'On My Honor' | Spencer W. Kimball | 1978

Abiding by the standards at BYU is a sign of honor. It shows that when you sign an agreement to do something, you intend to do it.

This speech was given on September 12, 1978.

Read the speech here:

Learn more about the author:

More BYU Speeches here:

Subscribe to BYU Speeches:

Follow BYU Speeches:

© Brigham Young University. All rights reserved.

"My beloved brothers and sisters, I express to you my affection and my love for each of you and I appreciate the love you extend in return. I would like to express thanks to Dr. Lee for that beautiful prayer, and I hope that it can extend to me from all the hearts that are gathered here this morning.

We are delighted to greet you this morning, to welcome you to Brigham Young University, and to wish you well in this exciting new academic year.

This is a wonderful time in your life. As Victor Hugo once wrote: “Youth, even in its sorrows, always has a brilliancy of its own.”

That brilliance always sparkles in the eyes of students on this campus, and that is one of the reasons I love to come to BYU. But of course we ought to be happy here. We ought to sparkle and shine and radiate with brilliance. We have everything! When a prominent Eastern man who was visiting our offices asked me, “Why are you, the Mormon people such happy folks?” My answer was: “It is because we have everything—the gospel of Jesus Christ, the light, the priesthood, the power, the promises, the covenants, the temples, our families, the truth.” Latter-day Saints, especially Latter-day Saint youth, surely should have a brilliance of their own. You should have that sparkle here today.

I have entitled my remarks this morning, “On My Honor,” and I intentionally included in my list of things that make us happy our “promises” and our “covenants.” May I concentrate there for just a moment. To do so, I wish to refer to two other greetings you have recently received—one from President Dallin H. Oaks and one from Commissioner Jeffrey R. Holland.

I quote from President Oak’s personal letter to you dated July 6, 1978. It was a most important letter and, having so recently received it, you surely have it still fresh in your minds and in your hearts. It contained a message that must be remembered. It said in part:

We look forward to having you as students at BYU this fall semester.

We are proud of high standards of scholarship, personal conduct, and appearance at Brigham Young University. We hope that all students and their parents will join in our determination to maintain these high standards.

Each student who enrolls at BYU promises to observe all of the requirements of our Code of Honor, including our dress and grooming standards. We expect each student to keep his or her promise. Please examine the enclosed card and brochure so you will be thoroughly familiar with those requirements. . . . Sincerely, Dallin H. Oaks [emphasis added]

And from that brochure to which President Oaks has referred, I quote these remarks from Commissioner Holland:

Those who come to a church college or university within the Church Educational System enter a special environment of scholarship and student activity. That environment uniquely reflects the standards and moral commitments of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and every student makes his or her own contribution to that spirit on the campus. . . .

To facilitate your understanding of our Church Educational System dress and grooming standards, with which you will be expected to comply, this brochure has been prepared for you in advance of your arrival on campus. Your presence will be felt as you honor these commitments. . . .

I wish you well in an educational adventure which will be as important to your spirit as it will be to your mind. May God bless you with a wonderful fact-finding and faith-promoting experience. May he also enable you to bless your own lives as well as the lives of others by following the teaching of his Only Begotten Son who gives each LDS campus its unique light and life. With best wishes, Jeffrey R. Holland [emphasis added]

Those statements by your school administrators reflect the direction they have received from the Church Board of Education and the Brigham Young University Board of Trustees. They did not manufacture these ideas on their own and no amount of “lobbying” will force them to change. In these instructions to you their own loyalty and integrity are at stake, for they are acting on behalf of the presiding authorities of the Church who direct them..."

[Gordysan]

Extremely relevant for what is happening at BYU now...

[amysherk]

It’s sure great to see this wonderful prophet. He taught me how to be a good mother. So thankful he was there.

[schizomode]

Byu students and professors need to give this a listen today. Literally go to any other school if you want to be degenerate

[dinoraamaya]

Me encanto esta conferencia me gusta cuando las personas hablan directo eso es lo que necesitamos de por si somos desobediemtes el habla bien directo a mi me gusta que prediquen asi.

[mysikind]

Students and teachers need to listen and pay attention to these words from a Prophet. The standards have not changed and as said no amount of lobbying will change those standards. We are to strive to lift ourselves up to Heavenly Fathers standards not to lower His Standards to suit the lower standards of humanity. He who has ear, hear. We are to strive to be our best no matter who we are. You agreed willingly to keep the stands. If you cannot agree to live by these standards, please find a school that suits your standards do not expect BYU to lower theirs. If you have no honour please seek another school to attend. CRT is not part of the teachings at the University. We are all children of God and he sees no difference in us. He loves us equally. No one is more than another Listen to the talk and stop trying to create distention among the students. Thank you for posting this. I'm so greatful for the words of wisdom from a man and Prophet of God. #OnYourHonour or leave and seek a place that does not expect you to keep your word. #KeepTheFaith

[robertlewis]

Love this man and miss him certainly he is the Lord's Prophet

[purificacionmacasaet]

A Prophet whom I believe that he will Rise again in the Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 🙏🙏🙏😇🙌

[purificacionmacasaet]

The 12th Prophet of the true church witch God Raise in this Latter Days. The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints.