“A Faithful Friend Is a Strong Defense” | Jeffrey R. and Patricia T. Holland | 1982

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At BYU, we are part of a community of mutual responsibility. We have a duty to look after one another, to be a friend, and to protect honor and integrity.
This speech was given on September 7, 1982.
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"We hadn’t been at this business long before we realized that this hour is not conducive to long sermons. So we’ll save that for later in the year and give you short sermons today.
There is, however, one thing we need to work out before I get serious with you. it is this Steve and Marie business. Some of you who were here last year will remember that purely in good fun, as just a slightly lighter moment in our solemnities here, Sister Holland and I mentioned that we got escorted into a movie theater sort of “stride for stride” to the front of the hall with Steve Craig and Marie Osmond.
Well, that was-essentially-a true story, and I just shared it here for your consideration last year. I wanted you to know about our summer even as we asked about yours. Well, since then everyone has just taken it all so seriously, especially Steve and Marie. Before long I wanted to run out in the street and just say it was a story, a little BYU humor. But no, I run out into the street and see thousands of people backed up from the Hotel Utah Ballroom to Bryce Canyon waiting to get into their wedding reception. There they were-Steve and Marie, and all the Osmond Brothers and all the basketball team. There was in fact a marriage, and I had just been kidding, just warming up the BYU audience a little on your first day back to school. I feel so responsible!
But, for all that, we are available for a price. If you make it worth our while, I will tell a story about your courtship in this setting and perhaps you will make the cover of national magazines, and garden clubs all over America will discuss your trousseau and taffeta. Write your hopes on a Wheaties boxtop in 25 words or less, including the man or woman with whom you wish to be seen walking down a theater aisle. Sister Holland and I will take care of everything from there on.
(Now you just watch. Some wise guy is going to send me a Wheaties boxtop and a reservation schedule for the Hotel Utah Ballroom.) Speaking of strange guys, which of you is the young man I saw pulling into town with a surfboard sticking through the sunroof of your Volkswagen? I don’t want to seem a spoilsport, but someone has seriously misled you about the size of the canal that runs past Heritage Halls.
I’d like Sister Holland to speak to you for a moment. I told you last year what her father thought of me. I didn’t mention her mother.
When Pat said so anxiously on our wedding day, “Now, Mother, I want this day to be perfect. I don’t want even the least significant detail overlooked.”
Her mother replied, “Oh, I’m sure Jeff will be there.”
Patricia T. Holland
When I was just sixteen years old, I came to Provo to spend the summer studying music on this campus. I lived in Helaman Halls, practiced in the basement of the Joseph Smith Building, and ate an enormous amount of pizza at what is now the Brick Oven on Eighth North and First East.
I’m afraid that at such a tender age I was much more interested in boys and what I should wear to the dance than anything of any real value or substance. But, something happened to me that summer. It was a major turning point in my life, and this campus has had deep personal meaning for me since that summer of 1958. I began to see and hear and feel things I’d never experienced before. It was like coming alive in a new dimension. Looking back then from this perspective, I now know that, because of this university setting, my mind was beginning to open to “the glory of God.” I was conscious perhaps for the first time of that relationship between his glory and his mind.
As I reflected on that special experience, while worrying and searching my heart for something of value to leave with you today, the scripture John 5:40 came to have bright, new meaning for me: “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”
What does he mean when he softly scolds, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life”? I don’t think he was just talking about life eternal (though that too)..."

[@jackeliason1177]

Finally!!! I’ve been waiting for 2 years for this talk to come out ever since I listened to a robe a ring and a fatted calf! So good!

[@Ketchup584]

Same!!

[@MandalorianOfMiatas]

Found this by chance, although now I think God intended that to happen since I've found this to be both humbling and encouraging

[@ilenekuhns3463]

Truly faithful friends are very hard to find.

[@mzwamadodamzwa1289]

I'm in tears of joy for the love of God. Few hours ago I saw a car and it stopped on the road I noticed a man and he told me car broke down and he is waiting for the towing truck. I said to him I will wait with you and help him for the on coming cars as the road was dark in the unsafe area and it's raining. I was in the car and suddenly two cars came speeding one came straight at my car, I only closed my eyes thinking it's over. I had a big noise and I opened my eyes the driver managed control it but my passenger tyre and fender with my door badly damaged 💔. I was amazed how did I survive? Then I told them I was helping the other driver which was parked behind the my car.The driver I was helping was safe and his car. I kept calm as people yelling at me that I will pay for damages to their car 🚗 I kept calm and told them I made a choice to help a stranger and I will do it if need be again toanyone who needs help. Unemployed no insurance no money but I can't pay for your damages.Then I remember this talk and I shared it with the stranger I was helping. He told me he will fix the car that got damaged. I kept telling him I am happy I helped and God did protect me as I was doing the right thing. Yes I am in tears now thinking about the seconds I almost lost my life. I know God will make a way for me to fix my car. I'm so grateful I have a friend in Jesus Christ who defended and protected us. 🙏🏾 💓

[@nathanbanks2935]

Great talk! We are all here on the earth to study at God's great university, which is the mortal experience. All of us have the opportunity to Grow in our relationship with God or diminish our relationship. We shouldn't ever sever our "angelical cord," to receive pure wisdom, and the promises of eternal life.

[@gator_bait_8583]

Ah 1985. The year I was born and when our current hymnal was published :)

[@bikingscape595]

@BYU Speeches The dates in the description and the video for when this was given don't line up

[@byuspeeches]

Thanks for catching that. I've fixed the titling. -Ryan

[@ildenete3235]

Tão jovenzinhos! Mas a Patrícia já tinha bastante experiências espirituais! E o presidente Holland já parecia ser o homem mais feliz da face da Terra. O evangelho de Cristo me trouxe muitas experiências espirituais também, mais do que eu poderia imaginar que Jesus Cristo me daria nesta Terra sou feliz por ser quem sou hoje. Amo vocês!