I dont know if I will ever do this again, but I actually attended every session of instruction this week. The only thing I missed was Elder Scotts talk on Tuesday. I will watch or read it as soon as its available.
This was a long week for my "natural man." He was pretty beat on Friday night. I decided to cut him some slack and get some rest. The experience was very different for my spiritual self. For him, this week was uplifting and exhilarating.
Friday was a beautiful conclusion to a powerful week. The instructors seemed to save the most powerful and life-changing truths for the final day. The previous classes were preparing us for the final spiritual boost. Despite a fire alarm in the Wilkinson Center during his second-hour class, we learned a lot with Brother Millet again on Friday. The overall message from Pauls epistle to the Romans seems to be, Lighten up, do your best, and let God save you.
From his second class, the message seemed to be, Shift your focus from your to-do list to being like Jesus. He will rewrite your to-do list and help you get it done. This theme of simplifying our spiritual lives and relying more on God were central to messages later in the day by McConkie, Christensen, Bott, and Wilcox. Petersons class on Islam was a nice change of pace in the middle of the day. His take on the influence of Islam on history taking place before our eyes was fascinating.
I was deeply moved in Rand Packers class ("Building a Zion City") as he discussed the type of people we must become to be citizens of Gods Kingdom. To emphasize the spirit of Zion, he showed a brief film with representatives of the Church providing food and wheelchairs to the poor in countries around the world. The Tabernacle Choir sang "Our Saviors Love" in the background as men, women and children were shown crawling at first and then being placed in new wheelchairs. It was obvious that they recognized that this gift would change their lives. Children laughed, men shouted for joy and women wept as they kissed the hands of those who brought them their new-found freedom. I couldnt contain the emotion within me as I witnessed their joy. Then I looked around and realized that the Varsity Theater was filled with grown men and women weeping openly at the sight. What a powerful spiritual experience.
Later that morning, I discovered the only instructor this week whose speaking left my note-taking in the dust. Alonzo Gaskill was great. He shared such valuable information so very quickly. From the moment he began until he ended, it was non-stop knowledge at the speed of sound. That is, until the last five minutes of his presentation on the Atonement. As he discussed the Saviors final hours, including His suffering in Gethsemane, His rejection by His people, His scourging at the hands of Roman soldiers and His agony on the cross, Brother Gaskill was overcome with emotion. There are some acts of service so powerful that that one cannot dwell on them long without an overwhelming sense of gratitude. That is obviously true of the greatest sacrifice ever given. Brother Gaskill apologized for his lack of composure. As far as Im concerned, no apology required. Id worry about him more if he could keep his composure under the circumstances.
There was no drop off of spiritual moments as the day went on. As I walked to my car and drove home Friday night, I realized that I had changed somehow. I dont anticipate being translated any time soon, but I just feel happy. I am writing this on Sunday and still cant stop smiling. I want to thank you all for taking the time to read my perspective on this years BYU Education Week. I hope to see you there next year.
(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.)