President David O. McKay envisioned an institution of higher learning in Laie during his visit in 1921. In his dedicatory prayer in 1955, he prophesied the following:

"From this school will go men (and women) whose influence will be felt for good toward the establishment of peace internationally. . . the world needs men (and women) who cannot be bought or sold, who scorn to violate truth, genuine gold. That is what this school is going to produce. More than that, they will be leaders, not only on this island but everywhere. All the world is hungering for them."

Fulfilling the Prophecy of Peace, Genuine Gold, Brigham Young University-Hawaii.