UA SC 53 Education and Brigham Young University

The destiny of Brigham Young University has been an important topic for Church leaders over the years. In an October 1992 devotional address to Brigham Young University students President Gordon B. Hinckley stated that “This institution is . . . a continuing experiment on a great premise that a large and complex university can be first class academically while nurturing an environment of faith in God and the practice of Christian principles. You are testing whether academic excellence and belief in the Divine can walk hand in hand. And the wonderful thing is that you are succeeding in showing that this is possible—not only that it is possible, but that it is desirable, and that the products of this effort show in your lives qualities not otherwise attainable.” He was not the first Church leader to talk about BYU’s purpose nor will he be the last.

UA SC 53 is a compilation of quotes from various Church leaders and educators on the purpose and future of BYU. It was most likely compiled in the 1950s.

If you’d like to learn more about the purpose of Brigham Young University, please contact the University Archivist at (801) 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu.