Transcription
Elder David A. Bednar was born in Oakland, California, USA, on June 15, 1952. His mother was a descendant of the LDS pioneers. His father was not a member of the church, but every Sunday, he came to church with David and his mother and supported them in their church activities.
As David grew, he asked his father, "What are you going to be baptized?" His father always answered, "I'll join this church when I know it's the right thing to do." But he always inspired David to be faithful and fulfill all of his priesthood responsibilities.
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As a teenager, David loved sports. He even played quarterback on his high school football team. Soon, it was time for David to go on a mission, and he was called to serve in southern Germany. During his training, before he left, he and other missionaries were invited to a special meeting in the Salt Lake Temple. President Harold B. Lee was a counselor in the First Presidency then, and he was there to answer questions for more than 300 missionaries.
Elder Bednar remembers that as President Lee stood in his white suit, holding his white scriptures, he answered every question from the scriptures. If he didn't know the answer, he would simply say, "I don't know." As Elder Bednar sat in that meeting, he thought he would never be able to know the scriptures the way President Lee did, but he decided to make it his goal from that time on. He learned to know and love the scriptures as President Lee did. He also tried to help everyone he met feel that love of the scriptures.
One day, after he returned from his mission, he and a group of friends were playing flag football. Susan K. Robinson from Afton, Wyoming, USA, was a receiver on his team. She caught one of the passes he threw to her. He was impressed and wanted to get to know her. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 20th, 1975, and became the parents of three sons: Eric, Michael, and Jeffrey.
A couple of years later, when Elder Bednar was living far away from his parents in California, his father called and asked, "What are you doing this Saturday? Can you be in California to baptize me?" Elder Bednar had the great honor to baptize, confirm, and ordain his father. He felt that one of the main reasons he was born was to help his father learn about the gospel.
Elder Bednar helped his sons learn about the gospel as well. His son Eric liked how his father always listened to him. Elder Bednar encouraged Eric to also listen to the words of the prophets and the scriptures. If Eric had questions, he could find answers in their teachings. His son Michael remembers how his dad's great faith helped him not to be afraid. Elder Bednar was always optimistic. Sometimes, when Michael had a hard time during his mission, his father told him to work hard, and blessings would come. And he told him that when blessings did come, to remember that God gave them to him.
His youngest son, Jeffrey, says that even when he was little, his father taught him to set goals and have faith. He says that even though his father is an ordinary man, he can do great things because of the strength Heavenly Father gives him. Sister Bednar says the people who know her husband well describe him as thoughtful and kind, and also faithful and fearless. Although he is a leader, she says he is a wise follower too.
Elder Bednar taught the love of the scriptures to others. One time, as a bishop, he was invited to come to Primary. He decided to wear red suspenders so he could use them for a lesson. When he took off his coat, he said, "Boys and girls, I have these red suspenders. How are the scriptures like my red suspenders?" One little boy raised his hand and said, "The scriptures hold up our faith in Jesus Christ the same way your suspenders hold up your pants." Elder Bednar told the little boy he was exactly right. A few months later, when Elder Bednar was called as the Stake President, many of the Primary boys wore red suspenders to Stake Conference, and the members brought scriptures and held them up to indicate they were prepared to learn.
Along with serving in many Church callings throughout his life, Elder Bednar also earned degrees from Brigham Young University and Purdue University. He was a popular professor, teaching business classes at different universities. He was awarded Outstanding Teacher Awards twice. In 1997, Elder Bednar became the president of Ricks College. As a university president, he set an example for students by always bringing his scriptures to devotionals and asking them to do the same.
In the year 2000, President Hinckley called one day and said, "David, I've been thinking that now is the time to make Ricks College a four-year institution, and we will call it BYU-Idaho." Elder Bednar asked President Hinckley, "What would you have me do?" President Hinckley replied, "Make it happen."
In October 2004, Elder Bednar was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As he spoke at his first conference, he taught from his beloved scriptures, and along with his testimony, he promised, "In the strength of the Lord, we can do, endure, and overcome all things."