SLOC President Fraser Bullock encouraged students to look inside and light the fire within at the Tuesday Oct. 1 devotional in the Marriott Center.

"Light the Fire Within suggests to all of us to strive harder, to reach higher to accomplish things we never thought possible," Bullock said.

Bullock, chief operating officer for the Salt Lake Olympic Committee beginning in May of 1999 and through out the Olympics, became president and CEO of SLOC in April of 2002.

At the devotional, Bullock spoke of life lessons to be learned from Olympians who lit the fire within when faced with challenges.

"Everyone faces challenges we never thought would come our way. The key question we face as a result of these reversals or trials, is whether it will bring us closer to God," Bullock said.

Bullock spoke of Olympian Apolo Ohno and his determination to get up quickly and continue on with his race when he fell during the first Olympic short track speed skating event.

"He didn't lose the gold, he won the silver. When Apolo fell, he not only got up, he got up quickly."

Bullock said that a part of our challenges is getting back up from being knocked down.

"We will get knocked down and many time unexpectedly, but when we do let's get up quickly, "said Bullock.

A second life lesson Bullock related learning from the Olympics was there is a divine hand in everything.

"During the Games, I am certain we had a divine hand with us. There were many instances where we received assistance beyond our capabilities," Bullock said.

Bullock said that all are entitled to divine assistance and should seek guidance from a Heavenly Father and his son.

"We all have a divine hand in our lives. We need to recognize that they are ever present beside us to guide us along the way, if we will but reach out to take the hand that is offered," Bullock said.

Bullock encouraged listeners to reach inside and find the fire that is within to achieve more than what may seem possible.

"Each of us has the seeds of divinity with us, lying dormant until we consciously plant them and nourish them to grow," said Bullock.

Bullock said to strive with focus and determination to reach heights that may not seem possible.

"Many times the goal may seem infinitely distant and the journey uncertain and challenging, but making that journey many times is what allows us to accomplish what we never thought possible and impart some of life's great lessons," Bullock said.

Bullock thanked members of the BYU community for volunteering in the games, and presented BYU with a torch with an inscription of Light the Fire Within.

"Let's light the fire within to achieve more than we perhaps think possible and at the same time, light the divine fire within each of us to realize the divine potential we each have," Bullock said in closing.



Copyright Brigham Young University 1 Oct 2002