Ashton
President Brian K. Ashton — president of BYU–Pathway Worldwide — and his wife, Sister Melinda Ashton, speak to the college’s students and staff during the first devotional of the spring semester on April 25, 2023. Photo is a screenshot from the byupathway.org video, courtesy of Church News. All rights reserved.
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By Joel Randall, Church News
Over 30 years ago, President Brian K. Ashton — president of BYU–Pathway Worldwide — had a younger brother who passed away. Although he understood the gospel truths of what happens to young children when they die, President Ashton still had questions.
He studied and prayed, but the answers seemed not to come. Then, last year, he was asked to speak at a graveside service held for a deceased child.
“It was then, as I was preparing for that experience, that I was given the answers,” said President Ashton in a video devotional to the college’s students and staff. “In fact, I find that answers to my personal questions often come as I am serving someone else.”
Because God loves His children — said Sister Melinda Ashton, President Ashton’s wife — He gives them the Holy Ghost to seek answers and understanding. “At times we will have to be patient and have faith because He knows what is best for our learning and growth, but answers and comfort will come.”
On Tuesday, April 25, President and Sister Ashton, taught about truth, at BYU–Pathway’s first devotional of the spring semester. Their messages centered on how to find truth in today’s confusing times.
Ashtons
President Brian K. Ashton — president of BYU–Pathway Worldwide — speak sto the college’s students and staff during the first devotional of the spring semester on April 25, 2023. Photo is a screenshot from the byupathway.org video, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.‘Go to God to Know the Truth’
The university president and his wife often see students and others confused about what is true.
“They hear one thing from prophets and apostles and another thing from the world,” said President Ashton. “Others are paralyzed by the complexity of the decisions that they must make. Still, others hear or read what is labeled as truth but find that supposed experts don’t agree and often have diametrically opposing views.”
This is in part why Church President Russell M. Nelson has warned that it wouldn’t be possible to survive spiritually without the Holy Ghost’s constant influence.
Despite today’s confusing times, said President Ashton, “the good news is that there is a source of truth that you can always trust: God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost.”
How can one find access to Them as a source of truth?
ashtons
Sister Melinda Ashton speaks to the students and staff during the first devotional of the spring semester on April 25, 2023. Photo is a screenshot from the byupathway.org video, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.Sister Ashton said: “Each of us is entitled to go to God to know the truth. He will answer us in His time and in His way if we will ask in faith with real intent.”
Many, however, do not go to God for answers. “Sometimes they don’t want to know what He has to say,” she said. “Others don’t think to ask. And, still, others lack faith that God will answer them.”
‘The Work That We Must Do’
The Ashtons shared video clips of President Nelson’s April 2018 conference address “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives.” In this talk, said Sister Ashton, one of the Prophet’s main messages is “each of us can know the truth through revelation.”
“Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true,” said President Nelson in the address.
“As you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek,” the prophet later said.
These quotes and many others show that “the great God of heaven, your Heavenly Father, wants to speak with you,” said President Ashton. So, what does He require of His children for this to happen?
Sister Ashton outlined five main efforts children of God must undertake — “the work that we must do” to receive His revelation:
- Have faith in Jesus Christ.
- Live worthy to feel and hear the Holy Ghost.
- Search the scriptures and words of prophets.
- Pray with faith that God will answer you.
- Wait patiently for the Lord’s answer in His way and time.
Through this five-step pattern, students can let God direct them.
President Ashton said, “Can any of us doubt that God will reveal to us the truth if we are willing to ask and then do the work required to receive revelation?”
Ashtons
President Brian K. Ashton — president of BYU–Pathway Worldwide — and his wife, Sister Melinda Ashton, speak to the college’s students and staff during the first devotional of the spring semester on April 25, 2023. Photo is a screenshot from the byupathway.org video, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company.