Larry E. Morris - Words to Live by: Life Strategies of the Latter-Day Prophets

Libraryof Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Morris,Larry E., 1951

Wordsto live by : life strategies of the Latter-day prophets / Larry E. Morris.

p. cm.

Includesbibliographical references and index.

ISBN1-57008-964-7 (alk. paper)

1. ChristianlifeMormon authors. 2. Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints PresidentsHistory. I. Morris,Larry E., 1951- II. Title.

BX8656.M665 2003

248.4'89332dc21 2003008518

Printed in the United States of America 18961-7082

R. R. Donnelley and Sons,Crawfordsville, IN

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To the memory of my grandfather

Alma B. Larsen

Thanks to Jana Erickson, Jay Parry,

and Kathie Terry at Deseret Book

Thanks to my friends and colleagues

at the Institute for the Study and

Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts,

Brigham Young University

Thanks to Uncle Hix

Introduction

In 1937, right after he was called to preside over theBritish Mission, Hugh B. Brown traveled to Europe with President Heber J.Grant. Hugh recalled that he was one of those who had looked upon PresidentGrant chiefly as a financial man. He wrote, I thought he was a great leader,but I did not feel the same towards him as I did towards President [Joseph F.]Smith.

The two men were travelingby train, and as they approached Heidelberg, Germany, they saw a huge crowdgathered on the platform. They lowered the window and as the train stopped theycould hear the throng singing We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet in German.

President Grant arose andput his head out of the window. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he looked uponthose people. The train only stopped a few minutes before we pulled out again.When he sat down beside me he was still crying.

Hugh, he said, I am notentitled to that kind of adulation. This is what they used to do for BrighamYoung when he traveled from Salt Lake City to St. George.... I amnot entitled to this. President Grant then put his head in his hands andcontinued talking. Hugh soon realized that Heber was talking to the Lord: O,Father, thou knowest that I am not worthy of this position.... I want thy Spirit to guide me in all that I do and say.

This, to me, wrote Hugh,showed the spirit of the man. Great humility, great faith, although he hadweaknesses which at times seemed to overcome these admirable qualities....I learned... [Heber J. Grant] was a prophet of God and lived veryclose to the Lord.

In my study of the lives ofthe fifteen presidents of the Church, I have found thatlike Heber J.Granteach of them showed great humility and great faith, serving despitehuman weaknesses. As I have examined their own writings and the writings ofpeople who knew them best, I have been moved and inspired by their lives. Ihave been particularly impressed by the way they lived and taught certainprinciples.

The purpose of this book isto show how the prophets, seers, and revelators of this dispensation lived trueto the gospel truths they espoused, blessing the lives of others and enrichingtheir own lives by mastering fundamental laws of life. For each Churchpresident, I have selected a principle they emphasizedsuch as BrighamYoungs concern with honesty, Joseph F. Smiths focus on loving his children,or Howard W. Hunters attention to compassion. I first offer quotes fromdiscourses, letters, or other writings that demonstrate what each of themtaught concerning a specific life strategy. I then relate stories, sometimesin the prophets own words and sometimes in the words of others, that show howthey practiced what they preached. I believe that this combination ofvalue-centered discussion and biographical narrative illustratesthese gospel truths in a uniquely profound way.

One of the greatest valuesis the virtue of hard work, said the relentless worker Gordon B. Hinckley, wholaunched a long career of Church service immediately after returning from hismission.

I teach them correctprinciples and they govern themselves, proclaimed Joseph Smith, who onceheaded off a high council intent on disciplining a man accused ofmisinterpreting the book of Revelation.

Do the right thing and letthe chips fall where they may, stated Ezra Taft Benson, who showed remarkablecourage under fire as Secretary of Agriculture.

These and the other accountsrelated in Words to Live By havegiven me a new appreciation for the lives of the latter-day prophets.Not surprisingly, the values they teach and emulate are closely linked to thevalues taught by the Savior in the New Testament: charity, humility, integrity,and purity.

As Hugh B. Brown said ofHeber J. Grant, I learned to love the man and to know something of his deepernature. As you read this book, I hope that you also will beinspired to righteous living and will gain new love for and understanding ofthese servants of God.

Notes to Introduction

I Teach Them Correct Principles and They Govern Themselves

Joseph Smith

***

The Words He Lived By

Joseph Smith wasonce asked, How do you govern these people, these Americans, these Britons,these Scandinavians, these men from all parts of the world, all nationalities,speaking different languages, having different customs andtraditions,how do you govern them, that they live together in peace,with a common purpose, and in the spirit of unity?

Joseph responded: I teach them correct principles, and theygovern themselves.

Throughout his ministry, theProphet continually emphasized this value:

Here is a principle...which we are bound to be exercised with, that is, in common with all men....This principle guarantees to all parties, sects, and denominations, and classes of religion, equal,coherent, and indefeasible rights.... Hence we say, that theConstitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in thewisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privilegedwith the sweets of its liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing watersof a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree underwhose branches men from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays ofthe sun.

Sectarian priests cry outconcerning me, and ask, Why is it this babbler gains so many followers, andretains them? I answer, It is because I possess the principle of love. All Ican offer the world is a good heart and a good hand.

The Saints can testify whether Iam willing to lay down my life for my brethren. If it has been demonstratedthat I have been willing to die for a Mormon, I am bold to declare beforeheaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian,a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principlewhich would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints wouldtrample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or any other denomination whomay be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves.

It is a love of liberty whichinspires my soulcivil and religious liberty to the whole of the humanrace. Love of liberty was diffused into my soul by my grandfathers while theydandled me on their knees; and shall I want friends? No.