‘God Loves Underdogs,’ ‘Come-from-Behind Victories’ and ‘Impossible,’ Says BYU President Reese

This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.

By Rachel Sterzer Gibson, Church News

When BYU President C. Shane Reese was preparing for graduate school, he took the Graduate Record Examination with hopes of being accepted into Texas A&M University’s doctoral program in statistics.

After the test, he knew he had excelled at the math portion but struggled with the verbal. When he received a phone call from the university’s graduate coordinator, he was sure it must be good news. It was “humbling,” however, when the coordinator asked to affirm that English was President Reese’s native language.

Fortunately, the school admitted President Reese “despite my English score.”

In relating the above experience during Brigham Young University’s opening devotional for the semester on Tuesday, January 14, President Reese attested, “My ability to stand here today and string together coherent sentences is evidence that the Lord strengthens even the weakest.”

As a freshman at BYU, President Reese said he never imagined one day becoming a faculty member, let alone the 14th president of BYU. “Such a scenario was not only improbable — it was, from my perspective, simply impossible.”

But, President Reese said: “I’ve come to believe that God loves underdogs. He loves come-from-behind victories. He loves impossible.”

Impossible Victories

Citing BYU’s recent football season, President Reese said, “The annals of sports are of course replete with thrilling instances of improbable victories, but what I want to emphasize today is that God’s grace goes beyond improbable victories — God wins impossible victories.”

“With God,” Jesus Christ taught His disciples, “all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

With Christ, Peter walked on water; Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter rose from the dead; 5,000 were fed from a few meager loaves and fish; and those who were sick, afflicted, blind or lame were healed.

“With Christ, miracles happen. … And I promise they will happen for you this semester as you exercise faith in He who is mighty to save,” President Reese promised.

During its nearly 150-year history, BYU has known something about what it means to be an underdog. President Reese shared some of the challenges the university has faced, including when the school’s only building burned down in 1884, when the university debated selling land to pay for a new building and then its financial struggles following the stock market crash in 1932.

“Our institutional challenges look different today,” said President Reese, “but the solution will be the same — an unwavering faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His Church and chosen servants. It is through this faith that we will become the Christ-centered, prophetically directed university of prophecy.”

‘Be the Miracle’

When the Savior relates the parable of the prodigal son, he shares about the brother, who feels aggrieved and refuses to celebrate the return of his sibling (Luke 15:11-32).

“Perhaps on Instagram, it can appear like someone else is always getting the fatted calf, the robe or — dare I say, ahem — a ring before you,” President Reese said. “In other words, miracles are happening in somebody else’s life but not in mine or yours.”

In such moments, President Reese urged listeners to become a miracle for someone else. “When you are

someone else’s miracle, God’s grace will fill your soul. You will witness miracles because you will be one.”

President Reese said he has seen mini miracles cascade into greater miracles as students look out and minister to one another. One peer mentor and a professor changed a student’s life as they helped him work through some challenges he was facing.

“We don’t need to be designated as a ‘peer mentor’ or a professor to be the miracle someone needs,” President Reese said. “We simply need to take inspiration from the ultimate miracle: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

President Reese testified, “My friends, God loves you and knows you by name. Expect miracles by being the miracle for others this semester. I promise you God’s grace will attend you. And all that is unjust or wrong in this life, Christ will make right through His perfect Atonement — He is our Savior and Redeemer.”

Strengthening Connections

At the start of a new semester and new year, Sister Wendy Reese noted the opportunity to make new connections, with roommates, professors, ward members, dating prospects or co-workers.

Noting that interaction and connection enable individuals to build each other in meaningful ways, Sister Reese invited students to ask themselves, “Are there ways that I can improve my connections with others?”

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of how to love and connect with others, Sister Reese said. “He is merciful, kind, forgiving, slow to anger, He loves us unconditionally, He is no respecter of persons, He comforts, He heals, He listens. He invites all to come unto Him in a bond of love and trust.”

Sister Reese told students: “Please don’t let your time at BYU pass without finding opportunities to make amazing connections. You will carry so many of the connections you make here at BYU throughout your life.”

Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.