Podcast Summary: "Guided by Faith and Love"

Speaker: Michael L. Roberts, Managing Director of BYU Alumni and External Relations
Date: October 21, 2025
Podcast: BYU Speeches

Overview

In this devotional, Michael L. Roberts shares a deeply personal narrative emphasizing the immense love of God and Jesus Christ, the guiding hand of divinely directed individuals in our lives, and the distinct mission of BYU and church education. Blending stories from his family and professional journey, Roberts illustrates how faith, revelation, and lifelong learning enable personal growth and service to others. The address serves as inspiration for students to recognize divine influence in their own paths and to seize opportunities for spiritual and intellectual development at BYU.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. The Love of God and Divine Guidance

• Opening Reflection:
  Roberts recounts the advice from President Reese:
  “Don’t let your fear take away from cherishing the opportunity to receive personal revelation.” (00:39)
  This set the tone for his talk on faith, revelation, and love.

• Family and Personal Examples:
  Roberts expresses gratitude for his wife Dana, his family, especially his son Michael, who was born with significant challenges but profoundly blesses the family with his presence and spirit:

  "Michael is nonverbal, but he shows his passion for life and his love through his kind eyes, warm hugs and engaging smile. He is one of those angels that the Lord put into my life to touch my heart and help me understand the blessing of serving and loving unconditionally." (02:40)

• Universal Love:
  Emphasis that God's love is for everyone, evidenced not just in personal life, but institutionally at BYU.

2. The Spiritual and Religious Purpose of Education

• Doctrinal Foundations:
  Citing Joseph Smith:

  “The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth.” (04:25)

  • Education is inherently spiritual and essential for reaching our divine potential.
  • Knowledge gained in this life has eternal value.
  • President Nelson:

    "Your mind is precious. It is sacred. Therefore, the education of one's mind is also sacred. Indeed, education is a religious responsibility." (06:00)

• Holistic Development:
  Education at BYU is about character, values, integrity, and service—not just academics or career.

  “Education is about developing the whole person, mind, spirit and character.” (07:46)

3. BYU’s Unique Mission and Role

• Flagship Status:
  BYU as the flagship of the Church Educational System (CES), with a unique responsibility to align with and serve the Church’s mission.

  “A flagship university must defer to the Lord, the Spirit and prophets of the Lord, ensuring that its areas of excellence are aligned with the needs of the Church...” (10:10)

• Brand Narrative & Vision:
  BYU as a beacon:

  "BYU graduates are motivated by love for God and his children. They are directed by living prophets and prepared to serve, lift and lead. ... BYU strives to emit a unique light for the benefit of the world." (12:22)

4. Personal Journey of Faith, Guidance, and Return

• Early Life and Return to Faith:

  • Raised with limited gospel knowledge; family drifted from church activity after moving.
  • A bishop’s inspired call led Roberts to deeper church involvement, priesthood responsibility, and, eventually, his patriarchal blessing.

    “I was surprised one day when Bishop Terry called and asked if I would accept a calling to be one of his assistants in the priest quorum. ... My parents had always taught me that if you were asked to do something good, you say yes.” (16:19)

  • Reluctance to serve a mission changed after a co-worker’s challenge to his faith:

    “In that moment I received a strong impression that I needed to change my plan and that I must go on a mission and follow the Lord's plan for me.” (20:45)

• Path Through Church Education:
  Progression from Ricks College to missionary service, then back to school and eventually to BYU.

  • Family transformations (father’s church service, being sealed as a family), testimony growth, and professional preparations were all interwoven with faith-led choices.

• Professional Career and Return to BYU:

  • After a corporate career and plans for retirement, a cancer diagnosis and series of promptings led Roberts to apply and return to BYU, with mentorship from Dean Lee Perry—a former professor and another “divinely directed” individual:

    “As soon as I met Lee, I knew I needed to be at BYU. Fortunately, he felt the same and took a chance on me. Lee was another special person who the Lord put in my life to help me return to BYU.” (23:25)

  • Contrasts the difference between corporate and BYU culture:

    “Starting meetings with prayer, openly bearing testimony and discussing the Gospel while at work was unique, exciting and refreshing.” (24:00)

  • Through mentoring students, Roberts found a deeper understanding of BYU’s purpose and his own role in helping others.

5. Uplifting Counsel and Encouragement

• Affirmation of Divine Potential:
  Quoting Elder Uchtdorf:

  “You are a blessed being of light, the Spirit Child of an infinite God, and you bear with you a potential beyond your own capacity to imagine. Your origin story is divine and so is your destiny. You left heaven to come here, but Heaven has never left you. ... You are gifted.” (25:10)

• Lessons Learned:

  • God loves us unconditionally and is invested in our growth.
  • The Gospel is true and personal revelation is available.
  • Paths at BYU, CES schools are divinely guided.
  • The people at BYU—faculty, staff, students, alumni—are crucial in opening doors and providing support.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Reflective Gratitude:

  “I look forward to the day when we reunite on the other side of the veil and I can converse with [my son] and hear him share his love for the Savior and our family.” (03:18)

• Finding Faith through Challenge:

  “My coworker didn't realize it, but he was the critical piece in pushing me one step closer to the Lord and a mission.” (21:30)

• Invitation to Students:

  “I encourage each of you to ponder and reflect on the Lord's loving guidance in your personal journey to BYU and the purpose he has for you while you are here.” (24:40)

  • “My office door is always open if you need help while here at BYU.” (26:37)

Important Timestamps

• Personal Family Story: 02:20 – 04:00
• Education & the Gospel Doctrine: 04:20 – 08:00
• BYU’s Mission and Vision: 10:00 – 13:00
• Personal Spiritual Journey: 16:10 – 22:00
• Return to BYU and Reflections: 22:45 – 24:30
• Final Lessons and Invitational Message: 25:10 – 26:37

Conclusion

Michael L. Roberts’s address is both a testimony and an invitation: to see the hand of God and inspired individuals in your journey, to treasure lifelong education as a spiritual pursuit, and to recognize BYU’s sacred responsibility in developing disciples of Jesus Christ. His personal stories offer pragmatic hope and illustrate how faith and love truly guide the faithful. He ends by affirming his testimony and offering himself as a mentor and resource for students.