BY AMANDA VERZELLO

More than before, there is a need for virtues and divine moral principles in business, especially among Latter-day Saint professionals, said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency on Friday.

President Uchtdorf spoke to members of the Utah Valley Chapter of the BYU Management Society after receiving the second annual Pioneer in Leadership award at a fundraising gala at Thanksgiving Point.

President Uchtdorf was among friends and community leaders, including President Cecil O. Samuelson, Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert, President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, Elders M. Russell Ballard and Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve and Utah Valley University president Matt Holland.

President Uchtdorf said the world has invented a new and constantly changing standard of moral conduct, called “situational ethics.” He called this method of making decisions in direct opposition to God’s standards, and suggested following a “spirit-guided morality,” as outlined in the scriptures, instead.

“We are guided and united by the ethical principles of, for instance, the 13th Article of Faith.”
The Utah Valley chapter president, Mark Hale, called President Uchtdorf a “great support” to the purpose and goals of the management society, whose mission is to promote moral and ethical leaders around the world.

Hale presented President Uchtdorf with the award: a statue with two pioneers pushing a wheel.
President Uchtdorf said he is honored and humbled to receive the award, and accepted it as a servant of the Lord.

“I know the calling the Lord has granted unto me at this time,” he said. “This possession in itself deserves any award.”

Prior to President Uchtdorf’s acceptance speech, Herbert presented him with a letter he wrote that called him an exemplary leader.

“Your service exemplifies the type of leadership we need, especially during these trying times,” Herbert wrote.

Besides honoring President Uchtdorf, the goal of the evening was to raise money for scholarships for BYU and UVU students. More than 350 people attended the gala and were encouraged to be generous in their donations.

Last year’s scholarship recipient, Marriott School of Business graduate Christina Clark, spoke about how the funds she received helped her finish college debt-free, a goal she had since she was in high school. The scholarship allowed her to spend her extra time teaching business classes to immigrants, and she was touched to be able to see the students start small businesses to support their families.