Welcome to the recent speeches podcast presented by BYU speeches

featuring inspiring new devotional and forums given each week on BYU campus.

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or by visiting speeches dot BYU.edU slash podcasts. This devotional address entitled, Can You Imagine, was given on February 13th of

2024 by Evan A Schmoots, then a general authority 70 of the Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Thank you President Reese for such a warm welcome to the university and for your very

kind introduction. I want to thank all those who have made this morning so easy for me.

And I want to give a special statement of gratitude to Melanie Ride and Ethan Brown who helped provide the visual experience that we hope to share with you today.

My dear friends, I'm a little nervous to be with you this morning.

Very grateful, but nervous nonetheless. It seems to me like a dream to be here. I was

a freshman in 1972, that was 52 years ago, and just as you do I attended many devotionals in this building

As a young student neither I nor anyone who knew me

Accepting my mom, could ever have imagined that I would stand here one day.

In my freshman year, President Dalin H. Oaks was in his second year as president of this university.

That year, President Oaks taught his first and only Book of Mormon class, or so I've been told

by him. And I had the good fortune of being a student in that

class. To my great chagrin, as incredible as that experience was to be taught by President Oaks.

One memory stands out.

One day at the conclusion of class President Oaks asked me to stay and visit.

My hair was a fair bit longer than the standards allowed.

Looking kindly into my face, President Oak said, Brother Schmoots.

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