An Agent for Peace by Elizabeth H.
I went to Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYU-H) for my undergraduate degree. I chose this university because it had a student population that represented people from over 75 different countries, and the unique opportunity to interact with so many cultures amazed me. I did not realize as a high school senior applying that this university would affect me so much. This school was founded on several principles, and those principles have inspired and guided me in all of my decisions.
The first is the school’s motto. The motto is “enter to learn, go forth to serve.” This means that the goal of education is to use the knowledge gained to serve the human race. Learning is a gift and a responsibility. Those who have the opportunity to study must then use that to improve the lives of those around them. That is the true purpose of learning. It is not about gaining a better job or joining the elite. Selfishness cannot be the end result of education. It is about gaining the tools to become an agent for good. If those tools lead to wealth, then that wealth will be used for good. I kept this principle close to my heart went to work after graduating.
I moved to China after graduating to teach English to children. I taught to the best of my ability, and continuously used my skills to help students communicate with each other. I also provided free tutoring to the teachers who worked with me so that they could improve their English as well. Most of my friends were nonnative English speakers, and we worked together to improve our communication between each other. I have a gift for teaching writing, and I used that gift to help even native English speakers to improve their communication skills. When I chose to pursue a master’s degree, it was with the intent to fulfill this mission of service in a greater capacity. My sphere of influence felt smaller than it could be. I knew that if I could gain more knowledge, I could do more good. I would have a greater range of abilities to use in service to others.
The second principle comes from the university’s dedicatory speech given by David O. McKay in 1955. He says, “from this school…will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good towards the establishment of peace internationally.” That is the ultimate goal of the university: to educate students who will use their gifts and knowledge to bring peace to the world. World peace is quite the lofty goal. Sometimes this is said so often that it becomes trite. It sounds like something people simply say, a fantasy or a wish on a star, not something that could be achieved in our lifetimes, and obviously was not achieved in 1955. However, if no one tries, this will never be achieved. If people do not strive for peace internationally, then there is no hope. This university promised that there is hope, that this is ultimately possible if enough people dedicate themselves to the cause. People would be given the tools and education needed to bring us one step closer to that peace. I could be one of those people.
I chose my undergraduate major because of this statement. It inspired me to believe that if I did my part, there was a chance for peace. I would be a part of that great goal. I majored in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, with the intent that I would teach people to communicate together. Communication is the foundation of peace, and as people come to learn the same language, they develop the tools to be agents of peace themselves. The more people who could speak together, the more chance there was for peace to be achieved. I believe in the power of teachers to make positive changes in the lives of a rising generation. I believe in the power of language to reach the hearts of people. I switched to this major so that I could act on those beliefs and fulfill David O. McKay’s prophesy about peace.
I have continued to make choices based on this. I will be studying International Affairs and Global Enterprise at the University of Utah. I loved teaching, but I want to be more directly involved in communications between countries and this is the best way to accomplish that task. I am once again seeking the tools and learning that will enable me to be serve the greater good and be an agent for peace internationally.
The third principle also comes from David O. McKay. He says, “the world needs men who cannot be bought or sold, men who will scorn to violate truth, genuine gold. That is what this school is going to produce.” This means that the people who come from this school must be people of integrity. They cannot be swayed away from their principles. They will stand for what is right and not compromise those values for any kind of bribery or self-interest. They will be leaders in the world who can be trusted and depended on. They will have the goal of peace between nations and will not allow selfishness or pettiness to stand in the way.
This idea of genuine gold inspired me. It caused me to look within myself and ask what principles I would stand for. Am I an example of genuine gold? Am I a stalwart friend who can be counted on in times of trial? Am I truly seeking peace abroad? Do I value truth enough to be the leader for peace that the world needs? I strive at all times to be that person. I want to be the genuine gold that McKay expected to come forth from that school. When I was in China, I tried at all times to maintain myself as a kind, trustworthy, and dependable person. I reached out to people on the street in need of help and was supportive of my friends at all times. Genuine gold never stops, and I try my best to be that type of person.
These three principles have inspired me in my life choices. They tell me the kind of person I want to be and the kind of person I need to be to be an agent for peace abroad. They have shaped my education and career goals and will continue to shape my daily life. A person of genuine gold exists because of making daily choices to be so. It is my mission to do so.
