Christ-Centered Physician Attributes

At the BYU School of Medicine, consecration is central to our mission. Consecration is the voluntary dedication of time, talents, and resources to the Lord’s purposes, motivated by love and a desire to serve. In medical education, this principle reminds us that our work is not merely professional training, but a sacred stewardship.

We will ask our students, faculty, and staff to see their learning, teaching, service, and research as consecrated efforts—set apart for the higher purpose of healing, alleviating suffering, and strengthening communities. When we consecrate our skills and energy in this way, education becomes more than preparation for a career; it becomes an offering of love and service.

At the BYU School of Medicine, we understand that humility is the gateway to healing and growth. We acknowledge that our talents and opportunities in life are gifts and understand that true strength comes from divine approval rather than self-reliance. Importantly, humility is not weakness or timidity; rather it is the confidence to willingly submit our will to His and be courageous in the face of challenges.

We model this humility after Jesus Christ, who exemplified reliance on His Father when He declared, “I can of mine own self do nothing… I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30). In our academic and clinical culture, humility enables students and faculty to remain teachable, to seek wisdom and guidance beyond their own understanding, and to serve patients with Christlike compassion.

Integrity is doing the right thing, whether others can see our actions or not. It begins with honesty to one's self then to others, and most importantly to God. Integrity allows us to earn the trust of those with whom we work and those we serve. Trust is the bedrock of effective caregiving and collaboration.

Moreover, cultivating honesty often requires courage and sacrifice—especially in situations where cutting corners or obscuring the truth might seem easier. By choosing the harder path—speaking truth, admitting mistakes, delivering care transparently—we cultivate ethical character, strength to act with conviction and inner peace by following the example of Jesus Christ.

"Charity and virtue open the way to having confidence before God" (President Russell M. Nelson, April 2025). Virtue is a purity of the soul that arises from our thoughts and reflects in our words and actions. Virtue encompasses multiple attributes such as purity of thought, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness, pure knowledge, no hypocrisy or guile. Sometimes a virtuous person will have to correct another person when guided by love and the Holy Spirit, but a virtuous person will afterward show an increase of love to the corrected so that they know of the pure intent. Such a virtuous person has access to divine guidance that, when combined with acquired medical knowledge, will make them a wise and trusted physician.

"Now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (1 Corinthians 13:13). This highest and noblest form of love was exemplified by Jesus Christ and we strive to emulate His example and teachings. He is the master healer, teacher, and servant, and we want our students to be His physician disciples. "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-- but charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him" (Moroni 7:46-47).

We all seek forgiveness that brings peace and joy. We also view forgiveness as a commandment from God (Matthew 18:21-22 and D&C 64:10) and as a divine gift and a foundational principle for growth. Jesus Christ, through His Atonement, has already paid the debt for the sins of all mankind. Those who fully understand how Jesus Christ has extended grace to them cannot but help extend grace to others. This grace for grace relationship among students, educators, staff, and patients allows all of us to become one with Him in trust, mercy, and healing.