BYU-Pathway Worldwide monthly devotionals complement the student experience by fostering greater faith and discipleship in Jesus Christ. Students across the world have been inspired by these uplifting messages.
The upcoming devotionals will feature the following speakers and General Authorities and Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
- September 19: BYU-Pathway President Brian K. Ashton and Sister Melinda Ashton
- October 17: Sister Tracy Y. Browning, Primary General Presidency
- November 7: Jenet Jacob Erickson, associate professor of religious education at BYU
- December 5: Elder Gerrit W. Gong, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Devotionals typically last 7–10 minutes and can be viewed at 10:00 a.m. (MDT/UTC-6) on the
About the Speakers
President Brian K. Ashton and Sister Melinda Ashton
Brian K. Ashton is the president of BYU-Pathway Worldwide and previously served as vice president of field operations. Receiving his bachelor’s degree from BYU and MBA degree from Harvard University, President Ashton has started several companies. He served as the Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency from 2015–2019.
Melinda Ashton graduated from BYU and later attended medical school in Chicago. She served in the Spain Malaga Mission. Melinda and Brian are the parents of seven children. Together, they presided over the Texas Houston South Mission from 2012–2015.
Sister Tracy Y. Browning
Sister Tracy Y. Browning was sustained as the Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency in April 2022. Sister Browning studied at St. John’s University and has worked in financial services for 15 years. She is now an account services director in the Church’s Publishing Services Department. Sister Browning has also volunteered with various community and civic organizations and previously served on the Relief Society General Advisory Council. Sister Browning and her husband, Brady, are the parents of two children.
Jenet Jacob Erickson
Jenet Jacob Erickson is an associate professor of religious education at BYU. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from BYU and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. Several media outlets, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, have featured Jenet’s family social science research. She is currently a columnist on family issues for the Deseret News National Edition. She and her husband, Michael, are the parents of two children.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong
Gerrit W. Gong is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He graduated from BYU and received a Master of Philosophy and a Doctorate in international relations from Oxford University. Elder Gong served as special assistant to both the undersecretary of state and to the U.S. ambassador in Beijing, China; has held several positions at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C; and was an assistant to the president at BYU. Elder Gong previously served as a General Authority Seventy in the Asia Area Presidency. He and his wife, Susan, are the parents of four children.