Professor Craig H. Hart, the director of the BYU faculty Center and a professor in the School of Family Life, explored the concept of “celestial correlation” in his lecture for the "My Journey as a Scholar of Faith" series.
The lecture series has been held annually by the BYU Faculty Center for 17 years. Acting as a reminder of BYU's aim to combine faith and scholarship, the lecture series offers BYU faculty members the chance to share their unique stories of faith and learning.
"We see that we can learn by study and by faith, but sometimes we need reminders and inspiration from others on how they do it," Jenny Pulsipher, associate director of the Faculty Center, said. "These are faithful and academically accomplished scholars who provide a great role model for students in how you can be a disciple scholar."
Hart shared his experiences in academia and faith, in which he described “celestial correlation” the divine orchestration of events that guide individuals toward their true purpose.
"Little did I know that this would lay the foundation for my lifelong scholarly pursuits. Are you seeing some celestial correlation there?" Hart said, reflecting on how an unexpected course in child development set him on his career path.
Throughout his lecture, Hart acknowledged the challenges and setbacks he faced, including failing his preliminary doctoral exam and receiving rejections from scholarly journals. Despite these obstacles, he emphasized that faith and perseverance led him to success.
One particularly difficult moment in his career came when a respected scholar dismissed him, saying, "When you make something of yourself, I'll talk to you." Instead of letting this discouragement define him, Hart used it as motivation.
"I learned from these kinds of experiences that celestial correlation can also have ways of refining us in sometimes unwelcome but provident ways," he shared.
Students in attendance found his message inspiring and applicable to their lives. Audrey Hill, a junior at BYU, applied Hart’s message to her own life.
"Hearing about Hart's journey made me realize how often unseen guidance plays a role in our lives," Hill said. "It made me reflect on moments in my own life where challenges led me to unexpected blessings."
Concluding his lecture, Hart encouraged students to trust in divine guidance while actively using their intellect and efforts. He urged students to seek both faith and reason in their educational and personal journeys.
“When we are striving to be worthy and qualified, we progress to places we never imagined and become part of Heavenly Father's divine design," Hart said. “Each of us has divinity within us. When we see God working through us and with us, may we be encouraged, even grateful, for that guidance.”