Never Give Up

On Wednesday September 17th I attended a luncheon at the new Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni Center at BYU. This was a ticketed affair with Elder John Carmack to be the speaker. I had bought the tickets sometime ago and Elena was to be my partner. However, she could not attend, so I invited my grand nephew, Bradley Carmack, who is also brother Carmack’s grand nephew.

Bradley and I were able to shake John Carmack’s hand before we sat down for lunch. Of course John recognized Bradley. He also recognized me; but since I had a name tag that was made easier.

The original invitees to this event were people who had graduated OVER FORTY YEARS BEFORE, Brad was a little younger than the other 150 luncheon guests; but Bradley is a natural conversationalist. He mixed right in with the other total strangers at our table.

The blessing on the food was by Tara’s ex mission president.

There where several rituals at lunch and before the speaker including SINGING THE SCHOOL SONG. I knew the lyrics as did most of the audience, but Bradley did not. Since then I asked my home teacher who went to the Wyoming football game with me, if he knew it. (He is only 30 years younger than me.) He did not. However, after the game, the band was playing it. I do not know when the school got out of the habit of singing this nice song. It was written by the same man who wrote the famous ‘Rise and Shout’ song.

Then Brother Carmack spoke; the topic of his address – the Perpetual Education Fund. He described the board that supervises the fund; the board consisting of the First Presidency, a couple members of the Twelve, a few members of the Seventy, the Presiding Bishop, and the General Relief Society President. He then described the last board meeting that President Hinckley attended in January, which he claimed was the last public meeting President Hinckley conducted on earth.

He quoted President Hinckley as saying that the Conference Center came to him by direct revelation.

When Elder Carmack was serving as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, he was serving in the Area Presidency in Germany and about to become emeritus when he received a call from President Hinckley. The President gave him a 15 minute lecture on the history of Perpetual EMIGRATION Fund. How this fund helped 100,000 moved to the Rocky Mountains. 30,000 loans were given out, many if not most were paid back.

Brother Carmack wondered why he was getting this historical lecture. President Hinckley then changed the subject and described his idea for the Perpetual EDUCATION Fund. He described how it would work. President Hinckley said it would be directed by an Emeritus member of the Seventy, but the problem was that member was in Germany. Brother Carmack said, “Are you calling me to this position?” President Hinckley said, “Yes.” Of course, Brother Carmack accepted, and President Hinckley said, “We’ll see you at conference” and hung up.

Brother Carmack said the church has been very generous in their donations – the typical month brings in 2 to 3 MILLION dollars. However, they invest that money and can only loan out the interest. Traditionally they have been getting 8%, but this year it has been down to 4%. President Hinckley prophesied you will always have enough money.

The original loans were for vocations; some of the more recent loans have been for professions and university training. All of the funds are out of the United States.

All of the department’s operating expenses come from the general church budget; not from donations to the Perpetual Education Fund.

They have 75 missionary couples helping to administer and supervise the funds.

So far 31,000 have been helped with loans; the majority have been repaved.

Area Presidents say that 10% of Stake Presidents and Bishops come from men who have received these loans. .

The program started in Mexico, Peru and Chile, with Brazil added early. It is now in 40 countries.

Brother Carmack has been the director for 7 and ½ years. He is an impressive, low keyed, humble man. I was glad to be there that Wednesday.

I love it when you share these things through your blog. I am always interested in these types of events and talks that you attend and am glad to pick up tidbits from your reviews. Thanks you.

I'm glad the church does this. It's such a great idea and am glad that it helps so many people.

Jeremy and I have talked many times about this wonderful program (perpetual education fund) and we hope that one day we can donate generously to it.
Thanks for all the info!

Good summary.

Good summary.