BYU President C. Shane Reese discusses better days and perseverance

Welcoming students back to campus for the new semester, BYU President C. Shane Reese and Sister Wendy Reese invited students to renew their faith in Jesus Christ and put their faith in better days during the devotional, Jan. 13.

The devotional began with Sister Reeses remarks on following Christs example and staying on the covenant path. She discussed the decade of decision and how college students can often feel overwhelmed.

You have a lot of choices in front of you, she said. That can sound overwhelming, and I think if we arent careful in how we talk about these types of decisions, its tempting to get caught in a sort of decision paralysis.

However, Sister Reese continued to discuss the tools to combat this decision paralysis. By trusting in the Lord and growing in faith, one can experience joy and overcome trials.

President Reese began his remarks by celebrating BYU's accomplishments from the previous semester, including the Cougars' win against Georgia Tech at the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 27.

I know Coach Sitake received a few Pop-Tarts this year, he said. Im honestly a little worried that Pop-Tarts might try to hire Coach Sitake away from us."

President Reese also discussed the lasting impact President Jeffrey R. Holland and President Dallin H. Oaks had on the BYU campus.

If there were ever two patron saints of BYU, they would surely be President Holland and President Oaks, he said. Their influence on this campus during its second century is immeasurable and ongoing.

Reflecting on their faith, President Reese said the strength of Presidents Holland and Oaks will continue to endure for new generations of BYU students.

They both sat where you sit. They walked where you walk. Their paths, like yours, were not paved for them. Their households werent picture perfect, he said. But their faith in the Lord was and is extraordinary.

In their time at BYU, President Holland and President Oaks emphasized the idea of good things to come through Christ. President Reeses address also underscored BYUs role in bringing the better days to pass, emphasizing the university's unique focus.

President Oaks played a key role in upholding BYUs unique focus when he testified against a newly proposed federal regulation that prohibited religious schools from having separate on-campus housing for men and women.

President Oaks has been a guiding hand in efforts to protect religious freedom while moderating and unifying on contested issues, President Reese said.

Concluding his address, President Reese tied the faith of President Holland and President Oaks back to students at BYU.

I pray you will make the very most of your time at Brigham Young University. Become something. Become a disciple. Make the most of this semester, this week, this day, President Reese said.

On their way out of the Marriott Center, BYU students grabbed BYU 150 pins to kick off the second half of the sesquicentennial celebration.