile as I watch them go.
It is now late in the evening as I write this. My feet feel as good as they did this morning, I have eaten well and every presentation was beyond my expectations. I am in Education Week heaven with three more days to go. I look forward to writing to you again tomorrow. Enjoy the experience.
(John Brailsford is a marriage and family therapist working at the American Fork office of LDS Family Services and a public speaker starting his own seminar company. He is originally from North Las Vegas, Nev., and is now a resident of Highland, Utah. He and his wife are parents of four children, ages 7 to 18.)