A Refining Host for Disciple Scholars
Article by Aspen Wooley | Photos by Grace Heaton
“The great opportunity before us is to become the people God needs us to be.” BYU Academic Vice President Justin Collings quoted President Russell M. Nelson as he introduced his message in last week’s Disciple Scholar lecture. His address was titled "A Refining Host for Disciple Scholars: On Becoming at BYU,” focused on truly developing our potential as disciples of Jesus Christ while attending such a unique university.
Students and faculty gathered to enjoy dinner and then be uplifted by his message at the lecture. As students chatted in anticipation, they noted their excitement about hearing from Dr. Collings, time to meet other students in the program, and the food. BYU student Elise said she was excited to “learn more about BYU and how to contribute to the Honors Program.” Several students from the HONRS 110 class attended, eager to figure out if the Honors Program is the right path for them. Sam Ledesma said that this is a “welcoming community and being part of it and becoming a light is what BYU means.” A common theme from students was the desire to lift others and expand themselves.
For other students, becoming BYU is what it means for them to become disciple scholars. “It means becoming a disciple scholar where you never stop learning, with the purpose of going elsewhere to serve other people” student Adah Shippen shared. Adah performed a musical number at the lecture as part of the cello duet with Ben White, an arrangement of the hymn, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.” The music set the tone for the theme that followed, with an emphasis on Jesus Christ.
Becoming at BYU is more than just receiving the titles of student, graduate, and teacher. It is about drawing nearer to our divine potential. The defining characteristic of a disciple scholar is this becoming process. As the title of his address suggests, this cannot be done without some refining. This refining leads to true purity. “As we strive toward becoming BYU institutionally, let us also strive toward becoming BYU individually. Your time here should be refining, cleansing, converting, purifying, and sanctifying” Dr. Collings said.
His message centered around the life and teachings of President Dallin H. Oaks, and Dr. Collings emphasized six major themes in the process of becoming:
Conversion
Growth is what the gospel of Jesus Christ embodies. Dr. Collings explained, “the plan of our Heavenly Father is a plan of conversion and change.” This can come as we continue in diligent effort but won’t come from our work alone. Becoming is possible only through the atonement of Jesus Christ, with the Holy Ghost as “the instrument of this transformation.” Through the Holy Ghost we can discern truth and act for right. “As aspiring disciple scholars, we should attend to the desires of our hearts” Dr. Collings shared. The power of Jesus Christ can be brought into our lives and our studies.
Repentance
Repentance begins with our Savior, and is not a burden, but a joy. Daily repentance allows us to be strengthened and allows the Holy Ghost’s influence into our lives. These outcomes of repentance aid in the process of becoming disciple scholars, leading to greater knowledge.
Revelation
“The Lord will help us in our righteous, professional pursuits when we qualify for the impressions of the Spirit,” President Oaks taught. “We must learn by study and faith, as the spirit of revelation is “an indispensable aid to any disciple scholar.” Having the Lord’s guidance will lead to success not only in spiritual becoming, but in scholarly pursuits too.
Diligence
Diligence is key to becoming a disciple scholar and in becoming who God needs us to be. President Oaks’ life motto is “work first and play later.” This brings results quickly and in the long term. It is important to “diligently steward our time at BYU,” Dr. Collings shared. Diligence is a sacrifice, but one that is worth it in the path to becoming. President Oaks has said to “be hungry to learn. Seek learning for the sake of learning. Do not limit yourself.” “Time is so valuable,” Dr. Collings continued, adding that we cannot let distractions hold us back from what we can learn and who we can become. Choosing to use our time in the best ways and not only in good ways is what will set us apart as disciple scholars. One of these ways is to receive knowledge through “the best books” and to limit reliance on cell phones and other technologies.
Consecration
Dr. Collings recounted that when President Oaks was called to be an apostle, he said decided to consecrate his whole self to this new role. He decided not to be a lawyer who was now an apostle, but an apostle who used to be a lawyer. He would shape himself to fit his calling. “Consecration does not mean abandoning our academic gifts or our scholarly pursuits. It means placing them on the Lord’s altar and devoting them to the Lord’s purposes.” Dr. Colllings noted we can use our gifts and talents to build up His kingdom, and don’t need to discard them.
Charity
Charity is the pure love of Christ, a spiritual gift that marks a disciple. Loving God and loving others come first and this “charity is something one becomes.” Becoming at BYU does not just mean becoming a scholar or lifting ourselves, but becoming true disciples of Christ characterized by charity. Family is crucial in this becoming and is one of our most fundamental relationships. As we develop charity, we “become the sons and daughters of God” which is the “aim of all our becoming.”
Dr. Collings summarized, “as disciple scholars we strive to become Christ centered and prophetically directed in our individual lives…the highest mission of Brigham Young University is to change what we are.” We can become true disciple scholars as we model our lives after Jesus Christ and His teachings.” As Honors student Isabella Dracoulis said, this becoming means “using your learning as a way to reflect what God wants you to do.” Becoming at BYU reflects the mission of becoming like Jesus Christ.