By Jamie O'Banion
Students at BYU can be a living witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ as they align themselves with righteous standards, said Emeritus General Authority Elder J. Richard Clarke at Tuesday''s Devotional, July 29.
'Our actions may be the only chance someone has in forming an opinion about the church and its people,' Clarke said.
He said the way church members dress and act reflects the way they feel about Jesus Christ.
'We cannot escape this responsibility,' Clarke said. 'We don''t know who is watching us and judging us as a witness for what we are and who we are.'
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has different values than those of the world, Clarke said. He fears an 'eclipse of virtues' is occurring among the Saints, meaning the values of some saints are beginning to align with the world''s values.
Clarke encouraged students and faculty to celebrate the dignity of difference in their standards and behaviors. He said God expects us to be as we seem, and our behavior attests to what we feel most deeply in our heart.
'Our prophet is concerned with spiritual drift,' Clarke said.
He spoke on the significance of following the Lord''s prophet and testified of the truthfulness of the prophet''s words.
'Pure testimony of , born of the Spirit, has the power to change the human heart,' Clarke said.
Clarke said the saints are called to be witnesses of light and renew this commitment each week when they partake of the sacrament.
'The Lord reveals truth to his prophets who bear testimony of Him and declare with power and boldness the true doctrines of salvation,' Clarke said.
He related the story of Joseph Smith''s vision and said the saints are compelled to send missionaries to the field because they are convinced that through Joseph Smith the restoration of the kingdom of God has occurred.
'The heavens have been reopened, divine authority has been bestowed and the doctrines and ordinances of salvation are again restored,' Clarke said.
Clarke recounted a story about a craftsman who was commissioned to make two beautiful doors for a king''s castle. The craftsman completed the task without signing the doors or attending a celebration honoring his exquisite work.
When asked why he was not reveling in his moment of glory, he responded humbly, 'My work is my signature,' Clarke narrated. 'Moments of glory are just that - moments. It is one''s work that lives on in the minds of others.'
Amongst a world of shoddy performance, Clarke said, too few realize their work is their signature. He said students must be true to their word and standards.
'You are children of royal birth,' Clarke said. 'You were born to be great.'