- “In a BYU devotional, Elaine Walton, the Director of the BYU school of social work, pointed out that helping someone feel understood may be more important than giving them specific instruction about how to resolve a problem or accomplish a task. “We find [in social work] — even those with the most profound problems –have remarkable ability and motivation to change and to solve their own problems once they really feel understood.” – President Scott Smith, San Clemente Stake Conference, June 13th, 2021