Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, offered a dedicatory prayer for the newly built Science Building, the first three-story building on campus on Jan. 15. He said he hopes the new building can inspire people to progress forward in confidence in fulfilling President David O. McKay's vision for BYU–Hawaii.
Andersen explained people must consider what can be done that is even more expansive than the school’s founders imagined because the institution has grown so much. “The word that came to my mind as I was sitting here was the word ‘confidence,’” he added.
With the start of this new Science Building, he said BYUH community members must bring “confidence in the capacities of science and confidence in [their] faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
Confidence in a BYUH learning experience
The physical construction of the Science Building, Andersen shared, is symbolic of the growth and knowledge students can experience while attending BYUH because the standards of what students should have at the University were raised.
He compared BYUH student’s learning experience with how the ceilings are designed to be opened. He said he prays students “are not just confined to learn what their professor knows,” but they will learn things even their professors never knew.
He added students must be confident there is no conflict between religion and science. "Everything is known [by] God, and if there's anything unknown, it's only a matter of time until [people] know it. And if it seems to conflict, it's only because [people] don't understand the principles behind it."
Whether knowledge comes from revelation or secular learning, both types of learning are compatible, said BYUH President John S. K. Kauwe III, during his remarks at the dedication of the new Science Building. He quoted President Russel M. Nelson's dedication of the Life Sciences building at BYU in Provo in 2014. Kauwe said, “All truth is part of the everlasting gospel. … There is no conflict between science and religion. Conflict arises only from an incomplete knowledge of either science or religion or both.”
Andersen reminded the audience of a principle taught by President Nelson recently in General Conference. “There really is such a thing as right or wrong. There really is absolute truth – eternal truth."
Secondly, he shared students must be confident in themselves, so if they return to their homelands and leave a significant mark on their home countries. He added he prays people can be prayerful about this and be lifted by the building “to have the confidence they need to prepare for these sacred moments in the future.”
The dedication featured speeches from former BYUH President John Tanner and Vice President of Academics Isaiah Walker, as well as a musical number entitled, "All Things Denote There Is a God," in reference to the inscription on the face of the new building. The song was composed for the occasion by Erica Glenn, a visiting assistant professor of choral activities and voice in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts.
Kathryn Palmer, a member of the Ho'olokahi Chamber Choir who sang at the ceremony, said singing in front of an apostle was really special. “It always feels good when [I] can use [my] gifts or something that [I’m] good at to benefit somebody else.”
Palmer, a junior from Arizona majoring in business, agreed confidence was emphasized during the ceremony. To her, confidence is what she is able to accomplish despite the smaller size of her University. She emphasized confidence means understanding students here “are just as meaningful” and able to impact others.
Momentum to further the mission
Kauwe conducted and spoke at the ceremony. He said the building represents the love and sacrifice of every member of the Church and acknowledged the faith and trust they have that makes it possible to live in Laie and learn at BYUH.
The building also represents the expectation members of the BYUH ohana will honor their covenants and commitments and strive to love others and live worthy of the Lord's blessings. He said those expectations include using the blessing of being at BYUH “to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, to serve families, communities, people of [their] homelands and the kingdom of God."
Using the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland from his 2021 presidential inauguration, Kauwe shared this building represents “one more conspicuous step in the fulfillment of prophecy that is inextricably linked with this particular campus.”
He explained, “This building is going to allow for academic preparation, the exchange and discovery of knowledge, in ways that have simply not been possible on this campus before. … This new capacity is going to provide students with learning and experience that will prepare them to succeed in their future endeavors, even in an increasingly challenging and changing world.”
Jonah Gunter, a sophomore from Washington majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, said the event was uplifting and celebrated the growth of the campus. “It wasn't just about the building, but it was about the direction that campus is taking and the momentum we have going forward to further the mission.”
He shared Andersen emphasized the importance of confidence in many aspects of life. He said there must be confidence in science and faith working together to resolve any discord.
‘All things denote there is a God’
Walker shared his awe for the building's interactive space and indoor and outdoor learning facilities. “These characteristics importantly reflect and invite this spirit of inquiry, study and interaction.”
The building, he said, is conducive to the natural environment surrounding the campus. He shared his admiration for the Pacific Ocean, the sacred homeland for the families of Oceania and the sacred mountain tops and forests, which will soon provide for the community.
“I love how this building is situated because to me, it's an extension of, not a barrier, to the natural elements.” He shared he is excited to see students being able to study the natural beauty from a new building and perspective.
Walker shared fond memories of studying and meeting his wife in the original General Classroom Building, which used to sit where the new Science Building is. “I'm happy to think about the many great memories that will be made in this beautiful place,” he added.
Elise Mitchell, a social media manager at University Communications and a 2020 graduate of BYUH, said she enjoyed the talks because they all centered on the student learning experience. “Whether it was Isaiah Walker or [President] Kauwe, they all were able to connect the building's significance with student learning, how it's going to help further the students' education and how it's really for the students.”
During the construction of the building, Tanner, who returned for the dedication for the first time since the conclusion of his presidency, shared he wanted to engrave a scripture that would describe what the building would represent.
Tanner said he and former Academic Vice President John Bell, chose Alma 30:44, which reads, “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it.” The verse embodies what he said he hopes will happen within the Science Building and on the BYUH campus generally: that students will be taught with the Spirit and come away with strengthened testimonies.
While serving as president, Tanner said he described BYUH as a "Hawaiian Zion," sharing the connection of the campus mission to several Hawaiian terms. For example, he discussed the Hawaiian word kuleana, which means having a responsibility to care for the land.
Pono, or righteousness, Tanner shared, was also in the dedication of this land through the idea that it would be a land established in righteousness. “Certainly, that's part of the University's heritage, to be a Zion community, because we are embracing the idea of pono, or righteousness.”
Another Hawaiian concept Tanner shared he loves is malama 'aina, or responsibility for the earth. “I hope people ... will feel not only a love [for the earth], not only an understanding of it, but also a desire to take care of it. … That’s a Zion responsibility."