Gordon B. Hinckley - Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley

1997 Deseret Book Company. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Deseret Book Company, P.O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130. This work is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed herein are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church or of Deseret Book Company. Deseret Book is a registered trademark of Deseret Book Company.

Preface

Gordon Bitner Hinckley, fifteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, became a General Authority in April 1958, when he was called as an Assistant to the Twelve. Today, nearly forty years later, his words have been heard and treasured by Saints around the globe.

The quotations in this volume reflect, as much as possible, the broad scope of President Hinckley's teachings over the past four decades. In the course of his ministry, he has seen the Church's membership grow from less than 2 million to five times that number. His timely emphasis on missionary work, temple building, and maintaining standards in an era of declining morality and "shifting values," as he describes it, has blessed countless lives. He has counseled us to strengthen our families, build tolerance in our communities, reach out to the less fortunate, and increase our faith. He has borne strong and certain testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the going forth of the kingdom of God. Now, in this volume, many of President Hinckley's words of encouragement, inspiration, exhortation, and guidance have been gathered and arranged topically.

The entries in the book were collected from a variety of sources, including conference speeches, other published addresses, and writings. In addition, because President Hinckley has traveled so extensively since becoming prophet, transcripts of talks he has given throughout the world have provided rich source materials, as have various media interviews in which he has participated. With his permission and approval, many previously unpublished excerpts appear in this volume.

These materials have been arranged alphabetically according to topic for ease of reference. Within categories, the entries appear in chronological order from earliest to most recent. Complete references help the reader place the excerpts in their appropriate context.

It is our belief that these words of counsel from a latter-day prophet of the Lord will enlighten the understanding and enrich the spirit of every honest reader.

Aaronic Priesthood

See Priesthood: Aaronic Priesthood

Abortion

Abortion is not the answer. This only compounds the problem. It is an evil and repulsive escape that will someday bring regret and remorse. ("Save the Children," Ensign, November 1994, p. 53.)

Abuse

Spouse Abuse

I feel likewise that it ill becomes any man who holds the priesthood of God to abuse his wife in any way, to demean or injure or take undue advantage of the woman who is the mother of his children, the companion of his life, and his companion for eternity if he has received that greater blessing. Let us deal in kindness and with appreciation with those for whom the Lord will hold us accountable. ("Reach Out in Love and Kindness," Ensign, November 1982, p. 77.)

My heart reaches out to... [those] who by the circumstances in which they find themselves feel oppressed and smotheredall but destroyed. I regret that there are some men who are egotistical and evil, who are insensitive and even brutal. They are to be both condemned and pitied. I believe that any man who offends a daughter of God will someday be held accountable, and the time will come when he will stand before the bar of judgment with sorrow and remorse. ("Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You," Ensign, November 1989, p. 95.)

[I] call attention to the statement in the scriptures that Adam should rule over Eve. (See Gen. 3:16.)... I regrettably recognize that some men have used this through centuries of time as justification for abusing and demeaning women. But I am confident also that in so doing they have demeaned themselves and offended the Father of us all, who, I am confident, loves His daughters just as He loves His sons.

I sat with President David O. McKay on one occasion when he talked about that statement in Genesis. His eyes flashed with anger as he spoke of despotic husbands and stated that they would have to make an accounting of their evil actions when they stand to be judged by the Lord. He indicated that the very essence of the spirit of the gospel demands that any governance in the home must be done only in righteousness.

My own interpretation of that sentence is that the husband shall have a governing responsibility to provide for, to protect, to strengthen and shield the wife. Any man who belittles or abuses or terrorizes, or who rules in unrighteousness, will deserve and, I believe, receive the reprimand of a just God who is the Eternal Father of both His sons and daughters. ("Daughters of God," Ensign, November 1991, p. 99.)

Unfortunately a few of you may be married to men who are abusive. Some of them put on a fine face before the world during the day and come home in the evening, set aside their self-discipline, and on the slightest provocation fly into outbursts of anger.

No man who engages in such evil and unbecoming behavior is worthy of the priesthood of God. No man who so conducts himself is worthy of the privileges of the house of the Lord. I regret that there are some men undeserving of the love of their wives and children. There are children who fear their fathers, and wives who fear their husbands. If there be any such men within the hearing of my voice, as a servant of the Lord I rebuke you and call you to repentance. Discipline yourselves. Master your temper. Most of the things that make you angry are of very small consequence. And what a terrible price you are paying for your anger. Ask the Lord to forgive you. Ask your wife to forgive you. Apologize to your children. ("Women of the Church," Ensign, November 1996, p. 68.)

Child Abuse

There appears to be a plague of child abuse spreading across the world. Perhaps it has always been with us but has not received the attention it presently receives. I am glad there is a hue and cry going up against this terrible evil, too much of which is found among our own. Fathers, you cannot abuse your little ones without offending God. Any man involved in an incestuous relationship is unworthy to hold the priesthood. He is unworthy to hold membership in the Church and should be dealt with accordingly. Any man who beats or in other ways abuses his children will be held accountable before the great judge of us all. If there be any within the sound of my voice who are guilty of such practices, let them repent forthwith, make amends where possible, develop within themselves that discipline which can curb such evil practices, plead with the Lord for forgiveness, and resolve within their hearts henceforth to walk with clean hands. ("To Please Our Heavenly Father," Ensign, May 1985, p. 50.)

We deplore [child abuse,] which seems to be growing in the world. Of course, it is not new. It has gone on for generations. It is serious, and we so regard it. Sexual abuse of children on the part of fathers, or anyone else, has long been a cause for excommunication from the Church. No man who has been ordained to the priesthood of God can with impunity indulge in either spouse or child abuse. Such activity becomes an immediate repudiation of his right to hold and exercise the priesthood and to retain membership in the Church.