On December 4, 2018, Elder David A. Bednar dedicated the newly-completed Engineering Building on the BYU campus. He shared some brief thoughts and testimony before giving a prayer of dedication.
He began his address by giving two reasons why buildings are dedicated. The first reason he gave was to express gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the Church Board of Education.
He said, “To anyone who can hear my voice who in any way has contributed to these marvelous projects, we thank you. We thank you for your generosity. We thank you for your consecration. We thank you for your time, talent, and energy.”
The second reason given is to celebrate a new season.
“Today we honor the past as we move into a new season, into a new engineering building and engineering research laboratory.”
This new season represents a new generation of engineers and learning.
He further explained that it is the duty of this new generation of students to be dedicated to their studies and create a better campus for those who will follow.
“To you students, you owe those who have gone before your very best for what they have made possible for you. And you likewise will make possible for those who will come after you things that cannot now be imagined.”
After expressing these thoughts, Elder Bednar offered the dedicatory prayer.
In the prayer, he again expressed gratitude for BYU and for those who donated or helped with the building an any way.
He stated the unique purpose of the school of engineering.
“We know that this school has a particular and a peculiar mission to fulfill in these latter-days. We are humbled by the trust and responsibility Thou hast placed upon all who study and serve here. Please bless us with an ever-increasing vision of Thy divine purposes for this place of learning.”
In addition to those petitions, he prayed that the building would be protected from disaster and accident. He dedicated it as an inspired place of learning, and that students would recognize the Holy Ghost as the true teacher.
Lastly, he blessed the students with “the spirit of curiosity and inquiry, of creativity and innovation, of pondering and learning, and insight and revelation, and of perseverance and joyfulness.”
Kevin J. Worthen, President of BYU, also addressed the attendees at the dedication. He encouraged the participants to tour the new building if they had not previously. He also asked them to learn about Harvey Fletcher, the man honored as the founding dean of the BYU College of Engineering. The mission statement of the college echoes Fletcher’s words.
President Worthen reminded viewers that the building “exists as a result of the extraordinary efforts of many—generous donors, skilled architects and laborers, energetic LDS philanthropy employees, and dedicated, visionary faculty, staff, and administrators.”
Following President Worthen’s words and Elder Bednar’s prayer, the Engineering Building has become the newest dedicated building on BYU campus.
The Engineering Building houses the Civil, Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Engineering programs. Construction started May 2016 and finished August 2018.