May 2026 Devotional
Brian and Melinda Ashton
BYU-Pathway Worldwide
The video will premiere on Friday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. MDT / 4:00 p.m. UTC
About the Speaker
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.
Instructions for Discussion
Below are suggested questions you can ask students to reflect on to help with your discussion. You may be inspired to ask different questions based on the needs of your group.
- What small things do you do each day to help you have the Holy Ghost as your CONSTANT companion? How do these things help you in your studies?
- Learning deeply and learning by the Spirit require work, diligent effort, and time. What are the long-term benefits of focusing on learning or becoming rather than only on your grades, as Sister Ashton described?
- Describe a time when you felt the Holy Ghost teach you secular subjects or testify of truths in your academic classes. How did it feel? How did you prepare for that experience? How did that experience deepen your learning?