Celebrating President Gordon B. Hinckley

Gordon and Marjorie Hinckley - Sharing True Love Throughout Life

found at http://www.ldsmag.com/photoessay/060331Hinckley3.html

I wrote earlier this month when Coach John Wooden died, "There were two people who really influenced me over my lifetime that have died in the last couple years that I really hoped would make it to age 100. President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints made it to age 97, and John Wooden made it to age 99." 


Today, June 23, 2010, is the 100th anniversary of the birth of President Hinckley, and I'd like to celebrate his life here and write some of what he meant to me personally, in a similar way to what I wrote about Coach Wooden.  I believe everyone should have heroes that they strive to emulate to live as happily and beneficially as they can.  Both of these men were that and much more to me.


I first met President Hinckley in London, England in September 1972 as a 19-year-old church missionary fresh off the plane from the United States (I'd been there less than a month).

A 1972 Picture of Elder Gordon B. Hinckley (Age 62) found at lds.org

This was a unique opportunity.  Elder Hinckley was travelling with his wife Marjorie, and then Church President Harold B. Lee and his wife.   I had only had one other opportunity to see the church president prior to that day, another memorable time when I and 15,000 other youth gathered in the Long Beach (CA) sports arena to hear President Joseph Fielding Smith and his wife for about 90 minutes. 

This was unique because it was more intimate -- 400 missionaries from the two London missions, all day in the Hyde Park chapel a few blocks from the famous park of the same name.  

Somehow I was able to instantly relate to this man -- which I learned later is a very special talent he had.  I felt like he was speaking directly to me.  He related stories from when he served his mission to England in the 1930s, including a story he is now famous for.  Elder Hinckley got discouraged as we all did many times when it seemed no one wanted to open their hearts to receive the Lord's message for them.  He wrote this to his father, Bryant Hinckley back home in Utah, saying in part that he needed to "save my time and your money" and come home.  His father's answer changed his life:  "forget yourself and get to work".

He helped me learn this same lesson, that true happiness as well as success in whatever we are trying to do, comes when we focus on others (for as long as it takes).  Our own issues will eventually work themselves out.

Another thing I appreciated about Elder Hinckley when still serving as a missionary, and then again many times later, was how he used a cheerful sense of humor, and the media, to patiently explain things that we Latter-Day Saints are misunderstood about.  Anything from what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ means to us to why we would be willing to volunteer two years of our lives to share His loving Gospel to others.  He dedicated his life to this, and eventually got good enough at it to not only give memorable interviews with the likes of Mike Wallace and Larry King, but to make them his true friends.

I also really appreciated how he built many new temples near the people so that most Church members could attend regularly.  I knew many people that would save for years to be able to afford one trip there, and  I saw how they were blessed when they went.  Now I see how much more blessed many of them who can now go monthly are.

Here are just a few of his quotes that remind me just how practical, cheerful, and loving this great man was, even when in pain the last couple years of his life at ages 95-97.

"Be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged. Things will work out."

"Our lives are the only meaningful expression of what we believe and in Whom we believe. And the only real wealth, for any of us, lies in our faith."

"Those who grieve frequently find themselves alone. Missed is the laughter of children, the commotion of teenagers, and the tender, loving concern of a departed companion. The clock ticks more loudly, time passes more slowly, and four walls can indeed a prison make. I extol those who, with loving care and compassionate concern, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the homeless. He who notes the sparrow's fall will not be unmindful of such service."

"Respect for self is the beginning of cultivating virtue in men and women."

"If Life Gets Too Hard To Stand, Kneel."

"Good books are as friends, willing to give to us if we are willing to make a little effort."

"When I say do your best, I mean you're very best. You are capable of so much more."

"A prominent judge was asked what we, as citizens of the countries of the world, could do to reduce crime and disobedience to law and to bring peace and contentment into our lives and into our nations. He thoughtfully replied, "I would suggest a return to the old-fashioned practice of family prayer."

"You can be smart and happy or stupid and miserable. . . it's your choice"

"Under the plan of heaven, the husband and the wife walk side by side as companions, neither one ahead of the other, but a daughter of God and a son of God walking side by side. Let your families be families of love and peace and happiness. Gather your children around you and have your family home evenings, teach your children the ways of the Lord, read to them from the scriptures, and let them come to know the great truths of the eternal gospel as set forth in these words of the Almighty."

"Our kindness may be the most persuasive argument for that which we believe."

"There is a sad tendency in our world today for persons to cut one another down. Did you ever realize that it does not take very much in the way of brainpower to make remarks that may wound another? Try the opposite of that. Try handing out compliments."

"Try a little harder to be a little better."

"Of course we're Christian. The very name of the church declares that. The more people see us and come to know us, the more I believe they will come to realize that we are trying to exemplify in our lives and in our living the great ideals which (Jesus Christ) taught."

"Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work."

"Faith in something greater than ourselves enables us to do what we have said we'll do, to press forward when we are tired or hurt or afraid, to keep going when the challenge seems overwhelming and the course is entirely uncertain." 

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed.  Most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise.  Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.  The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." 

"Life is to be enjoyed, not endured" (My comment to that is how refreshing is it to know that enduring to the end really means cheerfully faithful to the end. Or if you prefer, it means being . . . a passionately smiling tortoise . . .)

President Gordon B. Hinckley, I miss you. Our world is truly a better place because you lived and gave fully every one of the 97 years of your life. We would have given you a great birthday celebration if you were still here with us today. And in our hearts, you still are!