By FRED HEATH
The importance of education and having the integrity to live the principals of the gospel were emphasized at Tuesday's Devotional, which acted as the opening ceremonies for Homecoming.
The opening ceremonies featured talks from President Merrill J. Bateman, Coach LaVell Edwards and Noel B. Reynolds, professor of political science.
'May we have the courage to live the way we have been taught,' said President Bateman, who introduced the homecoming theme 'Courage Then, Courage Now.'
President Bateman said he believes that we do have courage now in our academic endeavors.
President Bateman told of a recent experience he had when a dignitary visiting BYU asked him if it would be possible if students from a prominent university could come here. He wanted those student to see how BYU students present themselves here. President Bateman said that it would not do much good, because having strong values starts in the home.
President Bateman said he was pleased with the way students uphold the standards here at BYU.
President Bateman related the history of education from the beginning of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, starting with the school of the prophets organized by Joseph Smith, to the time when Brigham Young called Karl J. Maeser to start the Brigham Young Academy in 1875.
'It is interesting to me that these people 100 years ago were so concerned with education,' President Bateman said.
Reynolds remarks were geared towards a tribute to Martha Jane Knowlton Coray, his great, great grandmother, who was instrumental in laying the foundation for Brigham Young's vision of a school combining sacred and secular learning.
'Sister Coray was a woman of faith and action,' Reynolds said. He said that she was a woman who did her own thinking. He praised her for her determination in furthering the cause of education.
She complained about the lack of support given to the academy, he said.
Coray once said that the school's cause for struggle was due to indifference and because they were trying to accomplish the greatest good with the smallest means, Reynolds said.
In addition to her efforts in promoting education, Reynolds related Coray's examples of action in the community. She was recognized for her work in chemistry Reynolds said.
She produced 'Lighting Cage Oil' which he likened to today's pepper spray and mace to combat would-be assailants, Reynolds said.