Podcast Summary: "A Sense of Prophetic Urgency"

Speaker: C. Shane Reese, President of BYU
Date: January 13, 2026
Podcast: BYU Speeches

Episode Overview

In this devotional address, President C. Shane Reese imparts a message of spiritual urgency rooted in the legacy and teachings of two significant Church leaders: President Jeffrey R. Holland and President Dallin H. Oaks. He calls on students to recognize the unique opportunity they have at BYU to seek Christ, to become disciples, and to act with prophetic urgency in all aspects of their lives. Reese draws on personal stories, memorable campus moments, and notable teachings of these leaders to inspire faith and resolve among listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Light and Promise of BYU Students

• President Reese welcomes students back to campus, expressing hope and love for their individual journeys.
• (02:00) He references the light and service students bring, tying it to the broader legacy and mission of BYU:

  "What is really unique and remarkable this year is the service, light, and learning you bring to this campus, all of which reflect the light of Jesus Christ."

Lessons from President Jeffrey R. Holland

• President Reese reflects on President Holland’s passing and legacy, emphasizing his unwavering faith and prophetic influence.
• Shares a personal story highlighting Holland’s genuine care for students—offering a student (Matt) a ride and encouragement during a difficult time.
• Notable Quotes:
  • On the necessity of faith and hope (12:50):

    "'You just believe that God will work his mighty miracles for everyone but you. You gotta believe, Matt. You just gotta believe.'" — President Holland

  • On perseverance (14:55):

    "'Don't give up, boy. Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying... There is help and happiness ahead. A lot of it... You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.'" — President Holland

Prophetic Urgency and President Holland’s Sacred Hospital Experience

• President Holland emerged from a coma with increased urgency for Christ’s work, emphasizing prayer and testimony:
  • On hastening the work (08:30):

    "'The two lessons that I was given there... were to pray more than you pray... The other lesson was to testify, to be a witness. However much you testify, testify more.'" — President Holland

President Dallin H. Oaks: Faith in Adversity and Commitment to Education

• Reese recounts Oaks’ modest beginnings, personal trials (including the loss of his father and his mother’s nervous breakdown), and how educational mentors and family support led to Oaks' later success.
• On overcoming adversity (19:30):

  "'These experiences taught me firsthand that when a person is not performing well, there are many possible reasons, including reasons not of his or her choosing... Given love and opportunity, every child and adult can recover.'" — President Oaks

• President Oaks’ leadership at BYU emphasized reform and academic innovation—accomplishing much in adverse circumstances.
• Memorable Moment (22:22): Reese recounts when someone visiting church headquarters remarked after hearing Oaks:

  "No, he has a light. There is a light that shines from him. He is a light that is different from anyone here..."

Modeling Civil Dialogue and Leadership

• President Oaks' advice to President Reese:
  • (22:45)

    "'Students today need models of civil dialogue and disagreement. There are too few examples of this in the public square... and it is incumbent upon BYU and other campuses to model it in our classrooms and throughout university life.'"

• Example: Oaks advocating for religious freedoms by starting Congressional testimony with respect and conciliation before making his case.

The Challenge to Become

• Stresses that the gospel is not just about knowledge, but becoming:
  • (23:38)

    "'In contrast to the institutions of the world which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.'" — President Oaks

Participation, Discipleship, and Making the Most of BYU

• Encourages making the most of the BYU experience—academically, spiritually, and relationally.
• Shares President Holland’s analogy: just as one doesn’t qualify for a Yale degree by only reading books, to truly "become," engagement in the process is essential.

Calls to Action

• Personal Reflection (24:55): President Reese concludes by inviting listeners to two self-assessment questions:
  1. "What is God revealing to you personally that asks for more urgency from you?"
  2. "What have prophets, seers and revelators taught with urgency that invite you to act with an equal urgency?"

Memorable Quotes & Affirmations

• "Wendy and I love you more deeply than you can possibly imagine and we can’t wait to make this semester something memorable and impactful right alongside you." — President Reese (04:05)
• "President Oaks is God’s prophet." (22:43)
• "Jesus Christ himself bled and died because he believes in you. So please believe in yourself. Believe in him who is mighty to save. Believe in and work for those good things to come." — President Reese (25:10)
• Final Testimony (25:17):

  "Everything that is unfair in this life will be made right through his atoning sacrifice, not only in the eternities, but much of it in the here and now. ...your future holds everything for you because of him, even Jesus Christ. In his sacred and holy name I testify. Even the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

Key Timestamps

• 00:33 — Welcome and opening remarks by President Reese
• 02:00 — Emphasizing students' light and the true uniqueness of BYU
• 06:05 — President Holland’s story and legacy
• 08:30 — President Holland’s hospital experience: urgency for prayer & testimony
• 12:50 — Holland’s advice: "You gotta believe."
• 14:55 — "Don't give up, boy." (Holland’s message of perseverance)
• 17:50 — Lessons from President Dallin H. Oaks’ childhood
• 19:30 — Oaks on recovery, compassion, and education
• 22:22 — Anecdote: A visitor recognizing President Oaks’ "light"
• 22:45 — Oaks’ advice on necessity of civil dialogue
• 23:38 — The gospel's challenge: "to become"
• 24:55 — President Reese’s two concluding questions/challenges
• 25:17 — Final testimony and closing

Tone and Style

President Reese speaks affectionately, with humor, humility, and deep reverence for prophetic authority. His tone is direct, warm, encouraging, and sincere—meant to uplift and galvanize listeners for action and faith.

Takeaways

This address calls BYU students—and all listeners—to adopt a "sense of prophetic urgency," drawing on the examples of President Holland and President Oaks: face adversity with faith, trust in Christ’s promises, engage actively in meaningful growth, and believe in the "good things to come." The ultimate invitation is to move from knowledge to action, and from information to transformation through Jesus Christ.