SALT LAKE CITY — New graduates from LDS Business College were encouraged Thursday to remember mentors in their lives and to return the favor to others.
Elder Richard J. Maynes of the LDS Church's First Quorum of the Seventy counseled graduates to recall the important contributions made to their lives by positive role models and then strive to become role models for subsequent generations.
"I think it is safe to say that without the support of the positive role models in our lives, few of us would be in a position to ultimately achieve our personal aspirations and goals," he said. "I am sure you have enjoyed the guiding influence and blessings of positive role models in your life.
"You are now at the point in your lives where you should be actively striving to be the positive role model the Lord expects you to be. Through your example, you should be blessing the lives of others as you have been blessed."
He cited, among others, former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and Book of Mormon prophet Nephi as two men who effectively influenced others with their positive examples.
Not surprisingly, the need in society for a greater number of positive role models is trending sharply upward just as their actual numbers steadily decline.
"It is getting more and more difficult to find positive role models in today's culture who honor and respect Christ-centered values," said Elder Maynes, who is also the executive director of the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He concluded his remarks at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square by explaining how the road to becoming a positive role model begins and ends with a rather simple decision.
"You don't choose to be a role model," Elder Maynes said. "You are one. Your choice has to do with the quality of the role model you will be."
LDS Business College President J. Lawrence Richards spoke about the need for graduates to transform the preparation they've received throughout college into the performance their futures will demand of them.
"Your destiny is to use your education as preparation to be on the Lord's errand," Richards said. "That is the grand opportunity beckoning as you stand on the threshold of your tomorrows. … You leave us prepared to begin the process of establishing families, building communities and strengthening the church."
The school awarded 278 two-year degrees and 127 certificates in conjunction with the 123rd commencement ceremony.
Also during Thursday's graduation, businessman Steven T. Woolley, from the class of 1970, received LDS Business College's 2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award.
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