By Tracy Voncannon
Robert Gardner, the Robert J. Smith Professor of Accounting, will speak at Devotional today, July 6, on the importance of living a life of integrity and involvement that is focused on the Savior.
Gardner''s talk, entitled 'Here Am I,' will focus on the pre-mortal grand council where Christ volunteered to be involved with our personal lives.
The Savior set the perfect model of initiative, involvement, and integrity in the type of life that we should be striving to live, Gardner said.
Working in the field of accounting, Gardner said integrity has always been a major issue for him as he teaches his students.
'If we don''t have integrity, we don''t have anything,' he said.
Noticing that students are constantly under a lot of pressure, Gardner wants to help students see how to live a life of integrity that at the same time focuses on other people.
His wife, Janice Gardner, said she believes that her husband is a perfect example of living with integrity.
'Robert is an example of integrity,' she said. 'He''s honest with his fellowmen and everyone. He''s a team player that always wants to help.'
Gardner credits his wife for helping him in the writing process as well as in all aspects of his life.
Ted Christensen, a professor of accounting, was once a student of Gardner, he said Gardner is a good candidate to speak on integrity.
'Brother Gardner personifies integrity,' Christensen said. 'When you see him and hear him you just know that he is a good faithful person. I can''t think of a better person to speak on integrity.'
Gardner earned his doctorate degree at the University of Texas, a master''s and a bachelor''s degree at the University of Utah and a bachelor''s degree from BYU. Gardner has taught at BYU since 1979 and specializes in taxation issues.
The Devotional will begin at 11:05a.m. in the JSB Auditorium due to construction in the HFAC. Overflow seating is available in the Benson and Humanities buildings, as well as in the Varsity Theater.