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Don Livingstone
The Center for Entrepreneurship’s Fall Founder’s Conference commenced on Thursday, September 23 with
the Board of Founder’s meeting. Friday’s events included "sports talk" with Coach Edwards, an e-commerce
panel discussion, spouse’s session, group discussions with students, and a catered dinner. The conference
concluded on Saturday following a golf tournament and the President’s Tailgate party. Attendees at the
Conference included Founders, Founder’s spouses, Center leadership, members of the faculty from the
Marriott School and the School for Engineering and Technology, as well as many friends and associates
of the Center for Entrepreneurship. |
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Elder Gene R. Cook
Elder Cook opened this year's conference on a spiritual note by discussing the significance
of the Perpetual Education Fund. This program, developed by the Church, will help returned
missionaries from 3rd world countries get on their feet There are so many that are in
need and have absolutely no hope of economic progression without this program. Many of
these young adults leave the Church after serving faithful missions because they lose
faith and cannot support their families. It has been said that a religion which cannot
improve a man's situation in this life probably won't be of much help in the next. See D&C
104:15-17; 38:25-27; 81:5. Elder Cook also explained the logistics of the program. Loans
will be made to active returned missionaries for technical and vocational training. They
must work closely with priesthood leaders to ensure satisfactory progress. All loans
will be paid back with 3% interest once secure employment is found. The Church wishes to
establish the principle of self-reliance among these faithful young people. We can no longer
ignore the fact that this is a worldwide church. There are people from very tight circumstances
and cannot break the cycle of poverty without need our help. Sister Cook, Elder Cook's wife,
encouraged Founders to help the kingdom grow by contributing to the fund. For it is the
entrepreneurial spirit which will make this program blossom to its full potential. Finally,
Elder Cook spoke of the great need for missionary couples in the church. He emphasized the fact
that it's nice to be a Stake President or a General Authority, but it's even better
to be a missionary.
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