In his scripture studies, Elder Carlos A. Godoy of the Presidency of the Seventy has come across what he calls the “Behold, therefore” pattern. 

First, the word “behold” is used to call attention to a principle. Then, the word “therefore” is used to show that because of that principle, there will be a result, consequence or expectation. 

For example, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore, despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty” (Job 5:17).

Utilizing this “Behold, therefore” pattern, Elder Godoy offered three points of counsel to graduates of Brigham Young University–Idaho during commencement exercises on Thursday, Dec. 14: Be grateful, don’t be afraid of the future and try to fulfill the Lord’s plan.

1. ‘Behold, look at the blessings and privileges you have. Therefore, be grateful’

As a young adult, Elder Godoy, a native Brazilian, said he studied for three years to earn the minimum scores on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) to be considered for the BYU Provo Master of Business Administration program. Miraculously, he was accepted.

“We are among the very few people who have been able to attain this unique educational experience. For many, many others, this is an impossible dream. Therefore, we should be grateful for this opportunity,” he noted.

Elder Godoy invited graduates to take a moment to thank Heavenly Father, parents, teachers, friends, Church leaders and “any anyone else you can think of, who has helped make your experience here at BYU–Idaho a great one. They have all blessed you and have made that experience the precious memory it now becomes. Gratitude is said to be the memory of the heart.”

2. ‘Behold, look who is on your side and who is ready to help you. Therefore, do not be afraid of the future ahead of you’

The year Elder Godoy finished his mission and got married, the year he finished his degree at BYU with three young children and the year he was called with his wife to be mission leaders were all times when the global economy was in serious crisis.

It is normal to feel worried and uncertain about the future, he said. “But please don’t let that feeling paralyze you.” 

Disciples of Jesus Christ do not need to fear “because we have a Redeemer. If we build our foundation upon His rock, nothing can permanently harm us or our future. Thanks to His infinite Atonement, we can, with His help, overcome all things, including having a rewarding career and raising a beautiful family.”

3. ‘Behold, the Lord has a plan for you in this life and in the next. Therefore, plan your future with this in mind’

While it is good to have goals and plans for careers and education, “our greatest and most overriding goals should fit into Heavenly Father’s eternal plan,” Elder Godoy said.

He quoted Matthew 6:33. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Elder Godoy was 36, had four small children and was still paying off his student loans when he was interviewed by the late Apostle Elder Robert D. Hales to serve as a mission leader.

Although mission service would pose a risk to his professional life and family finances, Elder Godoy said “I felt that the Lord had helped me so much with my jobs and education, that I could not decline serving a mission. I wanted to show Him my gratitude for His blessings.”

Elder Godoy then invited graduates “to review your life’s goals and your plans, and make sure they align with our Heavenly Father’s great plan for your happiness. If you need to change anything, a personal or family thing, please consider doing so. Take the time to prayerfully think about what adjustments are needed to help you keep your ‘eye single to the glory of God.’”

BYU–Idaho’s ‘secret sauce’

As graduates embark on the next phase of their lives, BYU–Idaho President Alvin F. Meredith III said he hopes they understand how much the world needs their leadership and service. “I also hope that you have a vision of the good that you can accomplish simply by being a light to the world.”

Quoting President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency, R. Kelly Haws, assistant to the commissioner of Church education, commented that BYU–Idaho is accomplishing “the miraculous” in higher education. The “secret sauce,” he said, is that BYU–Idaho allows itself to be led by the Prophet.

“As both the world and each of us individually now encounter the prophesied commotion and calamities … , I add my testimony to yours that if we will deliberately choose to follow Jesus Christ and His living prophet, hope and confidence will come,” Haws told graduates.

BYU–Idaho awarded 2,218 bachelor’s degrees and 880 associate degrees to 3,013 graduates during Thursday’s commencement. While 1,200 of the graduates were online students, 1,283 of those graduating started their college career as BYU–Pathway Worldwide students.