Devotionals and Speeches

This University Forum address with Melissa Russell was delivered on March 6, 2025, at 11:30 AM MST in the Taylor Chapel. Melissa Russell is a dedicated faculty member in the Department of Human Performance and Recreation and an Associate Dean of Student Success in the Office of Academic Support and Interdisciplinary Studies. Melissa currently teaches in the Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Management, and Interdisciplinary Studies programs. She has previously enjoyed teaching at institutions such as Brigham Young University, Florida International University, and Grambling State University. She has a deep love for her students and their success. Passionate about mental health, Melissa is committed to enhancing well-being through education and practical initiatives. She created and currently runs the Thrive mental health program on campus, which helps students navigate their mental health and find joy in life. Beyond the classroom, Melissa has years of experience helping clients with mental health in rehabilitation services. She has loved the agencies and the clients she has had the opportunity to serve. Her latest pursuit involves spearheading programs that bring therapists to orphanages internationally. This past summer, many alumni and friends joined her in offering therapeutic services at an orphanage in Ghana. In her personal life, Melissa loves sports, the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with friends and family, especially her nieces and nephews.

This Devotional address with Elder Lance B. Wickman was delivered on March 4, 2025, at 11:30 AM MST in the BYU-Idaho I-Center. Elder Lance B. Wickman is the former General Counsel and an Emeritus General Authority of the Church. Elder Wickman served as a General Authority Seventy from April 1994 until October 2010. He served as General Counsel from January 1996 until November 2023. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1964. He attended law school at Stanford University, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1972. He practiced law as a trial lawyer and partner in the international law firm of Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles and San Diego until his call as a General Authority. Elder Wickman, a U.S. Army Ranger, served as an officer in the United States Army from 1964 to 1969. He served twice in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader and as a military advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals, the Valorous Unit Citation and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He has held various ecclesiastical positions within the Church, including missionary in the Central British Mission, bishop, stake president and Regional Representative. He and his wife, Patricia, are parents of five children.

Diantha Smith Hopkins teaches English at BYU-Idaho, specializing in rhetoric and composition, rhetorical theory, and children’s literature. She is also fascinated by the history and politics of the Middle East and Asia. She lived and studied in Damascus, Syria and served a mission in Seoul, Korea. Diantha and her husband, Mark, have been married for almost five years. She is a stepmom to five children and biological mom to one. When she's not chasing around a three-year-old boy, playing board and card games with her step-kids, hiking with her husband, answering emails, or meeting with students, Diantha likes to make mixed-media art and write.

Jenet Jacob Erickson is an associate professor in Religious Education at Brigham Young University, where she teaches the Eternal Family course as well as the Introduction to Family Process course for the School of Family Life. She received a PhD in family social science from the University of Minnesota, after completing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and master’s degree in linguistics -TESOL at BYU. She is a research fellow of both the BYU Wheatley Institute and the Institute for Family Studies, and has been a columnist on family issues for the Deseret News since 2013. She met and married her husband, Michael, when they were both 34 years old. Their two children, LaDawn and Peter, provide them unending opportunities for learning and joy.

Jason Reeder is from Idaho Falls and served in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida mission, speaking in the Spanish language. He graduated from BYU-Idaho in communication with an emphasis in advertising. He also has a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication from West Virginia University. Jason has held various marketing communication positions and has worked at BYU-Idaho for 14 years in Admissions, Alumni, Student Life Communications, University Relations and now as a faculty member in the Communication department. Jason and his wife, Tevya, will hit 20 years of marriage in April, and they have four children. His hobbies include trail running and racing in ultra-marathons, skateboarding, snowboarding, and spending time with friends and family. Jason’s most recent callings include being a counselor in two bishoprics, high councilor, bishop, counselor in a stake Young Men’s presidency, and he currently serves as second counselor in a stake presidency.

Sister Kristin M. Yee was born in Sacramento, California, to Ryan R. Yee and Jaydean Fox McKay. Sister Yee received a bachelor’s degree in illustration and a Master of Public Administration from Brigham Young University. Sister Yee currently works as a Publishing Services special projects manager for the Church. Prior to working at the Church, she worked with Disney Interactive Studios for 13 years. Her Church assignments have included the Primary General Advisory Council, stake Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, temple ordinance worker, and in various callings in the Relief Society, Young Women, and Sunday School organizations. Sister Yee loves hiking, being in the outdoors, traveling, painting, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Joshua Figueira was born to Kevin and Sherry Figueira. His family hails from Kailua, Oahu in Hawaii, but he was raised primarily in Bountiful, Utah. Josh served in the South Korea Seoul West Mission. He holds a B.A in English language from Brigham Young University, a Master of Religion in Contemporary Society from King’s College London, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame. Josh worked as BYU-Idaho legal counsel for seven years. Prior to that, he practiced First Amendment law with an emphasis on religious organizations. Josh is married to his wife Elsie Smith Figueira, and is father to three active, precocious children. He is currently serving as stake Young Men’s secretary. His hobbies include reading, writing, soccer, ukulele, and restoring and playing drums.

Marc Stewart is from Sugar City, Idaho. He served a mission in the Columbia South Carolina Mission. Brother Stewart received a bachelor’s degree from BYU-Idaho in business finance and an MBA from Western Governor’s University. He worked at the Idaho National Laboratory for six years as a Planning and Financial Controls Specialist, four years at BYU-Idaho in a few financial roles, six years at BYU-Idaho Pathway Worldwide as the Budget Officer, and then at BYU-Idaho as the Budget Officer. Brother Stewart has been married to his wife, Taunia, for 23 years. They have four children, two boys and two girls. He has served as Sunday School president, Young Men’s president, elders quorum president, ward clerk, counselor in the bishopric, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor. He currently serves as a priest quorum advisor.

Ryan Buttars shares personal stories about how no one is forgotten by Jesus Christ. Given at a BYU-Idaho devotional on December 3, 2024.

Richard Whiting grew up in Southern California as the second of five children. A year after starting his education at BYU, he was called to serve in the South Africa Johannesburg Mission. After serving a mission, Brother Whiting returned to BYU, where he taught at the MTC and studied psychology. Before completing his bachelor's degree, he married his wife, Beverly. They have been married for 39 years and have three children and eight grandchildren. After completing his bachelor's degree in psychology and Master of Social Work, Brother Whiting began 15 years of licensed social work practice before coming to BYU Idaho to teach sociology and social work in 2004. He then finished his doctoral work at the University of Utah’s Graduate School of Social Work. Brother Whiting spent 14 years working with outdoor-based treatment programs he now integrates into his teaching. He continues to spend as much time as possible in the outdoors with his family.

Janalee Meeker has a deep love and admiration for the students at BYU-Idaho. In her current role as an administrator in the Student Honor Office, she cherishes the one-on-one experiences she has with students as they strive to become disciples of Jesus Christ. Having grown up in a large family, with an extraordinary mother, and as a triplet, she began observing healthy family relationships early in life. That prompted her to pursue a master’s degree in child and family studies and a career working with young adults. She married her sweetheart, Nathan Meeker, in the St. George Utah temple in 1996, and they are the parents of five wonderful children. Her family is her most valuable asset and greatest joy.

Elder Hans T. Boom was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 6, 2019, at age 55. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a temple ordinance worker for the Hague Netherlands Temple and as an institute teacher. He currently serves as president of the Europe North Area. Elder Boom has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the England London East Mission, counselor in a branch presidency, branch president, stake Young Men president, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, and Area Seventy in the Europe Area. Hans Theodorus Boom was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on July 13, 1963. He married Ariena Johanna Broekzitter in 1984. They are the parents of three children.

Tom Waldron grew up in Garden Grove, California. He served in the Cebu Philippines mission. Tom attended Golden West college and BYU-Idaho Pathway Connect before he received a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology Management from BYU-Idaho and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University. Tom was a technician for Coast Cadillac and a master diagnostic technician for Toyota. He currently is a faculty member for the Automotive Technology program here at BYU-Idaho. Tom is married to his sweetheart, Rolayne, and they have seven children. He enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain biking, snow skiing, surfing, and water skiing. Tom has served in many callings in his life, including various Young Men’s callings, elders quorum presidencies, and as a stake clerk. He is currently serving in a bishopric as first counselor in the Rexburg YSA 32nd Ward on campus.

Sister Michelle D. Craig received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University. Sister Craig has served in many ward and stake positions in the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations. She has served as temple ordinance worker in the Provo Utah Temple and Gospel Doctrine teacher in Sunday school. Sister Craig served a mission in the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo Mission. She was serving as a member of the Primary general board at the time of her call as the First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency. She served from March 31, 2018 to August 1, 2023. Sister Craig has enjoyed community service in the Parent Teacher Association of her children’s schools, as a literacy tutor, and as a school support volunteer for a national education foundation. Sister Craig and her husband, E. Boyd Craig, reside in Orem, Utah. They have three children. She loves family history, temple work, reading, and enjoying time with her family.

Kevin J Worthen is the Hugh W. Colton Professor of Law and a Wheatley Institute Distinguished Fellow at Brigham Young University. Brother Worthen is a graduate of Carbon High School in Price, Utah. After serving a mission in Monterrey, Mexico, he earned an associate degree at the College of Eastern Utah (now USU-Eastern). He then received his B.A. in political science and his J.D. from BYU. After serving as a law clerk to Justice Byron R. White of the U.S. Supreme Court, Brother Worthen practiced law in Phoenix, Arizona. He joined the law school faculty at BYU in 1987. He served as the dean of the BYU Law School and, from 2014 to 2023, as the thirteenth president of BYU. He has also been a Fulbright Scholar at the Universidad de Chile and the Doyle-Winter Distinguished Visiting Professor at Yale Law School. Brother Worthen is married to Peggy Rae Sealey, who was also raised in Price. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

Gabriel W. Reid was sustained as Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 2024. He began serving on August 1, 2024. Prior to his calling in the Sunday School General Presidency, he served as a Mission Leader in the Australia Sydney Mission from 2021–2024. Brother Reid has served in several Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Chile Santiago South Mission, stake Young Men president, high councilor, bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, and mission president. Brother Reid graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2002. He retired from the National Football League in 2007 and started a construction management company. Gabriel Walter Reid was born in Pago Pago, American Samoa, on May 28, 1977. He married Heather Sasse in June of 2000; they have four children.

Dr. Jennie Pardoe grew up in Southlake, Texas. She served as a full-time missionary in the Russia-Samara mission. Jennie earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Brigham Young University, her Master of Arts in Theatre Education from Emerson College, and her PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies from the University of Missouri. She began working as a faculty member for the BYU-Idaho Department of Theatre and Dance in 2020. She teaches acting, voice, script analysis, and theatre history in addition to directing shows. Recent on-campus directing credits include Translations, Sense and Sensibility, and As It Is In Heaven. She is currently directing the department’s production of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. She enjoys close relationships with her four younger sisters and loves being an aunt to her nine nieces and nephews. She currently lives in Sugar City with her dog, Zoey.

Danny Ricks has been an educator in the Church Educational System for nearly two decades. He has taught on the Navajo and Hopi reservations in Northern Arizona as well as in Boise, Idaho. He currently teaches in the Religion Department at BYU-Idaho, where he has served for the past five years. He is a devoted husband and the proud father of five wonderful children. Danny is also the great-great-great-grandson of Thomas E. Ricks, founder of Rexburg and namesake of Ricks College. He is a devoted husband and the proud father of five wonderful children. Danny is also the great-great-great-grandson of Thomas E. Ricks, founder of Rexburg and namesake of Ricks College.

Elder Steven R. Bangerter was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah South Area. Elder Bangerter is currently serving in the North America Central Area Presidency. Previously, he served in the Philippines, North America West, and North America Northwest Area Presidencies. Elder Bangerter has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Canada Vancouver Mission, ward Young Men president, elders quorum president, high councilor, bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, and Area Seventy. Elder Bangerter received a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from Arizona State University in 1989. In 1993 he received a juris doctor degree from the Western State University College of Law. He practiced law with Cooksey, Toolen, Gage, Duffy & Woog from 1993 to 2003. From 2004 to 2018 he served as managing partner for Bangerter Frazier & Graff, PC. His legal career has focused on representing churches and other faith-based organizations. Steven R. Bangerter was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 29, 1961. He married Susan Alexis Hughes in 1983. They are the parents of six children.