SALT LAKE CITY — Conservative talk show and television host Glenn Beck recently delivered a sermon at Liberty University, the nation’s largest Evangelical Christian college, speaking about “miracles” while infusing some Mormon theology.

Beck, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was invited to give a sermon on April 25 as the institution’s final convocation meeting of the semester on a message about Jesus Christ and miracles. Beck had previously received an honorary doctorate from Liberty in 2010 after delivering the commencement speech.

He began his speech saying, “I would ask the Lord to be present and to guide my words. I got up this morning with a very different message planned for you today. And I asked my team to gather around my bed in the hotel to get down on bended knees to pray. And I begged the Lord for forgiveness.”

Beck told attendees that the world wants them to go one way, but that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only source for direction, is calling on everyone to understand their purpose in life. And that the scriptures are the blueprint.

“You have to know what the blueprint is. And the blueprint for freedom, the blueprint for the Western world is the scripture,” he said. “The more we try to find the answers through science, through technology, the more lost we become. … The answers are quiet. The answers are simple. And the answers are here (holding up a Bible).

Beck spoke about several influential people throughout history, including kings, saying their personal Bibles and prayer books were untouched, that the influence of God was not a part of their regular life.

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“What do your scriptures look like?” Beck said. “Will someday somebody say, ‘This is my mom, this is my dad, this is my brother, this is my sister’s scriptures, look they’re in perfect condition.’ Or will they have been pored over? Dog-eared, written in, that tells the story of your life and your path.”

As a member of a different denomination than the crowd, Beck said he shared their faith and their belief in Jesus Christ.

“I share your faith. I am from a different denomination, and a denomination quite honestly that I’m sure could make many people at Liberty uncomfortable,” he said. “I’m a Mormon. But I share your faith in the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ.”

Liberty University recently classified the LDS Church as a cult in one of its course descriptions. However, the university has also welcomed members of the LDS Church in the past, including then-presidential candidate Mitt Romney, to address the university.

Beck went on to describe how Joseph Smith, the LDS Church’s first president and prophet, was martyred for what he believed.

“Are you willing to give your life?” Beck asked the audience. “This is not a textbook. Your classes are over, life is about to begin, and it’s real. What are you willing to do? What is it that means something to you?”

He then detailed the last time Smith was arrested by sheriffs before being killed, saying the sheriff falsely accused Smith of stealing a stove.

“(Smith) reached into his pocket and pulled out his pocket watch. He gave it to the sheriff and said, ‘I owe man nothing.’ They let him go and they killed him,” Beck said. “But on the warrant for his arrest, he wrote on the back of his warrant to his people: ‘Put down your guns no matter what happens. Put down your guns. Put down your guns and trust in the Lord.’

“Today we are facing perilous times,” he added. “You are going to be pushed and challenged every step of the way. What is it you truly believe? Do you believe in the gun? Do you believe in the Constitution? Too many of us are worshipping the god of the Constitution. Not the Constitution but God. God is our God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God of peace, comfort, of miracles. Expect miracles in your lifetime. Live in such a way that you can demand miracles. Expect miracles, call down miracles, and then when they happen, pronounce them, declare them.”

Beck read verses from 2 Corinthians, dissecting the key to living a Christ-centered life. “What must we do? Denounce the hidden things of dishonesty. Rely on God. Walk by faith and not by sight.

“We all believe that all men are endowed by their Creator. But it is important to understand not what the world has said that he’s our Creator, he is our Father. He is our dad. He’s not just our Creator,” Beck said. “He’s our dad and he will answer us.

“You were born at this time in this country, you are at this university for a reason,” he added. “Nobody was in the Grand Councils, as we’re saying, ‘OK Lord, what is it you want me to do?’ I can tell you now that I do not believe the Lord said, ‘Well, I’m going to send you down because you need to be an accountant.’ You didn’t come down for a job.”

Beck said although an education is important and helps in life, being in the service of God is the greatest “honor” and that there is nothing “greater than being in his service.”

“God is the only one that can help you. God gives you everything, even the troubles in your life. Give him praise for the troubles in your life because they are just as important,” Beck said. “Choose today who you will be. Who will you serve? What is it you want to be remembered as?"

Beck concluded his speech, saying: “You are my hope. I love you. I pray for you. I beg of you, recognize the times we live in. Love one another even though we’re different. Love one another. Stand together. Link arms. Put on the full armor of God. Live in the spirit of Christ."