KEY POINTS
  • Elder Stevenson called on BYU students to be living representations of the gospel.
  • He asked them to carry four metaphorical banners — peacemaker, understanding, the Restoration and engagement.
  • Elder Stevenson endorsed a commitment to civic service by BYU graduates.

A Latter-day Saint apostle told BYU students Tuesday that church leaders see them as literal banners to the world and asked them to take up and bear four metaphorical flags as they prepare for life after graduation.

“As disciples of Christ, we are his ensign,” Elder Gary E. Stevenson of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at a campus devotional. “We develop and display his attributes to honor, respect and glorify him. We can wave a variety of flags demonstrating Christlike behavior.”

Elder Stevenson spoke at BYU a day after he represented the church at the inauguration ceremonies for President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. He and Elder Gerrit W. Gong attended inauguration meetings and events under the direction of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Moving around the stage on the floor of the Marriott Center on Tuesday morning, he asked students to wave four flags that he said could enhance their discipleship.

“Consider each of them as a call to action,” he told the 10,202 who attended the devotional.

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve also spoke at a devotional Tuesday, at Ensign College in Salt Lake City. (See below.)

1. The banner of a peacemaker

“To us, you feel like a literal ensign of nations, of disciples of Jesus Christ, representing him and the Church of Jesus Christ,” Elder Stevenson said. “So, go forth, proudly carrying his banner — the gospel of Jesus Christ — which banner includes that of a peacemaker, and the banner of understanding, the banner of the restoration and the banner of engagement.”

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Elder Stevenson quoted church President Russell M. Nelson’s landmark 2023 general conference talk, “Peacemakers Needed.”

“The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade and inspire — no matter how difficult the situation,” President Nelson said. “True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers.”

Peacemakers make a difference, Elder Stevenson added. He shared the example of Tami Pyfer, who co-founded The Dignity Index, which measures whether language or behavior treats others with dignity or contempt on a scale of 1-8.

Elder Stevenson said the index has inspired some politicians to lower the temperature of their speech.

“Carry the flag of a peacemaker. Be a peacemaker,” he said.

2. The ensign of understanding

Elder Stevenson earned a business degree at Utah State University and recalled that the library on that state school’s campus includes an engraving from Proverbs: “And with all thy getting get understanding.”

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at a BYU devotional on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at a BYU devotional at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Ellie Alder/BYU

He told students that as they get an education, they should also practice perfecting “traits of understanding in the way we communicate.”

He prescribed active, reflective listening.

“Listen, pause before replying and repeat back what you’ve heard to ensure comprehension and understanding,” he said.

3. The flag of the Restoration

Elder Stevenson said students should practice introducing the unique message that the Church of Jesus Christ is Christ’s ancient church restored to earth.

BYU students enjoy a BYU devotional given by Elder Gary E. Stevenson on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
BYU students enjoy a BYU devotional given by Elder Gary E. Stevenson at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Ellie Alder/BYU

He asked them to do so naturally, by using the language and communication tools common in their generation, like heart emojis and shares. He said representing the restoration includes being positive with those they encounter online. They do not need to write sermons or correct someone’s incorrect perceptions. They can love, share and invite.

“When it comes to missionary work, God doesn’t need you to be his sheriff; he does, however, ask that you be his sharer,” Elder Stevenson said. “By sharing our positive experiences in the gospel with others, we wave the ensign of the Restoration.”

4. The flag of engagement

Finally, he called on students to engage actively in good causes.

“As you embark on the next chapter of your life, please strive to make a meaningful contribution as you engage in new countries, communities, neighborhoods and wards, wherever you may be. This can be done in simple and small ways as you keep the second great commandment to love your neighbor, and also, in more formal civic charity and engagement.”

He shared the story of Tanner Ward, a BYU graduate who, while in medical school in Louisiana, saw a need for ministering to cancer patients. He began simple weekly walks with patients, parents and students. The walks expanded to include more family members. Ward’s career has moved him elsewhere, but the walks continue in Louisiana, including an annual walkathon.

“Carry (these banners) with enthusiasm, carry them with dignity and as pure vessels, sons and daughters of our loving Heavenly Father,” Elder Stevenson said.

To watch the devotional, visit BYUtv.org. The talk also will be archived in coming weeks at speeches.byu.edu.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles arrives at the Marriott Center to give a BYU devotional on Jan. 21, 2025.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles arrives at the Marriott Center to give a BYU devotional in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Ellie Alder/BYU

Elder Ulisses Soares devotional at Ensign College

Another member of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke to 674 students and staff at an Ensign College devotional Tuesday morning in the Conference Center Theater in downtown Salt Lake City.

Elder Ulisses Soares asked EC students “to consider with you some fundamental principles in the process of learning how to receive and recognize promptings and guidance from the Holy Ghost.”

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks from the pulpit during an Ensign College devotional in Salt Lake City, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks to the students and faculty of Ensign College at their weekly devotional at the Conference Center theater in Salt Lake City, on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

He likened the need for smartphones to connect to a network with the need for students to connect with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to receive heavenly guidance.

He also said learning to receive and recognize promptings and guidance from the Holy Ghost as one of the main tasks of mortality.

Elder Soares shared five principles:

  • First, know and feel that God loves each person and “is always willing to communicate with us.”
  • Second, be prepared and strive to be worthy to receive guidance through the Holy Ghost.
  • Third, learn and understand how the language of the Spirit works, the same way Elder Soares, a Brazilian, said he is still learning English.
  • Fourth, understand and accept that heavenly guidance comes in the Lord’s own time and way.
  • Fifth, wait upon the Lord.

On the final two points, he shared a story from his own life. He said that during his career as an accountant, he had to consider an unappealing decision that coworkers and family told him would be a step backward.

“My wife and I were newly married and somewhat inexperienced,” he said. “However, we were striving to live worthily according to the principles and commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we felt that the Lord would not leave us without guidance regarding a matter that would undoubtedly affect our future.”

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They thoroughly studied the matter and counseled together, then prayed and visited the temple seeking the Lord’s counsel. They felt clearly they should accept the change despite concerns about negative consequences.

Audience members stand as Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, exits after speaking to the students and faculty of Ensign College at their weekly devotional at the Conference Center theater in Salt Lake City, on Tuesday January 21, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

“Over time, that decision turned out to be perfect for our lives and opened the door to other professional experiences that led me to higher levels of progress, both professionally and spiritually, and brought me here where I am with you today,” Elder Soares said. “This experience taught my wife and me that we need to be careful not to allow anything to distract us from the Lord’s voice or cause us to fail to listen carefully to what he would have us hear according to his will and timing.”

He said disciples of Christ wait on his timing with faith that one day they will understand everything.

Waiting upon the Lord, he added, “means to hope, to anticipate, and to trust. Hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping the commandments and enduring to the end.”

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