The BYU-Idaho Student Honor Code: As Gatekeepers, What Should We Know About It?WILLIAM RIGGINS

Department of Religious Education

It is no secret that the Church Educational Student Honor Code has been under scrutiny by people both inside as well as outside the Church. Protests have been held at some of the Church’s institutions of higher learning, demanding that the Student Honor Code be changed. Arguments have been made that the Honor Code is antiquated, that it removes agency, that it demonstrates lack of trust, that it makes children of grown men and women, that it’s unhealthy, that it sows doubt and distrust, etc.

To be honest, very little of this meant anything to me until last April, when I was invited to be the director of the Student Honor Office at BYU-Idaho. Up to that point my perspective was simple and limited: “No one is forcing students to come to BYU-Idaho. They know what the honor code says; it is no secret. They agreed to live by the standards of the honor code and put their name on that agreement. So, what’s the issue?” To me it was simple, “if you don’t like the honor code, go somewhere else!”

I now must look at the honor code with different eyes; it is now my responsibility to teach it, advocate it, and defend

it. I recognize that my personal love for the honor code is not going to be evidence enough to fulfil my responsibility. I must read, hear, and study not only what proponents have said about it, but I must consider what opponents of the honor code are saying. It is from this personal exercise that I offer the following insights.

Points to ConsiderAs I have tried to make sense of what we do at BYU-

Idaho, I have had to consider doctrinal truths as well as institutional regulations. In writing this article, I have considered the institution that we call The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and its tenets. I considered God’s mission statement, the mission of the Church, Brigham Young University – Idaho as an entity

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The construct of the Church, by definition, is strange!

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or appendage of the Church, the influence of the Church upon it, the mission of BYU-Idaho, applicable doctrine, and, of course, the BYU-Idaho Student Honor Code.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsIt is my opinion that we cannot have an intelligent

conversation about the BYU-Idaho Honor Code without first having a foundation or context on which to base the conversation. BYU-Idaho is not an independent entity governing itself. To understand BYU-Idaho as an institution, it is important to understand that we are an appendage of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s also necessary to understand the construct and mission of the Church. As an appendage of the Church, BYU-Idaho’s mission is to help fulfill its mission.

The mission of the Church is to assist in fulfilling the Lord’s mission to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). To accomplish this task, the leaders of the Church have established a three-fold mission of “perfecting the Saints, proclaiming the Gospel, and redeeming the dead” (Church Handbook of Instruction, Book 2, pg. 165). For many outsiders, the idea of “perfecting the Saints” and “redeeming the dead,” is very strange and foreign.

The construct of the Church, by definition, is strange! Consider the definitions of strange from Noah Webster.

• Foreign.

• Not domestic; belonging to others.

• New; not before known, heard or seen.

• Wonderful; causing surprise; exciting curiosity.

• Odd; unusual; irregular; not according to the

common way.

• Remote. [Little used.]

• Uncommon; unusual.

• Unacquainted. (Webster)

Considering our beliefs, tenants, rituals, and mission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could be considered a “strange” institution.

In the process of revealing and restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth, the Lord reprimanded the Prophet Joseph Smith for not moving quicker in building the temple that Joseph was commanded to build. In the chastening, the Lord revealed to the Prophet that he had

“not considered the great commandment in all things … concerning the building of mine house” (D&C 95:3). The Lord then told the Prophet Joseph Smith why He wanted it built: “For the preparation wherewith, I design to prepare mine apostles to prune my vineyard for the last time, that I may bring to pass my strange act, that I may pour out my Spirit upon all flesh” (D&C 95:4, italics added).

Almost exactly six months later, the Lord once again spoke to the Prophet Joseph and repeated the concept of

“strange” as it relates to this latter-day work.

“What I have said unto you must needs be, that all

men may be left without excuse;”

“That wise men and rulers may hear and know that

which they have never considered;”

“That I may proceed to bring to pass my act, my

strange act, and perform my work, my strange work,

that men may discern between the righteous and

the wicked, saith your God” (D&C 101:93-95, italics

added).

God’s work is not common. It is not regular. It is not accomplished according to the common way. His mission will be fulfilled through methods identified as “strange” by the Lord; thus, it will be strange to the world.

Brigham Young University - Idaho As an appendage of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-

day Saints, BYU-Idaho was established to help prepare young people to be true disciples of Jesus Christ—disciples who in turn fulfill the mission of the Church, with the final goal of accomplishing God’s work of “bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” The primary goal for the existence of the university is identified in the BYU-Idaho Mission Statement:

“Its mission is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ

who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their

communities. The university does this by: Building

testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

and fostering its principles in a wholesome academic,

cultural, and social environment.”

This is a “strange” mission for an institution of higher learning when compared to the institutions of the world. It seems logical that such a mission cannot be reached or achieved following the patterns or common practices of worldly institutions.

Considering this mission, President David Bednar suggested the following:

“Becoming a true disciple of the Savior and following His

ways are the most demanding learning objectives we

can ever strive to achieve. No other discipline compares

with His curriculum in either requirements or rewards.

Discipleship demands the total transformation of a

person by putting off the natural man and becoming

a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord (see

Mosiah 3:19)” (President David A. Bednar, BYU-Idaho: A

Disciple Preparation Center, August 31, 2004).

BYU-Idaho as an institution is “strange” in many ways compared to worldly universities. It functions in a three-semester system; faculty rank does not exist; publish or perish is not the motivating factor for being involved in research; faculty participate in educating the world through online learning; faculty teach; and of course, BYU-Idaho has a

“strange” honor code.The Church Board of Education has implemented an honor

code for all Church-run schools that clearly follows the patterns of “strange.” Over and above the Church Educational System honor code, the board has also put their signature upon additional items and requirements that makeup the BYU-Idaho Honor Code. Those who have led BYU-Idaho felt that in order to achieve the desired outcomes—to achieve our strange mission—the honor code would need to include

“strange” requirements.In comparing BYU-Idaho to an MTC and to a temple of

learning, Elder Bednar remarked,

“There are, in the MTCs, distinctive requirements

for demeanor and dress....There is at BYU-Idaho a

distinguishing standard of deportment and dress”

(President David A. Bednar, BYU-Idaho: A Disciple

Preparation Center, August 31, 2004, Italics added).

The BYU-Idaho Honor Code and the Doctrine of “I Don’t Know”

Those who work in the Student Honor Office and the gate keepers (faculty, administrators, staff, etc.) are often asked “why” about some of the requirements. The answer to the “why” is not always black and white.

First, considering the mission of the university, strange requirements will be asked of all who participate in the university.

Second, from the experience of living the honor code, the blessings or desired outcomes are often visible and explainable but are not the actual answer to the “why?”

Third, most who are acting as gate keepers for the honor code were not involved in creating the law. Thus, they do not know the actual “why.” In other words, we don’t know! Nevertheless, not knowing is not a valid reason to abandon a law or requirement. Faith is a principle of “I don’t know.”

The doctrine of “I don’t know” is found throughout the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nephi and his brothers were asked to go back and get the records without knowing the why (1 Nephi 3:1-9). Nephi states that he went, being “led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless, I went forth…” (1 Nephi 4:6-7, italics added). The questions of “why should we go get the plates?” and “how are you going to get the plates?”, both of which had the answers of “I don’t know,” were answered after Nephi acted.

Nephi was commanded to write a second set of plates. His own description is educational, “the Lord commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not. But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning, wherefore he prepareth a way to accomplish

It seems logical that such a mission cannot be reached or achieved following the patterns or common practices of worldly institutions.

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all his works among the children of men…” (1 Nephi 9:5-6, italics added). Nephi may have never known the purpose for that second set of plates, but the answer to the question was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith after losing the 116 pages of transcript and is now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 10:38-42.

Perhaps the most famous and commonly known example of the doctrine of “I don’t know,” is found in the Pearl of Great Price. Remember that after Adam and Eve were driven out the Garden of Eden, they were commanded to “offer the firstlings of their flocks … And Adam and Eve were obedient…” After a period of obedience an angel spoke unto them and asked, “Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me” (Moses 5:5-6, italics added). After this, they were able to receive an answer to the “why?”

Anyone who follows the Savior is, at times, going to have to face the doctrine of “I don’t know.” It seems to be part of the doctrine of faith—of the Lord’s “strange work,” and “strange act.” BYU-Idaho is an appendage of a strange Church, with a strange mission and a strange honor code, for which the answers to the “why” at times just may be, “I don’t know!”

The BYU-Idaho Honor Code and the Doctrine of Law (Law of the Squares)

The question as to why we do what we do at BYU-Idaho has an answer in the “doctrine of law” or the “law of the squares.” In Doctrine and Covenants 88, we are taught that “there is no space in the which there is no kingdom

… either a greater or lesser kingdom … and unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions” (D&C 88:37-38).

“All kingdoms have a law given” (D&C 88:36). The Lord teaches, “that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same” (D&C 88:34).

As a mission president, I wanted my missionaries to understand this doctrine, only second to the Doctrine of Christ. They too had the “why” questions: Why do we have to get up at 6:30? Why do we have to exercise when we walk all day long? Why do I have to study English when I teach the gospel in Spanish? Why do I have to constantly be with my companion? I wanted my missionaries to figure it out for themselves. However, to do so, they needed to understand the doctrine of law.

First, they needed to learn that laws are usually created and given with an outcome in mind. Most laws, rules, and policies are calculated to produce an outcome. From the

Lord’s calculated perspective, law governs, preserves, and perfects. (It is interesting, educational, and relevant to our conversation that the Greek and Hebrew definitions of the word “perfect” implies becoming whole, complete, finished or fully developed, and produces integrity – See Matthew 5:48 footnote 48a; Genesis 6:9 footnote 9c.) Law sanctifies, or in other words, cleanses, purifies, separates, sets one apart, or frees from guilt (Webster, D&C 88:34). I would tell my missionaries, “If for no other reason, these are reasons enough to keep the laws in the mission, even if we don’t know why they were given.”

Second, I wanted my missionaries to understand what the Lord meant by “there is no space in which there is no kingdom,” (D&C 88:37), and how it applied to them. If they understood this principle, it would bless them for the

rest of their lives. It is while trying to explain this principle that I coined the phrase, “law of the squares.”

Most church buildings in Ecuador, where I taught my missionaries, had tile floors. I used the tiled floor to explain that each square was a kingdom, be it “greater or lesser” (D&C 88:37). If they could see the world as a giant tile floor, they would be able to see and understand that wherever they are, and wherever they stand, they stand in a kingdom, be it greater or lesser, that is governed by law with “certain bounds and also conditions” (D&C 88:38). I wanted them to see that this was not just a religious idea but an eternal truth and a reality of life.

One of my favorite examples of this principle is major league baseball. The Major League Baseball Association is the “greater kingdom” of the baseball world. Within that kingdom, there are “lesser” kingdoms: the American and the National League. Within these two lesser kingdoms, there are other lesser kingdoms, called baseball franchises or teams. There are certain laws set forth

by the Major League Baseball Association (the greater kingdom) that govern both leagues and all the teams. These laws are non-negotiable; they are the established “bounds and conditions.” If a franchise keeps these laws and conditions, they have the right to operate as a team in one of the leagues and in the Major League Baseball Association. If they choose to operate contrary to those laws, they disqualify themselves to participate the Major League Baseball Association (MLBA).

Each team or franchise (as lesser kingdoms within this greater kingdom) has the right to also establish laws, bounds, and conditions that govern their team; thus, each team may have different laws governing their inhouse operations. The New York Yankees is a franchise that

demonstrates this principle.In 1973, the owner of New York

Yankees established a “no beard” policy. Since then, it became a well-known fact that if a player

BYU-Idaho operates under the laws and conditions established by the Church.

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wants to be a Yankee, he cannot adorn a beard. As a franchise, the Yankees operate within the laws set forth by the American League and the MLBA, but they have the right to set policy for their own team. Many people and organizations have criticized them. Some players have said that as long as the Yankees have that policy in place, they will never play for them. That is their choice. There are 29 other teams in the MLBA they can play for. Nevertheless, if a player wants to be a member of the team that has won the most world series titles, they must abide by the laws, conditions, and bounds of that team. In this case, it means no beard!

Similarly, BYU-Idaho is part of a greater kingdom: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU-Idaho operates under the laws and conditions established by the Church. If we continue to adhere to those laws, we receive and enjoy the direction, financial backing, and protection that it offers. Like the Yankees, BYU-Idaho has the right to create and establish laws, conditions, and bounds to help it achieve its mission. The standards for deportment and dress are capsulated in the honor code.

According to the latest report, there are 2,618 accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States. It is estimated that there are over 4,000 degree granting

institutions in the United States (Penn GSE). Each of those institutions is governed by a greater kingdom. Each of those institutions is a lesser kingdom adhering to the conditions of the greater kingdom. Nevertheless, each is also a kingdom with laws, bounds, and conditions that make each one unique and individual. Regardless of where a student chooses to attend, there will be laws, conditions, and bounds that will govern admittance and their prolonged stay in that institution. In order to qualify for admittance and sustain eligibility at BYU-Idaho, one must be willing to adhere to the laws, conditions, and bounds that regulate eligibility. At BYU-Idaho, it’s the honor code. In all simplicity, if employees or students desire to remain in the square marked BYU-Idaho, they must comply with the laws, conditions, and bounds that govern it.

There is one key addition—or difference—between worldly participants in the “law of the squares” and those who generally attend BYU-Idaho. Most employees and students of BYU-Idaho are members of that greater kingdom, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As members, we stand in a worldwide “square” that governs us, preserves us, perfects us and sanctifies us through its laws, conditions, and bounds. Our “covenants,

Those who have led BYU-Idaho felt that in order to achieve the desired outcomes—to achieve our strange mission—the honor code would need to include “strange” requirements.

contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations” go with us wherever we go as we step into lesser kingdoms to fulfill our life mission (D&C 132:7). When the employees and students enter the square called BYU-Idaho, they do not disregard the laws of the greater kingdom. Nevertheless, concurrent with the laws set by the greater kingdom, there are laws and conditions that govern BYU-Idaho that have been put in place to accomplish its mission. All who desire to participate must abide by both the laws, conditions, and bounds of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and BYU-Idaho in order to stay. Thus, for those desiring to participate at BYU-Idaho, there are both conditions of worthiness and eligibility.

In a nutshell, as gatekeepers of this great institution, what do we need to know? BYU-Idaho is an appendage of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The mission of the Church, to help all of Gods children gain eternal life, is strange to the world. The Lord has set in place His “strange work” and “strange acts” to accomplish His mission “that men may discern between the righteous and the wicked” (D&C 101:95). As an appendage to the Church, BYU-Idaho’s mission of developing disciples of Jesus Christ is strange. To accomplish that strange mission, operating under the laws, bounds and conditions set for by Church, BYU-Idaho has established a standard of participation. The laws, bounds, and conditions for

admittance and continued participation are imbedded in the BYU-Idaho honor code and fall under the definition of strange. Though we may not know the absolute answer to every “why?” of the laws, conditions and bounds set forth in the honor code, they are in place to govern, preserve, perfect, and sanctify all who participate. They have the approval of the Church Board of Education. No one is invited to participate in the BYU-Idaho experience without acknowledging that they know the standards and that they are willing to abide by them. Thus, all the benefits extended by the Church through BYU-Idaho are offered to those who are willing to abide the law. The doctrine of law or the law of the squares makes the consequences clear. “For he who is not able to abide the law” of a specific kingdom, cannot abide the glory of that kingdom. “They shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received” (D&C 88: 22-24, 32, 35). t

References

1. Penn GSE. (n.d.). How Many Colleges Are In The US? Numbers Of Colleges And Educational Institutions. Retrieved from https://www.urbanedjournal.org/education/how-many-colleges-are-in-the-us-numbers-of-colleges-and-educational-institution

2. Webster, Noah. (n.d.). Webster's Dictionary 1828 - sanctify. Retrieved from http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/sanctify

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