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This devotional address entitled, Renewal of Mind and Heart, was given on August 17th of 1984 by Barbara B. Smith, then president of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints.

I can't begin to tell you how very pleased I am

to share this day with you. I am very humbled as I stand before you to express my deep gratitude

to President Holland and to the administration of the Brigham Young University, to its

Board of Trustees, and to my Heavenly Father.

And I pray that I will have the words to tell you the feelings that are in my heart.

I never dare dream that one day I would have the privilege of wearing this cap and gown,

so beautifully hooded with the Brigham Young University Doctor of Humanities.

Receiving this recognition has increased in me the overwhelming desire to always be found

promoting the well-being of people and to work for social reform as it is needed.

It has made me want to be anxiously engaged in following the admonition given to each of us in the Book of Romans.

And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I want very much to continually renew my mind and transform my life so that I might learn to live according to the will of God.

And I hope that each of us will consider this the day we commence, my life so that I might learn to live according to the will of God.

And I hope that each of us will consider this the day we commence the important

renewing process of our minds so that our thoughts will bring about righteous living.

When Paul wrote the verse I have just quoted, he was beginning to detail for the saints at Rome an important

new commandment. He was explaining to them that the old law of sacrifice was no longer necessary.

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