Institute Graduation

Today, I  received my institute diploma!  For those of you who don't know what institute is, it an organization through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that offers scripture and doctrine classes aimed at college students.  I was asked to speak at graduation, and I decided I want to share my talk here on my blog because it contains my testimony of the power of institute.  I didn't read all of this word for word, but this is basically what I talked about.  Enjoy!


The question I've been asked to ponder for this talk is this: "How has institute impacted my life?"  First, I would like to mention some of the promises our leaders have given us about institute.

President Thomas S. Monson

“If you are a single college student, I ask you to make participation in institute a priority. Married students and other young adults are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Think of it. Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise which I leave with you.”
President Thomas S. Monson (April 21, 2009)

President Gordon B. Hinckley

“We urge all for whom [institute] is available to take advantage of it. We do not hesitate to promise that your knowledge of the gospel will be increased, your faith will be strengthened, and you will develop wonderful associations and friendships.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley (in Conference Report, April 1984, 69; orEnsign, May 1984, 47)

Elder Boyd K. Packer

“Students, if your values are in place, you will not hesitate to forego an elective class that may decorate your life in favor of instruction which can hold together the very foundation of it. Then, once enrolled, attend, study, and learn. Persuade your friends to do the same. You will never regret it; this I promise you.”
Elder Boyd K. Packer (in Conference Report, Apr. 1983, 91; or Ensign, May 1983, 67)


As I have attended institute, I have made friends, I have felt the Spirit.  My faith has been increased.  I have come to a greater knowledge of the truth of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have never regretted attending institute.

Transition From Seminary to Institute

When I went to my seminary graduation at the end of high school, I heard a talk quite similar to the one I'm giving now about how institute was amazing and would bless my life.  Although I attended seminary throughout high school, I had never really found it that exciting, and I sort of sighed, thinking institute would be exactly the same.  However, knowing it was something I should do, I decided to test it out.

I first attended institute during the summer after I graduated high school.  There was a special Book of Mormon class specifically for recent high school graduates in my area, which was taught by my Bishop, who also happened to be the CES coordinator for our area.  This class was amazing.  It was there that I learned the power of institute.  Students at institute aren't there because their parents have forced them to attend.  They are there because they want to learn and grow in the Gospel.  Because of this, they ask questions, they answer questions, and they give their own insights.  Attending institute with these enlightened students, I have gained my own enlightenment, and I have learned to ask and answer questions in class, which has allowed me to gain more out of institute.

First Semester SUU and Songs of the Heart

My first semester at SUU, I was looking through the institute class schedule, and I saw the audition choir, Songs of the Heart.  I had been in a choir of some sort for most of my life starting in fourth grade, so I decided to audition.  Being chosen to be a part of this choir was one of the greatest blessing I experienced during that semester.  Several of my closest friends today, I met in Songs of the Heart.  It was there that I met my sweetheart, on the very first day, actually.  Our first date was the institute date that is held in the fall of every semester.  It was because of Songs of the Heart that we sang the duet that sealed our relationship from the day we began practicing it.

I have learned of the power of music, which is a huge influence in my life.  The music we sang taught me to draw near unto the Lord so that He could draw near unto me ("Draw Near Unto Me").  It taught me of My Father "that dwelleth in the high and holy place" ("O My Father", Eliza R. Snow).  I heard it's call to "awake...no longer droop in sin", but to rejoice and praise "the Lord my God who is my rock and stay" ("I Love the Lord").  I joined the royal army of God in singing of "victory through Him that redeemed us" ("Behold! A Royal Army", Fanny J. Crsoby).  This music truly became the song of my heart as I joined in harmony with my brothers and sisters in that choir.
[I apologize; I don't know all the names of those who wrote the lyrics for these songs]

Songs of the Heart Choir that first year

Other Blessings of Institute

I have also seen the blessings of institute in other aspects of my life.  The days I attend institute, my soul is lifted, and I am filled with joy.  One semester, I had a hard time finding an institute class to fit in my schedule, so it took me a couple weeks to get into one.  Once I started attending, I knew that it didn't matter which class I took, but I needed to go.  I've sometimes thought to myself, 'Well, if I need to skip class one day, it's not a big deal.  It's just institute.'  Yet, I always find that I never want to skip class, even if I have other things I need to do.  I just trust that if I put institute first, the Lord will help me get the other tasks done.

In institute, I have learned about who I was in the premortal existence [life before birth], who I have the potential to become, and how to do so.  I have learned of my purpose and the responsibilities and blessings I have as a member of the House of Israel.  I have learned that I am important to the Lord, and that he knows me individually and has a plan for my life.  I have seen His hand in the implementation of that plan as I have been directed out here to school, led to my husband, and guided in my education and career choices.  I have met amazing people who love the Lord and want to serve him as I do.  I have gained strength in their testimonies, and I hope I have offered them strength in mine.  I have gained peace.  I have learned of the love of God.

"For he doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world, for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him.  Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation" (2 Nephi 26:24)

I know that institute has blessed my life, and I know that it can bless all of yours.  I know that the Lord established institute for the benefit of the world.  It benefits those who attend, and they, in turn, bless the communities in which they live by living true to the Gospel.  I know that he wants everyone to partake of His salvation, and that institute is one of the ways that He draws us unto him.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

A Few Short Updates

Last Saturday, Peter and I did some cleaning, then went to the Temple for our ward Temple day.  Afterwards, we went to Texas Roadhouse and then to see Captain America 2!  It was really fun.

Since Sunday was Easter, we had our friends Adam and Carly over for an Easter dinner!  We had pork chops, rolls, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs, and then these yummy chocolate peanut butter bars for desert.  It was fun and very tasty!  We are really going to miss Adam and Carly.  Hopefully, we'll get to see them sometimes, since they'll just be in Provo!

Yesterday was study day (this semester has gone by so fast!).  I felt very productive because I got my Microprocessors tank bot project and my Mobile Apps project done!

Today was both Carly and Malinda's baby showers!  I was helping Carly's mother-in-law plan hers, so I was more involved with it than with Malinda's.  We did a storybook theme, and it turned out really cute.

April: Conference, Sunshine, and Other Delights

Wow, this month is going by really fast.  I have a lot to catch up on.  The General Women's meeting was the Saturday after Skills USA, and Kira came up, so we watched it together.  It was really good.  You could really feel the Spirit when Sister Wixom asked all the girls aged 8, 9, 10, and 11 to stand and sing the first verse of "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" and then had the rest of the ladies respond.  This really helped me feel closer to all the sisters in attendance, united in our desire to learn of God.

President Eyring asked daughters to smile at their mothers
if they were sitting next to them; we decided to send our
mom our smiles.

The following weekend was General Conference!  Peter and I were able to attend the Sunday Morning Session at the Conference Center.  We also got to visit with Peter's parents and see the progress his dad has been making on the basement of their new house.  We decided to drive up Saturday morning, so we ended up listening to the first session of Conference on the radio in the car.  I really enjoyed Elder Holland's talk.  I stayed awake through all the sessions of conference, except during the Sunday Morning session when I dozed off during Elder Bednar's talk.  I kept awake during the other sessions by working on a cross stitch project I got just for Conference!  It actually really helped.  

Saturday afternoon, Peter helped his dad with the basement some more.  While the menfolk were at Priesthood Session, Peter's mom and I went to dinner and then to Sam's Club for a little grocery shopping.  Saturday night we got to visit with our friends Ben and Missy (and they got to meet Peter's parents) at Leatherby's where we ate delicious ice cream (and caramel sauce!).  

Working on the basement

Outside the Conference Center

Temple after Conference

My cross stitch project!

The Friday after Conference, we got our car fixed!  Yay!  Good as new!

That week, the weather was beautiful here!  Saturday I just had to get out and about, so we went to the park and ate a Subway picnic lunch.  I read my book for a while.  Peter decided to get the kite out.  He asked me to help him get it up in the air, but when I saw that he had other assistance, I stayed in my seat:

The Kite actually attracted a fair amount of attention from others who were also out in the sunshine!  It was kind of funny.  A little girl came over with her daddy to watch, too.  Then I took over the kite flying, and couple on bikes with one of those bike strollers stopped and pointed the kite out to the kids inside the stroller.

Later that evening, our friend had a bbq birthday party, which I was able to attend, but while Peter dropped in, he had to go to a concert (he told me not to come because he thought the music was boring).  Then we ended up at the local frozen yogurt place.  They have these chalkboards for customers to draw on, and we saw this one hanging up while we were eating:

Shortly thereafter, a little boy came over and added this one:

We thought that was pretty cute, so being obsessed with Frozen as we are, and also happening to have an artist among our group, we decided to contribute a couple more:

We thought ourselves pretty clever ;)

Skills USA State Competition

A few weeks ago, I went to Skills USA.  I was actually the only girl going from our school.  Two guys were going in Computer Programming, like I was, one was going for Computer maintenance, three for electronics, and one for 3-D drafting, I think.  We left at 9am on Thursday.  I rode in a van with two of the three guys I actually knew and the professor who was the only other female going (she probably had to go because I was going).  One of the guys was doing programming and had gone a couple years before, so I wracked his brain a little bit to get an idea of what exactly it would be like.

When we arrived, we picked up the schedule and checked into our hotel.  It was very nice, and we each had a room to ourselves, which was even better.  We all had meetings starting at 5:30 that evening, so we went to Cheesecake factory to grab lunch/dinner (since by that time, it was already 3:00 in the afternoon).  We went dressed in our Skills USA uniforms, which consisted of a white polo with the Skills USA logo and black dress pants.  I looked slightly ridiculous because my polo was too big--they didn't have any smalls, I think because they had never sent any girls before.  I took a picture, but it was very blurry.  Turns out, eating lunch in white polo shirts is not the smartest idea.  Several of the guys got food on their shirts, but luckily the spots weren't too big.

I think the thing we spent the most time doing at Skills USA was waiting.  We got to the meeting about 45 minutes early.  Then, our meeting only took 15 minutes to half an hour because all we really had to do was get our name tags and then ask any questions we wanted to.  The rules and the professor back at SUU who had encouraged us to go made it seem like the competition would be very strict, but we were working with programmers, who tend to be pretty relaxed people.  They told us we could use the internet and pretty much any resources we wanted as long as we didn't copy and paste code.

After the meeting, we had to wait for all the other guys, some of whom had their competition that night.  I spent the time with the two programming guys, wandering around campus.  One of them had attended the school before coming to SUU, so he kind of showed us around.  I guess I should have taken some pictures then, so I would have some to post here.

I met up with my in-laws about 7:15 and went back with them to their new house.  They've gotten a lot of things unpacked and in place.  It was kind of funny to see all of the things that had been in their old house in the new space.

That evening I showered and tried to get everything as ready as possible for the next day because we were leaving the hotel at 6:30am and wouldn't be back.  I had a hard time getting to sleep, though, partially because I had no white noise--the air conditioner wouldn't stay on.  The other reason I had a hard time getting to sleep was because I had tried to call Peter and he didn't answer.  I tried to go to sleep without worrying about him, but I really couldn't sleep.  I finally called him again at like midnight, and he answered this time.  Turns out he had fallen asleep because he had nothing to do without me around ;)  We chatted for a bit, and after that, I was able to get to sleep.

We left just after 6:30 that morning, and once again, we got to wait around for an hour before our competition actually began.  The challenge for our competition was basically to program a hierarchical database, which might not be incredibly difficult, but is difficult to do in 5 hours or less.  They told us from the beginning, they didn't expect us to finish.  There were only four of us in the collegiate group (Skills USA has a lot of high school participants), and three of us were from SUU, so at least two of us were bound to place.  The guy from the other school left really early, claiming to be finished.  One of the guys from our group had to leave an hour early so he could get back for a ballroom competition, and the last two of us stayed the whole time.  We ended up chatting with the judge who had come up with our challenge after the competition was over, which was kind of cool.  He gave us two pieces of interview advice: 1) start with a fart joke to break the ice (I'm not sure how well that would work for a girl, though...)  and 2) unless you walk away laughing, you probably don't have the job.

After that, we got to, you guessed it, wait.  The awards ceremony wasn't until 6:00 that evening, and we were done by 2:30.  We sort of vegged it on the couch in the student center for a while, then wandered off to find some food.  We ended up eating Wendy's and got back just in time to head over to the award ceremony, which did not start right at 6:00.

The awards were not quite what I was expecting.  I was expecting something very formal and official, and this had elements of that, but there were so many people and so many different competitions, that they really couldn't be completely formal.  They were also not very organized or smooth as they presented the awards, with a lot of pauses and breaks.  They almost forgot to announce the winners for about four of the competitions, two of which guys from our school had competed in.  SUU swept two of the competitions.  I got second in computer programming and the two other SUU students got first and third.  We were told that our code was actually better than that of the winner the previous year, which was almost better to me than winning, since three out of the four of us had to place.  Because the guy who got first might not be able to go, I might get to go to nationals this summer, which would be a pretty big honor.

Two programming winners!

After the awards ceremony, we had to drive home, and we didn't get back until nearly two in the morning.  I actually had a pretty cool conversation with the guy in my van.  He's from Utah, but his mom isn't a Latter-day Saint, so neither is he [if you don't know what this means, click on the "I Believe" button at the top of the right column in this blog : ) ].  We didn't really talk religion, but it was interesting to learn about his family and background and to tell him about mine.

*****Update 4/21/2014******

Yesterday at church, one of the sisters asked me about being in Skills USA.  She told me she had read about it on SUU's website, so I looked today, and sure enough, I found it!.  Pretty cool.  Click the link here to see the article.