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Welcome to the Recent Speeches podcast presented by BYU Speeches, featuring inspiring new devotionals and forums given each week on BYU campus. Be sure to check out our other podcasts by searching BYU Speeches wherever you get your podcasts or by visiting Speeches BYU Edu Podcasts.
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This devotional address, entitled the need for Greater Hope, was delivered on July 28, 2026 by Jamal Willis, Assistant Director of Student Wellness at Brigham Young University.
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How you doing, mom and dad? Good morning, my friends. What an honor it is to stand before you today. I'm deeply grateful and humbled to be with so many of you whom I admire and look up to this. This university has been filled with incredible influences throughout my life. So many who have paved the way for me to be here today. I'm especially grateful for my wife who could join me today. She has been an influence in my life since the day I stepped foot on this campus. My wife and I are both BYU alumni, which is an interesting story because neither one of us ever thought we would choose byu. My wife was headed to the University of Utah on a gymnastics scholarship, and I was headed to Nebraska on a football scholarship. But at the last minute, we both chose to come to byu. We are deeply grateful that the Lord guided us both here. And if someone would have told me 30 years ago during our college days that I would be speaking at one of these wonderful devotionals, excuse me, we would have never believed them. Especially when back then I was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So this moment is very special to my wife and I. We have sure come a long way. We have been married 32 years and we now have three wonderful children and three incredible grandchildren. I am so grateful to my loving Heavenly Father who guided me to places I would have never imagined, and I am so grateful I let him prevail in my life. It all began with my wonderful coach, Lavelle Edwards, who showed up at my home and convinced my family to come to BYU on a recruiting trip. And really, who could say no to Lavelle Edwards? Coach Edwards didn't offer me anything flashy or extraordinary, but his character and his commitment to help me succeed not only in football, but in life are what truly influenced my family. My family and I arrived at Brigham Young University, we immediately felt something different, something I wasn't accustomed to. We felt love, unity, and kindness from so many people across campus. And I remember thinking, how can people love each other and care for each other this much? Because I grew up in an environment that was much different than this. There was a light here at BYU that was undeniable and powerful. It is exactly what President Reese mentions in our BYU theme this past year how important it is to share our gifts of light. I am so grateful for Coach Lavelle Edwards and so many others who shared this new light with me and my family. It was that light and unconditional love that changed and altered the direction of my life. When I was invited to speak today and I was reflecting on what I would speak to you about, my heart felt inspired to share with you some of my personal life stories. I truly believe that when we share our stories and our testimonies, we open our hearts to one another. Our stories help us to understand, create empathy, deepen our connection and allow us to see life through each other's eyes. We all have stories to share and although our stories are all different, God will have a personal love and relationship with each of us and he will be in the details of each of our stories. The message and stories that I would like to share with you today is the need for greater hope and how important it is that we never give up. We never give up on ourselves. We never give up on people, and especially never give up on God. Because he will never give up on you. Brothers and sisters, we live in a world that can feel chaotic, confusing and deceiving and hopeless at times. But President Russell M. Nelson taught that we can overcome this sin saturated, self centered and exhausting world. How do we do this? By having greater hope and placing that faith and hope in Jesus Christ and receiving the power of the Holy Ghost to guide our lives. I know the struggles you are facing. I've been there. And not only have I been there, but I've had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful young adults for the last 25 years from many walks of life. From youth detention for troubled teens, serving as a middle school and high school administrator, coaching athletes, working in athletics and multicultural services here at BYU and now currently working in student wellness. The struggles that so many of you face are real. We see you and we understand you. President Gordon B. Hinckley gives one of my favorite quotes which reads carry on, keep trying, keep believing. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. I testify that that this is true and it's something we need to tell ourselves every day. Brothers and sisters, I would like to discuss two simple and powerful truths that will help us get through the struggles of life and strengthen and sustain our hope in Jesus Christ. Number one, knowing and understanding who God is and understanding his great love for us. And number two, knowing that we are all God's children. Though we are different and unique, we are all brothers and sisters in God's plan. My parents and the faithful black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are some of my greatest examples. They have inspired me and have shown me that holding on to hope and trusting in an all loving God is truly how we endure when times get tough. My parents grew up during a time. When racism and segregation were prevalent, When black Americans were denied fundamental rights such as equal voting access, fair housing, employment opportunities and education. They were also denied services at theaters, restaurants and even public restrooms, all because of the color of their skin. Imagine living under those circumstances where you are denied opportunities and mistreated, all because of the way you look. Where would you find the motivation to keep pushing forward? Where would you, when the world tells you that your worth is less than human? My parents would often notice the loving, kind people that stood in support of their beliefs and those that would march with them for change. So because of the inspiring people that stood for good, my parents lived with these three principles in order to carry on and overcome their challenges. Number one, they had faith and hope in a loving God. Number two, they had support and unity within their families. And number three, they kept their faith and hope in the goodness of people. So when things got hard and we felt like the world was against us, my parents showed me that we never give up and we hold firmly onto hope. With this mentality, my father pressed forward and went on to earn a college degree and my parents provided well for our family. A few years ago, I served in the presidency of the Genesis Group, a program established over many years ago with the help of Apostles Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, Elder Boyd K. Packer and Elder Thomas S. Monson. This program was created to to support black members of the church at a time that was so challenging to their faith. The Genesis Program provided a safe space for spiritual uplift and fellowship during a time when black members were denied the priesthood and its ordinances. What a joyous occasion it was when the priesthood ban was lifted in 1978. And we are so blessed that this program still exists today. Serving with these faithful saints has forever touched my life. Many are still struggling with ignorance and mistreatment and it's extremely unfortunate. So we continue to gather, often share our testimonies of faith and perseverance. We support and uplift each other and share the love of God. Their examples have strengthened me and are a constant reminder to never give up and to remain focused on Christ. We know that if we keep going and keep believing in him, we can overcome all things. In our African culture, we often say to each other, God is good all the time. And the other responds with all the time, God is good and that is truth. That has been the greatest focus of these wonderful saints. We must never forget who our greatest hope giver is and that is our Savior, Jesus Christ. When I pause and think about my life today, I am filled with gratitude for those who came before me. People who hoped, endured and risked everything to make this world a better place. Their courage created opportunities I don't take lightly. Because of their sacrifices, I'm able to build a life with my wife, the person I love, and I'm able to stand before each of you today. I'm here because change was worth fighting for. My parents and our black saints are my greatest examples of pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God in all men. They did just as Nephi was instructed by the Lord in 2 Nephi 3120 brothers and sisters, we're all going to find ourselves in challenging situations or striving to find peace and direction throughout our lives. Please remember who God is and what he can do for you. Many times and far too often, we turn away from the Lord. We look elsewhere for peace, direction and acceptance. We tend to turn too quickly to social media and other forms of worldly sources. When doing this, we usually end up walking away feeling empty handed, more lost and confused, and still struggling to find that peace, hope and direction we long for. It's so important for us to be mindful and careful where we turn for truth and that it is in the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel that is where we will receive that perfect brightness of hope that only he can give. Brothers and sisters, I did not grow up with these teachings. I didn't always understand who God was or my relationship with Him. Growing up in Las Vegas, I was surrounded by negative influences. Some of my closest friends and family became involved in drugs, gangs and even criminal activity. And some even lost their lives. Hope was not easy to hold onto and sometimes hard to find. But my bedroom became my safe place, a space where I could escape the chaos around me and reflect on my life. It was the place that led me to know who God was. And there was a turning point in my life when one night, feeling confused and discouraged. I opened my heart completely to him, sharing all my fears and questions with him. And suddenly an overwhelming feeling of peace and hope came over me. It was as if I heard him say, jamal, things will be okay. Have hope in me. It will all work out. I felt the darkness that filled my room and my mind at that time was taken over by a bright light of hope and the love of God. That moment changed my life. It was that hope that prepared me to choose BYU over all other universities. When I arrived here at byu, that light felt familiar to me and continued to get brighter in my life. My hope became greater and the love of others became deeper and more meaningful. This led me to my baptism into this wonderful Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And my life has become anchored in Jesus Christ ever since. I'm so eternally grateful to my Savior Jesus Christ and the wonderful people that shared their light and guided me to the true teachings of Jesus Christ and the hope that comes from knowing him and following Him. How happier and more meaningful my life became when I gained this greater understanding and knowledge of God and the power of the Godhead. I learned that if we have God, the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, which are the three most powerful beings in our lives, how can we ever lose hope? They fulfill every aspect of our lives. President Oaks says, because of our belief and relationship with the Godhead, we will have the ultimate roadmap and assurance for our journey through this life. We know who we are and what we can become, and we know who makes it all possible. Brothers and sisters, the day I invited God into my room is the day God presented me with the ultimate roadmap and assurance that led me from one experience to another. With that continued hope and faith in him, he has guided me to a life of opportunities I never thought were possible. Having hope in Christ and letting him prevail in our lives will lead us to far better places than we could ever imagine. He knows us better than we know ourselves and he knows exactly what we need. Trust him, believe in him, and believe Him. This is the hope that fills us with peace and brings feelings of joy and direction into our lives. There are many wonderful examples in the Scriptures, and one of my favorite is the story of David and Goliath found in 1st Samuel 17. We can all learn from David because each of us will face our own Goliath throughout life. At times we may feel like King Saul in the Israelite army. We see the giants standing before us and feel the urge to run as we focus on the challenge ahead. Doubt begins to creep in. We feel inadequate and incapable and we begin to fixate on our weaknesses and imperfections. But David chose a different focus. Though he was young and small in stature, his trust, hope and courage were far greater than Goliath. Unlike the other Israelites who focused on the giant, David stayed focused on the Lord. He knew and believed that with God all things are possible. He was not discouraged by the doubts of others because he knew his Lord and what the Lord could do through him. David also remembered the many times the Lord had delivered him from past challenges. And that remembrance strengthened his faith that the Lord would deliver him again. Brothers and sisters, we find ourselves facing our Goliaths in our lives. Be not afraid. Remember what God has done for you and know he will always be there for you. Trust in the power of God. As David states in verses 45 through 47, Thou may comest to us with a sword, spear and a shield, but I come to thee in the name of the Lord and this day the Lord will deliver thee into mine hands, for the battle is the Lord's. Those are powerful truths. We will conquer every Goliath if we utilize the strength of the Lord and believe he is the same living and loving God yesterday, today and forever. The scriptures are full of stories that teach and remind us of what God can do. He holds all the power to perform miracles and bless our lives in ways we need. Do you trust him? Do you trust Him? Like the Israelites who were leaving Egypt in Exodus we learn as the Israelites escaped, they were chased from behind by the Egyptians and in front of them was the giant Red Sea. They had nowhere to go. Not only did they believe and trust in the power of God, but they also believed in the wise and spiritual guidance of Moses the prophet who was called by God to lead the people. And they obediently pressed forward with trust in him. In Exodus 14, verses 13 and 14 it reads, Fear ye not, the Lord shall fight for you and he fulfills all of his promises. So God parted the Red Sea, allowing the people to walk through on dry ground to safety. How many times do we feel like the Israelites and and think there is no way out of our challenges? Brother Wilcox says God may not take away our Red Sea moments, but he will provide a way through it. We too will walk through our challenges and be guided to safety if we do just as the Israelites did. They trusted in their all loving and powerful God who fulfills all his promises. They heeded the counsel of their living prophet and they supported and gained strength from each other as they pressed forward together. I'm sure there were many who stood there afraid and unsure. I'm sure there were many doubters amongst them. If some had listened to those doubts, they may have not made it through to safety. But they held onto their faith and hope and encouraged and strengthened one another. And together they were able to cross the Red Sea to safety. This leads me to truth number two. When we all understand that we are all God's children and we are all here to care for each other as brothers and sisters, then we are able to get through our challenges with greater hope and strength. I remember my first day at BYU being African American, a non member of the church. I felt nervous and unsure and I noticed all the stares from students. It made me feel like I didn't belong. And in my first class, I sat in the back, avoiding eye contact, hoping the professor wouldn't call on me. I felt completely alone. And when I checked my schedule, I saw my next class was the Book of Mormon. My first thought was to skip it, go home and prepare for football practice. But a quiet inner voice told me to go and I listened. I arrived late to that large auditorium of students and was about to sit in the back when an older woman near the front stood up and said, jamal, I saved a seat for you. Waving her hand in front of all the students. And I felt so embarrassed. But when I reached the front row, she greeted me with excitement and gave me a big hug. In that moment, I felt loved, cared for, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged. That woman was Patti Edwards coach lavelle Edwards wife. You will never fully know the influence you can have in a person's life and the effect it can have for generations to come. So because of the many hope givers in my life, I am three generations deep with my beautiful wife, our children and our grandchildren, living a wonderful life with God and His eternal plan of peace, hope and happiness. So please, be that hope, give that hope. That's what a BYU education can provide. This university is distinct, distinct in a spiritual way, not just academically. You are in a beautiful place to not just gain an education, but to gain greater light and hope in Christ and to share his light and hope with others. May we never forget about the one. I consider myself as that one. The Lord wants all his children to return and live with him again. And and we play an important role in doing this. The Gospel is centered around relationships and ministering to each other. May we follow the Savior's perfect example when he spent time with the one, the sinner, the lonely, the unclean, the brokenhearted, those that were rejected, and the poor in temporal and spiritual matters. May we be so humble and never put ourselves above others. God loves each of us equally and so should we. If we can see each other as Christ sees us, we can build a connection of trust, understanding, empathy and love, which can create a sense of emotional connection, regardless of our differences. When this becomes hard to do, we must pray for this ability in our lives. We must pray to see the good in all people. And I know without a doubt our perspectives will change of those we may struggle with. Sister Dennis from the Relief Society General Presidency says our congregation and families, and may I add, our university, can be gathering places where we cheer each other on helping each other overcome whatever challenges we face, giving each other strength and encouragement without judging one another. We need each other. Brothers and sisters, there may be times in our lives where we might feel alone and may not receive the cheers and encouragement of others. I had an incredible career here at BYU, playing four years at Lavelle Edwards Stadium where over 60,000 fans cheered me on. Banners and signs were held up in my support and fans chanting, give Jamal the ball. That filled me with energy and confidence and the motivation that I needed to give it my all. My confidence in my abilities grew immensely as I heard the cheers of the fans. I carried this with me into my NFL opportunities until an injury came along that ended my career. I hit another dark place in my life. My dreams had come to an end. But one day I had the chance to come back when where I once heard those cheers and felt the confidence which was in Lavelle Edwards Stadium. As I entered that stadium, I walked down that tunnel where I used to run out before every game, hearing the chants of over 60,000 fans. But now those cheers were no longer there and the stadium was quiet. No more cheering. No more, give Jamal the ball. My identity and self worth were being challenged as I gathered myself and all my emotions. I walked back up that tunnel and had a seat in the front row to gather my thoughts. And as I sat there, I remembered the moment I had with God in my room. And once again I had the same reassurance from him that it's okay, things will work out. As if he was telling me, your playing days are over, but you have so much to give, so much to do. Stand up, press forward, keep going and be thankful and hopeful. Everything will work out. You are not alone. And in that moment, I did not hear the fans cheering me on. But most importantly, I heard God and the army of angels cheering for me instead. In doctrine and Covenants 8488, the Lord promises I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and My spirit shall be in your hearts and my angels round about you to bear you up. And that's exactly what I felt in that moment. So even though my football career came to an end and the fans were gone, I knew and trusted God will always be by my side with these many earthly angels that he has given me in my life. They have stuck with me, Believed in me, supported me and became my team. Brothers and sisters, we're all on God's team getting through this life, this game of life together. He is our head coach with our Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, our living and loving prophet. President Oaks is our assistant coach today and if we stay focused and trust in their game plan, we will not fail. We already know who wins, but we must study that playbook every day and feast upon the teachings of God in daily scriptures. Our daily Scriptures. Our daily practice must consist of communicating with our Heavenly Father through prayer. We must take the time to ponder and listen to what he may teach us. We must be humble and repent daily and serve and love those around us. We must stay focused on the Lord and choose him in every thought, word and deed. We also need a day of rest, which is the reason God gave us the blessed Sabbath day. A day to take the sacrament and realign ourselves our lives with the Lord. A day to remember our path and role in his game plan. And we will then go forth with his power within us to accomplish his will and succeed with this eternal game plan. We will never lose with him and because of him we will be victorious. Our Savior paid the ultimate price for us to win this game of life. He endured all that pain and suffering while staying focused on each one of us. And I know without a doubt that we too can endure the pains and struggles of life while we remain ever so focused on Him. He will be our constant and consistent Hope Giver. May we stand strong and stand with God in being hope givers. May we love, uplift, unite and come together as brothers and sisters under the same Father and make this world a better and happier place for all God's children. Let your light shine upon all. No matter our faith, our race, our belief, and no matter our differences, we have got to share God's love and light and give this greater hope that we all want and need more of Brothers and sisters, you have the power to be a source of hope. As the next generation of leaders, innovators and problem solvers, you bring fresh ideas, energy and determination. So please use your voices to create a positive change. You can give hope by being examples of resilience, accepting and loving unconditionally and encouraging inclusion students. You are not just preparing for the future, you are shaping it. Through your BYU education, you can bring hope to your communities and help create a better world for everyone. BYU students are hope givers because they serve, lead, inspire and live with purpose and faith. As you walk with God through your actions and examples and Christlike attributes, you will help create a better future not only for yourselves, but also to individuals and families and communities everywhere. Brothers and sisters, keep your hopes up and always remember you were sent here to this earth to succeed. I testify that God lives that he loves you and that through him all things truly can work out. And may you never forget that Jesus Christ is our constant and consistent hope giver. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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