Podcast Summary: Lessons in Giving Gifts of Light | C. Shane Reese (BYU Speeches)
Episode: Lessons in Giving Gifts of Light
Speaker: C. Shane Reese, President of BYU
Date: September 16, 2025
Duration: ~17 minutes
Platform: BYU Speeches
Episode Overview
In this devotional address, President C. Shane Reese, the then-President of Brigham Young University, commemorates BYU's 150th anniversary by exploring the theme “Gifts of Light.” Drawing on scriptural stories, university milestones, personal anecdotes, and the teachings of President Henry B. Eyring, Reese encourages the BYU community to grow, celebrate, and share Christ’s light in their lives and the world at large. The message centers around recognizing, receiving, and giving gifts of light—both temporal and spiritual—with an emphasis on compassion, sacrifice, and discipleship.
Key Themes & Discussion Points
1. Light vs. Darkness: The Central Spiritual Message
- Main Idea: The answer to darkness is light, and the answer to evil is Christ, the ultimate gift of light.
- Aspirational Goal: BYU’s community and sesquicentennial theme is to share and amplify Christ’s light.
- “Alone, your light cannot be hid. Together, your light floods the earth.” (02:10)
2. The Impact and Reach of BYU’s Community
- Cohesion and Influence:
- BYU is the largest undergraduate private campus in the U.S., now joined by one of the largest freshman classes.
- 466,000+ alumni worldwide.
- Service and Leadership:
- 70% of graduates have served missions.
- Alumni serve as educators, medical professionals, community leaders, and even in Congress and the Olympics.
- Notable Fact: BYU had more undergraduate alumni serving in the last two sessions of Congress than most Ivy League schools. (03:15)
3. Giving Gifts of Light: Principles from President Eyring
Reese introduces three principles from President Henry B. Eyring about how to become an “expert giver of gifts”:
- Empathy: They felt what you felt.
- Generosity: They gave freely.
- Perspective on Sacrifice: They counted sacrifice a bargain. (05:10)
- Parable of the Green Chalkboard (05:50)
- President Eyring’s father, a world-class chemist, supported him at a green chalkboard when Eyring doubted his math abilities.
- Memorable Quote (President Eyring):
“I can't remember the gifts my dad wrapped and helped put under a tree, but I remember the chalkboard and his quiet voice.” (07:35)
- Parable of the Red Cherries (08:00)
- After the loss of President Eyring’s mother, relatives arrived with a simple gift—red cherries—showing love and understanding.
- Memorable Quote (President Eyring):
“I can't remember the taste of the cherries, but I remember that someone knew my heart and cared.” (09:02)
4. Scriptural Gift Givers and Symbolism
- Jacob and Esau: Jacob prepares gifts to reconcile with Esau, which mends their relationship. (10:10)
- The Magi: Their gifts for the Christ child included material treasures, arduous journeys, and faith.
- Mary of Bethany: Her anointing of Jesus with precious ointment is affirmed by Jesus as a “good work.”
“She hath poured this ointment on my body. She did it for my burial.” (11:05)
5. Cultural and Personal Gifts at BYU
- Gifts from Dignitaries:
- A vase made from hand-cut paper fragments symbolizes collective impressions of life.
- Mathematically significant “Gomboc” shape from Hungary, illustrating resilience.
- Lighthearted Moment: “If you’re planning to purchase one of these for that special someone this year in time for Christmas, I strongly recommend acting right now while supplies last.” (12:42)
6. Receiving Gifts of Light: Personal Testimony
- President Reese’s Background: Raised by a single mother in a home that emphasized education as a priority, despite lacking diplomas.
- A Small Gift with Big Impact:
- A BYU hat from a youth leader inspired him to list BYU on his college application—an experience that shaped his life’s trajectory.
- “A kindling of a light, by daring to be different right in my own backyard.” (15:15)
7. Ultimate Gift: Christ and His Atonement
- The Ultimate Example:
- “God the Father gave his son and Jesus Christ gave us the atonement, the greatest of all gifts and all giving.” (16:05)
- Christ felt our “pain and the sorrow of sin” and gave freely so that “all men and women come into this life with that gift.”
- Call to Action: Share your “gold, frankincense... your gifts of light” for the Savior’s glory.
8. Final Encouragements and Testimony
- Christ’s light “casts out all darkness” and through Him, “you will become beacons of light to this world that so desperately needs it.”
- Assurance and love for students:
- “I love you students. You are children of God, children of the covenant, and disciples of Jesus Christ. I so testify of this in his holy name, even the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.” (17:18)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- President C. Shane Reese: “The answer to darkness is light. The answer to evil is Christ. He is the ultimate gift of light.” (00:32)
- On Community Impact: “Collectively, we all join with more than 466,000 living alumni across the globe... Together, your light floods the earth.” (02:10)
- On Gift-Giving: “The giver felt the needs of the receiver, and they gave freely, and they did so, counting the sacrifice, a bargain.” (09:27)
- Personal Anecdote: “It also helped that BYU won the game. And I felt something special, a kindling of a light, by daring to be different right in my own backyard with that brand new BYU hat atop my head.” (15:11)
- On Christ’s Gift: “Jesus Christ’s light casts out all darkness... I promise his grace is sufficient for you. As you experience the greatest gift of light, I witness you will become beacons of light to this world that so desperately needs it.” (16:45)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:32: Introduction and sesquicentennial theme
- 02:10: BYU’s global community and influence
- 05:10: President Eyring’s three principles of giving gifts
- 05:50: Parable of the Green Chalkboard
- 08:00: Parable of the Red Cherries
- 10:10: Scriptural examples of gift giving (Jacob, Magi, Mary)
- 11:55: Cultural gifts to BYU (vase, Gomboc)
- 13:51: Receiving gifts and the importance of accepting them
- 15:11: Reese’s personal story about receiving the BYU hat
- 16:05: Christ as the ultimate gift
- 16:45: Call to share personal gifts of light and bearers of testimony
Conclusion
President C. Shane Reese’s message, steeped in personal reflection, scriptural insight, and institutional pride, revolves around the transformational power of light—Christ’s light—in the world. He calls on the BYU community to both recognize the countless gifts they have received and actively give gifts of light, modeled after the empathy, generosity, and sacrificial spirit shown by the Savior and His followers. The address is both uplifting and actionable, inviting each listener to play a part in illuminating the world.