This year’s study of the life and teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley has been so wonderful and uplifting! The underlying message in each chapter has been faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 25, Move Forward with Faith, is the perfect conclusion to this year’s study. Those words were the motto of his exemplary life. Jeffrey R. Holland once wrote, “’Things will work out’ may well be President Hinckley’s most repeated assurance to family, friends, and associates. ‘Keep trying,’ he will say. ‘Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out.’”1
Optimism and faith were instilled in President Hinckley as a young boy. When he left to go on his mission, his father handed him a card which read, “Be not afraid, only believe.” Those words were a great inspiration to him not only on his mission but throughout his entire life. He reminds us, “If there is any one thing that you and I need, … it is faith—the kind of faith that moves us to get one our knees and plead with the Lord for guidance, and then, having a measure of divine confidence, get on our feet and go to work. … Such faith is, when all is said and done, our only genuine and lasting hope.”
That kind of faith is what fueled his ever-optimistic attitude, something that endeared him to us all! Russell M. Nelson described it like this, “President Hinckley was unfailingly optimistic, an outgrowth of his complete faith in the Lord.”2
Along with optimism, President Hinckley’s unwavering faith gave him confidence – divine confidence that with the Lord’s help he could do whatever was asked of him. While he was on his mission, a few of the local newspapers reviewed the reprint of a book that was critical of the Church’s history. His mission president asked him to meet with the publisher and protest it. Although he felt inadequate for the job, he agreed to go. He first said a prayer and then walked to the publisher’s. President Hinckley shared what happened, “I found the office of the president and presented my card to the receptionist. She took it and went into the inner office and soon returned to say that the president was too busy to see me. I replied that I had come five thousand miles [8,000 kilometers] and that I would wait. During the next hour she made two or three trips to his office; then finally he invited me in. I shall never forget the picture when I entered. He was smoking a long cigar with a look that seemed to say, ‘Don’t bother me.’ I held in my hand the reviews. I do not recall what I said after that. Another power seemed to be speaking through me. At first he was defensive and even belligerent. Then he began to soften. He concluded by promising to do something. Within an hour word went out to every book dealer in England to return the books to the publisher. At great expense he printed and tipped in the front of each volume a statement to the effect that the book was not to be considered as history, but only as fiction, and that no offense was intended against the respected Mormon people. Years later he granted another favor of substantial worth to the Church, and each year until the time of his death I received a Christmas card from him.”
President Nelson said that President Hinckley could confidently speak about the gospel with everyone, be they experienced journalists or world leaders. He said, “I witnessed how he softened the heart of Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union, who initially resisted an invitation to meet with President Hinckley in his office. Instead, Mr. Gorbachev wanted President Hinckley to come to Gorbachev’s hotel room. But when they met at Church headquarters, President Hinckley pointed out the beautiful Circassian walnut paneling in the First Presidency’s council room. When President Hinckley told Mr. Gorbachev where that wood was from, Mr. Gorbachev was amazed! That wood had come from the very region of his birthplace in Russia! His mood warmed immediately.”2
Through word and deed, President Hinckley taught, “If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. … There is no obstacle too great, no challenge too difficult, if we have faith.”
Perhaps because his own life had been so richly blessed by his faith, President Hinckley said, “Of all our needs, I think the greatest is an increase in faith.” For part of one general conference talk, he took from the scripture in Luke which reads, “Lord, increase our faith” and offered a prayer for us all that our Father in Heaven would help us to increase our faith in very specific areas. Imagine how much richer our lives would be if we would petition our Heavenly Father for ourselves and our families in such a way! His prayer included:
“Increase our faith to bridge the chasms of uncertainty and doubt.
“Increase our faith to rise above the feeble detractors of this Thy great and holy work.
“Grant us faith to look beyond the problems of the moment to the miracles of the future.
“Give us faith to pay our tithes and offerings.
“Give us faith to do what is right and let the consequence follow.
“Grant us faith when storms of adversity beat us down and drive us to the ground.
“When we walk in the valley of the shadow of death, give us faith to smile through our tears, knowing that it is all part of the eternal plan of a loving Father, … and that through the atonement of the Son of God all share rise from the grave.
“Give us faith to pursue the work of redemption of the dead.
“Grant us faith to follow counsel in the little things that can mean so very much.
“Increase our faith in one another, and in ourselves, and in our capacity to do good and great things.
“Increase our faith in Thee, and in Thy Beloved Son.”
In the next few days, we all will be thinking about the things can improve upon in the coming year. This year as we make our New Year’s Resolutions, let the one we put at the top of our list be to increase our faith!
References:
1. President Gordon B. Hinckley: Stalwart and Brave He Stands – Jeffrey R. Holland
2. Prophets, Leadership and Divine Law – Russell M. Nelson