Ensign College Devotionals: Cultivating Faith and Guidance in a Complex World
Ensign College, a distinguished institution dedicated to fostering both academic excellence and spiritual growth, regularly hosts a series of devotionals that serve as cornerstones for its student community. These gatherings, featuring a diverse array of speakers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are designed to provide spiritual nourishment, offer guidance, and reinforce the foundational principles that underpin the college's educational mission. The information shared in these devotionals, particularly those from recent years, highlights a consistent emphasis on the importance of prophetic counsel, personal revelation, and the enduring relevance of divinely inspired doctrines, such as "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."
The Imperative of Following Living Prophets
A recurring theme in Ensign College devotionals is the vital necessity of heeding the counsel of living prophets. In his inaugural message of 2026 to Ensign College students, President Bruce C. Kusch underscored this point with profound conviction. “I cannot with more emphasis bear my testimony of the importance of trusting and following living prophets,” he stated during a devotional. He further emphasized the critical role of prophetic guidance for personal safety, security, and eternal well-being, praying that students would be “committed to following prophetic guidance.” This sentiment was echoed by other speakers, who consistently presented the words of modern prophets as essential beacons in navigating the complexities of contemporary life. The message is clear: in an era of rapid change and abundant, often conflicting, information, the steady voice of prophetic leadership offers an anchor of truth and an unerring compass.
"The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and Modern Relationships
President Kusch, joined by his wife, Sister Alynda Kusch, in a 2026 devotional, focused on teachings emphasized by President Dallin H. Oaks, particularly those found within "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and his counsel to young adults regarding dating. President Kusch described "The Family Proclamation" as a document that “clearly states the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding marriage and family.” He characterized it as “unequivocal, it is prophetic, it is profound, it is inspired, and it is what the Lord intends for us to understand about the family and about relationships in mortality and throughout all of the eternities.”
The devotional addressed concerns about changing societal trends in marriage, as highlighted by President Oaks. Charts presented by President Kusch illustrated a reduction in marriage rates and an increase in the average age of marriage in the United States, including among Church members. President Kusch suggested that fear might be a contributing factor to young people postponing marriage. The personal experiences shared by Jackson and Emma Holmes, a newly married couple and alumni/employee of Ensign College, illustrated the journey of dating and commitment. Jackson Holmes recounted how, despite an initial cancellation, he pursued a connection with Emma, leading to their marriage. This narrative served as a testament to taking calculated risks in relationships, a theme reinforced by institute teacher Dan Prestwich, who expressed hope that students would feel confident in taking such steps when they know and rely on the Savior, suggesting that such reliance fosters resilience, “especially in dating.” President Kusch encouraged students to “Don’t fear, and don’t think you have to have everything figured out when you start, because that’s part of the adventure.”
Sister Kusch reflected on her initial reaction to "The Family Proclamation" in 1995, recalling President Gordon B. Hinckley's introduction and her thought, "of course that’s what we believe." However, over decades, she observed a decline in belief in its teachings, recognizing that "Prophets saw things and taught us principles that would help us, even though at the time, we had no idea that we would need them." This perspective underscores the foresight inherent in prophetic pronouncements.
Read also: 7-Week Block Schedule
Bishop Matthew Driggs, serving as an institute teacher, shared his approach to addressing doctrinal concerns about the proclamation, often referencing Alma 32 and inviting individuals to "exercise a particle of faith" and "experiment upon my words." This method encourages a process of personal discovery and spiritual confirmation, aligning with the principle of learning through faith and action.
The Indispensable Role of the Holy Ghost and Personal Revelation
A significant portion of the devotional discourse at Ensign College centers on the crucial role of the Holy Ghost in receiving divine guidance. Speakers frequently draw parallels between modern technology and the need for spiritual connection. Just as a smartphone requires a network to function at its full capacity, individuals need to connect their minds and hearts with God to receive heavenly guidance through the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is presented as a gift from the Heavenly Father, a conduit of divine power that blesses, inspires, and reveals what is needed for happiness in this life and to inherit eternal life.
President Russell M. Nelson's counsel is often cited, particularly his warning that "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." He urged listeners to "stretch beyond [their] current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation." This emphasis on personal revelation is framed not as a passive reception but as an active pursuit requiring preparation and worthiness.
The process of learning to receive and recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost involves several fundamental principles:
- Understanding God's Love and Willingness to Communicate: Recognizing that God loves all His children and is always willing to communicate is the foundational step. His love is perfect, even amidst human imperfections, and His work is to help individuals gain eternal life and fulfill their divine potential.
- Preparation and Worthiness: Striving to live a life that aligns with the teachings of Jesus Christ is essential for the Spirit's companionship. This involves faithful and righteous actions and thoughts, maintaining purity, obedience to commandments, and sincere prayer. Worthiness is a process, not a state of perfection, and is facilitated through Christ's atoning sacrifice. Listening to the counsel of living prophets also opens individuals to inspiration and revelation.
- Learning the Language of the Spirit: This is compared to learning a second language, requiring desire, study of scriptures and prophetic words, attentiveness to spiritual impressions, and a willingness to receive and obey divine promptings. The Holy Ghost often communicates through feelings, a still, small voice, and Christlike attributes, offering gentle nudges and customized instructions that lead to good and are in harmony with gospel principles.
- Heavenly Guidance in God's Time and Way: Divine guidance is a reality, but it comes according to God's timetable and in His way, which may not always align with human expectations. Faith includes trust in God's timing, and patience often reveals greater blessings than initially anticipated.
These principles are illustrated through personal testimonies and scriptural accounts, such as Oliver Cowdery's experience, emphasizing that the Lord communicates through the Holy Ghost by telling individuals "in your mind and in your heart." The pattern set by the Prophet Joseph Smith-seeking a quiet place, humbling oneself, pouring out one's heart to God, praying, listening, recording impressions, and following through with prompted actions-is presented as a direct path to growing into the principle of revelation.
Read also: Comprehensive Ranking: Women's College Basketball
Education as a Religious Responsibility and Service
Ensign College devotionals consistently reinforce the concept of education as a sacred and religious responsibility, not merely an academic pursuit. Speakers, including President Kusch, Sister Kusch, Elder James Taylor, Sister Tracy Y. Browning, Elder Kim B. Clark, Hank Smith, Linda Campbell, President Steven J. Lund, Sister Ruth Renlund, Elder Dale G. Renlund, and Elder Dallin H. Oaks, have all contributed to this understanding.
The college's mission is framed as an application of gospel principles, preparing students to "magnify the calling and the mission with which you have been commissioned" and to become "capable and trusted disciple leaders in your home, in the Church, and in the community." This aligns with the broader Church educational philosophy, which views education as essential for service.
President Gordon B. Hinckley's counsel to "Train yourselves to make a contribution to the society in which you… live" and President Russell M. Nelson's repeated assertion that "obtaining an education and getting knowledge are religious responsibilities" are frequently cited. Elder Henry B. Eyring's insight that education is not just for mortal life but for eternal life, leading to spiritual learning taking precedence while not neglecting secular learning, further shapes this perspective. Elder Dallin H. Oaks emphasizes seeking "learning by the Spirit" and using knowledge for the benefit of mankind.
The integration of academic and gospel learning is seen as crucial for knowing God better and gaining an education that prepares individuals to serve their families and society. This preparation is vital for the "gathering of Israel," a paramount work in the latter days. Being educated is presented as the difference "between wishing you could do some good and being able to do some good." The devotionals encourage students to pursue their education with a clear understanding that it is a religious responsibility, enabling them to serve effectively and contribute to building God's kingdom.
Read also: Phoenix Suns' New Center
tags: #ensign #college #devotionals #information
