Devotionals and Speeches

Elder Ulisses Soares was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on March 31, 2018. Elder Soares was born in São Paulo, Brazil, on October 2, 1958. He married Rosana Fernandes in October 1982. They are the parents of three children and five grandchildren.

Alvin F. Meredith III became the 18th president of Brigham Young University-Idaho on August 1, 2023. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 3, 2021, and continues to serve in that role today.

Jennifer E. Meredith received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Brigham Young University. She worked in Human Resources for Franklin Covey. Sister Meredith served as a mission leader with her husband in the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. She has served as a presidency member in multiple church organizations and as a full-time missionary in the Argentina Salta Mission.

This Winter 2025 Commencement address with Elder John C. Pingree was delivered on Thursday, April 10th in the BYU-Idaho I-Center. Elder John C. Pingree Jr. was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 1, 2017. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Correlation Department. He previously served in the Mexico Area Presidency, the North America West Area Presidency, and the Temple Department.

This Winter 2025 Commencement address with Brother R. Kelly Haws was delivered on Thursday, April 10th, in the BYU-Idaho I-Center. Brother R. Kelly Haws serves as the Secretary to the Church Educational System Board of Trustees. He received his associate's degree from Snow College, his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, and his master's degree from Utah State University.

This Winter 2025 Commencement address with President Alvin F. Meredith III was delivered on Thursday, April 10th, in the BYU-Idaho I-Center. Alvin F. Meredith III became the 18th president of Brigham Young University-Idaho on August 1, 2023. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 3, 2021, and continues to serve in that role today.

This Devotional address with Max Bartschi was delivered on April 1st at 11:30 AM MST in the BYU-Idaho I-Center. Max Bartschi lives in Moody, Idaho. He has worked at BYU-Idaho for 23 years. Max and his wife, Marinda, have been married for 26 years. They have four children, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law, and one granddaughter. Max enjoys spending time with family and being outdoors. He especially likes to fish and hunt.

This Devotional address with Scott Burton was delivered on March 25th at 11:30 AM MST in the BYU-Idaho I-Center. Scott Burton is a computer science faculty member and the program director of the online software development program offered through BYU-Pathway Worldwide.

This Devotional address with Elder Jorge M. Alvarado was delivered on March 18th at 11:30 AM MST in the BYU-Idaho I-Center. Elder Jorge M. Alvarado was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 6, 2019, at age 48. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a high councilor. He has served as a counselor in the Caribbean Area Presidency and is currently serving at Church Headquarters in various councils and committees.

This Devotional address with Elder David A. and Sister Susan K. Bednar was delivered on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM MST in the BYU-Idaho I-Center. David A. Bednar was ordained and set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 7, 2004.